Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 842

Chapter 53: A Deal With the Devil

The inside of Abel's fortress didn't match the plain gray stone and basic shape of the exterior. I was hit by the scent of vanilla and spring roses as we entered the main foyer, the entire area bright, clean, and painted in muted purples and violets.

A large stone staircase forked to two separate wings of the house, and art in thick, intricate gold frames lined almost all of the wall space spanning two sweeping stories. I stifled a gasp as Abel shut the door behind us, rocking on his heels with a boyish grin on his face.

Two pretty maids rushed over to us, bobbing their heads in greeting.

"Have their things brought upstairs," Abel began, stepping between me and Scarlett with a casual air as he addressed the maids. "Run a bath for- well, I don't know either of your names." He blinked at us expectantly.

I cleared my throat. "Eliza," I said, then motioned to Scarlett. "And Scarlett."

"Nice to meet you both," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smile as he tucked his hands into his pockets. His gaze was still on me, though, his brilliant blue eyes searching mine for something-something buried deep, I realized.

"Anyway, run Scarlett a bath and find them both some fresh clothes. Scarlett-" he extended his hand to her, but she remained frozen by my side. He curled his hand into a fist, pursing his lips before continuing, "Scarlett is the little prince's mother. How lucky are we that she's here?"

The maid's mouth dropped open, her cheeks turning a rosy pink. "Oh, that's wonderful!"

Scarlett looked thoroughly confused, her body rigid with shock. This was not what we'd been expecting.

"We'll get you a bath and new clothes right away, ma'am."

"Some food, as well. I'll be dining with Eliza tonight, alone. Scarlett can reunite with her son in the morning once... business has been attended to." Abel was still staring right at me.

I could feel his gaze on the side of my face as I kept my eyes locked on Scarlett. Unease ripple through me as I reached out with my good hand and squeezed her arm.

"It's fine, we're fine," I whispered, although it was obvious everyone could hear us. I desperately wished I could mindlink with her; it would make all of this so much easier. Scarlett gave me a weak smile, but her eyes gave away her true feelings.

Something felt off about this situation-this kindness... this hospitality. We'd both thought Abel was some monster, an enemy of Jared.

But looking at him, at the soft, ashen blond hair and handsome, boyish face... his house, immaculate and tasteful... his maids, well kept, well fed, and dressed in finer clothing than I was accustomed to in my own realm.

The only scary, threatening thing about him had been Lock, or whatever his name was. And even he had helped us, fed us, and escorted us right where we needed to go.

One of the maids stepped forward and gently coaxed Scarlett to follow her. Scarlett looked over her shoulder at me, fear in her eyes. I just nodded, praying to whoever was listening that she'd be alright, that we'd both be alright.

"I have a healer on staff who can take a look at those wounds," Abel said casually as he waved his hand toward me, grimacing.

The rain had washed away most of the blood-my blood and the rogue's-but my white shirt was now stained maroon, and my tattered sleeve was hanging off my shirt on one side, while a soiled shirt I'd had packed in one of our bags had been torn and tied around my other arm as a sling. I was a mess.

"I'd like a bath, too," I began, turning to face him fully. "And I don't want anyone touching our things, period." I said this loud enough that the maid retreating up the staircase with Scarlett could hear my demands.

"I wouldn't think of it," he said curtly, and he sounded somewhat offended. "New clothes too, perhaps? I have a feeling you prefer... pants?"

"Yes," I replied, narrowing my eyes at him." Thanks."

"Well, Kristina here will show you to the infirmary. I'll see you for dinner shortly." He bobbed his head, holding his gaze for a moment longer before chuckling under his breath and turning on his heel. His footsteps echoed down a long, tight corridor to the right.

I watched him until he turned and opened a door, disappearing from view.

"Right this way, ma'am," Kristina said prettily, her voice as sweet as honey.

***

"Call me Abe," he said, cutting into a piece of prime rib. "My father's name was Abel. It makes me feel... old."

I sipped my wine, nodding at him as he held my gaze for a moment. He turned back to his food and I took the opportunity to continue examining the dining room, which was snug and cozy, warmed by a roaring fire in a marble fireplace. was a single window in the entire room, and just like in the foyer, the walls were covered in paintings. He had taste, that was for sure.

I'd spent the better part of an hour getting fixed up by the healer, who was a strange but kind older gentleman who knew his stuff. He'd bandaged the lacerations on my left shoulder and fashioned a new sling for my right arm, giving me a clean bill of health. Before I'd seen the healer, I'd been allowed to take a quick but scalding bath, a maid helping me scrub my journey from my skin and hair.

I glanced down at the pale gray sweater made of what felt like cashmere, a matching pair of pants completing the divinely comfortable outfit. I had something just like this at home in Winter Forest. It made me feel odd to be dressed so... modern.

"You have a very unique eye color," he said, breaking me from my musings. "Is it exclusive to your family?"

I blinked up at him, furrowing my brow. He was being entirely too nice.

"It's exclusive to me," I said, helping myself to another piece of fish and steamed vegetables." It's practically a combination of my parents' eye colors."

I could have bit down on my tongue. I had no ideal

why I'd so openly mentioned my parents to this perfect stranger, this enemy.

