Semua Bab The Alpha King's Breeder: Bab 211 - Bab 220

*Maddy*I can’t understand a word these people are saying. I sit in on a bench in a large kitchen, a cup of hot tea with milk and honey in my trembling hands. King Isaac is arguing with the copper haired man, a shade a few lighter than my own. I recognize him from the day Reginald dragged me here. They must be roughly the same age. The man looks over at me quizzically before turning back to Isaac and continuing the animated conversation. I wish they’d slow down so I could have a moment to pick through their words for anything that sounds remotely familiar. Anything I learned from Reginald’s sadistic tutor has been replaced by nothing but the feeling of my knuckles being swatted over, and over again. I’m dead. The second they lead me out of this castle, I’m dead. Two women walk into the room, and I immediately hang my head so my hair falls forward to shield my face. One of them looks a lot like Isaac. Her hair is much darker, a deep brown that’s nearly black. I can’t see the other

*Maddy*Reginald hasn’t spoken to me since he brought me back to his townhouse last night. Fresh bruises pepper my skin from the beating he gave me last night on the way home last night. I used my forearms to shield my face from the blows before he finally turned around and left me alone. Today, he seems in good spirits, but I have no idea why.I failed. But then nothing else happened to me last night. I wasn’t dragged from my room and given to his wolves. I was simply left to my own devices, which meant I spent the entire night picking through the brief conversation he had with King Isaac. I found a few words I recognized, but I still can’t make sense of why Reginald is so adamant I catch the king’s attention. I can’t possibly be considered as his Luna. A consort, maybe? Someone to warm his bed? Morning sunlight whispers through the windows in my room. No breakfast has been laid out, and neither Glenda or Clare have come in to ready me for whatever I’m supposed to be doing today.

The night before… *Isaac*I press my phone to my ear as I walk through the castle. It’s early evening, and Cassian is insistent on shifting with me tonight. It’s a perfect night for it, a full moon. The whole city is lit up with lanterns and every temple is decorated for the monthly celebrations that take place during the full moons. “Mom,” I breathe, my mouth curving into a smile. “I missed your call earlier.”“How are you, honey? I haven’t heard from you in ages!”“Busy,” I admit, wincing. “I’m sure Dad and Antony have made you well aware of the situation here.”“They have.” Her voice is suddenly stern and uneasy. “Antony and your dad are growing concerned. It’s all the talk around Crescent Falls, but it takes so long for news to reach Maatua. Is everything all right?”“Everything is fine. The threat is far south so far, and I have it handled.” For now. I keep her chatting for a moment, trying to gauge whether Ella made good on her threat to tell our parents what I’m up to, but M

*Maddy*There’s a commotion in the hallway outside the parlor door. I don’t know how long I've been sitting on the ground staring into the fire, but the click of the knob catches my attention, so I turn my head. Hannah, with her curly blonde hair tied back from her kind, smiling face, steps in through the door. She takes a deep breath, wiping her hands on her apron. “Not fluent,” she reminds me, but her smile is warm and inviting as she extends a hand to me. I take it and allow her to help me to my feet. Why not? What am I going to do now, run? How can I do that when what feels like every royal guard in the kingdom is in the house or on the property? Hannah leads me through the castle and up a flight of stairs. She says nothing as we walk along the second floor foyer–a balcony that overlooks a section of the first floor, where the commotion I’d heard can now be seen below. I freeze, my skin prickling with adrenaline as Reginald fights in the arms of several guards. A golden-haired m

*Maddy*King Isaac stands before a window overlooking the castle grounds. The treeline is lush with heavy reddish green buds, the first inklings of spring foliage. I find myself gazing past him and out the window as I wait for him to turn around and explain why I’m here, in his office. Just beyond the garden is the foreboding wall that encloses the castle grounds, and beyond that? Miles and miles of untouched wilderness. I’d run toward that wall once, hoping to find freedom on the other side. “Have you ever felt the mate bond with anyone?” I jerk in surprise at the question and turn my attention to the king. He isn’t looking at me, his focus still locked on the world beyond the window. “No, I haven’t.” I swallow back the bite in my voice. Last night, he said he hadn’t sensed a wolf in me, so why would he assume I’d found my mate? “Do you have anyone–a brother, or father–who would lay claim to you after what transpired with the kidnappers?”“N-no.” His shoulders are rigid with t