Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 132 : A New White Queen

*Xander*

Maeve walked toward us, a beaming smile stretching across her face. She was dressed casually in a pair of pale blue gym shorts and a T-shirt, her hair knotted in a large bun on the top of her head. Lena looked surprised to see her, which I found odd.

“I decided to stop here on my way to Winter Forest," Maeve said as she pulled Lena into a hug. “I'll be back before the baby is born; I promise. I'm catching a flight to Winter Forest after dinner tonight."

“You're leaving so soon?" Lena was disappointed, I could tell. I'd just arrived, so I had no idea who was currently staying in the castle. Lena's surprised expression told me Maeve had just arrived, and likely while we were talking with Carly and Lincoln.

“I have a few things I need to discuss with your grandma. Plus, Troy is meeting me there. I finally convinced him to leave Breles for a few weeks and take a break."

“Has he not been back to Avondale?" I asked, and Maeve shook her head.

“No, not at all. Will has been standing in as Alpha for over two months now," she replied.

An odd feeling settled in my stomach and I glanced at Lena for confirmation that something was up. I felt the change radiating off of Maeve already. She was… relaxed, peppier than I'd known her to be.

Troy's behavior in Breles suddenly made sense. I'd seen him briefly when I arrived back in the Realm of Light. I spent a few nights in Breles searching for Oliver. I wasn't going to make the trip to Crimson Creek, at least not yet. The only thing on my mind after crossing the portal into Lena's world, was her.

Troy had been wholly focused on rebuilding Breles. We'd had a conversation about the most recent plans for who would claim the title of Alpha of Breles, and I was shocked to learn that Charlie's mate was related to the late Alpha in some way, a distant niece. There was talk of Charlie becoming the Alpha of Breles, and his mate ruling as Luna.

Talk wasn't a great word for it, actually. Troy was talking about it like it was already set in stone.

With Will ruling Avondale in his parent's absence, and Charlie in Breles, Troy and Maeve were… free. But that didn't feel right.

“Are you moving to Winter Forest?" I asked without meaning to say it out loud.

Maeve stared at me for a moment, her mouth twitching at the corners into what I thought might have been a smile.

“It's hot as hell out here," she said, wiping her brow.

The sun was beating down on us, and my own skin prickled with heat. Maeve and Lena were already turning a bright pink, and I nodded my ascent as Maeve turned Lena toward the castle.

But before we walked through the great, arched wooden doors, Maeve turned to look at me, a twinkle in her eye.

I felt my breath catch in my throat as an understanding passed between us, and months and months of pressure eased from my shoulders in a single second.

***

a bowl of mashed potatoes to Maeve. It was an informal dinner, and we were serving ourselves, but that really meant I was the one passing every bowl and serving platter between the women

of my spine. We'd spent

hoping dinner wouldn't take long so I could go back upstairs with Lena. Two months had felt like an eternity, and we had a

offer to have a car brought around to take Maeve to the airport. “My luggage is in Winter Forest already, I had it shipped three

hint of suspicion to her voice. She eyed Maeve, who was loudly stirring a spoonful of sugar

some silent, knowing conversations only the two of them could hear. Hanna's eyes narrowed, and she gave Maeve a look I didn't know Hanna was capable of giving anyone. I saw her for

part of Lycaon's line, and I could feel

are you going back to Avondale, Maeve?" Hanna asked

her mother, her brow slightly furrowed. The air in the room shifted, and I felt tension descend on the table as Maeve pursed her

sticking to my skin all

could practically hear Lena's heart thundering her chest as she leaned forward, her eyes

seconds before she huffed out a breath and rolled

moving to Winter

rose from the table, the dishes clattering as her belly knocked against it. I started to stand but Hanna motioned for me to stay seated, her face shadowed

sharply, her cheeks flushing of color. For a moment I couldn't tell if it was relief or disappointment

continued to eat my dinner

I'm going to… I'm going to step

welling with tears. I took another chicken leg off the platter in front me, not even bothering to use the serving utensils that had been laid out. I bit into it as I glanced from woman to woman, trying to read the conflicting emotions crossing over the faces of my mate and her mother. Maeve, however, looked as though she had

a fraction of an inch, her face washed with disbelief. “Really?" she asked. Maeve nodded, shrugging a

the title?" Hanna gasped, shock etched into every line and curve

I think maybe I was wrong in giving that up. I want a little more out of life." She turned to look at

Lena needed to go to Winter Forest

out of my seat. I stumbled as she dragged me toward the doorway leading out of the dining room. I muttered

I mumbled over my shoulder to Hanna, who just nodded with a confused smile on her face before

were alone in the main corridor. She spun around and heaved a breath, her mouth curving

entirety of our relationship, the future

her voice laced with

but shake my

have something for you." I extended my hand and she took it, letting me lead

bag I'd been carrying around for months. That bag had seen some s**t, that was for

just carried a gift