Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 371

Chapter 29: He Kissed Me Again!

*Ciana*

Frustration boiled through my veins just thinking about Theo and how unreasonable he was acting,insisting on going back to the castle right now when my pack had such a crisis on our hands.

He, of all people, should have understood the importance of serving one's people.

My feet carried me to the pack house not far away from my home. Mom and Dad had decided thatwe wouldn't live in an enormous building. Instead, we had been living in a smaller home with moreprivacy for the three of us, and the pack house was only used for meetings and events.

Running directly into the pack house right now may not be a good idea. Like Theo said, if this was atrap, there could be danger awaiting me. I decided that I'd stay near the building and see what Icould replace.

I'd just walked over to my favorite willow tree in the garden when I heard low voices coming frombeyond the row of hedges across from me.

Pausing, I drew in a deep breath and held it so that I could hear what they were talking about.

“I am just shocked she made it out of there alive,” a man said. “I thought for certain the Dark Princewould be the death of her.”

Another more composed voice responded, “Well, as I've said all along, we have to be careful abouther. She is stronger than her diminutive size would indicate. It was a good plan, but even goodplans may not work out sometimes. That's why we also have a plan B.”

The first one said, “You're right. This time, we'll definitely take care of that spoiled little bitch.”Spoiled little bitch? I'd thought for certain at first they were speaking about me-going to the castleat all. But who thinks I'm a spoiled little bi-

“Beta Raymond, what would you like us to do now?” the second voice asked.

My stomach dropped to my feet. Then I heard the third person speak. This time, it was a familiarvoice, and I immediately recognized that it belonged to Dad's Beta, Raymond. “I'm not that worriedabout Ciana, but we've got to make sure Alpha doesn't return.”

I had to place a hand over my mouth to keep in my shock. What was he getting at exactly?Bitterness and fury coursed through me; I was so angry that my body started to tremble.

How could Beta Raymond betray us like this?

Even though Susan had mentioned his unusual behavior, I didn't want to come to the hastyconclusion that he was the culprit without solid evidence. After all, he was one of Dad's most trustedsubordinates. Growing up, he had been nice to me, like a fatherly figure. But now, he was standingthere, discussing our demise!

Raymond's voice continued, “We need to make sure he dies out there somewhere, wherever the hellhe's at. Now, listen, here's what we're going to do..."

I wished I could see all of the other guys’ faces, so that I could let my father know, one way oranother, exactly who was conspiring against him.

I leaned in a little closer to hear better, but I knew I couldn't let them see me. If they knew I wasaware of their plans,

they wouldn't hesitate to kill me.

As they continued to speak about how imperative it was that the entire family of the Alpha was nolonger around to cause them trouble, the scent of the woods after a fresh 15.0203 rain hit my lungs.Theo?! Where was he?

Sliding my hand around the trunk of the willow, I moved to my left, and then my hand hitsomething warm and hard. I peeked around the tree and there he was.

What in the world was he doing here? Hadn't he said he was leaving, going back to the castle, donewith all of this?

His dark eyes met mine, and I could see just how angry he was.

I wanted to shout at him, but I couldn't. If I made a sound at all, the excellent hearing of the wolfshifters would pick up on it immediately.

I took a step backward, away from Theo, but I was discombobulated because of the unexpectedappearance of the prince, and my foot came down on a twig. The loud snapping noise echoedthrough the garden. It couldn't be mistaken for anything else.

“What the fuck was that?” one of the men said.

Theo looked at me, seemingly a bit upset that I'd ruined the perfect eavesdropping opportunity. Imouthed at him, “Run!”

I didn't even get the full word formed on my lips before his mouth came crashing down on mineand he pulled me to the ground. His arms encircled me, and he climbed on top of me, kissing mealmost as deeply as he had that time in the pavilion when he'd been after my blood.

When he pulled away for a moment to suck in a breath, “What the hell are you doing?”

Quickly, he said, “Saving you. Go with it.” Then he crushed his lips on mine again:

I didn't want to go with it, but a second later, I heard the footsteps come to a halt and the chuckleof a group of men who were standing on the other side of the willow tree, watching us.

“Get off!” I insisted, pushing Theo hard in the chest. If he didn't comply, I'd have no other choice butto use my knee.

He did this time, and as he stood, he took my hand and pulled me to my feet.

My face was crimson, and it had nothing to do with the efforts Theo had put in. “Oh, hello,everyone,” I stammered..

“Ciana,” Raymond stepped forward, a bit surprised to see me. “Well, I heard that you're back. Sorry Ihaven't gotten the chance to pay you a visit yet. I didn't know you'd come to the pack house.”“Uhm... it's nice to see you again. I, uh, had something in my eye, and my servant... Thorn... washelping me get it out.”

