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 only

looking lovely." Archer took my hand and kissed the back

bring good news?" I arched an

gave a sheepish grin.

Jared sent us ahead with

“What message?"

to take care of a few things along

few things? What could be so important that he would risk showing up

be

with what?" Scarlett asked. She must have

was on his way would be uplifting. I thought I'd feel hopeful. Instead, my

tell us the truth!" Scarlett

he had to 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

is Zoe?" I crossed my

Archer

she came to Midnight Sun and she saw Jared as her savior, so he was helping her out. She's nothing to worry

prioritizing getting some other woman and her child home,

is time 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 here soon. The whole family is

told them?" I glanced

all want to be here to

“Thank you, Mom."

stung a little with tears. It was a good reminder that I could always fall back

to the Light Realm. I'd have my family and their support, and my child would

baby's father to get the chance to be a part

me that he didn't care. I thought of how when I first planned to come to the

was a good thing I hadn't

He said he's on his way." Scarlett tagged along with me

“I know."

mom and Scarlett to see them. They'd both done so much to help

my mom did my

I'm not a guest of honor, but I still want to look good." She twisted back

to look good for Archer,"

met my eyes through my reflection. I stuck my tongue

the closet and pulled

seen him in a while and I want to make a good

has your hair always been this unruly?" My mom groaned.

You just haven't brushed it

going to keep trying to comb it. I've got another idea." She grabbed a

found the dress. This one, right?" Scarlett twirled around, showing off

dress for you," I

job pinning it up in all the right places. She left a few curls hanging loose and made them much more defined with a

makeup and then went to retrieve my dress. “I picked this

sleeves. The skirt flared out at the waist like a true ballgown, all the