He didn't seem like an enemy. He was relaxed and casual as he ate, occasionally asking me questions about how we fared during our journey, even going as far as to compliment me on my tenacity to risk a trip on foot through the Dark Forest. He hadn't mentioned Scarlett and her son, or the rogue I'd killed, or Jared, at all.

"So, both of your parents are alive?"

"Yes," I said, grabbing my wine and leaning back in my chair, pleasantly full. "Are yours?"

"I hope not," he grinned, his blue eyes shining in the light of a half dozen candles illuminating the table. My lips twitched into a smile, but I stifled it. "Where're you from? I don't remember you from the village."

"The Realm of Light," I said, and for whatever reason, it felt good to tell the truth. "And if you think for a second that you can try anything with me-"

"How very forward of you," he grinned wryly, rolling his eyes.

I pursed my lips, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I meant in terms of taking me hostage and selling me to the highest bidder-"

"Too much work," he said, lazily waving a hand in dismissal. "I have a feeling you could slit my throat right now if you wanted to. I've given you ample opportunity. If you really feel threatened, just say so. Leave, if you must. You're my guest, not a prisoner."

"I'm the mate of your enemy," I said, setting my wine back on the table.

"Has he marked you?"

"No, but-"

"I can't sense a wolf on you yet," he said, pausing to sip his wine. "So, you're not of age to even know your mate for sure, so Jared is irrelevant. We'll talk about him later if we must."

If we must... I saw the twinkle in his eyes as he said it, his words laced with silent challenge.

"So, the Realm of Light," he drawled, pouring us both another glass of wine. "Did you fight in the war?"Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I glanced at him, trying to keep the color from rising in my cheeks.

"No," I replied as he sipped his wine, his eyes fixed on my own. "I was a... triage nurse at the tail end of the war-"

"A few of my men are from the Realm of Light."

"What?" Unease settled in the pit of my stomach." Why?"

"Maybe for the same reason you're here.

Adventure, sights unseen, a wild, untouched world."

I inhaled deeply, pondering my next move. He was staring at me, a contemplative look on his face.

He leaned back with his wine glass, looking entirely at ease.

"I fought in the war for the same reasons."

"In Breles-"

"In Crimson Creek," he interrupted, his eyes darkening slightly as he blew out his breath. "Then the, uh, the Night Realm."

I damn near dropped my wine glass. "What?"

The battle in the Night Realm had effectively ended the war. I'd heard faint whisperings of what had happened, mostly from my cousin Oliver.

"I just happened to be standing there when our Luna tore through Crimson Creek with that cousin of hers, Prince Oliver. She was looking for our Alpha King, and she chose a legion of warriors to go into the Night Realm with her to find him and end the war. I was just standing there, so... well, I went. Why the hell not, right? I was grossly unprepared for what I saw and had to do. Those who fought in the Night Realm were paid... handsomely, for their services." He waved his hand in a wide circle around the room before running his fingers through his hair. "I didn't have a crew yet, or my own village. But the money was a start, and now here I am."

I was at a loss for words as I slowly sipped my wine.

"I'd like to go back one day and really see your realm for what it is, you know? Jared and I used to talk about it, dream about it... that was before his curse. I'm assuming you know-"

"I know," I said, the words coming out with more emotion than I'd intended.

hadn't known that Jared wanted to see the Realm of Light, however. Something about Abel's-Abe's- words sliced through my heart. He caught it, his brow furrowing for a fraction of a second before he shrugged, flexing his ringed fingers.

"Why didn't he come with you?"

"I thought we were only talking about Jared if we had to," I said flatly, setting my wine on the table.

"What did he tell you about me?"

"Nothing of substance, nothing that could have prepared me for... all of this." I waved my hand in a dramatic circle, mimicking his mannerisms.

He gave me a sly smile, chuckling to himself.

A trio of male servants came in to clear the table, Abel nodding his thanks as he tossed his napkin on the table and rose. "This conversation calls for something a little stronger than wine, I'm afraid. Come," he motioned for me to take his hand.

I hesitated. "Come where, exactly?"

"My bedroom, of course." He winked at me just as his fingers closed around mine.

***

I knew I'd underestimated Abel the second he locked the bedroom door behind us. I whirled around, expecting him to launch himself on me, but he walked right past me toward a bar cart. He poured brandy into two crystal glasses, turning to me with a look that made an anxious shiver run down my spine.

"Jared and I were best friends once," he began, taking a drink.

I sipped from my own glass, not enjoying the taste. Maybe it was the acrid taste in mouth from just being locked in his bedroom that made my stomach clench and my throat tighten with unease instead of the brandy.

"I couldn't accept being second."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He was voted into the position of leader over me," he said flatly, but I could tell it stung. "I made a big show of it, beat the ever living s**t out of him and took off, promising I'd rip him to shreds if I ever saw him again. Funny how his mate somehow ends up in my home."

I took another drink of the brandy, trying to wet the sudden dryness in my mouth.

"Is he on his way?" Able asked.

"I don't know."

"Surely he'd come after his mate-"

"He was trying to send me home, back to my own realm. He'd gone... he left, so I decided to leave, too."

"Ah, I see-"

"I'm just here to reunite Scarlett with her son-"

"Jared won't pay the ransom," he said, staring out one of the windows on the far wall. He turned to me, his mouth curving into a smile. "But maybe you and I could make a deal."