Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 108 : Building a New Life

*Soren*

I walked through the streets of Pomeni pack and unlike the last time we were here, when everything was crumbled and in ruins, the packland had really turned around.

We'd only been there for a couple of weeks, but already, it had completely transformed.

The land was lush and vibrant and that gave the Norwind survivors hope. I could see it in their faces, how happy and excited they were to have a new home. One that wasn't completely destroyed by war and floods.

Pomeni had been in rough shape the last time we were here but with just a few weeks of TLC, it was well on the mend, and so were the Norwind survivors.

I stood in the doorway of my temporary home. With the large group we had, it only took a few days to get some temporary houses constructed. That way, they could focus on restoring the land before building permanent homes.

From my doorway, I could see the streets of the packland where the other Norwind survivors moved about in the streets.

They'd cleared away the knee-high weeds and cut the fields of grass so they were less wild. We'd repaired the roads and pulled up any plants growing through the cracks in the sidewalks.

They weren't perfect and there were still cracks in the street and sidewalks but it was a major improvement to what it had been like when we arrived.

People walked through the streets easily now, smiling and greeting each other. They'd settled in well.

There were some foundations being laid for more permanent houses but they were still in progress and weren't ready to live in yet. We did have enough temporary housing for everyone to have shelter from the bad weather.

I left my house and walked through the streets, listening to snippets of conversation.

“I can't wait to start a garden. There is so much space here and we can really make it our own." “The kids want to set up a swimming area in the river. We'll have to find a shallow spot where the current isn't too strong.”

“Miss Mila wants us all in the town square this afternoon..."

I noticed that none of them talked about life in Norwind. Wherever I caught conversations, they talked about what they wanted to do with the Pomeni territory and the future.

I didn't blame them for wanting to leave their old life behind.

It must have been a nightmare to look back on what Chandler had done, how their own pack members had betrayed them, twice, and how they were left to starve or be picked off.

They weren't horrible memories for me but even I didn't like to think back on it.

There was so much ahead of them to look forward to, why would they want to hold onto the past? Ben ran up to me, a big smile on his face, eyes wide.

“Mr. Soren, let's go! The ritual is about to start. We can't be late.”

He kept running, waving his hand to beckon me along.

I picked up my pace and followed Ben toward the center of town. The street we were on ended in a roundabout with a large grassy field in the middle. In the center of the field was a beautiful marble fountain with a statue at the center.

The fountain didn't run anymore but the carving of the statue in the center was absolutely stunning. It was a pair of wolves dancing with each other in such a graceful, playful, intimate way. The detail of the wolves was exquisite.

All of Norwind was gathered on the lawn around the fountain.

I stood at the back of the crowd with Thomas and Payne, but I was tall enough to see over their heads.

Mila stepped out onto the lawn and my heart skipped a beat.

She was barefoot, wearing nothing but a white, flowing gown that fluttered around her as she walked toward the fountain.

Her hair was unbound, hanging loosely around her face and shoulders, rippling in the breeze. It was almost completely blond now with just a few strands of red remaining.

It seemed that her witch power had been growing by the day, and the color of her hair was the most obvious indicator.

Her face was solemn and in her hands, she carried a clear vase filled with water. I knew it was pure water from the river, clean and tied to the packland.

Mila's blond hair cascaded down her back. The dress was the purest white I'd ever seen. She looked innocent and holy.

Around me, I sensed everyone holding their breath. I realized that I was holding mine too.

That was my mate! She was the most beautiful, radiant, holy creature I'd ever seen.

My wolf grumbled, pleased at seeing her this way.

In the past, I'd always seen Mila as a red rose; pretty, bright, and full of thorns, preventing anyone from getting close to her.

Now, she looked like a soft, blooming lotus; unique, enthralling, and too beautiful to describe, welcoming and warm.

Enzo stood beside Mila. He handed her a knife.

Quickly, she sliced her palm, wincing and sucking in a sharp breath. She held her hand over the vase, squeezing a few drops of blood into the water.

Mila had told me about the ritual already. None of what she did surprised me and I knew the importance of what she was doing

Chanting in a low voice, words I didn't understand, Mila walked in a circle around the fountain, pouring water from the vase onto the ground.

When she completed a full circle, I felt the air around me get lighter and all the pack members sighed, like a weight had been lifted. The sun felt warmer and all the colors of the packland seemed a few shades brighter.

