Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 18 : Who Are You?

♦Lena*

Ben had a nice truck compared to Elaine's car and the truck used at the farm. There weren't many people with cars, and trains and boats still overwhelmed the need for vehicular transportation. But Crimson Creek was definitely one of those places where a car was necessary to get around with its narrow, bumpy gravel roads that weaved up and over the hills. It was my first time being out in the hills outside of the estate, other than the quick drive from the estate to town.

I'd have been lying if I said it didn't make me nervous, but Elaine and Ben seemed unbothered by it.

The sky was dark, clear, and full of stars when we finally reached the party Ben had invited us to.

We pulled up to a lake, which I found rather shocking at first because it was smack dab in the middle of nowhere, so far from town I couldn't even see the lights.

At least three dozen people around my age were gathered around a large bonfire at the lake's edge, a radio sitting on a picnic table blaring music as everyone drank cheap beer. It almost felt like I was back on Morhan’s campus again.

“Now, this is a party," Elaine squeaked with joy. swaying her body to the music as she linked her arm in mine. "I'm glad this weekend wasn't a total bust!"

Ben looked back at us with a grin as we followed him down to the lake. I noticed his eyes lingered on Elaine for a few extra seconds, which wanned my heart. I'd noticed the way he looked at her when we were back at the farm.

I wondered if Xander had noticed it, but I doubted it. He was too busy looking incredibly cold and glaring at Ben.

It was clear to me that Ben had little interest in me. He was likely just being nice in order to get closer to Elaine. I was totally fine with that, especially when Ben brought us some drinks, and I noticed the look of longing flash behind Elaine's eyes.

“What's this place called?" I asked Ben, motioning toward the water.

The bonfire reflected off the surface of the lake, giving it an odd red color. I wanted to see what it looked like in the daytime because I was guessing it wasn't the clear, blue water I was used to back home.

“Crimson Lake," he said with a shrug. "The original settlers weren't all that creative."

“Crimson Creek, like the actual creek, feeds into it," Elaine added, waving her hand toward the north.

"Oh," I said, not entirely sure what else to contribute to the conversation. Ben and Elaine were chatting while I clutched a can of warm beer. I hadn't even opened it and was more than happy to just hang out by the fire and people-watch.

I found it odd that so many young people lived in Crimson Creek. It was an old place, with little to no infrastructure and few opinions in terms of education or employment. In fact, I noticed something unusual as I continued to scan the crowd and felt a jolt of unease shoot through me.

There was a group of people standing away from the fire. They were huddled together, whispering to each other and glancing in my direction every once in a while. They were dressed in heavy winter clothing-parkas, boots, and hats. They looked out of place, especially since it was a rare warm and dry evening.

One man in particular was staring at me, his gaze occasionally flicking in Elaine's direction. I noticed him move his gaze to Ben. his eyes narrowing as he sized him up.

“Don't worry about those guys," Ben said, tilting his head toward the group. "They look rough, but they're not. I know them."

"That guy on the left keeps looking at all of us," I said, wondering if my anxiety was warranted.

"His name is Claus. He's just a strange guy, that's all."

“But-"

“Hey. is that Bethany?" Elaine said, breaking away from the tight circle the three of us had formed as she squinted into the distance.

making its way down the hill toward the lake. It wasn't Bethany who

It was Xander.

of the people surrounding the fire, and I could see his eyes clearing as he closed in on me. He had his usual

huffed, crossing my arms over

Elaine giggled, nudging

but barely met his eye before he took

thought you didn't want to come." I

his eyes as he took what looked like the first deep breath he'd taken in a while.

the way down here to make sure I don't get kidnapped by the beast living in the hills, right?" I said

Xander said beneath his breath, narrowing his eyes at the stranger until the man turned back to his group. Xander crossed his amis over his chest, keeping his eye on the group for what felt like several minutes. It was starting

to have a good time, or are you

turned to me, looking down at me

not wrecking

would you call

reaching out to take the unopened beer out of my hands. He cracked it

seem to change his mood, however. He was still looking around, his

over the past twenty-four hours. I'd felt it when I woke up in the morning,

what he wanted. Maybe

"You okay?" he asked.

at

held my gaze for a moment, then looked away, his shoulders going rigid

our direction as she dragged an apprehensive-looking

her at a large group of people who had started dancing to music coming from one of the vehicles on the other side of the bonfire, their bodies lit up by the amber light coming off the flames. I nodded in agreement, glancing over at Xander as he continued

grumbled as

shrugged. "I don't know, I think

dance, so don't let him ruin your night. You have to go back to Morhan for a bit,

me a different answer every time-" I bit my lip as Elaine squealed, swept into the crowd of dancers by Ben. I was left standing on the edge of the

to dance?" Xander said, coming

"Do you?"

at me, and I saw a brief hint of a smile

said, tilting his head as

my cheek to stop myself

shoulders. I felt a little awkward as I moved against him. I hadn't had many opportunities to dance. I'd taken ballet, but only when I was a child, and I hadn't been a great

Xander said, leaning down to talk

as he pulled me closer, his hand resting on my lower back. I was instantly comforted by

the manor today." I said into his chest, wondering if he could even hear me over the music. He stiffened

"And?"

the house is strange. It had to be close to one-hundred degrees in there.

Henry said Maxwell was the only one

when I was making my way out. The butler apologized for

had pressed against my back tightened a little as his fingers curled into a

a chance to talk about the night before.