Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder -
Chapter 370
Chapter 28: This Is a Trap
*Theo*
As I followed Ciana and her former governess, or so I'd learned, back to the Alpha's mansion, Icouldn't believe the story she'd made up about me. How dare she?!
The girl was obviously having way too much fun. It all seemed so amusing to her, and I just wantedto shake some sense back into her-to take her in my arms, stare into her eyes, breathe in her scent-and tell her it wasn't funny at all.
But I knew it wasn't the right time to do so, so I forced myself to filter the nonsense pouring out ofthose two women and focused on the key piece of information-revolution?
Would it have anything to do with that Luther guy? What was their ultimate goal?
Regardless of the situation, something wasn't right here, and I needed to know exactly what wasgoing on, not only for Ciana and her pack, but also for the overall security of the country.
After turning the corner, we arrived at our destination. The Alpha’s house was clean, fairly sizable,and well kept. The moment we entered it, I could tell the owners put their heart into their home.Unlike the royal palace, which was filled with meaningless luxuries, the design and decoration of thisplace was quite simple. Yet, the mood was such that the moment anyone walked in, they would feelwelcome and relaxed, like a longtime traveler who had finally reached their home.
Needless to say, Ciana's parents had good taste. Maybe one day, I would be able to meet them.
I followed Ciana through the door and noticed that, unlike most Alphas’ residences, there weren'tother servants. The place was quiet-quiet and nice.
"Miss, you must be very tired,” Susan said to Ciana while looking at me. Did she want anything fromme?
I ignored her and walked straight through the door, as I heard her mumble to Ciana, "Miss, hedoesn't act like a servant at all...
I can ask my nephew to come here to help, if you're okay with it." "Oh, no, no need, Susan! Um...Thorn is actually very competent.” "I don't see it. Miss, you need someone who is smart andunderstands what his master wants to serve you."
I clenched my fists. Ciana better get this done quickly. My patience was limited. Obviously, Cianacould tell I wasn't happy. She looked at me with a bright smile.
Good. And she'd better say something nice.
"Thorn, would you fix Susan and me a nice glass of lemonade?”
I frowned. She really wanted to treat me as a servant? Was I too nice to her?
But then she gave me a pleading look, and she mouthed, "Please."
I stared at her for a second, and for the reason I didn't understand, I nodded. Maybe I knew she wastrying to put some distance between me and that Susan woman, so that I wouldn't hear more of herridiculous comments, or maybe I just couldn't seem to be able to turn her down...
As I was making the drinks, I saw Ciana offer Susan a chair and then struggle out of her jacket,hanging it on the back of her seat as she pulled out the heavy chair and sat down.
Susan made a noise that drew my attention to her. "Really, Ciana, what kind of a servant is he thathe doesn't help with your jacket or pull out your chair for you?" "He was busy making our drinks,"she said, a bit more defensively than I would've expected for her to be when it came to defendinggood ol’ thick-headed Thorn.
"Still," Susan said, shaking her head. I supposed she thought I didn’t understand her-since I'd beenkicked in the head by a mule and all. "What is it that made you choose him as your servant? He'sso... daft and inept.”
I had never in my life had someone talk about me like that right in my face. So I picked up thelemon scooper-thingy and placed it down into the table with a clatter that startled them both."See!" Susan spoke again, trying to prove her point. "I told you he's-" "Susan!" Ciana prevented herfrom saying anything more. Then she lowered her voice. Maybe she thought I really couldn't hearher when she whispered, "Well, he is... hot."
What?
Susan giggled and covered her mouth. "You've got that right, dear. Man, oh, man. He's got such atight bottom, and those abs—"
Ciana cleared her throat. "Anyway... what else is going on around here?"
Hot? Was that how she felt about me?
I couldn't help an up-curl on my lips. Good to know....
Susan started talking about this Raymond fellow, who clearly needed to be investigated by mypeople and dealt with-easy enough-and Ciana sipped her lemonade. The face she made wasn'tmissed by me.
"Oh, my!" Susan also took a drink of hers and sputtered, sending the yellow, sticky liquid all over thewhite tablecloth and nearly hitting Ciana in the face. "This is dreadful. It tastes like... piss.”
Now Ciana almost spat out her drink.
I grunted and was about to say something but Ciana got out of her chair, standing between us."Thorn, it's all right, honey," she said, patting me on the shoulder while she gave me a look that wasmeant to remind me not to blow our cover. "Susan didn't mean it."
I cemented my lips together in an effort to keep my language to myself.
Ciana turned back to Susan. "I think it might be time that Thorn lays down for a nap. He getsagitated when he's tired. Perhaps you could go?" "Are you sure that's a good idea, dear?" Susanasked. "You don’ t know him that well. He might be dangerous.”
