Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 72 : A Sea of Stars

“I know the perfect place to watch the meteor shower," Eros said. “It isn't too much of a hike into the mountains."

He led the way and Ashley eagerly followed along with him.

Payne seemed to have a perpetual frown on his lips as he stared after his sister and the stranger.

“Lighten up, Payne," Soren said, clapping him on the shoulder. “If he steps out of line, at least, we'll be on a cliff and

can throw him off."

Payne scoffed and went ahead. Though, I caught the slight glimmer of amusement in Payne's eyes.

I stepped up beside Soren. “You wouldn't really throw Eros off a cliff, would you?"

Soren shrugged. “It depends on what he does. If he went after you or Ashley, I wouldn't have a choice."

“I suppose that's logical," I said, nodding.

“Mila, we don't know anything about him yet. I'll be on guard until I can determine he isn't a threat," he promised

me.

I smiled and nodded. His words made me feel much safer about following Eros into the mountains.

We hiked up into the mountains. It wasn't very far and we arrived as the sun started to set. Eros brought us to a

clearing in the mountains. The path flattened out and we were nestled in an area large enough for a campsite.

“This is beautiful," I said, walking around the site. We had a perfect view of the sky without the mountains or any

trees obstructing our view.

The evening air was starting to cool off and I rubbed my arms, shivering. It wasn't too cold, though. It felt nice after

the rigorous hike into the mountains, refreshing.

“We'll be able to see the whole sky from up here," Ashley gushed.

“It seems like there is just enough time to get the camp set up," Eros suggested. “I'm still hungry from lunch, so I'll

throw together some snacks."

Payne and Soren shrugged and then immediately got to work on setting up the tents. Ashley hovered around Eros

for a bit while he pulled all our food rations out. Eventually, she took off mumbling something about collecting

firewood.

I took a seat near Eros and helped prepare snacks.

“Veggies and dip, I think that's the best idea," Eros said, handing me some cucumbers, carrots, and a green pepper.

“If you slice, I'll stir."

“Sure," I said, shaking my head.

Since we'd just restocked before leaving Marno territory, we still had fresh foods that didn't usually last long on a

trip. It was better to eat them now before they went bad. We had plenty of non-perishable snacks for the next few

days.

I focused on cutting up the veggies and arranged them on a plate. Eros provided the dip.

Payne and Soren finished with the tents. They immediately dug into the veggie platter.

Ashley returned with an armful of firewood.

“Should we make a fire tonight?" she asked, holding her arms up.

“Firelight will interfere with our view of the sky and the meteor shower," Eros commented, shaking his head.

He went to Ashley and took the armful of wood from her. With a shrug, he tossed them in a heap on the ground.

“Besides, Mila and I prepared a meal that doesn't require cooking," he pointed out. He guided Ashley over to us and

handed her the platter.

She took a sliced cucumber and dipped it.

“Hey, we were eating that over here," Soren protested.

Eros grinned and returned the platter to Soren.

“That's okay, there's something I want to show Ashley, anyway," he told him.

“Me?" Ashley gasped.

“Close your eyes," Eros instructed.

Ashley immediately complied. Eros took her hand and started leading her away.

“No peeking, now," he warned.

Soren and Payne exchanged a look and Payne was frowning again.

“We should follow them," Soren agreed with a nod. He held a hand out to me.

“Yeah, okay," I nodded. I took his hand and we followed the path Eros led Ashley down.

The path took us around a rock on a narrow edge. On the other side, it opened up again but we were standing very

close to the edge of a cliff. The cliff was a sheer drop down so it was like we were floating over the landscape below.

A river carved its way through the flatlands. It looked like a black, slithering snake under the darkening sky.

I could look out over the horizon and see the exact spot where the sky met the horizon. We'd have the perfect view

of the meteor shower from here. My skin hummed with anticipation.

Eros was standing behind Ashley. He leaned in and whispered to her.

“Okay, you can open your eyes. But shhh… be quiet," he whispered huskily.

I glanced at Payne and saw him grimace. He was watching their every little interaction.

Ashley gasped and clasped her hands over her mouth.

“This is so beautiful!" she whispered.

Little blips of light started flickering off the cliff. Fireflies, millions of them, lighting up like low-hanging stars. It was

like we were swimming in a sea of stars as the real stars started blinking into view in the sky above.

“I knew you'd like it here. It's breathtaking, isn't it? And when the meteors start, you'll feel like you're in the sky,

riding their light streams," Eros said.

“I think we've got extra blankets in the tents. If we lay them out here, this is where we can watch the meteor

shower," Soren suggested.

