Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 196

Chapter 196 I'll Support You With My Life

I watched as Marcus disappeared on his way to the dungeon and then returned my attention toEthan. I had wanted to tell him how happy I was that he was awake ever since I saw him, but I didn’tknow how to get those words out, so I stared at him for a moment, my mouth slightly agape.

He was holding Rowan the entire time during Marcus’ confrontation, and I noticed that he didn't sayanything. Was he upset with what Marcus had said? I realized that I stepped in when Marcus wasinsulting him; would he rather handle that by himself?

liselt!

“Is everything all right, Rosalie?” he asked me.

"Uh... yeah,” I said, feeling my cheeks pink. “Everything is fine. I just thought that-"

"Your Majesty!” a messenger I recognized as one of General Vandough's warriors shouted, comingover to me. “We have spotted King Kal's forces coming around the eastern side of the palace,getting ready to attack again. General Vandough requests permission to engage with them toprevent them from getting near the citizens that have just sought shelter in the nearby villages.”

I felt my insides deflate as I thought about what this meant.

Would this war just go on and on forever?

“Yes,” I told him, after taking a few deep breaths to get my head on straight. “Tell General Vandoughto move out and engage with King Kal's forces but to watch his flank.”

I shook my head. When would it end?

Would it ever end?

"We'll be there soon,” I assured the messenger and then started to send him away, but Cerinastopped me.

“My Queen, please excuse me... but I do not think that is the best idea for you to go. Please stayhere.”

I arched my eyebrow, questioning her silently why she suggested it.

The wise woman pressed her hands together in front of her and spoke with a calm manner. “YourMajesty, you have been at this nonstop for over a week. You've gone from one emergency to thenext, bare ly giving yourself time to eat and rest, let alone clear your mind. It isn't good for you tobe running at such a pace, physically or mentally.”

Ethan also nodded at her words and she continued. “Now, Alpha Ethan and the others have done abril liant job of cutting King Kal's numbers down since his return yesterday. General Vandough is askilled war rior and leader. He can handle this battle on his own. Let the messenger return to yoursubordinate and tell him to move forward with his plans,” she said, grasping my hand between bothof hers. “Believe me and trust them, dear, this is for the best. For all of you.”

Her last sentence was more like a mother urging her daughter than a subordinate advising herqueen, and it warmed my heart.

I looked at Ethan, and he gave me a small, reassuring smile.

Returning my attention to Cerina, I said, “All right then.” To the messenger, I said, “Please tell thegenera al that he may move forward with his attack plans, and if he needs reinforcements, he shouldsend for Commander Landon.”

"Yes, my Queen,” the man said, bowing his head to me before he took off in a hurry to let theleaders know of my decision.

I sucked in a deep breath, held it for a moment, and blew it out slowly, trying to calm my nerves.Cerina was right. I had been going nonstop for quite some time now, and since Ethan was finallyawake, and so was I, perhaps it was the best time to take a small break and gather my thoughts.

My thinking would be more logical if I gave myself the opportunity to process everything that hadgone on. It would also help if I gave my body the chance to physically recover from the strain thewar had put on

"Why don't we gather in the war room in three hours?” I asked those who had gathered around me,my most trusted inner circle of friends and advisors.

Everyone nodded and left for their own duties.

Finally, I turned to Ethan. Rowan started to fuss in his arms, but it didn’t seem like he was ready to return the boy to me.

Thesitated and said, “Um... I think the boy may be hungry, and I should take him to my room tofeed him..."

"Oh, yeah, of course,” he said. As he handed Rowan to me, I noticed that he seemed to be quitedisap pointed, so I asked tentatively, “Would you like to... come to my room? You're welcome tospend some time with us... I meant, the boy, if you'd like.”

Immediately, a big smile crossed his face. “Yes, I'd like that,” he said, and his eyes lit up. “Thank you,Rosalie.”

We went into my private chambers, and I got some food into Rowan. Ethan kept his distance buthad a grin on his face the entire time. As I let out a yawn, he urged me, “Get some rest, Rosalie. Youhave a lot ahead of you to do.”

I nodded my head and laid on the bed after putting Rowan down in his crib. Ethan sat down on mybed next to me and covered me with a blanket. His voice was low and soothing. “Don’t worry, I'll behere to wake you before the meeting.”

I wondered whether his words had magic power. All of a sudden, I was so tired that I couldn't keepmy eyes open at all

Ethan was here, with me, with my baby. There was nothing I needed to worry about.

I couldn't help but smile. Then I fell asleep.

When we got to the war room, a few of the others were already present, and the rest arrivedquickly. No one was late.

“Your Majesty, General Vandough was able to hold our defense.”

"Great to hear.” However, the advisor who reported it still seemed worried, so I asked, “Mr. Heath,you still have something to say?”

He sighed, “While we were able to hold off their attack, we started to foresee issues with supplies.”Everyone in the meeting looked serious, and I could tell this wasn't the first time supply issues werebrought up.

He was right. No matter how good our warriors were, Winter Forest pack’s territory was nowherenear as resourceful as the rest of the Eastern Kingdom. Long term, we would not be able to fightagainst the combined power of both Kal and James.

