Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 88: The Seer

Maeve

Rowan and I walked in silence along the trail that led from the house to the old village. Small log cabins

were scattered through the woods, their chimneys puffing smoke that hung in the air, mingling with the

falling snow.

If Dad had known I was going out for a walk with Rowan, he would’ve stopped me, making me lay down

and continue to listen to everyone arguing over my condition. But I felt better in the fresh air, our slow,

easy walk alleviating my stress.

“I remember feeling stuck for a long time,” Rowan said as we crunched through the stone, his voice a low

whisper. “Funny how you fall into a routine for so long that time feels endless, do you know what I mean?

And then one thing changes and everything is upended.”

I considered his words, breathing deeply. The air was rich with chilled moisture, and I let it course

through my veins and fill. my lungs, calming me. “Time moves fast in chaos,” I said, finishing what he

was meaning to say.

“I’m sorry I haven’t spoken to you much since you got home.”

“Well, I understand why after meeting that crazy old woman from Lycenna. What was her name again?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t really care. Look, Maeve-” He turned to me, taking me by the shoulders. “I knew

you were going to be okay this whole time. I knew you were fine when the letters

stopped coming. I knew…I knew you could handle whatever situation you faced after what happened in

Mirage.

“I did my best to stop Mom and Dad from acting on impulse and starting a war with Poldesse over your

disappearance. But we’re in deep now. I can’t make heads or tails.of what we need to do. It sounds like

an absolute shitstorm is coming our way, and I need you on my side.”

“Of-of course, Rowan. What the hell else would I be doing?”

Rowan pursed his lips, squeezing my shoulders. “I like Troy. I really do.”

“I like him too,” I laughed, missing Troy immensely. The only time we seemed to have with each other

was late at night, sleeping in the same way we used to sleep on the Persephone before I forgave him,

when he’d sleep on the floor while I slept in the bed, our fingers knitted together.

Now we slept that way because we couldn’t fit comfortably in the same small bed with my stomach in the

way, but it still felt intimate.

“I think you’ll like Hanna. But she’s different, okay? Quiet. She doesn’t tend to speak unless spoken to. I

don’t want you to be… mean. Got it? Can you just cool it, for a few minutes, and let her help you?”

“I’m not mean!” | swatted him, and he let go of my shoulders, arching his brow.

“Just let me lead, alright?”

“Sure,” I huffed, falling back in step as we continued through

the woods. The only light was that of lanterns hung on the porches we passed, and every once in a

while, a wolf darted past us in the distance.

I wondered if Rowan had taken Troy out in their wolf forms yet to explore. It was something I had always

wanted to do when I came into my powers. And now I likely would never have the chance.

“Things are complicated between Hanna and me. She’s struggling.”

“With what?”

“What all of this means for her, for us. Imagine someone telling you you’re going to be the mother of the

second coming of the Moon Goddess. That would freak anyone out.”

“I can’t believe that woman actually said that to her. I was shocked, and people have been telling me

crazy things for months now. We’re in a living, breathing fairytale, Rowan.”

“Better buckle up, huh? What a ficking ride.”

| smiled, tucking my chilled fingers in my pockets. I could tell Rowan wanted to say more, but he was

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struggling to form the words. Rowan thought before he spoke, something I had yet to fully master. He

was going to make a great Alpha one day.

Before long, we reached a cabin nestled against a rocky bluff on the outskirts of the old village. Rowan

helped me up the steps, which were slick with ice. “There’s ice-melt in the garage”

“You think I’m going to drag a bag of ice-melt all the way

over here?” he laughed, shaking his head as he knocked lightly on the door before turning the knob. “I’ll

chip the ice away when it stops snowing.”

“Mhm,” I murmured, and then I walked into the cabin.

Hanna was standing in the kitchen in front of the stove, her hands tucked into floral print oven mitts. She

was pouring a cup of tea, and seemed surprised to see us. Me, at least.

I looked around at the cabin, which was furnished comfortably but sparsely decorated. It was a small

space, an open kitchen and living room with two bedrooms in the back, typical for the cabins of the old

village.

Most people lived in the newer houses near the coastline, which were larger and more modern. This

space was quaint, charming, and despite the cold weather, felt nice and cozy.

“Hey,” Rowan said gently. There was an odd catch to his voice.

