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.

joining only after Archer set Scarlett

you're looking lovely." Archer took my

mean you don't bring good news?"

a sheepish grin. “Actually, the

us ahead with a

“What message?"

He just had to take care of

care of a few things? What could be so important that he would risk showing up late to

be

She must have sensed my

hopeful. Instead, my stomach twisted uncomfortably, and

the truth!" Scarlett demanded. She pointed sternly at the

kept glancing around like he didn't want to make eye contact with

Zoe?" I crossed my arms

Archer said

the capital. She was pregnant when she came to Midnight Sun and she saw Jared as her savior, so he was helping

my stomach gurgled uncomfortably. If Jared was prioritizing getting some other woman and her child home, did that mean there was something

My mother put her arm around my shoulders

You told them?" I

I told them. They all want to be here to

“Thank you, Mom."

that I

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

just wanted my baby's father to get the chance to

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 to the

good thing I hadn't

his way." Scarlett tagged

“I know."

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

mom did my hair while Scarlett tried

I'm not a guest of honor, but I still want to

look good

scoffed and met my eyes through my reflection. I stuck my

ran back into the closet and pulled out

wrong? I haven't seen him in a while and I want to make a good impression." Her voice was muffled and far away as she

isn't wrong. Eliza, has your hair always been this unruly?" My mom

haven't brushed it

another idea." She grabbed a bottle of detangler

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

is the dress for you," I

in all the right places. She left a few curls hanging loose and made them much more defined

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

lace sleeves. The skirt flared out at the waist like a true ballgown, all the way to my