Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 23 :1 Saw It

*Lena*

‘’We're going to find this thing," Xander said as he stood with his back to me in the warehouse. I couldn't see exactly what he was holding, but I knew it was a blade of some kind. He was sharpening it, his words broken up by the sound of metal gliding over metal. "And then we're done with it. do you understand?"

I nodded, the comers of my mouth tightening as I tried to hide my smile. He looked over his shoulder at me. glaring in my direction.

"I understand-"

"We won't speak another word of it after tonight." he said with finality. He continued to stare at me until I nodded.

I rolled my eyes as he turned back around to complete his task.

It was almost ten o'clock. I leaned against one of the tractors as I looked over at the open garage door of the warehouse. The bunkhouse was in full view, only a single light on in the room that housed the female faun workers. A shadow passed the window, then the light turned off.

This was it. We were doing this.

I heard the crunch of footsteps outside the warehouse, followed by a sheepish looking Bethany. She was dressed for the chill in the air. and she had her tool belt around her waist. She looked ready to face whatever was out there, but her eyes betrayed her composer. She exhaled deeply as she walked througli the threshold.

"I changed my mind," she said sharply, swallowing hard.

"Too late for that," Xander breathed, turning around as he examined his blade.

I narrowed my eyes at him as he ran his finger over the edge of the knife, which was huge.

"Do you really think we're going to need that?" I asked, but he ignored me. tucking his knife into the holster that was hooked on liis jeans.

"I don't want anyone getting hurt," Bethany pressed.

Xander gave her an incredulous look, then shook his head as he bent at the waist to tighten his boots.

"Meet us at the fire pit in an hour, Bethany." he grumbled.

He had a one-track mind at the moment. We'd spent the day bickering back and forth about how to handle the situation. We couldn't go out in broad daylight, that was for certain. Bethany had come back to our cottage shortly after leaving with Maxwell, telling us he'd threatened some type of punishment if he heard word that'd we’d gone after Elaine and Henry. He'd been irrationally angry, from what Bethany said.

"Maxwell isn't going to know, if that's what you're worried about," Xander said casually as he walked past Bethany and flipped the switch on the wall that caused the garage door to begin to close. "Lena, come on."

Xander ducked under the garage door and walked out of the sight. I let out my breath, glancing over at Bethany, whose cheeks were pink with frustration.

"I trust him-"

get himself killed!" Bethany hissed as she took a few steps

come back on their own, then?" I asked, trying to hide the bite in my voice. I was ready to get this over with as well. My field study had been totally marred by the beastly mystery that was plaguing the farm. Now that Xander was finally fired up about it, I finally

for a moment as

going to

we'll find whatever it is that's out there. Trust me. Xander

blinked, then looked me up

“What kind of plan?"

kitchenette counter. I'd never seen him act like this before. He was hyper focused, determined, and all and all total

a

the backpack, preparing to zip up one of

“What?"

have... a certain look in your eyes right now," I stammered, feeling

he replied, zipping the backpack and turning to me.

"I understand-"

have any idea what we're about to

through my lashes. This was starting to become a repeat of our conversation from earlier in the day when I'd thrown a mug at his head after he told me I wasn't coming with him. and we'd fought about it. "You said it yourself we didn't know what we were walking

he said flatly. "It’s a terrible

in." I crossed my legs, tapping my foot as Xander's face began to redden with

the plan." he

my hair around my finger, "and I'll be out, after dark, alone... while you and

like we're looking for you, but you'll be right next to me the entire time. I'll put you in a tree,

Xander,

drag you back here. Do you understand? This is an incredible risk, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if-" He stopped talking abruptly and ran his hand over his face. I bit the inside of my cheek, my stomach doing a little, uncomfortable flip. "We're getting Elaine back. That's it. We're going to sit in the woods and wait for tliis thing and follow it. Bethany says they've seen wolf tracks near the bridge

and it was all I

fell. "I'm going to keep you safe," he said softly. "I

that. I can

me to stop, but then curled it into a fist. "Just let me... just let me do this, Lena. My

knees into my chest. I hugged my arms around my knees, balancing my chin on top of

the day in close quarters. We'd been arguing, but there was an underlying feeling of electricity between

was obvious we both had feelings for each other. I hadn't meant to ask him if he was a warrior. I shouldn't have even

about his past. I wanted to know what he wanted in

abruptly, practically jumping to my

with his gaze as I hurried around the room and pulled a sweatshirt and jacket on. and laced up my