Ciana laughed. "Susan, you know what I'm capable of.” "True, true,” she said, also laughing. Shepulled her plump bottom up out of the chair. "All right. We'll talk soon." She didn’ t approach Cianato hug her, probably because she knew I'd strike her down like a bear swinging at a beehive lookingfor honey.
The moment she was out of the room and we were left alone, I turned on Ciana. "Kicked by a mule,huh?” "I'm sorry,” she said, trying to bite back a laugh. "I just thought it would be more believablethat way, and if you did accidentally say you were the prince, I could blame it on your head injury.”"Don’t be mad... please?”
I didn't know what this girl did to me, but when she was not intentionally provoking me, it was hardfor me to stay angry at her.
I sighed. "It doesn't matter now," I said curtly. "We need to go.”
Her forehead crinkled, and her eyes narrowed at me. "Go? Go where?" "Back to the palace ofcourse." I started to walk to the door, but she wasn't budging.
"What? No!" Ciana shouted. "I just got here, to see if my pack was in trouble, and it turns out it is.So you want me to leave? No way!" "Ciana, I will take care of the situation here.” I folded my armsand glared at her, thinking it would just be easier to pick her up and carry her out of there. But thatwould cause alarm, so I didn't want to do it that way.
"You'll take care of it?" she repeated. "And how exactly are you going to do that?" "I haven't quiteworked out all of the details,” I told her, but it wasn't her concern. "I'm responsible for the safety ofthe country. Even in your packland, I'm still in charge here, over your father. I said I will handle it,and I will—unless you want me to leave it to your father." "So you don't really have a plan!"
I frowned. We were running out of time. I tried to be as patient as I could. "But I will. I came all theway here with you. You confirmed the situation, and now it's time to go." "You're the one whoinsisted on coming with me. I didn't even want you here. This is my pack! I can't just leave when Iknow it's in trouble!"
Letting out a loud sigh, I tried telling her the truth of the situation. "Listen—" "I don’t want to.""Ciana, think it through! You have just done exactly what those people wanted you to." "Thosepeople?” "Those who are trying to overthrow your parents. Can't you see? That Raymond will knowyou're back very soon, and if what Susan said was true, I doubt you're welcome here.” "I'm notwelcome by my own pack?" she asked, her hands on her hips now. "Please, just go ahead to makeup more stories!" "You waltzed right back into your home where they can get you." Leaning evencloser to her, I said, "This. Is. A. Trap."
She took a few moments. I was sure that as smart as she was, she understood the situation. "Now,let's go,” I urged her.
However, she didn't follow me. "Your Highness, I have an obligation to my pack members. Myparents are gone, and that leaves me as their only hope. I can't just leave."
I looked her in the eye. "You no longer had an obligation to this pack from the day you weresummoned to the palace. Now, your one and only obligation is to me. And as your prince, I amordering you to return to the castle with me. Now."
She stared at me long and hard, a fire burning behind her eyes before she shook her head. "You areso unbelievably selfish." "What?" I'd never dragged a woman forcefully before, and I wasn't planningto start now, but damn if she wasn't making it hard.
"All you can think about is your stupid berry! I wish I could just slit my wrist and pour all of myblood out for you right now.”
It was true that her blood and the berry were important to me, but was that the only reason Iwanted her to come back to safety with me?
I didn't know. What I did know was that my patience was running out.
I took a few deep breaths so that I could reason with her.
"Let me make it clear, Ciana Black. A, you stole from me, and yes, because of that, you have anobligation to keep yourself safe-to keep your blood safe. B, you put yourself in jeopardy. I am tryingto help you, even though I don't have to. C, let me remind you, you're still tasked with the royal dutyand you were not supposed to leave the palace. After everything I've done for you, I'd hope youwould show at least some appreciation and make the right choice. I'm done arguing with you. We'releaving.” "No!" She was up in my face again. "You mean, after everything you've done TO me? Youwant to play the victim here because I ate a stupid berry of yours? If I hadn't been half-starved,maybe I wouldn't have eaten it!"
Our noses were so close together now, we were breathing the same air, and even though I wasfrustrated with her, my bottom lip began to quiver, and other thoughts came to mind.
I pushed them away. This was stupid. She had been nothing but a pain in my ass since the momentI'd met her, but why was I not able to control my thoughts around her, and why did I keep breakingmy own rules for her?
"No," she said, her tone quiet now as she took a step back. Tm not going. You volunteered to helpme, and while I appreciate the offer, I'll stay here and replace out what's going on with Raymond on myown." "Ciana, if you stay, I will not be able to protect you. If you get yourself into trouble, I won't behere to bail you out.”
Every word came out of my mouth with a hint of pleading. How she would interpret them, I wasn'tsure, but by the expression on her face, she thought I was threatening her.
"It's okay, Prince Theo," she said. "Strong people can accomplish great things all alone. You of allpeople should know that.”
I took one more look into her eyes before I turned and walked away.
"Do whatever you want!" I said as I slammed the door.
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