Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 136 : His Mate

*Lena*

Crimson Creek was totally changed. I almost didn't recognize it. Black tents stretched for at least a mile, separated

by rows of green, freshly cut grass. Flower baskets hung from every corner of the single street running through the

village, and thick curtains were drawn in every window against the sun.

Warriors were walking around with baskets of supplies, some of them slipping into the darkened tents. Others were

mingling with the new “locals," the vampires who had escaped their realm and were staying in Crimson Creek.

The vampires were bundled up in dark clothing, their faces shielded by hooded cloaks and sunglasses. I even heard

the laughter of children as we walked through the village toward Gideon's property, and the noise brought a sense

of peace to my heart.

Peace–that's what this was. We'd always carry the wounds of war, but now we all had a future to look forward to,

and for the majority of these vampires, especially the ones who had been enslaved… a better one.

It took roughly twenty minutes for us to reach Gideon's property. There was a fresh coat of paint on the house, a

bright robin's egg blue, and the front yard had been mowed. A garden had been planted beneath the front porch,

and rose bushes were in full bloom as we walked along the new gravel path leading to the front door. Xander

motioned to the old barn, which at one point had been caving in on itself. There was a pile of lumber outside of the

barn, and inside I heard the telltale thudding of a hammer hard at work.

“It looks totally different," I murmured, pausing to look out over the property. Rows of wheat and barley fluttered in

a warm breeze in the distance, where the sun kissed the towering grand estates dotting the hills beyond.

“I didn't think I'd ever want to call Crimson Creek beautiful," Xander said, squeezing my hand. “But this is just…"

“When did you two get here?"

I whirled around, beaming up at Bethany and Alma, who had come out onto the porch. Alma was dressed in her

usual flour-dusted apron, and Bethany was covered in sawdust and grease. I let out my breath, then let go of

Xander's hand so I could waddle over to them.

“It's so good to see you," I breathed as I hugged them both. Even Alma softened into my embrace, which warmed

my heart. I could feel Xander's smile from where he was still standing in the yard.

“I thought I smelled you on my property," came Gideon's voice, lifted in a laugh as Xander and Gideon clapped

each other on the back. Gideon was also covered in sawdust and had obviously been the one working in the barn

when we'd walked up.

“You're just in time for lunch," Alma said as she took my hand and led me into the house.

I glanced over my shoulder at Bethany, Gideon, and Xander as they followed behind, and had done so just in time

to notice Gideon's longing gaze as he met Bethany's eye, a soft smile touching his lips.

Xander caught this too, and he gave me a knowing smile before I turned back around and followed Alma into the

house.

***

“So, it'll take them some time to adjust. Is what you're saying?" Xander said as he leaned back away from his empty

plate, his eyes focused on Gideon, who was seated at the head of the table.

“Right. It's not that they can't be in the sun, but it hurts, and will likely hurt for a while. Even we struggle, and we

were born in this realm. Right, Alma?" Gideon replied.

Alma nodded as she rose to collect the dishes, waving away my offer to help her. We'd been discussing the vampire

refugees over plates of roast beef and a salad made from the greens Bethany had planted. It was delicious, and I'd

had two helpings already, and was looking forward to whatever dessert Alma had planned. I could smell cinnamon

and chocolate in the air, with a pinch of blood root, of course.

“So, the hybrids and the king's guards were the only ones who couldn't be in the sun? Is that what you're saying?"

Xander pressed, crossing his arms over his chest.

Gideon shrugged, then nodded. “Sure, I guess. The sun here is also incredibly intense for these people, you know.

Most of them couldn't handle being in the sun for very long in their own realm. Also, you have to understand that

we didn't deal with the king and his beasts until five years ago, at the most. We're learning something new about

these people every day. They're different from us in a lot of ways. They need blood to survive a lot more than we

do, for one. They're not accustomed to eating blood root for that purpose, and it has made some of them sick,

mostly the children. The supplies being sent to Crimson are keeping people fed and clothed, however."

“What of Zeke?" Xander asked, and for a moment Gideon's face darkened.

“He's… uh, well. He's had to break up a few conflicts in the village so far, but otherwise his time is spent with the

ambassadors–"

“Trying to find a solution as to how to house these people, and where?" Xander interjected, and Gideon nodded.

“The old estates have been filled by the larger families, housing multiple generations. There's been talk of some of

the vampires going east, which I think is a good idea. The lower vampires had four underground kingdoms from

what I understand. Zeke is now king of Brune, the largest of the kingdoms. They'll likely stay here in Crimson Creek.

