Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 120 : Not Going to End Well

Dylan was still staring at Helen. His face was a mixture of excitement, awe, and fear. But he did seem relieved that Sebastian had been defeated.

Helen met Dylan's gaze, her expression was peaceful. She nodded to him, and said something that only the few of us could understand, “Rest assured. What's done is done. I don't regret my decision." However, that was the only thing she said to the king, and it didn't seem that she had any desire to converse with him more.

Payne stood by the king, keeping him from running off, shock in his eyes, too.

The puppets that were left stopped attacking. They started wandering around, bumping into each other and off the walls.

Soren came out of the shadows in human form. He'd found a t-shirt and sweats to throw on. Thomas must have brought spares in case they had to shift.

“Your Majesty, we don't want to hurt you,” Soren said to the king. “However, based on your history, I think it would be best if you were to accompany us until we get to safety.”

That was Soren's nice way of telling Dylan we were taking him hostage without making it sound like a threat.

“There are far too many hidden mechanisms in this place and I'm not going to risk getting trapped here with my men,” he continued.

Dylan, or at this point, King Sebastian as he would be known going forward, didn't respond. He just looked at the guards around him, like he was saying he didn't have much of a choice.

Soren turned to Eros. “Lead the way. Let's get the hell out of this dungeon.”

"Yes, Sir," Eros said cheerily. He headed off and motioned to us over his shoulder. “This way, follow me."

I saw Ashley roll her eyes but she followed after Eros with everyone else.

"Aunt Helen..." I went over to her. She was still supported by all the roots. “Are you able to move freely?"

Helen nodded and came down the corridor with us.

Eros was leading us back to the maze that led to the exit he'd tried to take me to earlier.

Soren and I stayed close to Helen. A few times, the roots that supported her slipped and I held my arms up to steady her. I thought it must be hard for her to “walk” like that. The ground was uneven and the roots couldn't feel the floor the same way feet could

“Are you okay?" I asked, ready to catch her again.

“Don't worry, Mila. I'm just tired. I haven't used magic like this in a long time," she said, still smiling. She still looked strong and beautiful but I could tell that she was getting weary. Her energy was fading.

When Eros opened the last gate of the secret passage, sunlight streamed in, along with claws and teeth snarling at us.

More royal guards had arrived to protect the king.

Soren cleared his throat. “Please ask your men to back off. We're no threat to you."

“Back off!" the king barked. “These people are not your enemies. They are my prestigious guests and they saved the kingdom."

At the king's order, his royal troops stepped back, allowing us to file out into the sunlight.

I left Helen and followed Payne and the guards that surrounded the king.

“Your Majesty," I called to him.

The sun hit me full force and I blinked several times. How long had I been in the dungeons? It felt like forever!

"Yes, Miss Mila?" the king asked, a pleasant smile on his face. He almost looked harmless and trustworthy.

"Before we leave, I want you to make good on your promise. Then we will let you return to your guards.”

“Very well,” the king replied. Then he told one of his guards, “Ask the Head of Finance to come see me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, a he-wolf who was bowing his head over a large leather-bound logbook ran towards us. The king ordered, “Patton, I want you to prepare gold, food, and other supplies for the old Pomeni packland. Enough for a well-sized pack to thrive off of for several seasons.”

“I will see it done, Your Majesty," the head of finance said as he started scribbling in the leather- bound logbook, and then hurried away.

"Are you happy now, Alpha Mila Hathaway?" the king asked.

I shook my head.

The king arched a thick eyebrow.

I smiled and pointed to Payne, “No, I'm not the Alpha. He is!"

Payne's eyes bulged. “Miss Mila!"

I ignored Payne and continued to make my request to the king, “In the name of the Dark King, please name Payne Chambers as Alpha of the new Pomeni pack. From today, and every day going forward."

The king c****d his head at me. “Are you sure?"

I nodded firmly.

He stroked his chin. It was clear he found it intriguing but he didn't ask more questions.

"Fine, fine. I, the Dark King, Sebastian Crimson offer the blessing of power and leadership upon Payne Chambers. He will henceforth be the Alpha of the new Pomeni pack under my protection and will receive my aid while the pack grows and prospers,” the king said in a deep, formal tone.

Payne stared at the king. Then he turned his eyes to me, shock clear on his face. I didn't think he'd be able to form words.

He looked at Soren, too, almost like he needed someone to confirm that what he heard was true.

I smiled at Payne and nodded. He'd really earned the leadership role and I knew he cared about Pomeni and the pack land, perhaps way more than me. He'd take care of it and the refugees.

