Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 91 : The Proposal

*Jared*

After we settled in for a few days, I noticed that a lot of the villagers were gathering together and whispering about big plans.

I approached one of the groups while they were standing outside a bakery one afternoon.

“What's the big secret?" I asked.

They stopped talking immediately and gave me sheepish looks.

“Ummm… well…"

“Come on, guys, I know when something is going on. As the overseer of this village, it is my responsibility to handle any issues or problems that may arise. So, let me help you."

“Well, that's just it," one of them said, rubbing the back of his neck.

I arched an eyebrow at the others.

“It isn't that there's something wrong or that there's a problem."

“What's going on!?" I demanded.

“You were gone for so long that we thought it might be nice to have a celebration now that you're back. So, we've been planning a welcome home feast for you."

I opened my mouth and then clamped it shut. It was hard to argue with that. My village didn't have endless resources but we did know how to throw a good party.

“Alright, I can get behind that plan. Why don't you host it in the packhouse garden? The weather is nice and the evenings are warm. There's more than enough space there and it is a beautiful setting," I suggested.

The three planners lit up excitedly.

“That's a great idea!"

They headed toward the packhouse to keep planning.

I went to the bedroom where Eliza was resting. She'd been doing that a lot. I was trying not to be worried about it but it was hard when she barely left our room anymore.

Standing in the doorway, I leaned my shoulder on the doorframe and watched her sleeping.

Her curly hair was scattered all over the place, covering her face and the pillow. Eliza hugged a pillow tightly, her mouth parted slightly as she slumbered. Every now and then, her face scrunched up and she hugged the pillow tighter.

Sighing, I went to the bed. I hooked her hair on my finger and pushed it out of her face.

“Eliza," I whispered. Leaning down, I kissed her soft, warm cheek.

She'd been eating a lot better since we got back to the village and the color and roundness had returned to her face.

“Mmm...." She mumbled and swatted at me with a limp wrist.

“Wake up…" I kissed her cheek again.

“What?" she whined, sitting up. Her eyes widened and then her face softened when she saw it was me. “Haven't you ever heard not to wake a sleeping pregnant woman?"

I chuckled. “I'll remember that for the future. The village is throwing a big welcome home feast tonight. I figured you'd want to have time to get dressed up."

“Oh, that sounds like a lot of fun." Eliza yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Yes, I need all the time I can get. I'm sure I have major bedhead!"

When she sat up, I covered my mouth to muffle my giggle. Several of her curls stuck out at funny angles.

“What?" she asked, crossing her arms.

“Nothing. I'll leave you to get ready. Dress up, tonight is going to be special." Sticking my hand in my pocket, I rolled a small object around that I'd been carrying around for a few days.

I blew her a kiss and left the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, I chuckled and sighed, shaking my head.

Was it possible to love her anymore than I did? She was the perfect combination of wild, crazy, adorable, sexy, goofy, and smart.

***

When the sun set, the feast began.

The garden was entirely transformed. Several picnic tables had been set up with gorgeous flower centerpieces. String lights had been hung up around the garden giving it a fairy forest vibe and someone had gotten one of the fountains going again.

There were live musicians playing some mellow music and a space had been cleared for dancing.

All the food had been laid out on the picnic tables and villagers were already there nibbling and chatting.

I was really impressed with the way the feast had come together and it solidified my plans for that night.

Suddenly, the music stopped and everyone turned to look at the garden door. I turned my head to see what they were all looking at and gasped.

My heart hammered in my chest.

Eliza stood in the center of the doorway with Giselle and Scarlett on either side of her.

She wore an emerald green, tight fitting, sheath of a dress that hugged her from her torso, over her hips, and down her thighs, to just above her knees, revealing her long, toned legs.

The dress was low cut in the front, her cleavage popping out. The dress had long, dark green sleeves of lace.

My mother's golden necklace glinted on her neck in the low lighting.

As Eliza walked toward me, I felt like a little boy who'd seen a pretty girl for the first time. My hands shook and my heart galloped. I didn't even know what to say to her!

In the background, the music picked up again and people started talking.

I took Eliza's hands, and without a word, I led her onto the dancefloor. Pulling her close, I looped one arm around her hips and put my other hand on the back of her neck. I led her close to me and moved around the dancefloor.

“You look… amazing," I said, my mind too blank to think of anything else to say.

Eliza's cheeks turned red and she hugged me, resting her head on my chest.

“You said tonight was special."

“And it is."

“Why's that?" she tilted her head up to look at me.

“You'll see."

We danced until the song ended and I led Eliza off the dancefloor. I got her some water and myself some wine. I tapped a fork against my wine glass, making a ting, ting sound, until everyone in the garden was looking at me.

“Thank you everyone, for throwing this welcome home feast. It is such an honor to be among such honorable shifters."

I raised my wine glass and drank. Everyone else cheered and drank.

“Now, since you all got together and planned this feast for me, I decided to do something for you in return. From now on, we aren't just a village, we are a pack. Tonight, I declare us all members of the Midnight Sun pack!"

The garden filled with cheers. Everyone clapped and drank and started partying again.

When I looked at Eliza, her eyes were wide and glassy.

“Why didn't you tell me this was what you were planning?" She grabbed my hand and squeezed.

“Because, it is only the first surprise. We are now a pack, and a pack needs a Luna."

“What?" She gasped.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the ring I'd been carrying around since I found out she was pregnant. It was one of the last things I purchased in the Light Realm before we left because I wanted her to have a little piece of home.

Dropping down on my knee, I took Eliza's hand and held the ring up.

It was a platinum banded ring with Moon Goddess symbols etched into the band. The center stone was an opalescent moonstone that reflected shimmering rainbow colors in different lighting. There was a ring of smaller diamonds around the center stone and outside the ring, two more, smaller moonstones on each side of the band.

There were live musicians playing some mellow music and a space had been cleared for dancing.

“Jared…"

“Eliza, if you'll have me, I'd like you to be my Luna and my wife. I want us to be a real family." I touched her stomach with my free hand.

“Jared…"

“Eliza, if you'll have me, I'd like you to be my Luna and my wife. I want us to be a real family." I touched her stomach with my free hand.