Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 39 : Blood, Lots of Blood

*Soren*

I carried Mila's slight figure in my arms, all the way back to the hotel.

While walking through the village, it was clear that people were feeling the freedom from the curse. They spoke to

each other, smiling, hugging, and laughing. Kids ran through the streets playing.

The entire village was transformed and absolutely stunning.

“Payne, you called for Dr. Lee, right?" I asked as we got closer to the hotel.

“Yes. He should be arriving today," Payne confirmed.

“It isn't uncommon for spells to take a lot out of the witch," April said. “Breaking curses is hard and takes a lot of

energy."

“I'm aware of that," I muttered.

It wasn't the spell that worried me. It was the Blackfire poison that ran through her veins. Passing out from casting

a spell was nothing new. However, Mila was pale and seemed delirious. She muttered to herself and kept wincing.

Those were signs of poisoning, not spell fatigue.

“I've got things to check on. Will Mila be alright?" April asked me.

I nodded firmly. “I'll make sure of it. Do what you need to, she'll contact you when necessary."

April nodded and headed off to a shop that had been closed since we arrived. Now, it was open and there were

lights on inside.

The village had really bounced back quickly. I was happy to see it and I knew Mila would be too.

I promised myself that she would wake up and see it.

In my hotel room, I laid Mila down on my bed.

Dr. Lee bustled in with a bag of travel medical equipment. He saw me and he saw Mila and shook his head.

“Move," he ordered, nudging me aside.

Gently, I brushed some hair out of Mila's face and stepped aside.

Lee pulled out his stethoscope, a travel pulse-oximeter, and a blood pressure device. He muttered under his breath

as he checked her vitals and gave her a quick physical examination.

“Well, is she going to be okay?" I asked sharply.

“Let me work," Lee barked.

I rolled my eyes and walked across the room. He was probably the only one that could speak to me like that. As a

doctor, I had to defer to his expertise in these matters. Where Mila was concerned, I didn't want to get in his way

and mess things up.

Lee muttered something and sighed. He leaned over Mila's face, turning his head to the side so her breath touched

his cheek. Lee's brow creased and he pulled back.

“What is it, what's wrong?" I asked.

“I warned you before to stay away from her," Lee mumbled, glaring at me. “Why don't you listen?"

I scoffed. “She was in need."

“Like that's ever swayed you before," Lee grumbled. “No pretty face, no desperate story has ever convinced you to

engage with someone you know is trouble. And yet, she's still here and you're still advocating for her."

“There is more I need to know about her. All of us could be at stake if I don't find out the truth," I said with a growl. I

did not like having to justify myself to Lee.

“Well, yeah, there is plenty about her… near as I can tell, there is a very powerful power awakening in her," he

explained.

“What kind of power?" I asked quickly. She'd just cast a powerful spell, could Lee sense the residual magic coming

off of her?

“It isn't like anything I've encountered before," he admitted, shaking his head.

It couldn't have been her magic, then. Lee would have detected that.

“Because this power has been kickstarted, the Blackfire poison is also being kickstarted. It is feeding off her power

and taking over," Lee explained.

Frowning, he put a hand on her forehead.

“What does that mean, exactly?" I asked, holding my breath.

“It means the poison is spreading and growing stronger. If it spreads throughout her entire body, she will die," he

said with an uninterested sigh.

“Is there any way to stop the poison, or slow it down, like you did before?" I questioned.

I raked my eyes over Mila. What justice was it for her to die just when she discovered who she was and saved an

entire pack?

“The power in her is incredibly strong. I've never seen anything like it. Once it is fully awakened in her, she should

be able to fight off the poison. Right now, it is far stronger than any antidote. I'd say it is a miracle she's alive at all,"

Lee reported.

He started packing up his kit and I sat on the edge of the bed, taking Mila's hand.

“You hear that? You're my little miracle," I muttered under my breath. “What happens if the poison spreads faster

than her power awakens?" I asked, looking back at Lee.

“She'll die."

I knew he was going to say that.

“You mentioned an antidote before. Is there no way to get it?" I asked.

Lee sighed and bowed his head. “Is she really worth all that?"

“Lee, the packs are rallying to find some dangerous, magical artifact. Mila is at the center of it all somehow. Do you

think it is worth it to save her if it means saving the world?" I snarled.

Lee gaped at me for a moment. Quickly, he shook off his shock.

“Well, there is one thing…"

“What is it?" I snapped when he trailed off.

Lee sighed, hesitating. He shifted his weight from one foot or the other.

I waited as my patience wore thin. Just when I was about to demand a response, he spoke.

“I would need a Howlingred Flower," he said slowly.

“Howlingred…"

“No!" Ashley's voice pierced the room and she burst in, throwing the door wide open.

“Ashely?" I asked, creasing my brow.

“Don't be crazy, Soren! She isn't worth it. Setting aside the fact that Howlingred grows in very dangerous locations,

it will only bloom when it is fed blood. Lots of blood!" she said sharply.

I arched an eyebrow at her. “Did you just call me crazy?"

Ashley clamped her hands over her mouth quickly. Sighing, she lowered them and bowed her head. “I'm sorry,

but… it is too high a cost."

“Why are you still here?" I asked. I thought I had sent her back to the inn.

