Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 35 : She Doesn’t Know What She Can Do

♦Lena*

I tinned the envelope over in my hands as I sat on the edge of my bed in our hotel room. I hadn't opened it. not yet. I already knew what was inside. I had something nearly identical back in my apartment near campus, but it didn't matter. Inside the envelope was a reminder that my days of pin e freedom were limited. George had asked what I was doing in Crimson Creek over the mind-link, but I hadn't given him the answer he wanted. I'd only begged him to leave it alone, to say nothing. He'd likely planned a trip north to Red Lakes to deliver- the envelope to me before he went back east. What would he say when he returned home? And to who?

•'Back to reality." I murmured, slipping the envelope into my backpack just as Xander opened the door to our room, without knocking of course. I'd avoided him all evening. He'd gone downstairs for dinner, and hadn't mentioned me joining him. Whatever spat we'd had back at the estate wasn't over, but neither of us were willing to be the bigger person and apologize.

There was a lot Xander wasn't telling me. but there was also a lot I wasn't telling him. That made us even, right?

Xander met my eye. giving me a cold, dark stare as he dropped a to-go box on the dresser. I chewed the inside of my lip as I watched him walk across the room and sit on the other bed. We stared at each other for a moment, each of us throwing daggers with our eyes. It was incredibly immature, I can admit that, but I wasn't in the mood to play games. Not tonight.

"Eat something." he said curtly, motioning with Iris hands toward the to-go box. I swung my legs into bed and covered myself with the quilt in response, turning my back to him. I heard him growl, low in his throat, but I ignored him.

It wasn't even nine o'clock. Xander rar ely slept, and I found it unlikely he was going to bed so early. I knew he was still staring at me. He was likely going over- everything he wanted to fight with me about in liis mind, just like I was doing. But in the end. I heard Iris bed creak as he rose and walked back across the room, slamming the door shut behind him as he left.

***

♦Xander*

She didn't need to know. She really didn't. I didn't have a reason to feel guilty about leaving out some small, but very important, details about what exactly had been going on in Crimson Creek.

But I did feel guilty. I felt guilty for snapping at her. I felt even worse now that she was giving me the cold shoulder.

Nothing good would come from telling her what I'd learned about this place and its people. Lena was somewhat submissive and reserved, yeah. But she was stubborn, compulsive, and indignant as well. She'd take what I knew and turn it into a crusade, and I wasn't going to let her risk her life again.

Thankfully, with George now having come and gone, it felt like this chapter was finally closing for good, at least I hoped.

I had nothing else to do but leave our hotel room and go for a walk. I couldn't just sit in there with her while she pouted. She was looking for a fight just as much as I was. but not for the same reasons.

She was angry with me. I was only angry with myself.

Goddess. I'd almost done it. I'd almost put my mark on her. I should have, looking back on it. but something inside of me hesitated, the only part of me that had a slu ed of will power against the rest of my mind during our throws of passion.

Everything going forward would have been easier had I done it. We would've been linked, tethered together, and she would have had no choice but to come with me, to my home, to my lands.

her mate in name only wasn't enough. I wanted her heart, and her

was if she was like the rest of us. I'd heard rumors about her before even knowing of her. I'd heard the tall tales told in pubs and

what I was getting myself

told her I loved her during an especially terrible feverish night in Gideon's run-down farmhouse. I was sure

in so much pain, and I would have done anything to take her place. When I said it. I meant it. I hadn't ever been more sure of anything in my

find the nerve

own self-pity until I reached the bar. Bethany was supposed to come down to the village to get the truck back from us, but I hadn't heard from her all day. I had something I wanted to ask her before we

pint of a rich, golden ale. when someone gr abbed me from behind, nearly knocking me to the ground

go of my arm and holding Iris hand against Iris

vision went red. I shor ed him deeper into the alleyway. pinning him against a wall.

Gideon's," he said, a little breathless, "and he told

right. I do know, and you

with emotion. “I've been looking for her. I

shoving him against tire wall and then flexing the hand that had

he said hurriedly, exhaling deeply as the words left Iris mouth. "Most of

move to pin him against the wall again, but he shoved me away,

me. man. Okay? I'm trying

the opposite wall in the alley. He clenched and unclenched Iris fists, flexing his jaw before spitting blood onto the stone

like me. who were born this way. and those like Jen. who were... turned. I

running my tongue along my lower

Crimson Creek.

"Bethany?"

I don't know

there a

crossed over his chest

shushed him, taking a step toward the

friend was mugged, though, just up the road.

of his damn mind and looking for any excuse to rough up what he thought

guy stole his wallet." I lied, trying my best to look

curfew in place now. you know. Everyone has to be off the street

down at my watch. "Well, we have an hour to get a pint,

flushed. The warrior looked us both up and down before walking away, and