Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 17 : Was This a Mistake?

♦Lena*

Xander wasn't there when I woke the next morning. I was somewhat gratefol for it.

I wasn't sure how I felt as I rolled over in bed and looked at Xander's empty sleeping bag. I was sore, but that was a given. I'd known what to expect in that regard. While my very private parents had been more reserved and conseivative during my upbringing, not all of my family members had been. That, and living with roommates for three years, had given me a pretty clear expectation about how these things were supposed to go.

But I hadn’t been prepared for what I'd feel like emotionally.

I was embarrassed and slightly ashamed of my behavior.

And Xander's absence made me realize I may have made a mistake.

I didn't have much time to dwell on my feelings, however. A shadow passed in front of the bedroom window, and then someone knocked on the front door. I got up and pulled on my pajama pants, having only redressed enough to cover my breasts and other bits before falling asleep, and walked out into the snug living area.

"You missed breakfast, and someone made cinnamon rolls." Elaine grinned as she stepped inside and handed me a plate she'd covered in foil. I smiled, thanking her as she produced a fork from her pocket.

I sat down on the trunk to eat. while Elaine settled in the armchair. I was absolutely famished, and exceedingly gratefol she'd thought of me.

"Wliat're yoti up to today?" I asked, sighing as I took another bite. "These are really good!"

"Owen made them. He's not good for much outside of his baking skills." she teased, crossing her legs.

I hadn't had a single conversation with the man in question, but he seemed nice enough, and was just another one of the many seasonal workers who were present at Radcliffe estate.

"They kind of taste like... pumpkin?"

"Pumpkin icing," she nodded, shrugging her shoulders. "Speaking of pumpkins, that's what everyone is doing today. The fall harvest stalls next week, and the pumpkin patch is the most labor-intensive part of it. It's technically still the weekend, but we're getting a head start. You wanna join?"

I couldn't really refuse. Maxwell had put a pause on our field study, and it was likely Henry would drag me out of the herb garden if he caught me down there. I nodded and set the remains of the cinnamon roll on the counter before going to change out of my pajamas.

Ten minutes later. Elaine and I were walking through the grain field. The farm was truly expansive, and it took us a while on foot to reach the pumpkin patch. Several figures were milling about as we approached. They were cutting large, perfectly orange pumpkins from the vines and setting them in the back of a trailer, which hooked up to the back of Bethany's truck when it was foil.

“Where's Bethany?" one of the workers asked.

Elaine shrugged, waving her hand in dismissal.

"She went into the village on an errand. She took Xander with her." she shouted in reply as I followed her into the patch.

I was carrying my toolbox, which housed a variety of gardening tools I likely wouldn't need for this chore, but I felt better having them with me nonetheless. I planned on getting a soil sample, regardless of the rules.

"Xander went with her?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral. I must have failed, because Elaine gave me a fonny look as we decided on a section of ripe pumpkins and knelt in the soil to begin freeing them from the vines.

"In a hurry. He was early for breakfast. The coffee hadn't even been brewed when he came to the bunkhouse, and when Bethany mentioned she was going to the village he jumped up. knocked his chair right over. They were gone in a flash."

“Weird," I mumbled, my face prickling with heat. Had he been trying to avoid... me?

“What's up with you?" Elaine grunted as she cut into a thick pumpkin vine. She snapped it with her hands, then examined the pumpkin before looking up at me expectantly.

"Nothing, just tired-"

have since you arrived. And... you have

quickly, standing up with two pumpkins in my arms. They were heavy, but I wanted to get as

dumped my armfill into the trailer and wiped my brow, looking up to see Maxwell Radcliffe

didn't think I'd find you out here," he said, his mouth stretching

read his expression, but he was handsome when he smiled, at least. I straightened my back a little

else to

looked out over the field. “Where's that partner of yours?" he

into the village

not to me. It sounded more like he hadn't meant to say it out loud. He turned his gaze back to me, looking me up and down before

question:

**♦

seen. Every inch of the facade was carved hi intricate designs and covered in thick, dark green vines that snaked up three stories toward the

up at the impressive stained-glass windows as I followed Maxwell along the path

and ushered us inside, and I felt incredibly underdressed in

with rich, red walls. It was incredibly warm, borderline hot in the house, though, especially when Maxwell motioned for me to follow him into a sitting room situated off the foyer. The hearth was absolutely blazing as I sat opposite him in a high-backed aimchair, and I felt a little sweaty and claustrophobic as

skin staying the same, slightly pale

"A drink?" he asked.

yes." I murmured, tugging at my

seconds. I had a glass of iced tea in front of me. and I drank it as quickly as was appropriate. The ice melted almost

something hot. It smelled odd. and was quite pungent, even though he was seated several feet away. He was eyeing me. tapping his finger against

Lena, whereabouts are

knowledge. Surely he received my student file before I arrived: that was the whole point. My file would have shown

his empty teacup on the

He was handsome, that was for sure. But there was something about his voice and the way his

heat washed over, and not from the hearth. I quickly changed the subject, wondering what the hell was the matter with me. "Henry said your family has lived here for centuries.”

he's correct hi that

stroke as a servant came in to put another log on the fire in ten minute intervals. It was not nearly cold enough outside to need such a fine, but I was a guest. Who

and overwhelming heat. It wasn't until a different

fragrant liquid into his tea

the smell

urge to run out of the house as quickly as I could, but found it impossible to move. Manners

root. I could smell it. That smell was

Who was this man?

there any news about the investigation?" I said hastily,

slowly, not meeting my eye. "but not

her voice flushed with concern as she bent to whisper into Maxwell's ear. He nodded, liis eyes flashing with frustration as he set liis teacup down and stood, offering

and led me out of the sitting room. “I assume you know

a brisk pace with his back straight and shoulders rigid with tension. I walked into the foyer, watching as he disappeared around a

of frustration, maybe even anger, come from somewhere

the butler, appearing before me like a

my chest as I sucked hi my breath. The butler was a kindly looking old man. however, who was staring blankly at me as

“I didn't know-"