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.

nodded to them, joining

Archer took my hand

that mean you don't bring good

sheepish grin. “Actually,

ahead with a

“What message?"

his way. He just had to take care of

a few things? What could be so important that he would risk showing up late to his child's naming

shouldn't be long,"

long with what?" Scarlett asked. She must have

Jared was on his way would be uplifting. I thought I'd feel hopeful. Instead, my stomach twisted uncomfortably, and I got the feeling I wouldn't like the reason he was running

the truth!" Scarlett demanded.

running late because he had to escort Zoe and her baby back home." Archer kept glancing around like he didn't want to make eye contact

is Zoe?" I crossed my arms

Archer

pregnant when she came to Midnight Sun and she saw

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

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

You told them?" I glanced

told them. They all want to be

“Thank you, Mom."

that I could always fall back on my mom and my

didn't come to the naming ceremony, I felt like I should return to the Light Realm. I'd

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

think Jared was coming. He was off with some other woman. It was a good way to show me that he didn't care. I thought of how when I first planned to come to

was a good thing I hadn't done

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

“I know."

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

my mom did my hair

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

look good for Archer,"

my reflection. I stuck my tongue out at

closet

I haven't seen him in a while and I want to make

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

haven't brushed it for

to keep trying to comb it. I've got another idea." She grabbed a bottle of detangler and spritzed it

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

the dress for you,"

hair and she did a good job pinning it up in all the right places. She left a few curls hanging

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

and long, lace sleeves. The skirt flared out at the waist like