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-"

as she hacked into another vine. “You look better rested than you have since you arrived. And... you have a glow to your cheeks. What'd you and Xander get up

up with two pumpkins in my arms. They were heavy, but I wanted to get as far away from the conversation

my armfill into the trailer and wiped

I'd find you out here," he said, his mouth

odd man. I couldn't quite read his expression, but he was handsome when he

to do." I said

smirked, rolling his eyes away from mine as he looked out

the village

meant to say it out loud. He turned his gaze back

a question: it was a

**♦

Radcliffe Manor was one of the most impressive houses I'd ever seen. Every inch of the facade was carved hi intricate designs and covered in thick, dark green vines

the impressive stained-glass windows as I followed

felt incredibly underdressed in my grimy work clothes and apron as I stepped into

him into a sitting room situated off the foyer. The hearth was absolutely blazing as I sat opposite him in

relaxed, liis skin staying the same, slightly pale color while my cheeks began

"A drink?" he asked.

I murmured, tugging at my

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

whereabouts are you fr

he received my student file before I arrived: that was the whole point. My file

teacup on the coffee

smile. I blushed, unable to stop myself. Maxwell had a strange, overwhelmingly charismatic aura about him. He was handsome, that was for sure. But there was something about his voice and the way his eyes bored

of 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.” I

he's correct hi that

some interesting historical facts about the manor, and estate that it sat on. I listened as intently as possible, feeling more and more like I was going to die of heat stroke as a servant came in to put another log on the fire

stupor of conflicting emotions and overwhelming heat. It wasn't until a different servant came

fragrant

recognized the smell

as I could, but found it impossible to move. Manners and sheer curiosity kept me in place, although my fingertips were prickling with

smell it. That smell was burned

Who was this man?

the investigation?" I

not meeting my eye. "but not

she bent to whisper into Maxwell's ear. He nodded, liis eyes flashing with frustration as he

have business to attend to," he said, and led me out of the sitting room. “I assume you know your way back to the

brisk pace with his back straight and

heard a scream of frustration, maybe even anger, come

sister." said the butler, appearing before

The butler was a kindly looking old man. however, who was staring blankly at me as I tried to bring

“I didn't know-"