Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 122:1 Needed to Get to Ciana

Murray creased his brow. He turned away from me and casually glanced out his window. At least, he

wasn't outright denying me. He wasn't putting up an argument, either. If anything, he seemed surprised

by my offer.

"Look, I know Luther, I know Ma...Luther's ambassador, I know Theo, and I know Frederic. I've got all

the insider information to come up with a workable plan,' I added. I didn't want to mention Maggie's

name because I'd had to explain a lot more to the elders and the pack and it could complicate things.

What would people think if the princess was against her own half-brother? Most people didn't know

Maggie and Warren's real father anyway.

"You do know a lot of the players," Murray agreed.

"This is what I've come up with. Frederic's main goal is to keep the pack safe. He thinks supporting

Luther is best for the pack. However, what he doesn't know is that Luther is less worried about pack

safety and more worried about gaining followers," I explained.

"And how do you plan to use those two goals against each other?"

"Luther and his ambassador are willing to do whatever it takes to clear obstacles from their paths. We

just need to show Frederic that Luther doesn't care about the safety of individual pack members."

"Neither Luther nor his ambassador will care what happens to individual pack members once they get

what they want. If Luther gets power, he's going to step on all of us,' I continued. 'Once Frederic

understands that, he won't support them anymore."

"But we have no way of getting Frederic to see that. He won't believe it if we just tell him,' Murray said,

shaking his head.

"Sure we do. That's where you come in. If you're up for a little misdirection. All you have to do is spread

rumors to Luther's ambassador that Frederic doesn't support them because of his wife. Then they will

try and remove Frederic's wife as an obstacle," I explained my plan.

"That seems... Well, you want me to kidnap Frederic's wife and plant fake evidence that it was Luther

who did it? There are too many things that could go wrong with that plan. I'm not comfortable raising

arms against another pack member." Murray frowned and shook his head firmly.

"I'm not suggesting you kidnap her or even lay a hand on her," I clarified. "Actually, you should make

sure that Beryl is guarded and protected at all costs. Keep her in her house under constant guard.'

"What? Ciana, that makes no sense. If you want Frederic to lose trust in Luther, then how is protecting

Beryl going to help?" he asked, his frown deepening.

"This has to be subtle. I want you to help protect Beryl so nothing actually happens to her. As long as

you can convince Luther's people that she is against them, I'm sure they will take action to go after

Beryl, and at that point, they'll show Frederic the kind of people they are," I explained.

"Force Luther to show his true colors by tricking him to go after the one person that Frederic will always

love, cherish and stand up for. Frederic would die before supporting anyone that tries to hurt Beryl,"

Murray agreed, nodding.

"Exactly." I smiled and nodded. "But he wouldn't be able to even get to Beryl, because we would be

hiding her and protecting her.'

Finally, Murray was seeing my plan. And he agreed with me. That was all I needed. It actually felt good

for him to listen to me, seeing as he kept talking to me like I was a little girl. I hoped that if I gave him a

good plan, he'd start taking me seriously.

The best part, for him, was that I didn't have to be put in harm's way for this plan. Technically, no one

did, because it was based on rumors. No one would be able to trace back where the rumors started.

"I'll put guards on Beryl and I will begin to spread those rumors. A whisper here, a whisper there, it will

take off,' Murray agreed. He turned toward the door.

"Wait, there is one more thing I need,' I said, stopping Murray.

He arched an eyebrow and glanced at me. 'I told you, Ciana, I'm not letting you be directly involved. It

is too dangerous.'

"I know. I just... I want you to arrange a meeting with Beryl for me. At her house, preferably when

Frederic isn't around. We need to chat, woman to woman," I said.

***

Fredric's home was mostly silent. I knew that he must have been out recruiting more people to be on

Luther's side. This was my only chance.

I had promised Theo to be careful and not do anything risky. Climbing through the window of Fredric's

home didn't break either of those promises, right?

I walked up the wooden stairs, carefully not to make them creek under my pressure. Tiptoeing, I came

to the master bedroom door. The light shined from under the door into the hallway-she was awake.

As soon as I was in, I met her kind and warm brown eyes. She looked just the same as she did before.

You would never guess that she was in her late forties. The woman did not age at all.

"Ciana?" She was laying on the bed with a slick robe on. Placing her book on the side, her eyes

widened. 'Is that you? Oh goddess, it is you!"

"It's great to see you. Beryl.'

She hopped out of the bed and ran toward me, enveloping me in a big hug.

She pulled back with a smile on her face. "Haven't you grown into a fine young lady! Your parents will

be so proud of what you've managed to do.'

I blushed.

"I wish I was visiting you in better circumstances than this. But I have not come with great news.'

The smile slipped from her face. "I had a feeling. There has been a lot of talk within the pack, especially

some of the higher ranking officials. They want to swear allegiance to Luther."

I nodded solemnly. 'Yes, this is very true. They want to go against the crown. But King Theo is nothing

like Sebastian. He wants the very best for the people. I believe in him.'