The rest of the kingdoms lost their leaders in the war. There's been talk of moving them to Winter Forest, or giving

them their own territory far north–"

“Winter Forest?" I asked, shocked rippling through me. I glanced between Xander and Gideon. “I thought they were

being sent to Mirage?"

“Lincoln and I discussed it that day we visited him and Carly," Xander replied, tapping his fingers on his arms. “He's

in agreement that Mirage isn't a suitable option. The climate is one thing. It's far too sunny, and the days are long.

Winter Forest is shrouded in night most of the year–" Xander paused to heave a breath before continuing. “And,

Winter Forest has already put a call out that they will be welcoming to any and all vampire refugees seeking aslym,

unlike the other packs."

I c****d my head to the side, narrowing my eyes on Xander.

“I've been in contact with your grandparents," he shrugged. “Their people put it to a vote, and no one in the

entirety of the pack voted not to accept the vampires as citizens of Winter Forest."

“It's not a bad idea," I said honestly. I had no argument against it, in fact. I was just surprised. Winter Forest was

dark most of the year. Summer was an issue, given that the sun hardly set, but it wasn't nearly as intense as the

climate in the southern territories.

Alma slid a slice of chocolate cake in front me accompanied by a glass of milk, and I immediately lost interest in the

conversation taking place at the other end of the table.

“Henry is coming for dinner tonight," I heard Gideon say, followed by an arch of his brows.

Bethany had retreated to the kitchen to help with the dishes, and I noticed Gideon's eyes flick toward the kitchen

door, which was slightly ajar. Xander raised his brows at Gideon, who only shrugged, his cheeks coloring a bit as he

dropped his gaze.

“Are you and Bethany seeing each other?" I asked, which elicited a warning glance from Xander.

Gideon leaned back in his chair, watching me closely.

“I'm going to ask her to marry me–"

“What!" I said excitedly, gripping my fork.

“If Henry approves."

Xander blew out his breath, chuckling as he looked back at Gideon. “Good luck with that one."

“Well, if you can somehow convince the Alpha King of Valoria to let you marry his daughter, I might just have a

chance against Henry, right?"

“How is Henry?" I asked, then forked the last bite of chocolate cake from my plate and popped it into my mouth.

“He's great, actually. He's still living in his cottage on the old Radcliffe estate and helping out the family who lives

there now with the farm and such. He comes here from time to time. Bethany has been staying with us to help

rebuild the barn."

My heart squeezed at the warmth in Gideon's voice, but I felt a shadow creep over the air, sucking all the joy from

the room.

“Has Oliver been here recently?" Xander asked, the shadow crossing over his face.

Gideon shook his head, running his tongue along his lower lip. “No, I haven't seen him in weeks–"

The front door swung open and two people walked inside. I blinked, thinking I was dreaming. I looked back down at

my plate, then back up again, my fork falling from my hand as the figures remained in the doorway, their voices

lifted in girlish chatter.

“Damnit, Ianthe. We missed lunch again–" Elaine's voice abruptly silenced as she met my eye, her mouth forming a

perfect O.

Xander rose from his chair, which fell to the floor behind him in his haste to stand. Gideon ran his hand over his

face, peaking at Xander between his fingers.

“I forgot to mention–"

“Where the hell have you been?" Xander said sharply as Elaine colored deeply.

I saw it then. It hit me like a freight train, my chest tightening severely as I looked over Elaine's face. How I hadn't

noticed before, I didn't know. But she looked like Abigail, so much so that I felt like I was looking at Abigail now, but

with different eyes. They were the same height with the same curly, auburn hair. Elaine's hair was shoulder length

where Abigail's was long, however. And Elaine wasn't nearly as girly and prim as Abigail.

But they were twins. I could see it. I could feel it.

I rose from my seat, wringing my hands together.

“I have a lot to explain," Elaine whispered, glancing at Ianthe, who nodded her head to continue.

“Did you know you were kidnapped as a baby?" I choked, unable to stop the tears from welling in my eyes. “D-did

you know–"

“I did. I mean, I–I do–but it's not what it sounds like–"

“Then what–"

“Lena," Xander said sharply, and I turned to him as I wiped tears from my eyes.

How long had Elaine been here, in this realm? Did she know about Oliver? Did she know that they were mates, and

he was currently out doing Goddess knows what in Goddess knows where because he thought he sacrificed her in

order to save our realm?

“Who are you?" I said, looking right at her.