Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 150 : Meet Your Baby

*Jared*

Eliza's eyes were still glassy with tears, but I felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She fit so perfectly in my

arms, and I couldn't help but feel like that was where she belonged.

A lot of the rewritten memories still swirled in my mind, but I kept them at bay while she basked in my presence.

I didn't want to hurt her, even if sometimes I felt like I didn't love her.

I opened my mouth to answer her questions but a loud chiming bell came from the ballroom.

“The naming ceremony is about to begin," a Royal Guardsman announced.

“Oh, that's our cue. We need to get in there!" Eliza grabbed my hand and pulled me into the ballroom.

I smiled lightly and went along with her antics. This was a special night and I had no intention of ruining it for her, or

for anyone.

As we hurried into the ballroom, I caught Eliza using her thumb to touch up her makeup.

I squeezed her hand as she pulled me along, not wanting to let her go. We went straight for the table where Eliza's

parents and brother were sitting.

Gemma held an infant dressed in white on her lap. The child had wide open eyes and little smile.

Eliza scooped the baby up and turned toward me.

I froze in place, staring at the baby who looked so much like a mix between Eliza and me. My heart swelled with so

many emotions that I couldn't process it all.

I thought my heart might burst. Love flooded through me–happiness, amazement, and other emotions I had no

names for.

At that moment, I knew without a doubt that I loved Eliza and wanted to be with her. The lingering doubts from

Hestia's memory spell faded, and I couldn't imagine living my life without her for another day.

Eliza smiled, her cheeks turning red like she could tell what I was thinking.

“Jared, meet your daughter, Eloise Clara Crimson."

***

One Week Later

I rocked Eloise gently, keeping her fussing at bay while Eliza slept in for once.

She was so adorable, so beautiful, and I hadn't known my life was lacking her until I saw her with my own eyes. She

was the light of my life, the center of my universe, right alongside Eliza.

I noticed Eliza watching me.

“Oh, you're awake."

She stretched and nodded. “I was just enjoying the morning show. She seems to really like you."

“Well, I hope so. I'm her father." I smirked. “Hey, you need to get up and get moving. We're heading back to the

village today."

“Oh right. I should feed Eloise first."

I nodded and handed her the baby.

While Eliza nursed Eloise and got them both ready for the trip, I made sure the rest of our things were packed. We

stayed in the palace another week after the naming ceremony to spend some quality time with Xander and Lena,

now that no one was poisoned, sick, or having their memories changed.

The journey home was quick. Xander loaned us some vehicles and a driver. I was glad to be heading back to the

village.

Giselle and Miriam were waiting for us. They both gushed over Eloise and wanted to take turns holding her. It

allowed Eliza and me to have free arms to unload all the luggage. Brandt and Gage helped bring the luggage in.

While Eliza was away, one of the renovation projects I had done was remodeling the Alpha suites on the third floor

of the pack house.

“Come upstairs. I want to show you something," I murmured in her ear when she finished saying hello to everyone.

She retrieved the baby and we went up to the third floor.

Eliza gasped.

“Oh, my! The last time I was up here it was just dust and garbage. You really...." She walked from room to room,

sticking her head in and staring, wide eyed and open mouthed.

“Yup. I had the entire thing cleaned and repainted. I also refurnished it. And… the job finally wrapped up a few days

ago, but we got new, indoor plumbing outfitted through the entire village."

“Wow, Jared. You accomplished all your goals with the village."

“Almost all of them." I held my hand out to her.

Eliza smiled shyly and she took my hand. I led her down the hall to the last door she hadn't looked in yet.

“I wanted it to be a surprise, so I didn't say anything, but this is one of the reasons I was late to the naming

ceremony."

I pushed the door open and showed Eliza the nursery I had put together.

After getting Zoe home, I had gone to a baby store and got everything needed to set up the nursery. I had it put

together while we were at the ceremony to surprise Eliza.

Even then… when I was still so confused, I hoped she and our daughter would come home to me and I wanted to

be prepared.

Eliza walked into the nursery.

“Oh, this is so cute." She ran up to the crib and pulled out a blue stuffed wolf. She bopped Eloise on the nose with

the wolf's nose.

I stood in the doorway, watching Eliza look over everything in the nursery.

There was a mobile, a changing table, a rocking chair, and a bunch of little infant outfits laid out on the dresser.

I got a toy chest and filled it with toys and all kinds of stuffed animals.

“You think you might have gone a little overboard?" Eliza arched an eyebrow at me.

“I might have gone a lot overboard, but it is worth it."

Eliza giggled and set Eloise in her crib.

