Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 149 : What Took you So Long?

*Eliza*

I finished nursing and rocking the baby to sleep. As I put the baby down for a nap, Lena came into my room waving a piece of paper around.

“What's that?" I arched an eyebrow.

“This is the guest list–at least, the most up-to-date one. Do you want to see?" She held the paper out to me.

“That depends. Has Jared responded?"

Lena frowned, and I already knew the answer before she shook her head.

My chest panged and I clutched my heart. It seemed that Jared wouldn't be attending the welcoming, naming ceremony for his own child.

“There's still time, Eliza. Don't give up hope yet."

I shook myself out of my moment. “It doesn't matter. The naming ceremony isn't even for Jared. It is for my baby."

“That's true." Lena peered into the bassinet and smiled fondly.

“I'm sure he has a lot going on with the pack. With all the renovations Archer told Scarlett about in his letters, I'm sure he's busy. I'll let you know if he RSVPs."

“Thank you, Lena."

The morning of the ceremony arrived and Jared still hadn't responded. Other guests had arrived days in advance to get settled and give me their personal congratulations. I tried to keep my smile on, but I couldn't help but feel like one of the most important people in my child's life had no interest in being here.

Did Jared hate me that much? Had he never gotten his memories back? Did he think if he didn't come, I'd return to the Light Realm and our child would be safe there?

I just wanted to talk to him.

“He's here!" Scarlett burst into the room.

“Shh, the baby is napping!" I jumped off the edge of the bed, my heart in my throat.

“Sorry," Scarlett whispered, crouching down slightly. “I'm sorry, I can't help it, I'm just so excited. He's here!"

A moment of hope flared in my chest.

“Jared?"

Scarlett's excitement drained quickly. “Oh, I'm sorry, Eliza. I… I didn't mean to get your hopes up. Archer just arrived with Gage. Jared isn't with them."

I sighed and nodded. “Well, we should go greet them."

Scarlett's smile returned and she jumped up and down.

We headed to the entryway of the palace. A lot of guests were arriving since it was the day of the ceremony. Scarlett quickly picked Archer out in the crowd. She ran right over to him and threw herself into his arms.

I watched as Archer grinned and spun her around. It was hard to watch them, knowing that Jared wasn't even coming. But I smiled. I couldn't help but be happy for them.

I nodded to them, joining

took my

mean you don't bring

sheepish grin. “Actually,

Jared sent us ahead

“What message?"

just had to take care of a few things along

so important that he would risk showing up

shouldn't be long," Archer

asked. She must have sensed my unease with

uplifting. I thought I'd feel hopeful. Instead, my stomach twisted uncomfortably,

the truth!" Scarlett demanded. She pointed sternly at

escort Zoe and her baby back home." Archer kept glancing around like he didn't want to make eye contact with me. “It is just a

Zoe?" I crossed my arms

nobody," Archer

when she came to Midnight Sun and she saw Jared as her savior, so he was helping her

gurgled uncomfortably. If Jared was prioritizing getting some other woman and her child

to get you in your dress." My mother put her arm around my shoulders and guided me toward the stairs. “Your father and brother will be

them?" I glanced

course, I told them. They all

“Thank you, Mom."

little with tears. It was a good reminder that I could always fall back on my mom and

I felt like I should return to the Light Realm. I'd have my family and their support, and my child

the chance to be a part of their

show me that he didn't care. I thought of how when I first planned to come to the Dark Realm, I was going to run straight back

good thing I hadn't done

way." Scarlett tagged along with

“I know."

my tears, not wanting my mom and Scarlett to see them. They'd both done

my room, my mom did my hair

of honor, but I still want to look good." She twisted

to look good for

my eyes through my reflection. I

back into the closet

a while and I want to make a good impression." Her voice was muffled and far away as she rifled through

wrong. Eliza, has your hair always been this unruly?" My mom groaned. She tried

it has. You just haven't

it. I've got another idea." She grabbed a

one, right?" Scarlett twirled around, showing off the flaring skirt on the ballgown she'd

that is the dress for you," I

right places. She left a few

went to retrieve my dress. “I picked this out especially for you and for

picked had a black lace bodice with an open back and long, lace sleeves. The skirt flared out at the waist like a true ballgown, all