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."

I promise

me anything," I breathed. My eyelids were already feeling heavy, and I hadn't been awake

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

Xander said quietly as Alma set the tray on

I asked

her tongue at me, shaking her head as I opened my mouth to ask what Xander mea: She lifted the mug of broth to my lips, urging me to take a sip,

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

"Xander, I'm sorry-"

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

my side. Alma was standing her ground, however, and the look

look at me before he tore himself from the

as she lifted the mug to my lips again. I swallowed painfully,

I asked, wondering if what

help me sip from the mug until it was nearly empty. "You're going to be hungry, but you're not ready to eat solid food yet. Just broth for now. I'll bring

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 tried to reach out to grab her wrist to stop her, but only one of my fingers twitched

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

to button up my shirt again. She pulled a thick quilt back over my body, tucking it in around my

I cried, my voice strained

arching

I saw

was so sharp it

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

heel and took one single step toward the door. I was barely able to turn my head, but out

well in

shortly." She was gone before her voice even registered in my

its web between the rafters. I didn't want to close my eyes. I wasn't sure what I'd

***

*Xander*

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

He's meeting with the King of the West before he travels south to Breles,

Gideon trailed off, looking nervous as he continued to stare out the window into the rain that was pounding the area. "What will they do with the information you

I won't be telling them. Not the whole truth. The hybrid has been disposed of, and the prominent Alphas of the West will