Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1295 - 50 : Meeting Gray

*Zara*

I awoke with a jolt, sitting bolt upright in the lavish four-poster bed. For a moment, I was disoriented, confused about where I was. Then it all came flooding back—the Silver Fang pack taking me captive, forcing me to find a mate for Alpha Daven’s son Gray.

I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The fancy embroidered bed sheets and elegant furniture did nothing to improve my mood. I felt like a caged wolf, just running in place and getting nowhere.

Resentment flickered within me at being held here against my will. I was, by all logic, a captive here, and there was nothing I could do about it.

My thoughts were fixed squarely on Noah, and what he must be going through right then, and the sense of betrayal since I’d vanished with his child.

Had he heard my screaming, or did anyone tell him that I struggled before I was taken away?

I mulled that over in my head, wondering if he still felt that connection we had. I placed my hand over my heart, hoping so.

The desperation he had for the tea told me that whatever was causing his memory loss, the mate bond connection was dulled for him. I felt a tear trickle down my cheek at that reminder.

Everything had gone so wrong so quickly, and now I’d look even worse to Drogomor. I wished Blaze would actually listen to me on this, but he and Alpha Daven were unreasonable.

I couldn’t give up yet, though. My wolf pushed for me to keep at being stubborn and not let this shatter my resolve. I needed to keep my wits about me for the good of my mate and child.

My inner wolf stirred restlessly. We needed to get out of there, get back to our real life and save our future with Noah. But the Silver Fangs weren’t going to just let me walk out the front door. No, I had a job to do first.

I hauled myself out of the excessively plush bed and got dressed, donning a pretty blue sundress they had provided. I studied my reflection critically in the full-length mirror. The dress fit well over my growing baby bump.

With my long dark hair spilling over my shoulders and a touch of makeup, I looked nice but defiant, like I wasn’t just going to roll over and cooperate with their schemes.

Good.

After grabbing a quick breakfast from the lavish spread laid out buffet-style, I went in search of Blaze. It wasn’t hard to find the Silver Fangs’ Beta. All I had to do was follow the aura of brooding grumpiness.

“What is it?” he grunted in a low tone.

“Blaze, I need to know when I can go back home. It’s urgent.”

“This again,” he growled, fixing his harsh stare upon me.

I didn’t shrink from his gaze, and rather, lifting my chin, I held my ground.

“Yes, this again,” I said, my tone firm. “I am unhappy with not being listened to. I’d be more open and obedient if this were on my terms.”

“It is on your terms and for your own good,” he growled.

“You keep saying that, yet I am a captive here against my will.”

Blaze rolled his eyes. In a very cold tone, he said, “Alpha Daven hosted you as a personal favor to your parents to safeguard you and your child. The price of his generosity is your cooperation. That’s it.”

“The price of his generosity?! But I’m here against my will, and I doubt my parents would go this far!”

“Well, they did,” he growled. “It is something you will need to accept, Miss Zara Star.” He put emphasis on my name, saying it in an annoyed tone.

I clenched my fists, feeling furious at his cold responses and complete lack of understanding. What would it take to get through to him or his Alpha?

“Working under these conditions will be extremely difficult, sir,” I said in a level tone, thinking that I could get through to him with that logic.

Blaze shrugged, his icy stare only intensifying. “Well. You’d better get comfortable here, then. Because you’re not leaving until you complete your task.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

His expressionless face gave me his answer, and I let out a frustrated sigh. I placed a hand over my face and tried to keep myself calm.

Frustrated tears pricked my eyes, but I had nothing to shoot back, and I knew that any amount of begging I tried wouldn’t work either.

I needed to do what they wanted. Maybe it would get me back with Noah faster, I thought, even if it would be hard to concentrate with my child growing in me and me being a captive there.

“Fine. Where is this mysterious son of Alpha Daven’s?”

“His name is Gray. You will find him in the gardens. That is where he usually lurks.”

Wonderful. He sounded like an eccentric recluse who shunned company. This assignment just kept getting better and better.

I hurried to the gardens, trying not to get distracted by the beauty surrounding me. Sunlight filtered through lush trees and sparkled on elegant fountains as birds sang merrily. It would have been an idyllic paradise if I wasn’t here against my will.

I found Gray lounging under a willow tree, looking bored. My first thought was that he was classically handsome—tall, muscular, chiseled features, tousled black hair. But his hooded eyes held a cunning, challenging gleam that instantly put me on edge. Playboy, I thought.

Great.

"Gray?" I called out brightly, plastering a smile on my face. "I’m Zara Star, your new matchmaker!"

One dark eyebrow winged up as he looked me over dismissively. "A matchmaker? You don’t exactly look happy. Shouldn’t you be in love yourself to make matches?"

My smile faltered.

Smartass.

But I couldn’t let him get to me.

"Oh, I’ve found my happiness already," I said lightly. A pang shot through me at the thought of Noah. "But my job now is to help you find yours!"

"Uh huh." Gray’s tone dripped skepticism. "And you really think you can just waltz in here and find my ‘perfect match?’" He made air quotes with his fingers.

I felt a spark of frustration. Did he have to be so difficult? I would drag him kicking and screaming into happiness if I had to.

"I excel at my job," I said evenly. "True love is different for everyone. If you open yourself up to new possibilities, we’ll find your ideal partner. So!" I plopped down on the grass opposite him. "Tell me about yourself!"

