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.

way down the hill toward the lake. It wasn't Bethany who got out of the

It was Xander.

through the crowd. He was taller than most of the people surrounding the fire, and I could see his eyes clearing as he closed in on me. He had his usual look of marked disapproval

crossing my arms over my

knew he'd come!" Elaine giggled,

but barely met his eye before he took me by the elbow and led

thought you didn't want

like the first deep breath he'd taken in a while. "I

get kidnapped by the beast living in the hills, right?" I said sarcastically, but Xander didn't answer. He was staring at the same man who'd

the stranger until the man turned back to his group. Xander crossed his amis over his

good time, or are you

at me with a severe look on his

not wrecking

you

unopened beer out of my hands. He cracked it open and finished it in two swallows before tossing it a remarkable distance into

didn't seem to change his mood, however. He was still looking around,

past twenty-four hours. I'd felt it when I woke up in

gotten what he wanted. Maybe that was

"You okay?" he asked.

at him. "I'm

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

dragged an

on the other side of the bonfire, their bodies lit up by the amber light coming off

Elaine grumbled as I walked in

shrugged. "I don't know, I think this

like to dance, so don't let him ruin your night. You

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

Xander

"Do you?"

of a smile touch his cheek. He offered

Lena." he said, tilting his head as he searched

cheek to stop myself from asking the questions

were in the swell of people, my hands on his 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

down to talk into my ear.

resting on my lower back. I was instantly comforted by his touch. I

had tea at the manor today." I said into his chest, wondering if

"And?"

nice. But... the house is strange. It had to be close to one-hundred degrees

I thought Henry said Maxwell was the only

The butler apologized for it, saying his sister was ill. He shut the

pressed against my back tightened a little as his fingers curled into a fist. He didn't respond, however.

were overwhelming me. We hadn't had a chance to talk about the night