Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 118: I Believe in You

I thought about how Warren had left the palace once with me without telling anyone, and said he had

done that in the past as well.

I squeezed Theo's hand back and told both of them, "He may just need some time for himself. I

wouldn't be too con- cerned. Theo, why don't you talk to the scout and I'll see if I can find Warren?"

I gave him an understanding smile, doing my best to be supportive.

"Alright," he said. Reluctantly, he gave me a quick kiss and left with Jake.

I let out a sigh and slowly made my way back to the palace.

A slithering sound in the leaves made me perk up my ears and I saw Perceval coming toward me. It

immediately brought a big smile to my face.

"Hey, Percy! It's been a while!"

The snake slithered right up to me and coiled around my ankles. I smiled and bent down to scratch his

head. He closed his eyes and flicked his tongue at me. I imagined him smiling a little as he bobbed his

head back and forth, leaning into my touch.

"I missed you too," I giggled.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and started slithering away, but didn't get far before he looked back and

hissed at me.

"Is there something you want to show me?" I asked. I fol- lowed after him. Some fond memories came

to me, and I won- dered where he would take me this time.

"Percy, this is...Sebastian's old room?" Why would Perceval take me here?

Then I realized that the door was cracked open and I could see someone inside.

My heart caught in my throat when I recognized him.

"Warren?"

He stopped dead and slowly looked at me.

His eyes looked distant and lost.

"You're here! I'm so glad to see you moving around. I take it you're feeling better," I said, walking into

the room. "But why did you come here?"

Warren's face was a little pale and he looked around quickly before he replied, "Yes, I'm feeling better.

Thanks for asking." However, he avoided looking at me.

"Warren, you okay?" Something didn't feel right.

He smiled, but I could tell it was strained. "I'm okay... I, um, I've always misunderstood my brother, but

now, I've decided to let go of our past."

"Really? That is great," I grinned, relieved. "I knew you two could bury the hatchet. That's what family

does...."

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Chapter 118. 1 Believe in You

chers

Suddenly, Warren pounced at me and struck me behind my neck. I gasped and heaved for breath, the

wind knocked out of me.

What had just happened? Warren attacked me!

Before I hit the ground, a pair of arms held me and laid me gently on the ground.

"I'm sorry, I lied again," Warren said with a bitter smile. "Theo is not my brother. He never has been and

he never will be."

"Goodbye, Ciana."

I lifted my head as Warren walked away. The bitter smile on his face disturbed me right to the bones

but also broke my heart. I tried to lift my arm to grab him but I wasn't able to.

My head swam with dizziness and I couldn't hold it up anymore.

Groaning, I collapsed on the floor fully as Warren left.

I blinked my eyes awake and immediately realized I wasn't on the floor or in Sebastian's room.

"Urh..." I groaned, touching my head. I was still a bit dizzy.

"Ciana! Thank goodness you're awake!" Theo's voice rang, and the next moment, he hugged me tightly

against his body. His heart hammered in my ears.

"Th-Theo... I.... can't... breathe..." I gasped.

"I'm sorry," he said, releasing me quickly. "I was scared to death!"

I felt something gently nudging me and found Perceval perked up as soon as he saw my movement.

It must be the python who went to get Theo to help me.

"Thanks, Percy!" I said, but my mind went to Warren. Why did he attack me?

Theo pulled me into his arms again and I heard him mur- mur, "I'm glad nothing worse happened to

you. Warren could have...."

I shook my head and stopped him.

"No, Warren won't kill me. I'm sure of that," I said firmly, "I just don't know why he did that."

Theo didn't argue with me, only asked, "Did he say any- thing?"

"He said... you aren't his brother. You've never been, and you never will be."

Theo's eyes widened. "What does that mean? I thought... we kinda got past that."

I had some suspicion about Warren and Maggie's real fa- ther when Aurora told me about their

childhood, but that was just my guess. I had no evidence, nor did I think it was a good idea to cause

any unnecessary confusion. But now...

"Theo, this is purely what I've heard. I have no other evi- dence whatsoever, but I think at least you

should know."

After I told him about my observations and what I heard from Aurora, Theo fell into silence.

"Theo, I'm sorry, I didn't know whether this is at all related. I didn't mean to add more burden to your

plate."

He shook his head, "No, it helps. If your guess is true, it ex- plains why he did what he did."

"You mean, why he attacked me?"

"No. Not that. He took the key that Sebastian used to wear and the sacred scrolls with encoded

messages in the texts."

"So he knocked me out simply because I happened to be in Sebastian's room."

Theo nodded. "No one was watching him. He's a prince, there was no need to keep a guard on him. I

know Warren and I had our problems but I didn't consider him a threat or an en- emy," Theo said, a

deep crease forming between his brows.

