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

too late now." Hestia

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

Was this the curse? Had I been too late? Was it

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Crack!

smelled Eliza with what little

“Eliza...." I gasped.

pain increased as the curse seemed to creep into every part of me. But I fought hard to muster the

threw herself on the floor and pulled my head into her lap so I could

was so pale, eyes already brimming with tears as she wrapped her arms around

sniffles broke through my foggy, distant thoughts and I remembered what

“Eliza...."

was something so overwhelmingly beautiful about her. Her face was so tender, and she was glowing

wolf must have woken

was radiant with

fluttered in my chest at seeing her. I had been the luckiest man alive. I'd never seen

me, instantly calmed. He felt his own peace

was the first time that we were looking upon our mate and feeling the

her wolf, the mate bond was fully activated, and it was strong. There was no denying it now. I would

I, Jared… r-reject you… as m-my

as a sickening look came over her face, her tears frozen on her lids. “What are

as I felt the rendering of our mate bond deep inside. Blood filled

confusion in her eyes. I could feel our mate bond ripping, tearing us our wolves apart

gurgling in my throat

“No! Jared, No!"

leaned over me. Her hair covered my face and chest, wafting her delicious scent all around

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

“Eliza, I–"

“Shut up!"

my arm. She

I tried to pull my arm

Jared. I'm not

her wrist. I was fading, and I needed her to accept it, but then we were both seized by the final shattering of

was wracked with pain, and I hated

staying strong through the pain and holding onto me as all went

***

*Eliza*

Jared's rejection, holding onto

as his body

from his wrist and saw the flow had subsided. I pressed my ear to his chest to listen for

there was nothing. I knew that he

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

my trembling body. She held me still and I remained calm as Archer cautiously stepped forward, his gaze wary and

and carefully gathered Jared's body in his arms. I watched silently, my eyes wide with shock and disbelief as Archer placed Jared on the bed, gently laying

eyes filled with