Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1485 - 84 : Searching

*Rhys*

I tightened my arms around the woman in bed as I started to come back to consciousness. Ever since she had joined me in bed, my nightmares had subsided. I took in a deep breath, savoring the smell of strawberries and sunshine...

The smell of my wife.

“Mmm,” I moaned, pressing myself against her. Just the idea of Saoirse being mine for the rest of our lives was enough to turn me on.

I felt her body shake underneath me in a laugh. “Hey, now. I don’t have time for that.”

“Are you sure?” I whispered into her ear, nipping the lobe with my teeth. I heard the sharp intake of breath in response.

My eyes shot open. Without a second thought, I rolled her toward me and smashed my lips against hers. I hardened even further as she kissed me back just as hard. My hands seemed to move on their own accord, exploring her body.

“No,” Saoirse said breathlessly as she pulled away. “Really, I don’t have time, Rhys.”

“Why?” I asked, not pausing as I moved my lips to her neck, kissing along it.

“I have plans with your mom this morning,” she said, her voice still light and airy. My lips curled in a smile against her skin, satisfied with the effect I had on her.

But then I registered her words and paused.

Saoirse took the opening and scooted away from me. Before I could grab her, she hopped off the bed. I sat up on my elbows and watched as she busied herself around our room, getting ready.

“What plans do you have with my mom?” I asked, sounding nonchalant despite the worry that was creeping in.

Saoirse paused and looked at me. “I have decided that I am ready to prepare myself to become the Luna Queen that Egoren deserves, and your mother has agreed to help me.”

“What?” I asked, without thinking. Trying to correct my worried tone, I said, “That’s great. What made you decide on that?”

She shrugged and continued to ready herself. “I had a conversation with your mom, and it made me realize some things.”

I wanted to ask what things. At the same time, I was afraid to. Ever since the possession of her body, