《The Alpha King's Breeder》全部章節：第 711 章 - 第 720 章

Marianna“I think she likes it,” Mom says over my shoulder as we watch Skye scurry from room to room in the townhouse I found for rent only a mile from the exterior wall of the castle. Cream-colored plaster walls and narrow, but brightly lit, hallways connect three bedrooms upstairs. Sunlight dances across dark wood floors, dust motes hanging in suspension. It smells like flowers. Wisteria and bougainvillea are already trying to bloom in the snug front garden lined with a pale stone wall, where the bright green spring grass has been freshly mowed in time for our arrival. It’s a quiet street based on what the realtor told me. Cars aren’t allowed, and there’s a village square just a block away with a grocery store, bakery, and a park. Everything we’d need is within reach, secured by a gate separating us from the rest of Moonrise, which is apparently one of the safest cities in the Allied Kingdoms and great for young families.Skye peeks her head out of one of the bedrooms and stares at

MariannaI don’t realize I’m gripping Blake’s hand until his fingers loosen and fall away from mine. I tuck my hands behind my back, taking a deep breath to rein myself in while he stuffs his hands in his pockets–a very uncharacteristic motion that I notice, like he’s nervous. But of course he is. He hasn’t seen Skye since the day she was born, and I feel… awful about that now that I can see his face as he looks at her, seven years later, cautiously taking her in. And Skye is looking right at him. She slides off the chair, her hands resting at her sides. She chose her outfit today. Denim overalls, a black shirt, her hair loose and falling down her back. The only pop of color she wanted was her shoes, which were a birthday present from her grammy in hopes Skye would start liking color again. Skye inspects Blake from head to toe while I hold my breath for both of them. I know Blake. I used to, at least. Maybe he’s changed in the seven years we’ve been apart, but what hasn’t is that

BlakeA maid sets a breakfast tray on the table in the corner of my office before bowing her head and scurrying out. Steam wafts from a carafe while the scent of coffee fills the room, and I rise, tucking my phone between my cheek and shoulder. “It’s just something I’m considering, Liam.”My brother sighs under his breath, his voice slightly staticky when the connection buffers. “You’re serious? Why would you walk away from–”“I wouldn’t be walking away from anything.” I pour myself a cup of coffee, ignoring the breakfast spread I rarely ever touch. I normally don’t eat until midday, but the kitchen begs to differ and keeps sending it anyway. “You’d be abdicating, Blake. I mean, have you seriously thought this through?”“That's why I’m telling you about it. I have, thoroughly.”“Do Mom and Dad know?”“I haven’t broached the subject yet, but I’m sure they assume something is going on based on how often I’m in Eastonia.”“You’re there full time,” he says, echoing a silent sentiment. O

MariannaI rise as Queen Maeve comes into view, holding the hand of the striking young man I’d noticed in the ballroom. It was hard not to notice him, honestly, with his multi-colored eyes and casual disposition, and it strikes me quite suddenly that this is her mate, the man the news can’t stop talking about. Fretting about, more like it. Blake rises, and I follow, my heart standing still as the Queen of Eastonia, dressed in a soft silver gown of lace that flows around her like water, turns the corner of the staircase and spots us with a start. Blake narrows his eyes at her. The queen looks surprised to see him and then tilts her head in my direction for a moment before her head whips back to Blake with an expression I can only describe as… smug. “Well, well, well,” she grins. “Sneaking away from the party, Blake?”“Speak for yourself,” Blake says without a hint of emotion, even though I sure he meant to tease. Queen Maeve turns to me as I step down from my perch, bow deeply, and

BlakeThe Night BeforeSoren pours another glass of punch, bracing one hand on the table as the ladle scrapes the bottom of the bowl. “Shit, it’s almost gone,” he murmurs, his words slurred. “It’s fuckin’ good, though.”I squint past my blurred vision and spot Marianna in the small crowd as she moves in what I think is my direction, but there’s three of her. Someone trips behind her, and Patton, who was just standing at my side, takes off in a rush to rescue Jane, who’s now on the floor, tangled in her dress. I’m not sure where the night went. One moment I was watching Marianna mingle with Maeve. Then, they disappeared, and reappeared, and the punch was served. Music growled from speakers that sent smooth vibrations across the ballroom as conversations ran wild, and then… everything started to blur. I think I danced at one point, which is incredibly unlike me. I think I might have actually danced with Marianna. Everything got incredibly hazy after that first glass of punch.“Where’