Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 98 : All Consuming Darkness

*Jared*

I met Eliza and Mila in the servants' access hall. It was the corridor that led from the kitchen to the ballroom and

where the servants brought fresh platters of food and drinks.

“Mila, this is Jared, my husband," Eliza introduced quickly.

The witch's eyes shone behind her cloak hood. She studied me with a sharp scrutiny. I had a feeling that Ciana had

told her all about my family lineage. But if I was being honest, a witch as legendary as Mila would probably be able

to look at me and know more about me and my family than I knew!

“Archer is waiting for us on the mansion perimeter. We just need to get to him and he'll cover our retreat," I

explained.

I led Mila and Eliza down the corridor. We refrained from talking to stay as quiet as possible and stuck close to one

of the walls. If any servant came down the hall, it wouldn't have mattered where we were standing, they'd see us.

Silently, I prayed to the Moon Goddess that we wouldn't run into any.

I chose the servants' corridor because it was much less traveled than the other halls in the mansion, even during a

party. Guards and warriors didn't usually patrol servant hallways.

At the end of the hallway, there were two doors. One went into the kitchen and one went outside.

“Come on, you two go ahead. Archer is just at the tree line. I'll make sure we aren't followed."

“Jared…" Eliza grabbed my hand. “I don't want to split up."

She looked at me with bright, pleading eyes and my heart nearly broke.

“I'll be right behind you. I promise." I pulled Eliza to me and kissed her quickly on the lips.

She whimpered lightly as I pulled away.

“Go, stick with Mila. Find Archer. He'll help you."

“You'll be right behind me?" she squeezed my hand.

“Eliza, we should go now. I see a break in the outside patrols." Mila poked her head out the open door.

“Yes!" I nudged Eliza toward the door.

Mila grabbed her arm and pulled her outside. I let them get a bit of a head start and poked my head outside. The

guards were still out of sight.

I took a deep breath and followed Mila and Eliza. Every few steps, I glanced around to make sure no one was

following or watching us.

It was a crisp, clean getaway.

“Jared, over here," Archer called through the darkness.

I veered to the left and met up with Archer, Eliza, and Mila.

“I think we got off free and clear. We should keep moving." I nodded toward the forest path Archer had staked out.

“Come on, the others are just on the other side of the woods."

Archer led the way down the path.

Eliza moved closer to me. I put my arm around her shoulders and held her close.

“See, we weren't separated for that long."

She nodded, her eyes darkening.

“What's wrong?" I arched an eyebrow.

She shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe it's nothing…"

“What is it? What are you thinking?"

Eliza glanced over her shoulder at the shrinking mansion behind us.

“That just seemed… too easy…"

“That wasn't easy," I chuckled, shaking my head. “I had to study the perimeter guards' movements and how often

servants went down the access corridor. There was a lot of surveillance involved and careful timing.

“Okay… I guess that sounds a little more complicated than what I imagined."

I quickly kissed her cheek. “I told you that I'd handle everything. I didn't want you to have to worry. But we did it. We

got away with the diadem and met up with Mila."

“You're right." Eliza smiled and nodded. “I should be looking at the positives, here."

My ears perked up when I heard familiar voices up ahead. We found the rest of my men!

“Jared, good to see you again."

“Welcome back."

I shook their hands as they greeted me.

“We're not quite out of the woods yet…" I glanced at the trees and smirked. “Figuratively speaking."

The men chuckled at my bad joke. I could appreciate their loyalty.

“We need to get far away from here but I don't want to go back to the village yet. I want to lead Aries away from

there so he doesn't go back and try to hurt anyone there."

“HALT!"

I froze as an unfamiliar voice echoed through the trees.

“Who goes there!?"

“Who is that?" Eliza muttered.

A man stepped into the small clearing we were gathered in. As soon as I saw him, my heart sank.

He was wearing armor of the Royal Guard and had the insignia of an elite, royal soldier on his breastplate.

Behind him, I heard the shuffling of several other royal guards gathering together, closing in around us.

“And what do we have here?" the leader of the guards asked.

“I don't know, Smithy. But to me, it looks like we have a bunch of treasonous criminals conspiring against the

crown."

“What!?" Eliza gasped.

“By order of the Alpha King, with my authority in the royal guard, you're all being arrested for treason."

“No!"

“Eliza…" I warned. I glanced at Archer and reached out to him with the mindlink.

'Take Eliza and Mila. Get them back to the village before they are arrested, too.'

Archer nodded. I watched him sneak up behind Mila and Eliza.

While the guards were focused on my men, grumbling in confusion and disagreement, Archer grabbed them,

putting his hands over their mouths.