I noticed a large suitcase in the living room, its lid open. It was empty, however.

“Are you going somewhere?” I asked her without thinking.

She blinked, looking from me to Rowan.

“Uh,” Rowan ran his fingers through his hair as he looked at Hanna, a silent conversation passing

between them. Her eyes softened, and I noticed some of the tension leave Rowan’s shoulders. “We‘re

moving to Mirage.”

“Why?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.

“Dad’s making me the new Alpha of Drogomor.”

“Since when?” | stammered.

“Since a few days ago. I found out the same day the Lycennians arrived.”

“No one tells me anything!” I said, throwing my hands in the

air.

Hanna gave me a crooked smile, then reached into an upper cabinet for two extra mugs and began

pouring tea.

“Does this mean Ernest and Gemma are staying in Winter Forest?” I asked.

Rowan nodded, bending down to unlace his boots.

“This is huge, Rowan. You’re an Alpha now!” I exclaimed, plopping down on the couch. I was thankful for

the distraction of Rowan’s big news, especially since Hanna was being silent as a mouse. I felt oddly

intimidated by her.

“Have you met Kacidra yet? Your friend Pete’s mate?” Rowan asked as he went into the kitchen. He

gave Hanna the softest, most loving smile I had ever seen, but there was significant

sadness there. What was going on with these two?

“No, I haven’t seen Pete since we arrived. Troy told me I needed to leave him alone for a while.”

“He’s been kept busy by my sister, I’m afraid,” Hanna said, her voice much lighter than her commanding

tone in the library.

A wave of recognition swept over me once again, and I turned to her, unable to stop myself from

speaking. “You gave me the ring, didn’t you? Months ago. The red ring”

“1–I did. I don’t know why I thought you needed it-”

“You saved my life,” i said weakly, trying to make sense of it. All of it.

Hanna only nodded, looking exceedingly forlorn. As much as I needed to talk to her about how her

powers connected to me and everything I had been through over the past several months, I found myself

wanting answers about Rowan and Hanna’s weird behavior.

“What’s wrong with you two? Are you fighting?”

“Maeve! What did I say,” Rowan bit out, his cheeks reddening with a furious blush.

Hanna didn’t look at all shocked, however. She stepped around the kitchen counter and walked over to

me, handing me a mug of floral-scented tea.

“I feel like I need to go back to Red Lakes and take the stones with me, to lead Tasia away from Winter

Forest.” Hanna set her own mug on top of the wood stove to keep it warm as she stoked the fire.

I looked into my tea, considering her plan. “Well, that won’t matter. She wants Mom dead, for one. She

failed the first time she tried to kill her, from what I understand.” I said.

Hanna turned to look at me, pondering my words. She looked as though she hadn’t considered that

before.

“So why leave? I know Red Lakes doesn’t have the army you’d need to defend the village if Tasia

comes.”

“I don’t think this fight will be traditionally fought,” Hanna

quipped as she sat down on the other end of the couch. Rowan sat down on the floor next to the wood

stove, crossing his legs and balancing his mug of tea on his knee.

“I think Tasia will want to fight… me. And I failed to protect your mother and the temple.”

“You didn’t fail, Hanna. You and Mom didn’t know what you were getting into,” Rowan said, trying to

reassure her.

“Well, it would be silly to leave. Rowan needs you, for one. I’ve never seen him so lovesick. And he’s

going to need your support as Luna when you go to Mirage.”

Rowan gave me a dirty look but kept his mouth shut.

“And,” I continued, pausing to sip from my tea, “I need you. I don’t understand our connection. I don’t

have my powers; they never came. But you and I… I truly feel like we’re supposed to be working

together somehow.”

“It’s dangerous, Maeve.” Hanna looked down at her tea, her

face lined with uncertainty.

“I survived a shipwreck, a Lycaonic cult, and Opaline, that crazy Lycennian woman. I think I can handle

whatever comes next.” I couldn’t help but smile around Opaline’s name, knowing she was being kept

prisoner in one of the rooms in the castle.

Hanna exhaled deeply, then glanced at Rowan. “I need time.”

“I know,” Rowan whispered, looking abjectly heartbroken.

| sat in awkward silence for a moment, watching them just stare at each other. I wanted to say that if I

could make it work

with Troy and forgive him, Hanna and Rowan could work through whatever it was that was holding them

back from leaning into their mate bond.