We all saw the problem, but what could we do to resolve it?

I glanced around the room, and I could tell that everyone had thought about the challenge. So hadI. “Why don't we talk through our options?” I said. “Mr. Heath, since you were the first one tomention this problem, I would like to hear your thoughts on how we could overcome it.”

Heath nodded, and as expected, he had come prepared. "Your Majesty, my opinion isstraightforward. There is no better defense than offense!”

Commander Landon jumped in and added, “I agree! We are currently fighting so many different enemies, and they seem to be taking turns coming after us here, at the palace, where they know theycan replace us. But if we launch attacks proactively, we can draw them away from the innocent civilianshere.”

Georgia pointed out, “That means the Queen would have to be the one leading the attack. You knowthey want her...”

"And our Alpha,” Talon reminded us.

“Exactly.” Heath said. “We request for both Your Majesty and Alpha Ethan to lead the troops..."Cerina frowned. “Put aside the safety of Her Majesty and Alpha Ethan. What if the enemies stillattack the palace? Then there wouldn't be any protection left for the citizens!”

“I think you misunderstood what I meant, Cerina.” He looked her in the eye. “I didn't mean launchthe at tack in our Northern tier. I mean,” he took a pause, and grabbed everyone's attention.”-weattack Mirage and take over the kingdom!”

Commander Landon pounded his fist against the table and announced, “Let's do this! General Vandough also supports this plan. We need to end the war once and for all!”

Cerina stood up and disagreed. “That's an act of an invader! If we do that, what's the difference between us and King Kal?"

Georgia backed Cerina up. “I see Cerina’s point. If we were to launch an attack of that size, we wouldend up bringing more destruction to the people, even if we are able to win the war.”

Heath glared at her. “Then you have a better idea than launching the attack?”

Before Talon could say anything to defend Georgia, Jace jumped into the discussion. “Woah, woah!Heath, don't get personal. We're just sharing our concerns.”

Georgia shook her head and gave an honest answer. “No, I don't.”

The meeting went on as we tried to weigh the pros and cons. The discussion was heated a few timessince the supporters of both sides were quite passionate about their opinions.

After all, we all tried to make the right decision for our people.

“Everyone!” Soren eventually raised his voice to press down the debate in the room. “Why don't wehear what the queen has to say?”

With his words, all eyes landed on me.

Yes, I was their leader, and it was up to me to make the final decision.

I knew we needed to do something proactively, but I would never want to be an invader and be thecause of more havoc to the people on the Eastern Continent.

The room was silent. Everyone was waiting for me.

“I need some time to think about this. Let's regroup in fifteen minutes, and I'll have my answer readyfor you when you return. Now, let's take a break.”

My leaders exchanged a few words among themselves, and they started to walk out of the room.“Al

pha Ethan,” I called. “Would you please join me for a walk?”

"Of course, it's my pleasure.”

We walked side by side to the smaller temple of the Moon Goddess inside the palace grounds.“Ethan, why didn’t you say anything just now? I'd like to hear your opinion.”

“Because It's not my decision to make.”

I sighed. “I have thought about all that before, but it was hard to decide. Ethan, what if I make thewrong decision? So many lives are in my hands... I am afraid.”

As we walked into the temple, I stared up at the statue of the Moon Goddess behind the altar. It reminded me of the temple where my mother and the rest of my ancestors were buried.

He turned to me and gently rested his hands on the outside of both of my upper arms. His tendekgaze was on me. “Rosalie, I can't tell you what to do, but I want you to know that no matter whatyour decision is, I'll support you with my life. I have faith in you.”

Tears rushed up my eyes. I lowered my head, and I had to try really hard to not let them fall.

His warm skin was against my arms, and it was as if he shared his determination and inner strengthwith me.

When I looked up again, I saw my own reflection in his blue eyes. I was brave and confident.

I smiled. “Thank you Ethan! I think I've got it. Let's go back!"

He nodded and gestured for me to lead the way.

When I walked back into the room, the others had returned. All of them were looking at me withwide eyes, waiting to hear what I had to say.

“Everyone, I have my decision,” I announced. “I'll lead our troops to push our enemies out of ourlands and we'll continue to move south to Mirage.’

I could see the smile and excitement on Heath's and Landon'’s faces, while Cerina frowned, pressingher lips tight.

"However, spread the word to the Alphas whose territories are on the way to Mirage. Tell them thatthe White Queen is coming. If they promise to let us pass and not to help our enemies, we'llpromise not to bother their civilians. But if they choose to stand against us, then,” I glanced atEthan, who nodded his head at me as I exclaimed, “They'll have to face the rage of Alpha EthanGray!"

The room went eerily quiet for a few seconds. Cerina was the first one to stand up and bow to me,"Your Majesty, so be it!"

Heath and Commander Landon lifted their hands into the air. “So be it!” they shouted,

Everyone else followed suit.

I turned and looked at Ethan, and he was smiling at me.

He mouthed to me, “So be it.”

His hand reached out to me under the table. I felt his warmth on my fingertip, and my heartfluttered.

We were going to do this-drive out the enemy and end this war-and we were going to do ittogether.