Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 130 : He’s Back

*Lena*

Two Months Later

Mom turned a letter over in her hands, peering down at the return address with a skeptical eye. I looked up from the pile of letters scattered in front of me on the long table in the library at the Castle of Drogomor, situated on the outskirts of Mirage.

“Who is that one from?" I asked, extending a hand.

She wordlessly handed me the letter, but I didn't recognize the name.

“Who is Warren?" I asked before ripping it open. I unfurled the paper and then set it down on the table.

Mom arched her brow at me. “What?"

“This isn't for us," I said, sliding the letter to the side. “It's for Grandpa, I think."

“Well, what does it say?"

“He'll kill us if we read his mail!"

“Your grandfather doesn't live here," she said with a little laugh, snatching up the letter before I could stop her. We'd been blocking out at least two hours a day reading through the letters that had been arriving at the castle recently. Most of it was for Dad, but the Alpha King of Valoria had been in Breles for the last two weeks trying to get the radio towers and landline system working again. We were picking up his slack, as a good Luna and princess would do, of course.

“Why would anyone send mail meant for Grandpa here?" I prodded, but Mom's brow began to furrow as she quickly read through the letter's contents, then abruptly rose from her seat. “What?" I said quickly, adrenaline prickling my fingertips. “What's wrong?"

“Nothing's wrong," she murmured, but she looked entirely confused as her gaze flicked to the top of the letter and she started reading it over again. “This is from–"

I snatched the letter out of her hands and darted toward the window, where pale morning sunlight was filtering through the stained glass. Rainbows of light danced across the muted pink cotton dress I was wearing.

“Dear Elder Gray," I began, reading it aloud. “I'm responding to an inquiry regarding an open position on the High Elder Council in the Realm of Light. My Alpha King has chosen me for the position, and I'm writing with my intentions to accept the position to serve on your council. I'm under the impression Soren Black was originally the one called to serve, but he has graciously declined–"

Mom exhaled audibly as she dropped into one of the armchairs by the dormant hearth. It was summer, and there was no need for a fire. I could already feel the heat that was threatening to embrace Mirage, and it was only morning. I glanced at her, trying to read her expression before I continued.

“I am the brother and ally of Theo of Egoren and his mate Ciana."

The rest of the letter was just… business. The man asked about lodgings and accommodations for his family, where he would live. What this role would entail.

said, my chest tightening

of Drogomor was miles and miles away from the Port of Valoria, but

mostly to myself. Mom was squeezing

Why would mail arrive from Egoren if people from that realm hadn't been the ones to bring it through

“Lena–"

the door to the library, my bare feet tapping on

“Lena!"

face Mom, who

“What?"

This could have

to her and dropped the letter in her lap, waving a hand

like

“Lena!"

excitement. Xander could be at the port right now. I had to find him, or at least a

going

hours away by train!" I protested.

“You're pregnant–"

to give birth on the train? Mom, I'm only seven

last scan," she said,

tapping my toes on the floor as I chewed

into labor on

frustrated with me, but she couldn't hide the glimmer in her eyes at the mention of Alexis, her soon to be granddaughter. We'd taken to calling her by her name instead of just “Baby" over the past couple of weeks. I'd been on multiple shopping trips to Mirage to buy baby clothes and fluffy stuffed animals, most of which seemed excessive, but I

and having a baby suddenly felt real. I was going to be a

and I got to see every little finger and every little toe. Being home was

in shambles. Crimson Creek was the new home of the lower vampires who had escaped the realm of night before Oliver sealed the portal forever. Warriors from every pack still lingered in the west, and the High Elder Council was hard at

as of late. There was plenty of space for the refugees of Breles to go in the sprawling metropolis where more than a dozen territories bled into one massive city. Drogomor, my own pack, had taken many of the refugees from

deep. Hospitals were still full. So many families had been left without one or both parents. An orphanage had

my brief stint as a teacher in

needed something to take my mind off my mate and what we'd been through, and what

my mom a look that said I was not taking no for an answer. “I just… I'll go to the post office and see if they can tell me where this letter came from

head, and

***

envelope the letter from