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-"

killed!" Bethany hissed as she took a few

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,

closed her eyes for a moment as

going

find whatever it is that's out there. Trust me. Xander has a plan, and I trust

looked me

“What kind of plan?"

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

e you a warrior?" I

preparing to zip up

“What?"

certain look in your eyes right now," I stammered, feeling suddenly ridiculous. I

and turning to me. "I'm just

"I understand-"

Really. Lena. Do you have any idea what we're

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.

to come." he said flatly. "It’s

come in." I crossed my legs, tapping my foot as

the

breathed, twisting a lock of my hair around my finger,

it's Henry," he said with conviction, "then it won’t matter. I'm going to flush him out by calling out your name like we're looking for you, but you'll be right next to me the entire time.

Xander,

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

and it was all I had the wherewithal to

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

don't need you to do that. I can

curled it into a fist.

balancing my chin on top of one knee as I

there was an underlying feeling of electricity between us

was putting a distance between us. We could focus on something other than the fact that it was obvious

know. I wanted to know about him, about his past. I wanted to know what

abruptly, practically

I hurried around the room and pulled a sweatshirt and jacket on. and laced up