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.

***

to adjust. Is what you're saying?" Xander said as he leaned back away from his empty plate, his

hurt for a while.

Bethany had planted. It was delicious, and I'd had two helpings already, and was looking forward

guards were the only ones who couldn't be in the sun? Is

intense for 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 children. The supplies being sent to

Xander asked, and

few conflicts in the village so far, but otherwise his

how to house these

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

me. I glanced between

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 shrouded in night most of the year–" Xander paused to heave a breath before continuing. “And, Winter Forest has already put a call out that they will be welcoming to any and all vampire refugees seeking aslym, unlike the other

the

people put it to a vote, and no one in the entirety of the pack voted not

was just surprised. Winter Forest was dark most of the year. Summer was an

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

Gideon say, followed by an arch of his

retreated to the kitchen to help with the dishes, and I noticed Gideon's eyes flick toward the kitchen door, which was

seeing each other?" I asked,

leaned back in his chair, watching me

going to ask her to

said excitedly, gripping my

“If Henry approves."

he looked

Valoria to let you marry his daughter, I might just have

Henry?" I asked, then forked the last bite of

He's still living in his cottage on the old Radcliffe estate and helping out the family who lives there now with the farm and such. He comes