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.

***

me a bowl of green beans as I passed 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

smile as she brought her tea to her lips, and I felt a prickle of heat run down the length of my spine. We'd spent the majority of the afternoon tucked away in Lena's bedroom, and we definitely hadn't been resting, but I

upstairs with Lena. Two months had felt like

a car brought around to take Maeve

hint of suspicion to her voice.

replied matter-of-factly, her chin lifting slightly as she peered over at Hanna. Something flashed between the two women, 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 the Luna she was at the moment, as well as the legendary

Lycaon's line, and I could feel it

going back to Avondale, Maeve?" Hanna asked in

the room shifted, and I felt tension descend on the table as Maeve pursed

have sand sticking to my skin all day,"

thundering her chest as she leaned forward, her eyes flicking

before she huffed out a breath

moving to Winter Forest. It's

started to stand but Hanna motioned for me to stay seated,

to Winter Forest?" Lena said sharply, her cheeks flushing of color. For a moment I couldn't tell if it was relief or disappointment that flashed

to eat my dinner

her voice calm and steady. Hanna arched her brows, glancing at Lena. “And I'm going to… I'm going to step in when Mom is ready to step down," Maeve continued, casually sucking on a piece of ice. “I'm the next White

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

she asked. Maeve nodded, shrugging a shoulder.

title?" Hanna gasped, shock etched into

that up. I want a little more out of life." She turned to look at Lena, a soft smile touching her

until Lena needed to go

my seat. I stumbled as she dragged me toward the doorway leading out of the dining room. I muttered a curse under my breath, as Lena's nails bit into my skin. She was trembling

just nodded with a confused smile on her

the door to the dining swung closed, and Lena and I were alone in the main corridor. She spun around

of our relationship, the future was open to

now?" she breathed, her

but shake

something for you." I extended my hand and she took it,

duffle bag I'd been carrying around for months. That bag had seen some

a gift for Lena across two