Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 256

Chapter 36: Everything in This Room is Mine

Troy

“I thought you never wanted to talk to me again, ever,” I said as I closed the door to my roombehind me, leaning against it.

Maeve had followed me all the way back after calling up to me in the crows nest. Reluctantly, I'dcome down to see what she wanted.

It was a relief to be here, on the Persephone, standing in my room. It would have been even better ifthe woman on my bed was willing, maybe even naked, not giving me the look Maeve had in hereyes.

“I changed my mind, for now.”

“I see,” I said as I crossed the room, pulling the chair from the desk and sitting in it backward, mylegs on either side of it, and my chin resting on its back. “I'm sleeping in here tonight, just so youknow.”

“No, you're not.” Maeve said with conviction, jutting her chin

“Well, it's my room. Always has been. You can sleep here, with me, or go bunk with the boys threestories down.”

She glared, crossing her legs. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing one of Young Pete'spoet shirts. It was way too large, but the look suited her somehow, especially in a pair of YoungPete's trousers that fit very well.

I cleared my throat, waiting for her to begin. I knew that it was supposed to be a seriousconversation, but I was in a light mood. I was happy to be home.

And even though she hated me, I was happy Maeve was here with me, too.

"Why does Damian want me?” she asked point-blank.

I shook my head, unsure of how or where to begin. I reached into the pocket of my shirt and pulledout the map Romero had given me, the only thing I had managed to bring with me from the castle,and held it out to her.

“Toss it to me,” she said.

“It's fragile, come get it.”

Her eyes narrowed into silts as she stood, walking gingerly toward me. I could've given it to her, ofcourse, but I enjoyed the view of her body in the tight pants she was wearing too much to let theopportunity pass me by.

We had all given Pete shit for it, of course. He was a gangly young man, and Maeve filled out thosetrousers better than he ever would

"What is it?” she asked, looking down at the ragged, coarse paper as she sat back down.

“It's what Damian was after. You were only a piece of the puzzle.”

"What do I have to do with. I don’t know what this says?”

“It's in another language... an ancient language. It's a map to Lycaon’s Tomb.”

“Lycaon? From the legend?”

I nodded, watching her face as she looked over the map, her brow arched as she tried to makesense of it

"He was supposedly the Moon Goddess's son, right?” she continued.

"Yeah, that's the guy.”

“But that is a fairy tale? A myth?”

“I thought so too, but this map... it's authentic. At least, it looks to be. Whoever made it, well, theymade it a long time ago. I think I could get us there-" I said.

"Why? You just said this is what Damian is after. Wouldn't he be looking for the ”

"He doesn’t know where the tomb is. He wanted the map. Romero had it, for some reason. That'swhy Damian needed Romero, at least. paused, unsure of how to tell her about our last night in thecastle. “Horace attacked him. Something must have changed between Romero and Damian”"Horace did what?" she was shocked, her mouth hanging open.

12.07

Chapter 36: Everything in This Room is Mine

“Horace,” I breathed, “was one of Damian's spies.” And then I told her everything, how Ernest andGemma came with me to see him. How Romero died right in front of us.

“I wasn't sent to Valoria to replace the map. I was sent to get Romero out of the tower. That's what Iwas told. It was simple; I'd free him and be on my way, getting him safely back to the isles, and wewould receive a huge sum of money for it. But I was deceived, Maeve, tricked into believing that wasall. I agreed because well, Damian knew my parents. At least he said he did. He said Romero was mygrandfather and that he-look, I just needed to see him.”

"Keaton told me. She paused, looking guilty

“Told you the whole story, huh? Yeah, I knew he would.”

“I promised him I wouldn't tell you what he told me,” she said.

“Well, I promise I won't tell him you told me; how about that?”

She nodded, once, a brief smile touching her lips. I felt a little sick at the sight; it was the first timeI'd seen her smile since we'd left the castle.

“Romero said something about you being the key, Maeve. Do you have any idea what he meant?”She shook her head, her brow knitted in a frown. “I don't.”

"Well, we're stuck then. That's all I know.” I lied, deciding not to tell her about Romero's desire forMaeve to produce an heir for my line that he would raise and use for its powers. He was dead, afterall.

“Keaton said we were heading south for the Southern Pass,” she said, her voice wavering. “He said Ican't that I can't even write home.”

“Do you understand why?” I asked, hoping she could see the sense in the decision.

“It would put us at risk-"

"it would put your family at risk, most of all. It's unlikely Damian will try anything; he won't invadeWinter Forest. Your mother is too powerful.”