And I... just wanted to be with Soren and I knew his future was elsewhere.

From now on, I was all Soren’s. If he wanted to have a pack, then I would stand beside him. If he wanted to stay a rogue, then I would be more than happy to live my life as a rogue.

My gaze met his, and like Payne, he was surprised. However, in his gaze, I got a sense of appreciation and pride as well.

Shortly, Patton returned with some shipping orders and handed them to Payne.

“We'll continue sending additional shipments over the next couple of months," he explained, showing Payne where to sign.

It was up to Payne now to get the supplies to the refugees.

I moved closer to Soren. We hadn't had a chance to talk yet but there would be plenty of time to catch up on the way back. I could wait a few more minutes.

Soren waved a hand at his men. “Help Alpha Payne with the shipments. We'll stay with the king," he ordered.

Payne, Thomas, and the rest of Soren's men all quickly got to work on loading up the first shipment of supplies to transport away from the palace.

I wasn't sure what we were waiting for but Soren kept a sharp eye on the king.

They stared at each other, neither one speaking or making a move.

Suddenly, Soren perked up and nodded. He must have received a mindlink from Thomas. He was the only other person I knew Soren could mindlink with.

"Everyone is safely away from the area. They are well beyond the Royal Pack’s control,” he told me. "Alright, your Majesty, it looks like you're free to go," I said to the king. “Thank you for your generosity.”

"And please rest assured, your secret ends with the three of us, as long as you leave us alone," Soren said, his voice dropping into a low threat.

Helen, Soren, and I were the only people left alive that knew the king's real identity. That gave us a powerful bargaining chip over him. Especially since I was still the only one that could perform the soul exchange.

"Yes, yes, I understand,” the king said dismissively.

“Farewell, then, Sire," I said, bowing a little, letting out a relieved sigh. Thank the Goddess that everything seemed to turn out alright.

I'd rescued Helen, and resolved a significant threat for Pomeni. It was almost too good to be true, but I wasn't complaining.

We started to leave together, Helen moved a bit slower with her magically manufactured limbs compared to before. She must have been exhausted from using magic to this extent!

I couldn't wait to get out of here so we could all take some rest.

"Oh, Mila, one more thing!" King Sebastian called out from a hundred feet away.

I tensed and turned to face the king. His voice was warm, but I knew better than to lower my guard toward him.

When I turned around, he was holding his hand out. An exquisite hairpin rested on his palm.

The pin portion was made of gold with an intricate design engraved in the metal. The top of the pin was polished wood with a detailed butterfly carved into it. The butterfly's wings were encrusted with real, sparkling gemstones. It looked like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.

“This belonged to your mother. I think it is time I return it to its rightful owner."

Something of my mother's? My heart fluttered and I immediately wanted to take the hairpin. Other than the box of things she left me, I'd never had a personal item of my mother's.

I took a step forward but Soren grabbed my arm. “Mila, keep going with Helen and watch out.”

He nodded down the road, his tone left no room for argument.

I didn't fight back. He was right, we shouldn't risk going back. As much as I wanted the hairpin, our safety was more important. Soren didn’t trust the king, neither did I.

I sighed and continued walking towards the forest ahead of us. Once we were there, the lush trees and complicated terrain there would provide sheltering for the three of us.

However, I stopped in my tracks when I realized that Soren didn't come with us—he had gone back to the king to retrieve the hairpin!

“Soren, come back!" I tried to stop him, but he was already halfway there.

I stayed put. All the hairs on the back of my neck prickled and my heart raced. I had a knot in my stomach. My instinct told me that this wasn't going to end well.

*Soren*

I needed to get the hairpin for Mila. It was sentimental, a personal item that belonged to her mother, potentially the only item we would ever be able to get.

In the dream that April had given us, I remembered seeing this same hairpin in Jessica's hair. There was no disputing it belonged to her and I was going to get it for Mila.

But I didn't trust the king's motives. I wouldn't risk her but a little risk for me was worth it.

I kept one hand shoved in my pocket, holding the hilt of a dagger I kept on me at all times. If the king tried anything, I could take him hostage in a second with the knife.

Standing in front of the king, I took the hairpin gingerly.

Nothing happened.

The king smirked. “Don’t be so nervous. It is one kind deed for another. After all, this does rightfully belong to Mila..."

Sighing, I nodded and turned to return to Mila.

"...however, it should have been buried years ago, just like her!"

I froze, pupils dilating.

“s**t! Mila, run!" I shouted to her.