Gray raised one shoulder in a lazy half-shrug, a small smirk playing about his lips. "Not much to tell. I’m a fan of nature, beauty, women...."

His gaze traveled over me in a way that made me tense.

"What else do you need?" he asked.

"Details," I said firmly, leaning forward intently. "I need to know your likes, dislikes, dreams, preferences in a romantic partner—”

"Hmm." Gray pretended to consider. "I like long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners...."

I growled in frustration as he laughed. "Be serious!"

"I am wild. I am untamable," he said dramatically, throwing out his arms. "No woman can satisfy my restless spirit."

"Oh, please." I rolled my eyes. "Every man can be tamed by the right woman. What do you really want in a mate? Someone who challenges you intellectually? Inspires your creativity? Shares your appreciation for art?"

Gray abruptly surged to his feet. For a second, I thought I’d offended him, but his expression was considering rather than angry.

"Actually, a hunt sounds more appealing right now than this conversation," he said over his shoulder as he strode off. "I wish you luck with your little matching game. Let me know if you actually find someone interesting."

I watched him disappear into the trees, irritation and determination warring within me. Fine. If he wanted to play hard to get, I would play too. This was one game I refused to lose.

Over the next few days, I started discreetly observing Gray, looking for any useful insights. But the man was mysterious as smoke.

One minute he’d be laughing and flirting shamelessly with the maidservants. The next, he’d be writing furiously in a leather journal with an inspired yet melancholy look on his face.

He had a restless energy, often disappearing into the forest for long periods. When he returned, his clothes would frequently have rips and smears of dirt or blood.

My curiosity was piqued, and I wondered what he was doing out there. Maybe he was hunting animals, fighting other wolves, or seeking artistic inspiration.

And I wondered about that journal he was constantly scribbling in. I had to get a look at it somehow. It might have held clues about his personality and desires.

I knew I couldn’t just steal the journal, nor confront him directly again. He’d already made his disdain for my "matchmaking nonsense" abundantly clear. No, I’d have to be cunning. Maybe I could use my pregnancy to gain his sympathy and trust....

The opportunity arose a few evenings later at a lively bonfire celebration hosted by the Silver Fang pack. Musicians played energetic fiddle tunes while people drank, laughed, and danced around the towering flames.

My inner wolf perked up at the infectious atmosphere of revelry, temporarily forgetting that I was a semi-prisoner here.

I spotted Gray sitting alone near the edge of festivities, cleaning his fingernails with a hunting knife. Typical, I thought.

Shaking my head, I gathered a plate of meat, cheese, and fruit and went over to him, swaying slightly for effect.

"Oh! Pardon me," I said breathlessly, stumbling a little. My hand went to my belly as though the baby had kicked unexpectedly. "Being pregnant makes me so clumsy lately."

Concern flashed through Gray’s eyes as he quickly helped steady me. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I’m fine!" I smiled brightly. "I’m just feeling a little lightheaded. Do you mind if I join you for a bit? Some food and conversation would do me good."

"Of course." Gray’s voice was gentler than I’d ever heard as he took my plate so I could sit comfortably on the smooth log bench.

So, he had a protective streak when it came to pregnant women. I filed that tidbit away.

We chatted casually as I picked at the fruit and cheese. Gray’s shoulders gradually lost some of their tension and his smiles seemed less forced. I almost hated to ruin the companionable atmosphere between us, but I had to seize this chance.

“Gray, I know you’re a good man, and it’s an absolutely wonderful thing to find your true love,” I said, my tone almost pleading.

“To some, yes, but it isn’t for everyone,” he pointed out. “I know you have a job to do, but this matchmaking thing is my father’s crazy idea. I don’t want it.”

Oh, great, he sounded exactly like Noah. I thought that maybe if I knew his story, I would have a better chance of finding someone for him.

“Why is that?”

“Oh, you want a tragic backstory from me? Doesn’t everyone? I wander around, holding a dark, tormented tale in my heart,” Gray said in a mocking, dramatic tone.

I twitched my eye, my jaw still clenched as I replied to him. The only answers I got about this man was that he was so unbearably cryptic and avoidant.

“Everyone is indeed fighting their own battles,” I said. “But I’m here to help, Gray, really. I won’t be able to help you if you don’t tell me a little bit about yourself.”

His expression turned inquisitive, and my heart leaped for a moment, thinking that maybe he was going to work with me. He tilted his head and gave a soft smile.

“Oh, you really want to know more about me?”

“Yes, of course I do,” I said. “Please, can you tell me more about your artistic side, and–”

“Really, really?”

“Well, yes, I already said–”

“No.”

“No?!”

“You heard me,” Gray said flatly, his fake smile vanishing in an instant as he glared at me. He looked at his pack’s mansion, then back at me. “I don’t have time for nonsense.”

I took a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. His protective barriers were practically impenetrable now.

"My inner world is not for you to plunder as you please," he bit out before he stormed away from the firelight celebration, his back rigid with fury.

I wondered if it was grief. That glimpse of secret torment in his eyes haunted me. I wondered what inner demons Gray was wrestling that made him push everyone away.

I suddenly understood that this wouldn’t be a simple matching game as he claimed. Gray was wrestling some deep internal struggle that kept him from opening himself up to love.

And if I wanted to succeed in my task here, I would need to find a way past those defenses... into the hidden truth of the man himself.