I waited for Eliza to put the baby down for a nap and then we went to the master bedroom.

“I had a new bathroom installed. We now have running water and electricity. The electricians are finishing up with

the rest of the village, but soon everyone will have that, too."

“I can't believe this, Jared. It is like a dream come true. I know how much you wanted this."

I nodded and bowed my head. “It was all I could do to keep my hands and my mind occupied."

She blushed again and went to the bathroom. When she came back, her eyes were wide again.

“You had a bathtub installed and everything."

“I did. That was for you."

She giggled and shook her head. “How did you know that I'd come back?"

“I hoped for it, even if I wasn't sure that's what I wanted."

“And now?" Eliza creased her brow, her crazy curls curving around her face.

“I want you here. I want you by my side every day for the rest of my life." I grabbed her hands and squeezed.

“Jared… are you still worried about the vision Hestia gave you?"

I sighed and shrugged. “I know that Hestia would do anything to make that future a reality. But she's dead, and now

I'm not sure if it will come to pass if someone else isn't determined to make it happen."

“I hope you're right. I… have my concerns. But Hestia wasn't the most reliable source."

I nodded in agreement.

“She seemed to really believe what she was saying… but without her hatred, I don't think it will come true."

I squeezed Eliza's hand and smiled, trying to lift her spirits.

“Our love is stronger than anything Hestia had planned. We will show our children a better way to live than in

pursuit of power and control. We will show our children the best kind of love. As long as we keep up that tradition, I

don't think we have to worry about them giving in to darkness."

Eliza arched an eyebrow. “Our children? How many do you think we're going to have?"

I chuckled and shrugged. “However many you want."

She blushed again and smiled. “I think you're right, Jared. As long as we show our children love, kindness, and a

fulfilling life, they won't be vulnerable."

I nodded. “This family will never let that future come to pass, not for as many generations as we're around."

“I believe you."

I pulled Eliza to me in a hug. I kissed her forehead and held her against my chest.

She sighed against me.

“Is everything alright?" I murmured.

“Jared… who is Zoe?"

I stiffened slightly. Who had told Eliza about her?

“She was a refugee who settled here for a time to have her baby. She wanted a quiet, simple life during her

pregnancy."

“But you escorted her all the way back to the capital. You wouldn't do that for just anyone...." She bit her lower lip

and refused to meet my eyes.

I sighed and cupped her cheek. “Eliza, she was a kind friend and a listening ear when I was in a confused, dark

place. But that's all. I never wanted more from her."

“Are you sure?" she tilted her head slightly.

“Yes, I'm sure." I sighed.

Miriam had warned me that spending time with Zoe would come back to bite me in the ass. Eliza didn't seem mad

or upset, though. She was curious.

I couldn't blame her. It must have been a shock to hear that I was escorting another woman around after we'd

been apart for so long.

“Well, okay. It was a little confusing." She brought her eyes to mine.

I smiled. “Hestia might have messed things up for us for a while, but the truth is, I was too confused to make sense

of my feelings, let alone start anything with anyone else. You were constantly on my mind."

Eliza brightened and wrapped her arms around my neck in a quick hug.

From down the hall, Eloise's cries echoed. Eliza and I quickly hurried to attend to our daughter.

When we got there, Miriam already had the baby in her arms.

“What are you doing?" I asked.

“This little angel was fussing. Was I just supposed to let her lie there?" Miriam winked at us.

Holding the infant, she was completely transformed. I was used to Miriam being hard, rigid, and authoritative. All

the judgment and reproach left her as she cooed at the baby.

“I can hardly argue with that," Eliza agreed, laughing.

Miriam cupped Eloise's behind. “Oh, I think someone has a wet diaper. That's why she's fussing. I can change her

and put her back down. I'll even watch over her while the two of you finish catching up."

“Miriam, that isn't necessary." Eliza stepped forward.

Miriam shook her head. “I haven't had any baby time yet. The two of you have had all the fun. Besides, Jared, you

haven't finished showing Eliza all the new upgrades."

I smirked at Eliza and grabbed her arm, pulling her back toward me.

“Oh, I'm sure we can keep ourselves busy. If you need anything, we'll be around."

“Good, now go!" Miriam laid Eloise on the changing table and grabbed the diapers.

As we were heading through the door, I heard Miriam talking to the baby.

“You are going to grow up so strong and beautiful. I wonder what adventures you're going to have? Just like your

parents."

Eliza froze beside me. We exchanged a look, and I registered the same shock and dread I felt in her eyes.

She cracked a smile first and suddenly, we both burst out laughing.