Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 30: He Found Her

*Lena*

"How long-"

"Four days," Xander said as he sat on the edge of the bed, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked absolutely frazzled. His hair, which he normally wore brushed back and neat, was sticking up at odd angles, and his eyes were rimmed by dark circles from lack of sleep.

I'd woken up from my nightmare only to find that what had felt like only moments had been several long, fever-fueled days. I swear I had just closed my eyes to Xander's voice only an hour ago. The expression on his face told me everything I needed to know, however. He looked too surprised to see me lucid, and even more shocked to hear my voice.

He didn't look relieved. He looked nervous, and skeptical, his eyes creasing every time I took a ragged breath. My lungs felt like they were on fire. My mouth was dry, and my lips blistered and cracked. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been sick with even a head cold. Whatever this was, well, it had almost killed me.

"It's been a week, Lena," he breathed, running his hand over his face. "We killed that hybrid-Jen. She's dead."

"Oh-"

"And the Alpha of Breles has been notified. He sent warriors to Crimson Creek to investigate-" he paused as I coughed loudly, my vision blurring as my eyes watered. "Goddess, Lena, this conversation needs to wait-"

"No," I protested. "I need to know what happened."

Xander looked at the door to the bedroom, looking impatient.

"The Alpha of Crimson Creek is nowhere to be found. Radcliffe estate has been cleared out pending an investigation into the disappearances of Elaine and Henry, and Gretta's murder-"

"Cleared out? You mean no one is there?"

"Bethany is there now. But she sent everyone else away. Radcliffe... Maxwell, he's missing as well."

"I don't understand-"

"They fled. Morhan University is playing dumb, trying to say they never sent us to Crimson Creek for a field study and that we went on our own accord. There's a formal investigation happening at the University now. You were right, Lena. Morhan was trying to hide something. The dean resigned yesterday-"

"Does this mean we're not getting credit for our field study?"

Xander glared at me as he chewed his lower lip. He rolled his eyes, exhaling through his nose as he shook his head. "Is that really all you care about?"

"I cheated death," I said dryly, the corners of my mouth twitching into a smile. "The least they could do is let me graduate next month."

will. I promise

I breathed. My eyelids were already

pitcher of water. She looked me up and down, the furrow in her brow relaxing as she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her

here this time." Xander said quietly as Alma set the tray on the bed, her eyes boring into mine

I

her head as I opened my mouth to ask what Xander mea: She

But you never fully woke up." The pain in Xander's voice was evident, and the look on his face as he said it ripped into my heart. He looked like he hadn't slept at all. I wondered if he'd been sitting

"Xander, I'm sorry-"

to see you, Xander." Alma's voice was stern as she turned her gaze

his tongue along his lower lip, looking like he'd rather do anything than leave my side. Alma was standing her ground, however, and the look she

took one last look at me before he tore himself

the mug to my lips again. I swallowed painfully,

aren't you?" I asked, wondering

she continued to help me sip from the mug until it was nearly empty. "You're going to

arms and legs felt fixed in place, fatigue pinning my body to the bed as Alma guided me back onto my pillow. She began to unbutton my shirt, and I felt a jolt of shock wash over my body. I

down at my belly, her face void of expression. I'd hadn't even seen the wound yet. I wasn't sure I

as she began to button up my shirt again. She pulled a thick quilt back over my body,

my voice strained and

at me, her brow arching in question

I saw a

was so

describe to her what I'd seen, but the memory of the dream was now blurry and fragmented. "He said... he called me his queen. That he'd tried with so many. I

her full height, her eyes going wide. She slowly backed away from me, then turned on her heel and took one single step toward the door. I was barely able to turn my head, but out of the corner of my eye, I could see her

beginning to well

was gone before her voice even

black spider build its web between the rafters. I

***

*Xander*

to get here?" Gideon asked as he rapped his knuckles against the

was yesterday. He's meeting with the King of the West

as he continued to stare out the window into the rain that was pounding the

and the prominent Alphas of the West will be more