Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1315 - 70 : One Solution

*Noah*

As I stood there listening to Zara discuss matters with the scholars, I knew she was trying very hard to conceal all her distress, but I could hear it slipping into her tone. Her delicate features twisted with stress. I could see her brow furrowed and her shoulders completely tense.

This strange tattoo situation was adding to the pile of things she’d needed to deal with lately, and though she was handling it like a champion, I knew it was weighing on her more and more.

She’d just gone through the trauma of being captured and completely mistreated by those disgusting rogues. The thought of them made me clench my jaw.

At least they’d no longer be a problem. I knew I wouldn’t let them go so easily if they tried pulling something again.

“This all is a lot,” Zara said in a shaky tone. “If there is any more information I could possibly give to help, please let me know.”

Her frightened tone did it for me. I’d been giving her space so she could talk with them, but now I stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Zara’s shoulder.

She relaxed just slightly, and I smiled as she reached up with the hand on her other side and placed it over mine. She held it there while continuing to address the scholars.

“If we think of something, we will let you know,” the head scholar said. “There are many explanations beyond a curse or protection that could be the origin of these markings.”

Another scholar nodded in agreement. “Can you explain your origin to us? What pack were you born into?”

Zara repeated the story her mother told her regarding falling from the stars to the scholars, causing them to exchange glances and go silent for a moment.

My aunts had seemed somewhat skeptical, likely thinking it was just a fairy tale rather than something serious. It was clear these scholars didn’t share that same thought.

“Very interesting,” the head scholar said. “Well, one other theory is that the markings could have mystical origins... a blessing from the Moon Goddess, so to speak.”

Another chimed in, “Right, possibly even pertaining to a preordained destiny, some sort of high-importance path you may be set on.”

I felt Zara tense at these words in worry. I squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, but this didn’t alleviate any of her stress at all. She didn’t relax this time.

The head scholar then focused on me, tapping a finger on her chin. “By the way, you said your mate bond is impacted, with Noah Drogomor, correct?”

Zara nodded, gently brushing her fingers over my hand and causing me to give a light smile.

I cleared my throat and said in a sad tone, “Yes. I can’t remember our time together.”

Saying that shattered my heart into pieces, and I was sure it dripped into my tone. It bothered me so much that I couldn’t remember my time with the woman I loved.

I felt my wolf’s stress seep out as well at the thought of our bond not working out. The need to protect and stay with Zara was incredibly strong for us both.

“I see,” the head scholar said. “Well, we have a solution to one of those problems, then... a potion. It will help your memories return, but only over time.”

I widened my eyes, feeling a surge of pure hope rush through me. Excitement glimmered in my gaze as I gasped, a light in the never-ending void finally coming through.

Zara gasped as well, her jaw dropping. “That is wonderful news. Wait, but... but what if the memories don’t stick?”

“This potion is powerful enough to surpass whatever may be blocking it,” the scholar assured. “It’s a tried-and-true method. Some cursed individuals who struggled with a similar problem got theirs back.”

Another scholar spoke. “And if this somehow doesn’t work, well, we’ll need to go back to the drawing board, but we have high confidence for you.”

The head scholar nodded, then said quickly, “But be warned, it would take up to a month for everything to straighten out. And you’d get things back in fragments, not the full picture for a long while.”

I dipped my head. “Anything is better than not having the memories at all. In this case, I will get them back in full after that span of time. Please, I would like to give it a try.”

My heart pounded as the scholars nodded in agreement. “We will prepare that for you so you can take it before you leave.”

“The potions don’t use the Luna Lilies, right?” Zara asked quickly.

“No, they do not.”

She let out a sigh of relief and nodded.

With that, the meeting concluded, and the scholars emphasized their promise to uncover more information. Despite the very good news, I could feel the somberness still radiating from Zara.

All of it was very much bothering her, and her worries were entirely valid. She’d asked if the memories would stick for me, after all, no doubt guessing that something would go wrong in that case.

I guided her out to the palace gardens for fresh air, knowing her fondness for flowers and how this would surely help her. I wrapped my arm securely around her, sensing she needed contact.

Zara leaned into me, causing me to smile lightly. I let silence settle between us for a while, not wanting to interrupt her train of thought just yet.

But when my worries for her came to a peak, I let out a light sigh. “Hey,” I said gently. “I can tell there’s a lot on your mind. How are you feeling right now?”

“I... I’m feeling very afraid and overwhelmed,” she said, her voice cracking.

