Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 31: Death in the Attic

*Lena*

A day passed, then another. Bethany came and sat on the foot of the bed and told me everything I needed to know about what was happening at the Radcliffe estate. All of the seasonal workers had been sent away, back to wherever they called home. Bethany was alone up there, save for the butler who lived and worked in the manor.

Warriors had been creeping over the entirety of the estate for days now. Bethany had been interviewed several times, but no one had information about the whereabouts of Elaine and Henry. I felt nothing but dread as I listened to Bethany recount what had happened during my fevered stupor. I should have been there to help.

I also knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that my family now knew exactly what I'd been up to, and the fact that I'd lied about being in Red Lakes... which is where I'd told them I'd be doing my field study.

I didn't have time to sulk. The third day after I'd woken from my feverish dreams, I was sitting in the passenger seat of Bethany's truck while Xander said his goodbyes to the strange family who had cared for us and taken care of our “Jen" issue.

Xander had gotten some sleep and was back to his somewhat cold and distant attitude toward me, which was somewhat of a relief because I knew we were over the worst of what had happened to us in Crimson Creek.

He rode in the bed of the truck all the way back to the estate and didn't say a word to me until later in the evening when he came in from the bunkhouse to help me back up our things in the cottage.

"There's something we need to do before we leave tomorrow night," he said as he took off his boots and set them by the door.

"What?" I was folding my clothes and tucking them into my duffle bag as he rounded the corner and leaned against the doorway to the bedroom we'd been sharing. I felt a rush of heat as he waited for me to turn to look at him. I paused, looking down at the bed we'd shared. For a single second, I hoped whatever we needed to do involved the bed in some way.

"We need to go up to the estate and have a look around. The warriors from Breles combed it, but they don't know exactly what they're looking for, you know? You've been there before-"

"Bethany said the butler is still there. I doubt he'd let us in."

"I can handle a butler," he said with a smirk. He looked entirely boyish for a moment, and I was filled with regret as I straightened to my full height and looked into his face. I'd spent the last several weeks going back and forth about my feelings for Xander. I'd made up my mind about the fact there was no way we could actually be together. But that didn't mean it didn't thoroughly break my heart.

What was going to happen when we returned to campus? Would we go our separate ways? Or would the break from the constant chaos in Crimson Creek clear my head enough to realize I'd been wrong about him all along?

But that was only if he felt the same way. The way he was looking at me made me wonder if he did, especially the lingering hunger behind his eyes as he looked into mine. I hadn't told him about the dream. I didn't want to. But he'd been in there with me, at least for a second.

"What do you think we'll find there?" I asked.

Xander pursed his lips, tilting his head side to side as he organized his thoughts. I imagined he knew a lot more about the entire Crimson Creek situation than I did, given that he'd had an entire week with a local family to discuss the situation, but I hadn't asked about it. I was ready to wipe my hands of the entire situation and move on.

But I was curious about the manor.

had a sister," he said. "Let's go pay her

***

the manor was totally empty. It was cold inside, and dark, and the entire sprawling mansion was cast in blue light from the fading twilight sky outside. The front door was unlocked, much to Xander's

he walked in front of me, holding his flashlight up to highlight the walls

found surprising. The manor seemed lost to time compared to when I was there last. It was almost like Maxwell's

grand stairs creaked painfully as we ascended them, dust

"Why is there

not look like this

on the tip of my finger. Xander went rigid and silent,

lot of things. It

"It does matter!"

and turned around, illuminating me with his

Lena. Finally, over. Let's

then rapid footsteps. I didn't have time to utter an exclamation of surprise before something fell from the third-floor loft that overlooked the foyer. All of the blood in my body rushed to my head

the stairs. I was sore, and my body was weak from my injury and illness, but I made it to his side in

wrestled the man to the ground, pinning him down. The flashlight had rolled across the foyer, and I

was Maxwell. He was snarling at Xander, his fingers digging into Xander's forearms as he tried to break

before I acted, swinging the flashlight directly into the side of

"You were struggling-"

to his full height. He brushed off his pants, then ran his fingers through his hair, his breath coming quick from the exertion of his

said hastily, handing him back his flashlight, but he shook

going to tie him up and go look upstairs. He jumped from the third floor. We'll

but Xander was already taking off the long-sleeve sweater he was wearing over

into strips, which I found somewhat impressive as I watched him bind Maxwell's hands behind his back.

make sure it's a fatal blow next

to say "Can't or won't?" but I kept my mouth shut and followed

floor of the manor. It also only took a moment to

was hiding in

warriors," Xander replied gruffly as he steadied the ladder and began to climb

I breached the attic I was hit with the worst smell I'd ever witnessed in my life. I retched, almost falling backward through the hole, but Xander grabbed my arm and pulled me into

tucked in the crook of one arm, and the other

what was left of him. This time I did throw