Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1347 - 102 : Charming Gossip

*Zara*

I checked my phone, reading a text from Lorelei confirming that she was on her way back from their visit to the Winter Forest.

‘I can help set up a hearty lunch for us all. How does that sound?’ I asked.

‘Yes, please! I can’t wait! We have gifts for everyone!’ Lorelei texted back.

I was excited to see what she meant by that and to hear all the stories they had. For now, I had pack business to tend to as well.

I visited some of the pack mothers and watched over some children along with Briella while they went about their jobs for a few hours.

“You are so good with kids, Zara!” one Drogomor mother commented. “And your little girl is so, so sweet!”

“Thank you so much, I appreciate that,” I said, beaming at her. It felt so wonderful to be complimented like that.

Before long, I found myself walking back to Drogomor mansion, summoning a nanny to watch over Briella so I could meet Lorelei and the aunts when they came back.

First, though, I met up with Noah, giving him a warm hug. “How’s the busy work?” I asked with a smile.

He leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss on the lips, something I lost myself in for a moment before he pulled away. “Busy. But productive. How were the kids?”

“Little angels,” I laughed.

Noah grinned. “I am not surprised, especially when it comes to Briella. My little girl is so strong. Such a sweet girl, but also a fighter, like her mom.”

“How charming, handsome,” I said, leaning in for one more kiss.

We went to sit down at the table and got settled in as the Drogomor servants continued to prepare lunch.

Lorelei was escorted inside, and I stood up, opening my arms to give her a hug.

“Zara!” Lorelei exclaimed, maneuvering so the bag slung across her arm wouldn’t get in the way. I chuckled happily and took her into a very warm hug.

“Hey, Lorelei. How was your trip?” I asked hopefully. She definitely had been undergoing a wonderful change.

Before, she’d had bags under her eyes and a certain slump to her shoulders. Her stare had always been distant, as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

Now... she looked so vibrant and youthful. I felt my heart leap with happiness.

When she pulled away, she put the bag on the table. Meanwhile, I glanced over at Noah, who was studying the woman with a very warm smile.

No doubt, he noticed the change too. Thank the Moon Goddess. I knew she would be just fine.

“Now, it’s time for some gifts!” she exclaimed.

She pulled out a fluffy white stoat plushie, which caused me to gasp. The craftsmanship was amazing.

“Oh, Lorelei, this is beautiful! Is this for Briella?”

“It is! It’s crafted specifically for babies her age, but also will be something to cherish as she grows into an older kid, too.”

“Wow, thank you so much, she is going to love it. It looks so warm.”

“Speaking of warmth—”

She then pulled out a beautiful blanket with lilies decorating it, causing me to give a soft laugh. While my relationship with lilies was complicated, she knew I still loved the flowers.

“Wow, let me see,” I said, reaching out to touch the blanket.

Noah came up next to me as well, running his hand over it and smiling.

“This is very soft,” he said. “We may need to share this with Briella. She may steal it, if her mommy doesn’t hog it, that is.”

I chuckled, leaning in to nudge him, resting my head on his shoulder. “I won’t hog it, I promise!” I exclaimed.

Lorelei let out a chiming chuckle, then held out a box to Noah.

He opened it and gasped. “Wow, this is very high quality.”

He held up a camera lens, one that he examined closely with a huge grin. But then he furrowed his brow. “But I don’t have the camera this goes with.”

“Not yet, but now you do, darling!” Genevieve said, coming around the corner and rushing in to give Noah a hug.

Harriet and Marguerite followed behind her, chuckling. Harriet approached me first, taking me into a hug. “Hope you’ve been well, dear,” she said softly.

“I have!” I exclaimed, giving her a huge smile. Meanwhile, Marguerite was wearing a huge floppy hat with a very intricate black outfit, always the fashionable one of the three.

Genevieve held out a bag to Noah, which he opened.

He widened his eyes. “You didn’t have to–”

“Oh, hush!” Genevieve said, nudging him lightly with a laugh. “You deserve it for all your hard work, Noah darling. The lens is from Lorelei, but this camera is for you and yours.” She motioned to me.

I beamed at her, the memory of the pictures making my heart flutter. “I can’t wait to see what memories we can preserve now.”

Noah grinned from ear to ear, opening his mouth and about to respond when quite a few other people flooded into the room.

This was going to be a big lunch, I thought.

Soon, around the table were Alpha Issac, Luna Estella, Aaron, Brandon, Noah next to me, Lorelei on my other side, and the aunts next to her.

The servants brought out some scrumptious foods, the savory scent of meats filling the air and causing me to lick my lips. Chatter kicked off almost instantly.

“So, sons. Please tell us how your work at the university has been going?” Alpha Issac began.

Estella nodded, her eyes lighting up curiously.

“My grades have been exceptional,” said Brandon, lifting his chin. I noticed him side-eyeing Lorelei as if parsing out her reaction.

Did he have his eyes on her, I wondered?

Aaron cut in immediately. “I’m at the top of my game when it comes to athletics,” he bragged. “My grades are fine too, but I’m always commended on my strength.”

