Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 28 : The Truth

*Lena*

‘•What do you remember?" Xander asked as he handed me a glass of water.

“Everything," I winced, swallowing against the pain that seemed to radiate over every inch of my body. I'd been out for three days, according to Xander. He looked like he hadn't slept the entire time.

He told me everything that had happened after I lost consciousness. I listened as intently as I could, even though I was on the edge of sleep once more. I felt like my body was fighting itself, every cell and fiber at war with some unknown enemy. My throat was sore, and my eyes watered. I felt like I had a cold or flu, to be honest. I didn't necessarily feel like my stomach had just been ripped open by a raging, rabid beast who Xander told me, point blank, had been Jen.

“I thought you were going to die," he said after a long pause in his retelling of the past three or four days. His voice was stem, almost like he was disappointed in me.

“I'm sorry-"

“No, I am sorry. This situation... I acted out of impulse."

“You were trying to find my friend." I replied weakly, my voice catching in my throat. We'd captured the beast, but there was still no sign of Elaine and Henry. I tried to give him a smile, but didn't have the strength. In truth, waking up from my pained, uneasy slumber to his face looking down at me was the best thing that had ever happened to me. Dramatic, yes, but I could barely describe the relief and sheer joy at the fact he was alright.

He'd saved my life by allowing me to stay here, with total strangers. My wounds were healing slowly, but they were healing. Xander had stayed by my side the entire time.

“I don't think I can get out of bed yet." I whispered, closing my eyes again.

“It's fine. There's nowhere you need to be-"

"Our field study-"

“It's over. Lena. It's done. We can't go back. When you're well enough to walk, we'll stay in Crimson Creek. Gideon has an apartment there-"

“But graduation-"

“Morlian is giving you back every single penny you paid in tuition over the years, as well as your diploma and a stellar recommendation to any job you want after this, Lena, mark my words. I'll wring the dean's neck if not."

I couldn't help but smile. For the first time in my life, I had not a single care in the world. It felt nice. I was relaxed. I was happy, if that was even possible given the situation. I wondered what kind of medicine I'd been given to make me feel this way.

try to eat something." Xander coaxed, but I shook my

at him for a moment before closing it again. "But I

* Xander*

mouth slightly ajar as she drifted away mid-sentence. She'd been doing this for days

more concerned about her as the days went on. She hadn't been able to keep anything down but an occasional sip of tea. I

shoulders, which had already healed

was probably right. Lena needed to stay asleep, and

my chest, rocking her back

that I couldn't tell them

regard. She was a fantastic actor, I could give her that much. There wasn't anyone else I'd trust to lie througli their teeth like Lena could. But someone needed to know what was going on

try to tell him about what had been happening. The Alpha of Breles likely didn't care about what was happening this far west. Maxwell

now

blanket up to Lena's chin and tucked it around her, gripping her upper

my pleas for not only

was too rigid and closed off to have realized I was falling in love with her until she was on death's doorstep,

walked down the stairs. Alma and her youngest brother, a young man named Abel, were standing near the health talking

on for dinner. You need to eat

smile, hoping that would be enough, and stepped out onto

even though I didn't think she could hear a word I said.

not yet. I hoped that one day I'd

going to

done. And I was going to be

for me in the bam with his brother Silas. The two of them were leaning against one of the old stalls, watching as Jen slumped against the fallen beam, her body wasted and sunken. She didn't look like a person any longer. It was truly horrific. But the words that had been coming out of

hear the lies in her voice. Gideon was right. Jen was no longer there, and she hadn't been for a long

tired, and pleading for

I want answers," I said as I knelt

look me straight in

“Your friends?"

Henry. Where

back to him," she said in a gravelly