Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1274 - 29 : The Truth

*Zara*

I was shaken by the rogue attacks, but no reports of any further instances had happened after the first two overnight. Secretly, I was grateful for Noah’s help with all this.

There were several teams hired by Noah scouting the area for a cave that would serve as a permanent place to cultivate the Luna Lilies. I hoped it wouldn’t take long to find the right one. Mimicking the conditions needed for the lilies was no small task.

After being assured several times by Noah and his guards that the situation was secure, I let my thoughts turn to the other issue facing me—the fact that I still had no mate, none at all.

My stomach clenched at the idea of finally telling my parents about my pregnancy and still not finding him by the time our baby was born.

I was in my room while Noah went out on a run in the woods. I looked through the messages on my post. There was nothing new that sparked any hope.

I couldn’t help but scowl at some of the responses.

‘Baby I need you, give me a chance,’ popped up from someone I’d never met.

‘You look exactly like someone who’d be my true mate,’ said another.

Letting out a sigh, I reached up and rubbed my temples. From right next to my ear came Noah’s voice, which nearly sent me across the room in surprise.

“Difficult time looking for... whatever it is you’re looking for?” Noah asked.

I turned to look at him, captivated by his blazing blue eyes.

After a pause, I let out a sigh. “Somewhat.” I looked at my screen, then at him. I wondered how much he had seen.

“What are you doing, anyway?” he asked. He raised a brow, glancing between my screen and me. “Is that a dating website or something?”

I winced, then shook my head. “Not really,” I said softly. After another pause, I grumbled, “Do you really want to know?”

“Sure, I do,” Noah said, but then he frowned. “Though it feels like I’m diving headfirst into your business without meaning to. I know I asked, but you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“No, I should,” I sighed.

I clenched my jaw, an overwhelming wave of emotion rushing over me. I felt so lost. I’d had no progress in finding my mate, and because of that, no hope.

That Moon Ball had been the best chance to do so.

“If you’re sure, I’m here to listen,” Noah said softly. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He pulled up a chair and sat next to me, turning his body to face me so he could give me his full attention.

I faintly smiled at him, then said, “I haven’t been upfront with you on something.” I paused, then swallowed. My smile faded as I added, “I haven’t found my mate.”

“Oh, you’re finally telling me that much, huh?” Noah muttered.

“What?! How could you have possibly known that?” I asked, now glaring at him.

Noah gave me a confident smirk. “Zara. It’s obvious. Well, not obvious... you did an alright job, but I at least suspected it,” he said with amusement in his tone that faded quickly. “You’ve been trying really hard to find him, huh? What happened? Did he leave you?”

I shook my head. “No. We met during a magical night, really. That’s why I wanted to go to the Moon Ball.”

My thoughts began to wander to that night, and I smiled. It was just so magical. I added, “He didn’t abandon me at all. He brought me back to my home, and I... I don’t know. He may not even know it was me. He may be from far away.”

“How are you so sure he didn’t abandon you? Wait, so he doesn’t even know you are bearing his child?” Noah asked in surprise.

“No. Let me tell you the whole story,” I said softly.

I met his eyes, and my heart leaped out as he reached over and put his hand over mine. Again, the warm shock ran through me at his touch.

“Only if you’re comfortable doing so,” Noah said gently.

“Despite being a pain in my rear from the beginning, you’ve been here for me a lot,” I said, “between getting the lily, taking care of me and my growing baby, not telling your pack the news that I have a child growing without a mate... here and now, too. I trust you, Noah.”

The smile he gave me was so radiant, so gorgeous. I loved seeing him smile. I really wanted to see that on him more.

“Alright,” Noah said, dipping his head. “I’m listening.”

***

*Noah*

I felt warm knowing that Zara finally felt comfortable enough to tell me this big secret. It’d been growing as an obvious thing for a bit now. I thought maybe I could help her find her mate, too, even though the idea of someone else being with her caused my wolf to throw a fit. My heart broke at the idea, but I still wanted to do it if it was best for Zara.

It was a shame we weren’t true mates. I wished fate would let that happen because I felt myself growing closer and closer to Zara.

Pushing that aside, I leaned in, listening to her story.

“It’s why I wanted to go to the Moon Ball,” she said.

Her eyes grew distant, as if she were lost in a dream. I nodded, leaning closer and tilting my head.

