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

made me eat soup earlier, and I couldn't keep it down," I said, opening one eye to peer at him for a moment

* Xander*

ajar as she drifted away mid-sentence. She'd been doing this for days now, flowing in and out

tea. I knew Alma was dosing

shoulders, which had already healed without an ounce of discomfort, were markedly different

right. Lena needed to stay asleep, and calm, until the near-fatal

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

couldn't tell them the

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 needed to know what was going on in Crimson

guarded compound to 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 a waiting

pulled a blanket up to Lena's chin and tucked it around her, gripping her upper arms for a moment and saying another desperate prayer I knew

if anyone was listening to my pleas

rigid and closed off to have realized I was

and her youngest brother, a young man named Abel, were standing near the health talking in low tones as I nodded

You need to eat something

a tight smile, hoping that would be enough, and stepped

spent most of the day with Lena, talking to her even though I didn't think she could hear a word I said.

that one day I'd have the strength

going

done. And I was going to be

was waiting 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,

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

was weak, and tired, and pleading for

I said as I

eyes lowered to look me straight in the face, her mouth twitching into

“Your friends?"

Henry. Where

them back to him," she said