Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 103: Surviving

*Jared*

I had done it. I was taken over by both relief and sadness. I thought of Eliza and I let the tears fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks. What I wouldn't have given to see her one more time and thank her for all that she had done to try to save me.

“Moon Goddess, please be with her and keep her strong for our child."

“Tisk. Tisk. Tisk...." Hestia clicked her tongue and shook her head as she crossed her hands over her chest. “I think you may have forgotten a step."

I looked up at her, confused.

“Weren't you supposed to reject your mate first? That was a very important first step," she reminded me.

“Wh-what…?" I clamped my hand over the gushing blood. I was becoming lightheaded but I tried to think. I tried to remember....

'The order is important. Reject her, get your blood on the Cryptex, take your life before the curse claims you....'

That was right. The maiden told me to reject Eliza. She had reminded me how important the order of events had to be.

I'd screwed up. I'd acted too hastily. “How could I have forgotten something so important?" I murmured.

“It's understandable. The details in dreams can be hard to hold onto. It's too bad though. All you've done is the same thing your father did." Hestia headed toward the window again. “You've bled on the Cryptex. But without rejecting your mate before you die, all you've done is push the curse to your own child, condemning them to live your same tormented existence."

“N-no...." I gasped as weakness consumed me.

So much blood had already poured from my wrist, and my arms fell dead at my sides. Numbness began to take me over and the edges of my vision blurred.

“You think you're saving Eliza? No. Your child will be cursed and your mate will be left to carry the burden alone!"

I imagined our child, sweet and innocent, having to carry on the burden of this curse into the future.

It broke my heart into a million pieces. But I couldn't stop what had already begun. Every second that ticked by and I remained alive was a second that could usher in the dark curse to claim all of us.

Hestia's words shook me to the bone. I'd lost too much blood to move or even cry out. There was nothing I could do.

How had I been so stupid!? I'd been so focused on saving Eliza that I'd forgotten the most important part.

“The Diadem...." I murmured. “It can save our child."

Hestia laughed. “That was a spell designed for you and your mate. It won't work when you are dead."

Groaning, my muscles gave out completely and I slumped over, face-first onto the floor. My mind grew fuzzy and I knew I was slipping away quickly.

“But, I can save you," Hestia urged. “Be my servant, and I will set all of you free."

I closed my eyes and let my sweet Eliza's face fill my imagination. I would die but she would live. She would be strong, and I knew my death would give Eliza time to properly plan for our child to break the curse, the same way my own mother had.

“Jared, there isn't much time. I can–"

“No!" I said with all the strength I could muster.

“Fine, go ahead and die. I can just wait for your cursed child to come of age."

I coughed and sputtered out

late now." Hestia

I felt a sharp pain etching up my arms and deep throbbing in my chest, and a wave of darkness washed over me. I felt my wolf snap and snarl

the curse? Had I been too

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Crack!

opened and I smelled Eliza with

“Eliza...." I gasped.

searing breath, the pain increased as the curse seemed to creep into every part of me. But I fought

herself on the floor and pulled my head into her lap so I could see her face and feel the warmth of her

so pale, eyes already brimming with tears as she wrapped her arms around me and held

thoughts and I remembered what I

“Eliza...."

about her. Her face was so tender,

wolf must

radiant with strength

in my chest at seeing her. I had been the

was near violence inside of me, instantly calmed. He felt his own peace and love for Eliza's wolf override whatever

first time that we were looking upon our mate

mate bond was fully activated, and it was strong. There was no denying it now. I would have to reject her in order for

I, Jared… r-reject you… as

as a sickening look came over her face, her tears frozen on her

rendering of our mate bond deep inside.

the heartbreak and confusion in her eyes. I could feel our mate bond ripping,

my

“No! Jared, No!"

Her hair covered my face and

demanded through teeth clenched with pain. “You're not leaving me. You're going to

“Eliza, I–"

“Shut up!"

wound on my arm.

to pull my arm

you, Jared. I'm not letting you

and I needed her to accept it, but then we were both seized by the final

could see her face turn ice white and that she was wracked with pain, and I hated

you do this!?" she cried, staying strong through the pain and holding onto me as

***

*Eliza*

through Jared's rejection, holding onto him and trying my

as his body went slack in my

the flow had subsided. I pressed my ear to his chest to listen for sounds of life, breathing, a heartbeat…

was nothing. I knew

began to sob as I felt Archer behind me trying to pull me away from Jared's body. My wolf surged inside of me

she wrapped her arms around my trembling body. She held me still and

eyes wide with shock and disbelief as Archer placed Jared on the bed, gently

said softly, his eyes filled