“I was celebrating my first matchmaking job. It was huge, career-making, even.” She focused on me and smirked, lifting her other hand and cuffing my ear gently.

“Ow, what was that for?” I asked, exaggerating.

She’d done it lightly, and my tone was teasing and amused.

“It was the job to help you, stubborn ass,” she said softly. “That’s me teasing you, by the way. Don’t get sad about it. You’re here helping me. That’s what counts.”

“Mm, I’ll try not to get sad about it. I may be too stubborn not to,” I said, winking.

She chuckled, but then grew distant again. “I shifted into my wolf and ran under the full moon. This happened, oh, a few weeks ago, just one week before I came to your mansion.”

I nodded, but something was familiar about this. Blinking several times, I waited patiently for her to continue.

“I was on a run through the woods when suddenly I came upon a beautiful black wolf with striking blue eyes,” she continued. “It was as if we were entranced. We explored one another, then went off to the shadows.”

I swallowed, and as she went into further detail about how she and the wolf returned to their regular forms and made love. This all sounded so familiar, like a dream I’d had right around that time.

My eyes widened, and I realized it was exactly like that dream. I wondered if it could be possible.

My wolf surged with excitement. Zara may be my mate. That night was such a blur, and the sensation had been like nothing before.

The surge of ecstasy I’d felt when I was with that woman in my dreams was like no other. But it hadn’t been real. I thought it was just a memory of Merida, but I wasn’t sure. Something felt different... familiar, but still just a bit different.

Zara noticed my shocked expression and furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong? Have you spoken with someone with a similar story?” she asked.

“Sort of,” I muttered. Her eyes lit up, and I shook my head. “Well, not sort of. More like... I had a dream like that, I think. It’s just familiar is all. It can’t mean anything. You said you saw the threads?”

Zara nodded. “Yes, when I woke up, there were golden threads encircling me. That’s how I know he was my true mate,” she explained.

Many couples had met in the woods under the full moon run. It was a tradition, after all. The way she described it, the feelings behind it, the tone of her voice, it was all so familiar.

My heart sank.

She seemed so certain it hadn’t been me. Also, she never said she saw those magical threads between us throughout the time we’d been together.

I frowned, and so did Zara. She said softly, “Look, I know it’s a shameful thing to have kept secret. It’s embarrassing, and something that would ruin my reputation. I understand if you want to leave, but–”

“Leave? Why would I want to leave?” I asked, refocusing on her.

“Because...” she said. She bit her lip in an adorable way that made my frown fade into a light smile. “This whole situation is compromising to my professionalism.”

“Your professionalism,” I said flatly, then I snorted. “I don’t care.” I shrugged.

“You don’t?”

“No,” I said. “You have a child to look after. I’m here to help you with the lilies, gain experience, and now, find your mate.”

“You would help me find my mate?” Zara said, then she gave a laugh. “You know how ironic that is, right?”

“Oh, I know it is, beautiful,” I said with a wink. “And before you say you’ll help me find mine following that, let’s not focus on that and just take it one step at a time, huh?”

Zara rolled her eyes. “Noah. I want you to be happy too, and now you believe in the true mate thing. There is someone out there for you. I know it.”

I snickered. “Why do you sound so sure?”

“Because you’re an intelligent, strong, and thoughtful man. Here you are with me, determined to protect me and help find my mate. Because....”

She trailed off.

“Because you are my friend, helped prevent a huge mistake, and helped me see the truth,” I said, as if it were obvious. “And now, you need my help. Or will you be too stubborn to accept it?”

She gave a low chuckle and shook her head. “No,” she said softly. She suddenly leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me in a hug.

I blinked in surprise but returned it, feeling my heart melt. It was a friendly hug, something warm and comforting.

She said into my ear, “Thank you, really. I want to be able to live my life, but also find my mate.”

“Don’t thank me yet. It may be a while until we find him,” I said softly.

Her scent enveloped me, and my wolf was delighted to be this close. She was so soft and warm, just wonderful to hold. I cursed myself for thinking that way, given she knew she already had a mate.

‘It couldn’t be me, could it?’ I thought.

Sure, the way she described it, the wolf seemed to look like mine.

But we would know the truth by now.

Yet, the thought that another man was her true mate made me feel as if I’d lost something.

Maybe I was being selfish.

Either way, I shoved those feelings down so I could help Zara no matter what.