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

don't need to promise me anything," I breathed. My eyelids were already

in holding a tray with a mug of fragrant broth and a pitcher of water. She looked me up and

Xander said quietly as Alma set the tray on the bed, her eyes boring

I asked

my mouth to ask what Xander mea: She lifted the mug of broth to my lips, urging me to

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

"Xander, I'm sorry-"

needs to see you, Xander." Alma's voice was stern as

her ground, however, and the look she was giving me made me want to cower and submit to whatever she told

at me before he tore himself from

mug to my lips again. I swallowed painfully, but the warmth of the broth was already calming the irritation in my

asked, wondering

not meeting my eye as she continued to help me sip from the mug until it was nearly empty. "You're going to be hungry, but you're not ready

me back onto my pillow. She began to unbutton my shirt, and I felt a jolt of shock wash over my body. I tried to reach out

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

body, tucking it in around my shoulders. "A few days more of rest. I'll bring you something

I cried, my voice strained

me, her brow arching in question

dreams. I saw a

tone was so

blurry and fragmented. "He said... he called me his queen. That he'd tried with so

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

to well in the pit of

back shortly." She was gone before her voice

spider build its web between the rafters. I didn't want to close my eyes.

***

*Xander*

the man from the court of the Alpha King of the East supposed to get here?" Gideon asked as he rapped his knuckles against the windowsill in the

I had was yesterday. He's meeting with the King of

out the window into the rain that

hybrid has been disposed of, and the prominent Alphas of the West will be