Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 136 : His Mate

*Lena*

Crimson Creek was totally changed. I almost didn't recognize it. Black tents stretched for at least a mile, separated by rows of green, freshly cut grass. Flower baskets hung from every corner of the single street running through the village, and thick curtains were drawn in every window against the sun.

Warriors were walking around with baskets of supplies, some of them slipping into the darkened tents. Others were mingling with the new “locals," the vampires who had escaped their realm and were staying in Crimson Creek.

The vampires were bundled up in dark clothing, their faces shielded by hooded cloaks and sunglasses. I even heard the laughter of children as we walked through the village toward Gideon's property, and the noise brought a sense of peace to my heart.

Peace–that's what this was. We'd always carry the wounds of war, but now we all had a future to look forward to, and for the majority of these vampires, especially the ones who had been enslaved… a better one.

It took roughly twenty minutes for us to reach Gideon's property. There was a fresh coat of paint on the house, a bright robin's egg blue, and the front yard had been mowed. A garden had been planted beneath the front porch, and rose bushes were in full bloom as we walked along the new gravel path leading to the front door. Xander motioned to the old barn, which at one point had been caving in on itself. There was a pile of lumber outside of the barn, and inside I heard the telltale thudding of a hammer hard at work.

“It looks totally different," I murmured, pausing to look out over the property. Rows of wheat and barley fluttered in a warm breeze in the distance, where the sun kissed the towering grand estates dotting the hills beyond.

“I didn't think I'd ever want to call Crimson Creek beautiful," Xander said, squeezing my hand. “But this is just…"

“When did you two get here?"

I whirled around, beaming up at Bethany and Alma, who had come out onto the porch. Alma was dressed in her usual flour-dusted apron, and Bethany was covered in sawdust and grease. I let out my breath, then let go of Xander's hand so I could waddle over to them.

“It's so good to see you," I breathed as I hugged them both. Even Alma softened into my embrace, which warmed my heart. I could feel Xander's smile from where he was still standing in the yard.

“I thought I smelled you on my property," came Gideon's voice, lifted in a laugh as Xander and Gideon clapped each other on the back. Gideon was also covered in sawdust and had obviously been the one working in the barn when we'd walked up.

“You're just in time for lunch," Alma said as she took my hand and led me into the house.

I glanced over my shoulder at Bethany, Gideon, and Xander as they followed behind, and had done so just in time to notice Gideon's longing gaze as he met Bethany's eye, a soft smile touching his lips.

Xander caught this too, and he gave me a knowing smile before I turned back around and followed Alma into the house.

***

Xander said as he leaned back away from

the sun, but it hurts, and will likely hurt for a while.

as she rose to collect the dishes, waving away my offer to help her. We'd been discussing the vampire refugees over plates of roast beef and a salad made from the greens Bethany had planted. It was delicious, and I'd had two helpings already, and was looking forward to whatever dessert Alma

who couldn't be in the sun? Is that what you're saying?" Xander pressed, crossing his arms over

these people, you know. Most of them couldn't handle being in the sun for very long in their own realm. Also, you have to understand that we didn't deal with the king and his beasts until five years ago, at the most. We're learning something new about these people every day. They're different from us in a lot of ways. They need blood to survive a lot more than we do, for one. They're not accustomed to eating blood root for that purpose, and it has made some of them sick, mostly the

of Zeke?" Xander asked, and for

up a few conflicts in the village so far, but otherwise

to find a solution as to how to house these people, and where?" Xander interjected,

vampires had four underground kingdoms from what I understand. Zeke is now king of Brune, the largest of the kingdoms. They'll likely stay here in Crimson Creek. The rest of the kingdoms lost their leaders in the war. There's been talk of moving them to Winter Forest, or

between Xander and Gideon.

agreement that Mirage isn't a suitable option. The climate is one thing. It's far too sunny, and the days are long. Winter Forest is

to the side,

vote, and no one in the entirety of the pack voted not

honestly. I had no argument against it, in fact. I was just surprised. Winter Forest was dark most of the year. Summer was an issue, given that the sun hardly set, but it wasn't nearly as intense as the climate in the

a glass of milk, and I immediately lost interest in the conversation taking place at the other end

for dinner tonight," I heard Gideon say,

eyes flick toward the kitchen door, which was slightly ajar. Xander

Bethany seeing each other?" I asked, which elicited a warning

in his chair,

going to ask

said excitedly,

“If Henry approves."

blew out his breath, chuckling as he looked back at

can somehow convince the Alpha King of Valoria to let you marry his daughter, I

bite of chocolate cake from my plate

cottage on the old Radcliffe estate and helping out the family who lives there now with the farm and such. He comes here from time to time. Bethany has been staying with us