She grabbed my hands and looked me in the eyes. "Sweetheart, you don't have to convince me. I

know Luther can't be trusted. I don't agree with Fredric at all. He has been blinded but he refuses to

see sense. I told him many times before but he won't listen to what I have to say. I wish I knew how I

could help in the cause.'

My heart lifted a little. This was great news. She was on my side.

"I'm so happy you said this. I actually need your help."

"What do you mean?'

"I know of a way to get Fredric to not trust Luther."

"I'm listening."

A slow smile came. "I’m going to need to borrow your clothes."

After three hours of preparation, I looked at myself in the mirror and gave myself the once over. I wore

a casual navy blue coat that was one of Beryl's favorites, and my hair was dyed to dark brown and

trimmed shorter to match the length of hers. I would be walking around in the late afternoon. Any finer

details would be concealed in the dimming sunlight.

On the way back to the pack, I learned from Sherry how to disguise myself like a pro and it paid off.

"You look so much like a younger version of me for sure.' Beryl stepped up behind me. She smiled at

me through the mirror before her expression became more somber and thoughtful. "I trust you, but

promise to be careful, okay?"

I gave her an assuring smile and bid her goodbye.

Stepping out into the chilly weather, I pulled my coat tighter around me. I made sure to curtain my hair

around my face to keep my face somewhat concealed.

I walked around in town for a while before heading into the woods. People needed to see that Beryl

was up and about. One of Maggie’s eyes and ears would notify and tell her of my whereabouts.

"Good evening Beryl," an elderly woman said to me as she passed by.

"Good evening," I replied in a soft tone.

As I passed people they greeted me politely but none stopped me to speak.

"Good evening, Beryl. Where are you going at this hour?" A guard greeted me from a little distance, I

waved back but kept my gaze a little off to the side so he couldn't really see my eyes.

"I just need some herbs from the forest. You see, I threw my back out the other day. The healer

suggested some that can provide pain relief."

"Be careful and don’t stay out too long. There is a lot of unrest going on nowadays. We wouldn't want

you to end up in any sticky situations."

"Noted." I smiled as I walked away. "Thankyou. You have a good night now."

I had done my rounds. Maggie would never try to take Beryl in the public. It was time to head to the

forest.

The sun was about to set. Perfect timing.

I had been walking through the forest for the past twenty minutes and getting close to the outer ring of

the pack when six wolves emerged from the shadows.

Here they came... as expected.

I turned as if ready to run but was quickly caught and held fast.

"Do not struggle, or else we can't promise not to hurt you." A rough male voice rang behind me.

I knew this would happen, so after some fighting back, I soon surrendered, allowing them to take me to

their camp.

I put my faith in Greg and Sherry. Greg would stay hidden and close to me and Sherry would "find" the

note that Beryl wrote and give it to Frederic. It was only a matter of time before he noticed that his wife

was missing. After this, Luther would lose Frederic's favor.

As we approached the camp, strong arms clamped around me and a white cloth came over my mouth

and nose. The world began to fade in and out of focus as I inhaled the antiseptic they had doused the

cloth in.

***

*Theo*

I watched the alpha drop to his knees.

"Please. Your Majesty, I was blind. I had believed the lies of a man who I should not have believed. You

are the true king and the crown belongs to the correct bloodline." He bowed before me, his hands

stretching out on the floor. "Forgive me, Your Grace and have mercy on my pack and my people."

"Swear your allegiance,” I ordered. "And you'll be spared.'

The alpha widened his eyes in disbelief.

"That's it? You'll spare us without any other... any other consequence?"

I lifted my gaze and gave him a glance. "Do you want me to?"

"No, no!" The alpha clamored to his feet and he bowed his head, 'thank you, your grace. You have our

loyalty. When called upon we will answer the call."

I nodded and turned away from him. "Very well. Then I shall see you all tomorrow morning to re-

establish the oath contract.'

When I finally got to my tent and had a moment of peace, my mind wandered to Ciana. We had only

been apart for a couple of weeks but my heart yearned for her. Her scent was still lingering around me.

It was like she was there but not really.

The flap to my tent burst open and in came a wide-eyed Jake who looked panicked. Immediately my

stomach dropped but I never let my face slip.

"What is it?"

"It's Ciana, she's been taken by Luther's men.'

"What?!"

He went on about some plan that Ciana had to trick the elders of her pack into losing trust in Luther.

Dread slipped into my bloodstream. This was not what I had agreed with her at all. She had promised

me she would be careful. How could she have allowed this to happen to her?

I moved toward the door without a single word to my beta.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to Alvar."

"But what about our plans to head north tomorrow? They are getting agitated and another is due to

attack..."

"You can handle it!* I shouted back my order as I shifted.

I needed to get to Ciana, right now!

There better not be one hair moved from her head. Otherwise I was going to rain down hell fire on

Luther.