It felt like the whole land was waking up from a long, winter sleep.

Lilian gasped. “May the Goddess bless our new home. May the Goddess bless Miss Mila!"

The crowd erupted in applause and carried on Lilian's chant. Many of them even bowed to Mila. “May the Goddess bless you," they murmured to her.

Mila nodded and smiled softly. I could tell she wasn't sure what to say with all the praise and well wishes.

Ben took the empty vase from her.

“What did you do?" he asked, tilting his head as he stared into the empty vase.

“I helped the land create a protective border and asked the Moon Goddess to bless it."

"How?" the inquisitive boy shifted his gaze to Mila.

"On the outer edge of the territory, I instructed the forest to grow a wall of vines and thorns. It will create a maze for all those who enter the packland, hiding this land from enemies or those that would cause harm,” she explained.

“But what if a friend comes to visit?" Ben asked.

Mila smiled and patted his head. “Then the path will open up to them. Friends are always welcome.” "Really!?" the boy gushed.

Mila laughed. “Yes, really. Just wait until this evening. You'll see.”

We'd planned a celebration dinner in the field with the fountain to follow Mila's ritual. She hadn't had a moment when she wasn't surrounded by Norwind pack members, all praising her and gushing over her.

I could tell she was getting a bit worn out but I left her alone as she talked to everyone.

This was her big night and I didn't want to bother her. Instead, I settled for watching her.

My chest swelled with pride whenever I glanced her way. She never stopped surprising me. I could have watched her all night and felt nothing but joy and happiness for her.

"Amazing how quickly people can rebound from their misery, isn't it?"

Thomas appeared from behind me and he handed me a stiff beer.

I raised the glass to Thomas and nodded in agreement before taking a sip.

“Not only the people but the land, too," I said.

"Ahh, yes. Returning the Alpha blood to the land. The land recognized Mila as its rightful owner and woke up. I never understand that..." Thomas chuckled and shook his head.

“You make it sound like the land is an entity of its own. It isn't like that. But the land has been protected by her blood.”

“Because of Mila's mother?"

I took a sip of my beer. “Maybe her mother, perhaps Helen. It could have been both, which is what I think.”

“No wonder this place feels so powerful. With that kind of witch bloodline watching over it... speaking of, your little witch mate is really something.”

Thomas smirked at me and gulped his own beer.

I growled under my breath. “I'll take that as a compliment.”

"Yes, it is very much a compliment. Jeez, you're a protective alpha, aren't you?"

Thomas chuckled and shook his head.

I narrowed my eyes. “Is there a problem with that?"

Thomas shook his head again. “Nope. My advice is to cherish these times. Tonight, you can feel like a big tough man.”

I arched an eyebrow at him. “Just tonight?"

Thomas shrugged. “Well, your mate is getting pretty powerful. She's getting stronger every day. Pretty soon, she won't need your protection anymore. So, enjoy it while you can. And when the time comes, you can vent to me..."

He chuckled and gulped down his beer.

I smirked and glanced sideways at Thomas. “Well, I'll just protect our baby, then.”

Thomas paused, beer at his lips. He nearly choked, coughing and pounding his chest. “What!?" Casually, I shrugged and took a sip of my drink.

Thomas stared at me, wide eyed and confused. “I... you... Oh, man! CONGRATULATIONS! Cheers." He clinked his glass to mine and took a long swig.

I grinned and clapped Thomas on the shoulder. “Thank you. By the way, what is this drink? It tastes pretty good. I've never had it before.”

“Enzo and Ben dug this out from the basement of one of the old houses. It is a nice rice wine, the kind that tastes better the longer it sits.”

“Ahh... like me?"

Thomas had just taken another sip. He spit his drink out and quickly wiped his mouth.

"Since when did you become so cocky?"

“Is it still being cocky if it is true?" I challenged, smirking.

Thomas rolled his eyes and finished off his drink.

I glanced around at the rest of the party. It was a gorgeous night with stars in the sky and night blooming flowers growing in the field. The perfect night for a gathering like this.

Fireflies lit up around the old houses and some of the kids tried to catch them. It was a good way to practice hunting skills, even if they saw it as a game.

I found Mila in the crowd. She still wore a big smile and was surrounded by people that absolutely adored her.

A murmur went through the crowd, then excited cries rose up.

“They're here!” Someone shouted. “Look, they're here!"

Immediately, the field buzzed with excited anticipation.