“I'm not worried about my mom, Troy. I'm worried about my dad.”

**Your dad?"

“He'll go to Valoria to try and replace me. I'm worried about what will happen when he gets there. Hewon't stop looking for me, and he'll put himself in danger doing so. He's still strong and clever, buthe’s not the man he was twenty years ago. Age changes people. I just... I understand why I can'twrite. Keaton said it's better if everyone thinks i'm dead. And maybe he’s right but.”

“You're going to see them again,” I stood, crossing the room as I sensed her beginning to crumble.She didn’t move away when I sat down next to her, taking the map from her hands and laying itbeside her on the bed. “I promise you,”

"How can I trust you after everything that has happened, Troy?”

“I'm trying to fix this Maeve, I promise. Right now, my only concern is keeping you out of Damian'shands. The Persephone sticks out; it's known in the port cities. We have to get far away and hopethis blows over

“My parents will start a war over this, you know.”

*That's what Damian wants, I think. There's nothing we can do about it.”

We sat in silence for a moment, shoulder to shoulder.

"Did you really lock Gemma in the utility closet?” she asked, sniffling.

“Well, I was in there with her. She was pissed.”

“I'm sure she was,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion as she laughed and cried at the sametime.

"Did you know that Myla and Keaton are mates?” I asked, looking over at her.

"Yeah, Keaton told me. Myla hasn't woken up yet, though. She doesn’t know. That's all she evertalked about. There was nothing else she wanted more than to replace her mate.”

“What are the odds, huh? That they'd replace each other like this?"

*The same odds as Gemma and Ernest,” she said, sadness cracking in her voice. She looked down ather lap, tears falling down her cheeks. “His vision came true. He lost his mate.”

“I know. That's why I told you we couldn't go looking for him. He... Ernest was my friend, Maeve. Ireally liked the guy. He trusted me like I' m asking you to trust me now.”

12-07

Chapter 36: Everything in This Room is Mine

“I need time, Troy.”

“l know.”

“Are you really going to sleep in here?” she asked, wiping her eyes.

"Would that be okay?” I wanted to say it was MY bedroom, so, of course, I was going to sleep in it,but I kept my mouth shut.

She shrugged, climbing over the bed to turn the sheets down. She took the elastic band out of herhair, letting it full and loose over her shoulders. Then she reached down, unbuttoning her trousersbefore stopping, her cheeks blushing deeply. “Will you look away?”

"Oh," i said, not even realizing I was staring so intently. I stood, crossing the room with my back toher, and pulling a large quilt from one of the drawers in the built-in. I stood there, holding the quiltin my hands until I heard her slide into the bed and pull the covers up, shielding her body from myview.

It wasn't like I hadn't seen her completely naked before. I saw her in my dreams. I was obsessed,honestly.

I turned around, walking across the room and laying the quilt on the floor on the other side of thebed, taking my pillow from the bed and dropping it onto the quilt.

“What are you doing?” she asked as I started removing my clothes.

“Look away.” I said, teasing her.

She blushed a little deeper, but her eyes didn't leave mine. Hmm, bold choice. It was a little unfairthat she was watching me now after telling me to turn around, a direction I had followed.

Are you going to sleep on the floor?”

“Uh, yeah. I am.”

“Why?

"Why? You don’t want me in... Well, it's my bed but, nevertheless. I'm sleeping on the floor.”

I stepped out of my pants, staring at her for a second. I was nearly naked, and her eyes were still onme. Maybe I did still have a chance here.

When she didn't say anything else, I laid down on the floor, wrapping the quilt around me. Sheshifted on the mattress a few times, quieting eventually and long enough for me to start to drift intosleep.

*Troy?"

I opened my eyes to see her staring down at me, her head practically hanging over the side of thebed.

“Yes, Maeve?"

“Were you really an orphan?”

"I was."

"Did you really spend your whole childhood unattended, being a pirate?”

“We wanted to be pirates, Maeve. Every little boy wants to grow up to be a pirate.” I yawned hugely,blinking up at her.

Maeve struck me as someone who had rarely ever been alone as a child. She always had someonethere to comfort her, to encourage her. She was seeking comfort from me, even after I totallyupended her life. She was livid, rightfully so, but it didn't stop her from reaching down and takingmy hand as she laid her head back on the pillow, her fingers gripping mine as she fell asleep.

I had told her I loved her. I had meant it. I still did.

And I prayed like i prayed every night since I first saw her that she would soon realize what I hadknown for a while.

She was my mate.

And i'd do anything to protect her.