“I helped Lee with his equipment and protected him on the way back here," she explained. She chewed her lower

lip, her eyes darting to Mila on the bed.

I had wanted her to stay at the inn, but she had other plans…

“Why is she still here? We've done enough for her! We've sacrificed enough for her!" Ashley argued, nodding

sharply at Mila.

“She's still an asset," I insisted.

Since when did the people that followed me demand explanations for my actions and choices? Was everyone that

annoyed that I'd brought this female into the mix? I didn't think any of them could personally dislike Mila that much.

None of them knew anything about her.

Wasn't I the one that was in charge? What was with all the questioning?

“All she's done is bring us trouble," Ashley continued. “She's been a constant pain and liability and now you–"

“Ashley, stop!" Payne demanded. He came into the room, a firm look on his face as he glared at his sister.

“But I–"

“No! Soren doesn't need your prattling. I'm sorry Soren," Payne said, glancing at me apologetically.

“It's fine," I said, turning my attention back to Mila.

“Ashley, get out in the hall and wait for me, now!" Payne demanded.

“That's not fa–"

“I said out! NOW!" Payne snapped, pointing to the door.

I looked over at the siblings. It was rare for Payne to scold Ashley.

She glared stubbornly at her brother and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Everything in the

room trembled.

Payne winced and looked at me again.

“I apologize for her behavior. She knows better… I'll talk to her and make sure this doesn't happen again," he

assured.

“It will, she's just a child," I pointed out absently.

Payne rolled his eyes. “She needs to grow up." He followed his sister out, shutting the door much more softly.

I shook my head and traced my thumb along the back of Mila's hand.

Ashley didn't know how much she owed Mila for saving Payne when they were kids. One day, she'd learn the truth

and she might even have to ask forgiveness for the way she talked about her.

A muffled sob came from the hallway and I could hear Ashley and Payne talking.

“Why did you stop me? You know my feelings toward S–"

“Ashley! Soren is on his own path. You need to stay out of this," Payne warned.

“What the hell is wrong with you!? She deceived Soren. And now even you're acting like she's a gift from the

Goddess. Has she sucked everyone's d**k around here?"

Payne growled. “If I ever hear you say something like that again, you'll never be allowed to leave the inn, got it?"

Their voices got softer and I heard the sounds of their footsteps retreating.

I wondered if Payne had somehow figured out that Mila was the one that saved him. He could have been standing

up to her out of loyalty to me, but she was still his sister and he had a lot of loyalty to her as well.

If he had figured it out, he hadn't said anything and I hadn't told him yet.

Behind me, Lee sighed.

I'd nearly forgotten he was in the room after listening to the sibling spat outside.

“I'll warn you again, Soren, the best thing to do is leave that girl somewhere and let her find her own way," Lee

advised again.

“I tried that," I pointed out.

It was true. I'd let Mila go with every intention of leaving her to find her own way. It was her connection to Payne's

past that made me pursue her out of loyalty to him, not to get involved in her mess.

Things had escalated from there.

“Why are you helping her, anyway?" Lee wanted to know.

“I made a deal with her," I muttered, watching her face as she shuddered.

I looked over my shoulder at Lee. He arched his eyebrow at me.

“What deal is worth giving up your own blood and putting yourself in danger?"

I didn't reply. Lee and Ashley were acting like I wasn't in danger every day of my life. They must have thought it was

different, me putting myself in danger for someone else's sake, not just for myself or for our group.

“I hope you know what you're doing," Lee muttered.

“Thank you, as always, for your advice. Don't worry, I have a plan. Everything will be fine," I assured.

Lee shook his head and finished collecting his things. He paused at the door and looked back at me.

I glanced up quickly and then returned my attention to Mila.

Sighing heavily, Lee left, shutting the door behind him. There was nothing he could say to change my mind and he

knew it.

I cupped Mila's hand in mine. Her skin was so cold and clammy, her face pale. And yet, she was sweating.

Leaning in, I pressed my lips to her forehead. Her skin was hot.

She had a fever again.

Would she make it out of this? The only chance she had was if her power awakened faster than the poison spread.

There was no guarantee it would work. Was it worth the risk to wait and see or endanger myself to get the plant?

Worry thrummed in my chest. What if she didn't make it?

I realized that I was actually concerned about her. Not because I wanted to know her secrets and how they'd help

against the alphas in search of the artifact and not because she could use magic and had power over the Feather

of Justice.

I was worried about her because she was… her.

It had been a long, long time since I worried about anyone. After leaving my home, I felt like an outsider in this

dimension. That was why I fell in with the outsiders. I never wanted to be entangled with anyone or have ties to

anyone.

I kept to myself and minded my own business. But now…

Whether I wanted it or not, I was pulled into Mila's life.

Even as she slept she looked determined to survive. She had such a fierce look of concentration, I imagined she

was willing the poison out of her body right now.

If only it were that simple.

A small moan escaped her lips and I noticed how dry and chapped they were. I touched her forehead again and she

was still warm.

She needed to stay hydrated to help keep her fever down.

I grabbed a nearby water bottle and poured a bunch in my mouth. Cupping Mila's face, I leaned over her and

pressed my lips to hers.

Slowly, I released some of the water, letting it pass between our lips.

She moaned and squirmed, swallowing the water greedily.

I let her have more.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open.