“I have plenty of brawn and brains,” Brandon said, then glanced over to Lorelei. “He’s a whole lot of talk, but I actually bring something to the table.”

“Tch, don’t listen to him. He’s full of hot air!”

Issac and Estella exchanged a glance, unable to hide their amused smirks.

Lorelei took a bite of her sandwich, politely engaging in the conversation without humoring their attempts to impress her. “What is it that you both study?”

“I major in two things—economics and mathematics. It helps with strategy planning, especially mathematics,” Brandon replied proudly.

“Whole lot of complicated words for nerd,” said Aaron. “I major in flower-picking.”

“Really?” Lorelei asked, furrowing her brow.

Brando laughed. “Nope. But I got you, didn’t I?” He grinned. “Noah, however, would be the one to do that one now.”

“He isn’t wrong,” Noah said, giving a light shrug and smiling somewhat. “It’s helpful to charm the beautiful woman I have at my side.”

I leaned against Noah and beamed at him. “I think a more appropriate one would be photography for him, and botany for me.”

Aaron chuckled. “Not surprised. Well, in my case, I’m into on-field science-related studies... wildlife, you know. A lot of hardy muscle and concentration is needed for it, good for hunting, too.”

He grinned toward Lorelei, who blinked and nodded, taking another bite of her lunch.

Harriet spoke up next. “Oh, have you been staying out of trouble, dear?”

“Yes, I remember the pig incident!” Marguerite commented.

“Oh, darling, we should tell everyone who may not know here about the pig incident!” Genevieve said.

Aaron widened his eyes, and Brandon covered his mouth to prevent himself from laughing.

Noah and I exchanged a glance, noting how the aunts seamlessly redirected the conversation to stop the brothers from pestering Lorelei.

I could tell that, just like me, he had to hide his smile.

I decided to help. “I am among the people who do not know. What’s the pig incident?”

Harriet grinned from ear to ear. “Well! It was more like piglet incident, but, all the same... for a ‘prank,’ Aaron dear decided to try to release three piglets numbered one, two, and four into a hall.”

Marguerite chimed in. “Oh, he would have gotten in so much trouble, if not for–”

“Hush hush, darling! Let Harriet finish. It’s getting good!”

Harriet snickered, then continued. “It did not go as planned. Aaron forgot that day that he had the scent of cooking grease all over him due to helping to prepare a hunting kill in the kitchen earlier that day.”

Lorelei giggled, her eyes brightening. I wondered if she’d been somewhat off put before by how braggy and forward the brothers had been. Now, though, she leaned forward curiously.

Meanwhile, Issac and Estella were definitely trying to hide their smirks.

“How much chaos happened then, exactly?” I asked.

“Well,” said Harriet with a laugh, “Aaron dear couldn’t figure out why they kept trying to follow him when he was trying to hide. Eventually, he shifted and ran around with all the pigs chasing him.”

“It was quite the spectacle!” Marguerite laughed. “All caught on camera, too... three piglets chasing a big bristling wolf!”

“I would have gotten away with it,” Aaron said, “if it weren’t for those pesky pigs!”

The entire table burst into laughter, the merriment overflowing.

“Alright, now that was an excellent story,” I said.

“Zara’s right,” Lorelei laughed. “It sounds like you got instant karma.”

The rest of the night was spent with Brandon and Noah teasing their brother, and the aunts seamlessly redirecting the conversation every time Brandon and Aaron’s focus landed on Lorelei too much.

Eventually, Noah and I retired for the evening in good spirits, though I did notice Noah’s beautiful blazing eyes flashing with worry during our meal, so decided to bring it up.

“Your brothers are charming, though they seem to have a lot on their minds. How come you looked so worried, love?” I asked Noah as we sat in the living room area that night, sharing warm drinks and dessert together.

Noah chuckled, giving me a sheepish smile. “Well, Aaron’s teasing can be a bit much, beautiful. He doesn’t take the family man concept seriously. And Brandon... well....”

“Has ambitions higher than the moon?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“I’m not bothered by either of them,” I said. “I’m sure Aaron will come around. His teasing is cute, and I’m capable of sassing right back. You know it.” I winked at him, and he snickered.

“Not as well as I am.”

“Right, well when you can actually back those words up, love, let me know,” I said. “Until then, I will be eagerly waiting.”

“Hah! Brat,” he said softly. Then, he sighed. “Though, the complicated dynamic of those two will definitely cause a ruckus.”

“Well, we can distract them properly, I’m sure, keep them busy with pack business.”

“True,” he mused. “Aaron could be humbled by babysitting for us.”

“Would he do so, or just whine about it?”

“Good point. Still, if Brandon steps up for such a task, he may be pushed to for pride reasons.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” I said. “Hmm, they can also do some territory patrols. I’m sure they’d both like that.”

“You bet they will,” Noah said with a laugh. Then, he yawned and grumbled, “I need to go finish up some items on my list. Will you be alright here? I can spend the rest of the night with you later.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I said. “I’ll hold you to it.”