Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 48: He's Gone

*Lena*

Heather was pacing back and forth across the living room of our apartment, her face screwed up in a vicious scowl. I was sitting on the couch, my cheeks tear-stained and the tender skin above my left breast throbbing painfully as Viv held my hand, toying with my fingers to mask her own nerves.

"And he didn't even walk you home?" Heather spat, her face flaming with fury.

I choked back a sob and nodded, to which Heather replied by throwing her hands in the air and stifling what could have only been

a scream.

"F*ck these Morhan men, seriously," Viv mumbled, her face flushed of all color as she glanced at me, then down to where Xander's mark was, although it was hidden by several layers of clothing, and a thick robe, at this point.

I was freezing. Everything hurt. I felt like I was being torn to shreds from the inside out. Rejection. It had to be rejection. How could I have been so stupid?

"I say we kill him," Heather said sharply.

I would have thought she was joking or trying to make me feel better, but her expression was deathly serious. “I'll be fine," I cried, but I didn't feel fine.

"What the f*ck was he thinking! Marking you, then kicking you out-" Heather was raging.

I'd never seen her like this before, and if I hadn't been on the verge of a total breakdown, I would have been incredibly impressed by her ability to throw herself into this kind of fury.

I was crumbling. My entire body was shaking as Viv tightened her grip on my hand.

This kind of anguish should have sent me into a tailspin and ignited my powers. But for whatever reason, all I felt was grief.

My fingers weren't prickling. Plants weren't growing between the gaps in the hardwood floor, and I hadn't obliterated my roommates in a burst of light.

I was just devastated, and for the first time in my life, I was able to feel every single excruciating emotion without it causing me to spiral out of control.

Normally I'd retreat. I'd back myself into the darkness, looking for the door to the secret place, the garden I kept hidden in my mind.

I hadn't been able to find it today. I was numb to everything but the pain radiating through my body.

Xander had sent me home in a pair of his sweatpants and sweater that hung so loosely from my body that I had to hold my pants up as I walked the five blocks between our apartments. Xander was a mess, fighting with Adrian the entire time I dressed, the argument spilling into the hallway and down the stairs into the lobby of the apartment building.

At first I thought someone must have died based on the severity of the fight, or that we were under attack. He was frantic, pulling on a coat and hat and practically pushing me out the door, telling me to go straight home without giving me a single second to ask why, or what had happened.

He stalked off down the street, in the opposite direction, while I stood on the snowy sidewalk in my walk of shame outfit, the sweatpants I was wearing covering the black leather boots I'd worn the night before, which were useless in the thick snow.

Adrian had tried to apologize, but I had been too shocked to register what he'd said. He took off after Xander, leaving me alone.

my body, tying me to Xander, felt like it was fraying, pulling so tightly around my heart

before. The tears had started to fall when

thought. You i***t. You knew better. This went against everything you promised yourself,

surrounded by my roommates as

leaving tomorrow. It

Heather and Viv argue about what could be done, I felt a sudden, inexplicit peace wash

was a deep void inside of me, whatever had been there before

its hold around my heart falling away

forward as I tried to fill my lungs and slow my

me I staggered toward the kitchen and

can we do?" Heather pleaded, but I chugged the water, closing my eyes as it wet my

cup down on the counter. "I feel

Viv asked, but I shook my head, cutting her off as I

I said softly, my voice losing

gone?" Heather growled, still looking as fierce and heated as

feel it anymore. It doesn't hurt."

out her breath, but Heather furrowed her brow, looking

my room, shutting the door

setting as I rolled out of

had been packing up for their journeys home for Winter Break. Their suitcases were open and half full. Little piles of clothes and shoes were scattered

owed them an apology. I owed them endless thanks for caring for

had to tell them the truth, just like I'd told Xander, regardless of the

into my room and rummaged through the desk in the far corner, finding two pieces of paper and a pen. I spent the next hour spilling my truth out on

heard Viv and Heather come home, their muffled voices coming from beneath the door as I

of bed before my mind could catch up with my body. I opened the door,

of the room, a feeling of dread washing over me as the three of

forming in my throat. I reached up to touch the mark on

replied, his voice low and hoarse. His cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, and based on the sweat

"Where did he go?"

know. That's why I'm here. Did he tell you... did he tell-" Adrian's words dropped off abruptly and he shook his head, glancing at me before turning for the

been when I came home

he asked us, turning back

nervously, and

narrowing my eyes at him. "What's going on? Does this have

eyes told me everything I needed

back?" I pressed, but Adrian only shrugged, looking defeated. I wished that Viv and Heather weren't in the room so I could ask him for details. I knew he wouldn't tell me

"I don't know."

began, but Adrian was