Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 38 : I Did It

*Mila*

I opened my eyes and glanced around. The first thing I saw was Payne leaning over me, a concerned look on his face.

We'd made it back from my memory.

My heart thudded in my chest as I sat up. All the pain and emotions from that memory were still fresh, like an open wound in my heart. I clasped my hands over my heart.

April sat beside me, slumped against the nearest wall. She was asleep too, or unconscious. I couldn't tell but her breathing was even and slow.

Payne dropped to his knees at my side.

“Thank the Goddess you're awake!" he said happily, relief filling his eyes.

His eyes drifted to my right and I turned to see what he was looking at.

Soren was still asleep beside me, eyes closed, heavy breaths steaming up the dimly lit cavern.

I nodded absently at Payne, but my attention was only on Soren. I thought of how he'd protected me in the dream. Not just from what was around us and the danger of getting trapped in my mind. He protected me from myself and from my own emotions.

Laying there, he looked so soft and peaceful. Nothing like the sarcastic, harsh shifter I was growing attached to. It almost seemed like I could get close to him without fearing he'd shut me down or push me away.

He was open and vulnerable.

I was still shaken from my memories and all I had to hold onto was how his arms felt around me and how he'd kept me grounded when I was ready to lose myself.

Shifting to hands and knees, I crawled to Soren's side. Slowly, I reached out and tenderly brushed some hair from his face. I cupped his cheek with one hand.

“What are you…"

Payne's voice trailed off in a surprised gasp when I leaned down and pressed my lips to Soren's.

“Mila…" he reprimanded.

I ignored him and kept kissing him.

After everything I'd seen and felt, I needed it. I needed to feel like I wasn't alone and that someone cared about me and what I'd been through.

Soren had seen it, he'd know. He was strong and powerful and I could rely on him to hold me up when I was losing it. That's what I needed right now.

Suddenly, Soren's arms came around me.

I squeaked as he rolled me onto my back. He wrapped his arms around me firmly, pinning me against him as he kissed me back.

Soren's tongue dove between my lips, expertly parting my teeth. He ran his tongue over mine and over the inside of my mouth, tasting me thoroughly.

My stomach fluttered and my thighs ached. Warmth blossomed in my core.

He kissed me back with such passion and I wrapped my arms around his neck, putting a hand on the back of his head. I returned his kiss with the same fervor, our tongues battling for dominance.

I rolled my hips against Soren, forgetting anyone else was around.

He responded with a pleased grunt and I felt the firmness of his c**k press against my leg.

“Eh-hem…"

Soren and I froze.

Slowly, we pulled apart. Sheepishly, I glanced at Payne, who had cleared his throat. He stared at us completely dumbfounded, eyes ready to pop out of his head, jaw nearly on the floor.

“What happened in that dream?" he asked, gaping at us.

My cheeks burned hot and I quickly straightened my ruffled clothes.

Soren smirked at me. Quickly, he composed himself and stood up, cool and professional again. He held a hand out to me and helped me to my feet.

“Nothing out of the ordinary," Soren said smoothly.

I heard a note in his tone that told me he learned something important from my memory. He hadn't shared any great revelations with me during the experience. I wondered what it was.

“Right, then, shall we work on the problem of breaking the curse?" Payne asked, reverting to his own professionalism. “That's why we're here, isn't it?"

“Mila?" Soren asked, glancing at me.

I nodded. “Yes, that's what we are here for. I think…"

I trailed off, rubbing my hands on my thighs. That memory showed me I had magic, and very powerful magic if I was able to save that little boy when I was half his age. If I could reach the Moon Goddess with a prayer or a spell, I was certain I could break the curse.

I would need something to amplify my powers because I was rusty when it came to magic.

Absently, I brushed my fingers over the tip of the Feather of Justice tucked into my back pocket. I'd known it was powerful and important and thought I might need it to help with the curse.

Now, I was glad I'd brought it along.

I didn't think I could just perform the spell, from anywhere. The temple was a holy place. Even if it was ruined, it was still holy. The energy here was powerful and it was the central place of Miltern's history. I knew I'd have to cast the spell from a place that would affect the whole pack.

April murmured and opened her eyes. She creased her brow, almost like she was surprised we'd made it back.

“I'm so glad you're here!" she jumped up and took my hands. “Honestly, I thought… I wasn't sure I'd be able to bring you back but I knew you had to see in order to break the curse."

“Thank you for guiding us. I think I'm ready now," I said. I smiled tightly.

I thought I knew what I needed to do but I still wasn't sure it would work. This was a huge gamble but April was counting on me. All of Miltern was counting on me. I couldn't put it off anymore. The truth was, I could spend the next five years preparing and practicing and it still might not work.

There was no way to know for sure until I tried.

“April, can you take me to the temple altar? I want to try something," I said.

“Of course, follow me," April nodded.

She collected her lamp and the three of us followed her back up the winding stone steps.

April led us to the back of the ruined temple. The altar was still standing, despite being covered with debris. It was made of stone and untouched by the fire.

I ran to the altar and smiled, running my hands along the upper edge where the stone was carved intricately.

“Can we brush it off?" I asked Payne and Soren.

They nodded in unison and together, they brushed the soot away and removed some of the larger planks and beams that covered it.

“April, do you mind?" I asked, motioning to her lantern.

April smiled widely and set the lantern on the center of the altar.

It wasn't much, but it gave the altar a more sacred, magical feel to it.

Satisfied, I knelt down at the base of the altar and clasped my hands in a silent prayer.

“Moon Goddess, guide me," I whispered.

I grabbed the white, silky feather of justice from my back pocket and clasped it between my hands.

Behind me, I heard several gasps. I couldn't discern who they were from but it sounded like everyone was shocked that I had this feather.

I still didn't know what its importance was but I could feel that this feather would work for me. It was like my blood vibrated when I held it.

Closing my eyes, I bowed my head until the feather tickled my forehead.

“Moon Goddess above, please hear my prayer. Your light shall guide us and your mercy shall be praised…" I whispered the same words I'd heard myself use in the memory.

Sighing, I thought of where to go next. My heart fluttered and the feather warmed between my hands. I could tell that the magic was stirring. Now, I just needed to find the right words to break the curse.

I knew they were there, on the tip of my tongue.