I smiled at him. “That sounds almost… romantic."

He bounced his eyebrows at me.

“Thank you, Eros!" Ashley gasped. She turned around and hugged him tightly.

Eros stiffened for a moment. He cast a nervous look at Payne and Soren. Slowly, awkwardly, he hugged her back

with one arm.

“You're welcome," he said stiffly.

I saw Ashley's cheeks turn bright red. I could tell, even in the dark. She pulled away quickly and looked down.

It was obvious to me that Ashley was falling in love with Eros. He was charming and attractive but I still had my

reservations. Ashley didn't seem to care and I hoped it wouldn't lead to her getting her heart broken.

Payne's face fell and I could tell he was thinking something similar to what I was thinking of. He grabbed Ashley's

arm and pulled her away from Eros and the cliff edge.

“Ashley, be careful. You're standing on the edge of a cliff," he warned gruffly.

“Ugh! Stop being so bossy," Ashley whined, pulling away from Payne.

“You're being irresponsible," Payne muttered, shaking his head.

I got the sense he was referring to Eros, not the cliff.

Ashley pouted. “I'm not a baby, Payne. I can take care of myself. You don't need to be so boring all the time and

always scolding me for no reason!"

Payne glared and hurried to reply.

“Actually, the cliff probably isn't the best place to stand until we have the blankets out to watch the meteor shower,"

Eros interjected, quickly ending the fight between the siblings.

“I'll get the blankets," Soren offered.

He disappeared back to the tents.

“Come on, Ashley, I have something else I want to show you. And it will be far from the cliff edge, perfectly safe,"

Eros said, holding his hand out to Ashley.

Ashley giggled and quickly took his hand. “Yeah, I want to see."

“Payne, do you want to come and make sure I'm not putting Ashley into any dangerous situations?" he asked,

arching an eyebrow at Payne.

“You don't need to ask him. He's just a big cranky pants and has been for days. He certainly won't appreciate seeing

what you want to show me," Ashley insisted, giving Eros a coy smile.

“It is a glow-in-the-dark flower. Ever seen one, Payne?" Eros continued.

Soren returned with the blankets just in time. He started spreading them out on the ground.

“I'll go with you," Payne assured.

“Ashley, don't go far," Soren chimed in as the three of them headed down another path.

Even as they walked away I could still hear Ashley giggling. Eros seemed to have said something else to make her

laugh. He was good at that.

“I kind of hope that Eros is harmless as he seems. That way, at least Ashley would get to be happy," I said, moving

closer to Soren.

Soren arched an eyebrow at me as he straightened out the blankets. He didn't say anything but the look made it

seem like he didn't understand what I was saying.

“Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, crossing my arms.

I felt really unsettled and exposed under that look.

“I'm just surprised that you were worried about Ashley's happiness," Soren admitted. He shrugged and got back to

fixing the blankets.

I scoffed and arched an eyebrow. “Should I not be concerned? Am I that much of a selfish jerk in your eyes?"

Soren chuckled and shook his head. “Not at all, Mila. I'm glad to see that you two girls have become friends. It is

nice to see you connecting with others."

“Wait, what do you mean 'connecting with others'?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

Soren smirked and stood up. He stood right in front of me, toe to toe. He gave me an intense look, his eyes brighter

than the stars in the sky above.

“You're one of a kind, Mila," he said, putting his hands on my shoulders. “But even the strongest shifter needs

friends and companions in life. I am happy to see you making friends."

“That's nice, I guess," I said, shrugging.

Soren's hands moved to my neck, his thumbs stroking up and down my throat. A shudder ran through me and I had

to look away from his intense, glowing eyes.

“You know, I was just thinking…"

My heart skipped several beats as Soren trailed off. I opened my mouth to speak but all that came out was a croak.

I cleared my throat and swallowed several times.

“Thinking about what?" I managed to ask.

Soren smirked and leaned in, his forehead touching mine. It was impossible not to look him in the eye. There was

something there, mischief and curiosity.

“What about me?" he murmured.

“What about you?" I asked back, my throat still dry and hoarse. My heart hammered in my chest and I was sure

that Soren would hear it.

“Are you worried about my happiness, too?" he clarified.

My heart skipped again and I gasped. When I licked my lips, my tongue brushed Soren's mouth because we were so

close.

His warm breath struck my face, filling me with his sweet, overpowering scent. It made me a little drowsy or…

fuzzy. With each inhale, I thought I'd get drunk off his scent and the warmth of his skin.

“I…"

Soren pressed his warm, soft lips to mine, cutting me off.