But I wasn’t here to play matchmaker. In fact, I wasn’t entirely sure why I was here.

I gave Rowan a look that said ‘get on with it,’ and he nodded tightly, turning his gaze back to Hanna.

“We need your help,” he said, explaining the situation in detail.

Hanna turned her gaze to me as Rowan explained what was happening with the triplets, and her gaze

wavered when he started to talk about the third baby’s heart, and the plan to go to Mirage to deliver as

soon as the seaplane was ready.

Rowan paused for a long moment, gathering his thoughts. I shifted uncomfortably on the couch, my

stomach tightening and relaxing several times in quick succession.

“What can I do?” Hanna’s voice was edged with sadness as she looked from Rowan to me, her dark

eyes shining in the soft amber glow of the wood stove.

I shrugged helplessly, wondering why the hell Rowan would even ask her.

“Well, I was thinking because… you know. They’re in water?”

“Rowan? Are you serious?” I exclaimed. “You want her to try to Dream Dance in-”

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But Hanna laughed, interrupting my outburst. We both turned to her, surprised by the sound. She had a

nice laugh and an even nicer smile. She was beautiful when she smiled, and I

could see the longing flash behind kowan’s eyes as he looked at her.

“I can’t do that. It doesn’t work like that,” she said as she caught her breath.

“But-” Rowan began.

“Could you tell me, at least, if they survive? Can you do what that old woman can do? See into the

future?” I asked, internally debating whether or not I actually wanted to know.

Hanna considered my question, then shook her head. “I don’t know how. I’ve never been able to conjure

visions before. I… / wouldn’t even know how to begin.”

I tried not to feel defeated as I looked into my tea. I just wanted to know. I needed to know if I was going

to lose the baby I hadn’t even known was there. I needed to know if I had a chance to love him before I

needed to grieve his loss.

I didn’t notice Hanna moving closer to me. She was next to me now, and she placed her hand on my

thigh. A moment of silence passed between us, and looked into her eyes. Then she placed her hand on

my stomach.

***

Hanna

Show me, I prayed, picturing the young white-haired woman from my dream for some reason. I waited,

my hand on Maeve’ s belly, marveling as I felt the life within trembling against my touch.

Nothing happened. Not for a long time. I heard Rowan stand

up and open the wood stove. Maeve had spoken to him. Someone had said my name,

Time was moving without rhythm, it seemed. I focused my energy on the tangled movements of the

children within her womb. I felt like I could feel their heartbeats against the palm of my hand as I closed

my eyes, imagining them growing and changing as they neared the time of the birth.

But then my mind went blank. I pictured the temple again, and the girl at the altar. Her tear-filled eyes

were biting into my heart. ‘Show me, please,’ I whispered.

Grainy images passed behind my eyes in rapid succession, the people within the images blurred to the

point of being unrecognizable. But then they began to slow, giving me a clearer view of the figures as

though I were looking at them in a photo.

My skin felt warm as I opened my eyes. I was standing in a large, tropical garden. Monstera vines

snaked up several large palm trees, their vines thick with strange fruit. The path in front of me was

overgrown with Vivid green plants I couldn’t name.

I looked up, seeing Maeve and Troy standing together in the distance, talking in hushed voices.

“We need to talk about this, Maeve. Ethan is expecting an answer,” Troy said, touching her on the arm.

Maeve looked up at him, her eyes clouded with heavy

emotion. “How are we supposed to choose between them?”

Troy shook his head, “He’s the obvious choice for succession.

They’ll be twenty-one soon; we need to have a plan.”

I wanted to speak, to ask who they were talking about, but no sound came from my mouth.

“Hanna told us what would happen if he ascended the throne instead of his brother. Before she-she-”

Maeve hung her head, looking away from Troy.

Troy pulled her into an embrace, stroking her cheek.

“But between the two of them… Maeve, we have to be rational.”

Two. Just two. I blinked, seeing nothing but darkness. Then I slowly began to come back to reality, my

chest tightening with unease.

Maeve was staring at me, her eyes glistening with tears. “You saw something, didn’t you?” she said as I

took my hand over from her stomach.

I nodded, glancing at Rowan before taking a deep breath.

“Two,” I said. “There will be two.”