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.

to eat something." Xander coaxed, but

said, opening one eye to peer at him for

* Xander*

drifted away mid-sentence. She'd been doing this for days now, flowing in

to keep anything down but an occasional sip of tea. I knew Alma was

on my back and shoulders, which had already healed without an ounce of discomfort, were markedly different

Lena needed to stay asleep, and calm, until

to get a little better, but then she'd run another vicious fever. She'd cry out for her parents, her whimpers cutting into my soul as I held her against my chest, rocking her back and forth as though she were an infant. I'd already sent a letter, being as vague as possible about the situation and hiding the fact that Lena was

couldn't tell

with her family. She was closed off in that 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

had been happening. The Alpha of Breles likely didn't care about what was happening this far west. Maxwell Radcliffe was gone, apparently, on some errand far

was now

around her, gripping her upper arms for a moment and saying another desperate prayer

didn't know if anyone was listening to my pleas for not only her survival but my

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

the bedroom and walked througli the house. I was met by the usual cooking smells as I walked down the stairs. Alma and her youngest brother, a young man named Abel, were standing near the health talking

to eat something other than soup," Alma said

her a tight smile, hoping that would be enough, and stepped out onto

think she could hear a word I said. I checked

said, not yet. I hoped that

was going

was going to be

slumped against the fallen beam, her body wasted and

lies in her voice. Gideon was right. Jen was no longer there, and she hadn't been for a long time. Whatever she was now, well, was primal, second nature, something hidden deep within every shifter that was never meant to

she was weak, and tired, and pleading for

I want answers," I said

point, but her eyes lowered to look

“Your friends?"

and Henry.

back to him," she said