I nodded. “After all you’ve been through, and our mate bond issues, it is understandable.”

“Even more than that,” she said, despair dripping from her tone.

I furrowed my brow. “What do you mean?”

“I may not be normal. That fact disturbs me so deeply, I... I....”

She turned to look at me, her emerald eyes glistening with tears. Now, it was my turn to reach up and gently cup her cheek, running my thumb lightly over it.

I tilted my head. “You’re not normal, no. You never have been. You’re the most wonderful, passionate woman I know, not ‘normal’ in the slightest, beautiful.”

She gave me a faint smile and chuckled, then rolled her eyes. “You’re so sweet, Noah. But you know that’s not what I meant.”

“It isn’t, but it’s what I see in you.”

“I am really happy to hear that,” she sighed. “But... what if the tattoos confirm what the Drogomor Elders said?”

“What did they say? Remind me,” I said gently.

“During a meeting with them, they said I had strange powers like that of a witch... dangerous and uncontrolled. Whispers everywhere confirmed that the rest of the pack thought so too.”

I felt annoyance toward the Elders of Drogomor rise within me. How dare they put doubt in Zara’s mind like that, I thought. I shook my head.

Then, I reached over with my other hand and tilted her chin up toward me a little. My tone was dripping with sincerity, and I knew my eyes reflected it fiercely, too.

“Zara, it changes nothing. You are still the remarkable woman I care deeply for. We’ll unravel this mystery together. You’re not alone, beautiful.”

I leaned in to give her a deep, tender kiss, hoping with all my soul that she understood she wasn’t alone. My heart leaped as she returned the kiss.

I felt my wolf thrum with satisfaction and relief at our mate being so close and accepting of our affection, especially after all the trouble lately.

Maybe... just maybe, the potion would actually help us here, I thought.

When we ended the kiss, I stared into her eyes again, getting lost in the emerald green seas and marveling at just how lucky I was to be here with this wonderful woman.

She would not handle any of this alone. I would make damn sure of that. I would do all that I could to reassure her of that, too.

I could see the anxiety gleaming in her gaze, and she gave me a tremulous smile in return. But I was also grateful. Some of the worry lifted from her delicate features as I ran my thumb over her cheek again.

She let out a breath. “You support me so much, Noah. You’re so strong and determined. I appreciate that with all my heart. I feel a bit better with you helping me.”

“Just a bit?”

She let out a shaky laugh. “Don’t push your luck,” she whispered.

I snickered and pulled her close, radiating comfort for her. Silence stretched between us again until she broke it with some more speculation.

“I wonder what they’ll find out. Destiny... blessings... it’s all so much. I wonder if it’s the source of my powers, or something more.” 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

“It could even be secret powers you don’t know about yet,” I said softly.

“That would only emphasize those witchy rumors I talked about.”

“Magic can be very helpful. You did say that you matched two shifters from Midnight Sun’s allied pack. I’d say that is a big success.”

“That’s true....”

“My aunts seemed over the moon regarding your powers, and they’re no pushovers. Trust me, Zara, if that’s the case and you have even more, it could be very beneficial for you in general.”

“Yeah. I’d like the power to frighten off the people trying to bring me distress. That would be nice. Maybe then I wouldn’t be captured again.”

“Would be nice.” I chuckled, also entirely stressed from how much she’d been going through with the kidnappings.

Zara leaned into me further, gazing out at the garden. “Or the power to bless flowers with everlasting life. It wouldn’t be useful, but beautiful.”

“That could be useful for herbs,” I said gently.

“Oh, that’s very true. Good point, Noah.” She smiled. “Useful and kind, just like matchmaking... or just like I try to make it.”

“Try... and succeed,” I reminded her.

“I hope I still can make a career after... all of this. I may be losing the lilies, but it’s for the best.”

“I’m sure the rumors of your recent success will spread far and wide,” I assured her.

“I really hope so.”

We spent the rest of the day in the garden, chatting about our future and possible plans for our child. I was very excited at the thought of getting my memories back, and talking about that got her to smile more.

At the end of the day, a private plane from Drogomor arrived at the palace to take us back home. The healers gave us the potion, further deepening my hope.

“Are you alright with staying in Drogomor for a while now?” I asked her on the way home. “I know you wanted to head home.”

“Now that this new development has come up, I need you more than ever,” she said softly. “Your support is helping me through this, just like with the Luna Lily situation.”

“That’s something I will remember soon,” I said with a smile.

She returned the smile with a bright one of her own. “Yes, you will.”