"Do we have any clue why he took the key and the scroll? Did you ever figure out what is on the

scroll?"

Theo shook his head. "With Sebastian's death and the coronation, I wasn't even thinking about the key

or the safe, let alone the scroll. Especially since Warren woke up on his own. The only reason we were

after it was to find a way to save him."

I nodded absently. "I assume you didn't find him?"

"He disappeared. No one has been able to track him or find him. I've sent several scouts and trackers

after him but they haven't turned anything up," Theo said, shrugging. "Well, there's no use for us to

worry about it yet. I'm sure, sooner or later, we'll find out. I'm just glad you're okay."

A knock on his door ended our conversation. Jake poked his head in and he smiled when he saw me

sitting up.

"Glad to see you're awake. I need Alpha, but he wouldn't leave your side," Jake teased, then his tone

became serious and professional when he turned to Theo, "More bad news, I' m afraid."

He pulled a chair up to the edge of the bed. I thought Jake would take Theo away to talk but they

stayed there with me.

"Trouble always comes double," Theo sighed, "What else is going on out there?"

"There are a lot of packs that are against your rule and are building a rebellion against the crown," Jake

reported.

"That is discouraging," Theo muttered.

I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "You're going to do great. I believe in you."

Theo smiled at me and patted the back of my hand. He turned his attention to Jake who went on to

provide more de- tails.

"We knew that Luther was gaining influence. Apparently, he's spent years building loyalty in packs that

oppose the crown. The Vaner pack is only one of them," Jake told us.

I nodded. "He tried to get Raymond to convert my entire pack to support him and rebel against the

crown too."

"Correct, and he almost succeeded," Jake said.

"I get why people may want to rebel against Sebastian, but Sebastian is dead. Now that Theo is the

new king, wouldn' t things be much better?"

Theo answered my question. "It's not that simple, Ciana. These packs aren't rebelling against me, it is

against my entire family and what we stand for. 'The crown' just means the cur- rent ruling regime,"

Theo said with a sigh. "Especially since it's not like I've always had a good reputation to begin with."

"And Luther is trying to convince them that he'd make a better king. A lot of the packs are buying it,"

Jake added.

Theo and Jake exchanged a look and I saw the worry in their eyes. My father had taught me about

pack leadership and politics. Whatever Luther was doing, it went far beyond politics.

Theo could prove he was fair, just, and merciful. He could stand as the strongest king, the protector of

all packs, and show sincere gratitude and kindness. But it wouldn't matter if Luther had conned

hundreds of followers into being loyal to him with magic, trickery, and promises.

"We need to expose Luther for what he is," I suggested.

Jake agreed, "True. The only problem is, it's easier said than done. Hold on a second, please." He

went to open the door, and there was Brook, standing with her hand half raised, seemingly just about to

knock on the door.

How did Jake even know she was out there?

"Oh, Jake, you're here too." The moment she saw Jake, her face flushed and she looked a bit shy. At

least, she didn't seem to be mad at him anymore. I had a feeling that the two had sorted out their

issues about Jake's unspeakable assign- ment.

"Oh Ciana," she ran to my side, "How are you feeling?"

"Much better. Just a little lightheaded," I said, tapping my temple.

Brook smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're doing better. I was looking for you - actually, to be precise,

someone is looking for you."

I searched all the names I could think of, but couldn't come up with anyone who would come all the

way to the palace to look for me off the top of my head.

"Do you know who that is?"

"Yes," Brook said, "He says he knows you from your pack. His name is Thomas."

"Thomas?" I asked, my heart fluttering.

I hadn't seen Thomas since he showed up to bring my pack back to order. He'd arrived just in time to

save them af- ter Raymond had been defeated.

What was he doing here, at the palace?

"I told him I knew you and I'd come and find you. He said it was kind of... urgent," she said, shrugging.

I swallowed hard. Urgent news from Uncle Thomas? Was it about the pack? Or was it about my

parents?

"He's out in the gardens." Brook nodded toward the door.

"Thank you, Brook." I got up quickly. Theo gave me a hand, but he didn't stop me.

"I'll be back soon!" I waved and ran out of the door. I felt a little guilty about leaving them in the dust,

but Thomas wouldn't make a trip all the way here unless it was serious.

How did he even know I'd returned to the palace? I hadn't told him where I was going and I hadn't sent

updates on my travels.

I hurried through the garden and found him sitting on a stone bench, heavily contemplating a sculpture

of the Moon Goddess.

"Thomas," I called, approaching him quickly. My heart raced as I scanned his features for any sign that

he brought bad news.