Eliza's scream muffled under his hand and her eyes sought mine.

“It's okay," I mouthed to her. “I love you."

She nodded and relaxed as Archer dragged her and Mila into the shadows. At least, they were safe.

I stepped up to talk to the royal guard.

“What proof do you have against us? We have committed no crime and are planning no treason."

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The sound echoed through the trees and sent a chill through my bones.

Aries appeared from behind the tree, a cruel smirk on his lips.

“That's Jared, the leader of this merry group. Don't believe a word he says. He thinks he has a right to the throne

because of some bastardized blood claim."

“Aries!" I snarled.

“Take them into custody!" the soldier named Smithy shouted to his men, pointing at us.

The royal guards swooped in with handcuffs and started to detain my men.

“Don't fight!" I warned. “This is a misunderstanding; we'll have it cleared up in no time."

I didn't want this to be worse if my men fought back. It could lead to harsher sentences and give us less leverage to

talk our way out. Whatever was going on… No, I knew what was going on. Aries had planned this whole thing to

betray me and get me arrested.

Smithy came up behind me.

“Trying to take the moral high road? You might think that'll help you but trust me, it won't!" He kicked me in the

back of the knee.

“Ugh!"

My legs gave out and I slammed onto the ground, my knees cracking when they struck the dirt. Smithy chuckled

and bound my wrists in cuffs behind my back. I stayed on my knees. Even with my hands bound, if I stood up, the

guards might see that as antagonistic.

My ears perked up when I heard familiar voices up ahead. We found the rest of my men!

I had to be as passive and harmless as possible, even though I loathed the idea.

I had to be as passive and harmless as possible, even though I loathed the idea.

The shadow inside of me stirred suddenly, growing stronger and more vibrant. I took a deep, centering breath.

If I wasn't careful, it would take control again, like back in the caves. I had to stay in control…

Aries walked toward me and leaned down until we were at eye level.

“You might be calm on the outside, but I can tell you're furious on the inside. It's okay, let it out. It'll feel so good."

He chuckled tauntingly.

I shook my head and clenched my teeth. My jaw tensed and I kept my eyes angled down. If I met Aries' eyes, I

might just snap and tear his face off.

“Too bad…" Aries sighed heavily. “There is nothing more inspiring than fighting for a martyr."

I lifted my head and glared at him, tightening my bound hands into fists. I clenched so hard, my fingernails bit into

my palm. Warm beads of blood oozed out, coating my fingertips.

Aries never wanted me to fight, against these guards or against the king. He wanted me to die and become his

martyr!

“Thank you, Aries, for the warning. We've got to get these miscreants to the blockade. Once we get them there,

we'll get the truth out of them. For now, the crown and the Alpha King remain safe. He will reward you richly."

Smithy nodded to Aries and clapped him on the shoulder.

Aries smirked. “Anything, for the sanctity of the crown."

Slowly, he slid his eyes sideways at me, his smirk widening in an evil, Cheshire grin.

What a slippery weasel! I tensed against the cuffs. They were normal cuffs. If I pushed hard enough, I could snap

the metal and throttle Aries!

No…

Sighing, I bowed my head again.

Fighting would only cause more problems. The only way to get through this was to play the game and prove our

innocence. If we fought and escaped, we'd forever be branded fugitives, outlaws, and enemies of the crown. We'd

never get the chance to clear our name.

The village would be exiled, become rogue territory, and we'd never be able to go home.

Smithy rounded up the guards and they put me and my men in a single file line, tying us all together. Smithy put me

at the front.

“I want to keep an eye on you…"

“Why aren't we going to the palace?" I asked, thinking about what he said to Aries.

If we went to the palace, I might be able to talk to Eliza's cousin, or even Xander, tell them who I was. It was a long

shot, but it could be enough to get them to listen to me.

The royal guards pushed us along and we started moving. The only good thing about any of this was that we were

finally leaving Aries' territory behind.

“I have orders to bring you to the blockade instead. You'll wait there for your trial. You don't need to know the

reasons beyond that," Smithy spat. “Now, move faster!"

He nudged me in the back.

I nearly tripped over my feet, growling.

Smithy held up his hand with a night stick, ready to strike. “Watch your tone, mutt! You might want to save your

strength. Things in the blockade move slowly. You'll need your strength to survive months waiting for your trial."

He barked a laugh and kept walking.

Months? It would be months until my trial?

But I didn't have months!

The curse… I would die… Eliza would die… our baby…

My shadow exploded inside of me, raging and rearing up like never before. An all consuming darkness ran through

my veins like black oil, my vision went black.