“Something in your eye?” Now I was able to put the names to their faces. Larry was the one whowas speaking. “More like something in your mouth.”

They all laughed at that, but when Raymond gave them a stern look, they abruptly stopped, as if hisword was the law.

“No reason to be embarrassed, Miss Ciana,” Raymond said. “This boy is your manservant?” Helooked Theo up and down, as if he were my father and he was trying to decide whether or not hewas good enough for me.

Had I not just heard what he'd said before, I might have thought that Raymond was watching outfor me because he had always been like a father figure to me. But now all I could feel was disgust.

I couldn't let him know that, though.

"He is my servant,” I said, trying to sound sure of myself.

"Well, no offense, Miss Ciana, but I think you can do a little better than that. I mean, he's a good—looking fellow, I suppose. But you're an Alpha’s daughter, and he’s just an Omega.”

I could practically feel my blood beginning to boil as I fought the urge to rip Raymond's throat out.As if Theo felt my anger, he stepped forward and created a half barrier between me and Raymond.Was he worried that I would do something irrational?

Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to just attack Raymond. Then the threat would be handled,and I was fairly certain that Theo could take all five of those middle- aged men before they couldeven see what had hit them.

But I knew it wasn't the right way to handle it. It may not be that hard to kill Raymond, but we'd bealerting our hidden enemies. It seemed to me that there were more people behind this, and Ineeded to get a full picture of exactly what was going on. And while Raymond deserved to be killed,he might have information we could use

"We are not a couple,” I assured them. “I just had something in my eye.”

“If you insist,” Raymond said with a shrug. “Anyway, we're so glad you've returned to the pack. I betthat was a trying time, spending all of those weeks with Prince Theo, the

Dark Prince. Thank goodness you are well.”

He spoke as if he were a true family friend. I couldn't believe that he could lie to my face like that.The expression on my face must not have been very friendly. Raymond frowned and asked, “Ciana,are you alright?”

"Y-yes!” I tried to lower his guard. I had to say something to make him not suspect me.

“I'm just happy to be back. It was just terrible,” I said, even though I knew I was throwing fuel on thefire in front of the prince. But I didn't have time to come up with anything else. And after what Theohad just done, I needed to aggravate him a little anyway. “Somehow I managed to endure it though.The prince is a nutjob.”

“Really?” Raymond's eyes widened, and I thought I heard a low grow! from the back of Theo'sthroat.

"Oh, yes. Not only that, but he also smells-"

Theo cleared his throat and said, through clenched teeth, “Perhaps you should speak aboutsomething else, miss?”

“I don't like to dwell on it, that's true. Thorn knows that talking about the prince is upsetting,” I said.“Because you weren't chosen to be the next Luna Queen?”

Larry asked.

“No, because of the odor.”

“Right.” Raymond laughed under his breath. “Well, we are glad you're here. We hope that you willreplace your fated mate, someone... worthy of marrying an Alpha’s daughter.” He looked Theo up anddown again, noting his servant's clothes, no doubt. “You must set an example for the other womenin the pack, after all. No need for such wonderful, noble women to sink so low.”

"Yes, yes, of course.” I didn't want to insist Theo and I weren't kissing again because these guys werenot idiots, nor were they without the use of their eyes.

“We'll be off now,” Raymond said. “We've got a lot of work to do.”

“I bet you do.” I heard the suspicious tone in my voice and immediately laughed so he wouldn'trealize I was on to him. He twerked an eyebrow but then let it fall when I said, “I'm sure my fatherwill thank you kindly when he returns for taking such good care of the pack in our absence.”

“I don't do it for the glory,” he said, and I heard a hint of that malicious tone I'd picked up onbefore. “I do it because it's the right thing to do.”

My stomach twisted. How I longed to tell him where he could go. Instead, I kept the smile pinned tomy face and waited for him to leave.

When they were all gone, I wheeled to face Theo. With everything going on, I was in a horriblemood at the moment. “I can't believe you did that to me!”

“It was the best way to throw their suspicions off,” he said matter—of-factly.

'I couldn't help but point my finger at him. “You... you..." I couldn't say much, because I knew he wasright. So I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand. “Never, ever kiss me again! Ever! Especially notwithout my permission!”

“Believe me, it wasn't my plan.” He shrugged.

"Good!" I pushed him back against the tree and lost my balance while he was still standing still.Before I fell to the ground, his powerful arms pulled me back to my feet.

He glared at me, and I glared back at him. After a couple of seconds, I heard him ask, “So... neverever... or never without your permission?”

What did he say? I blinked a few times before his words sank in.

He must be joking, right?!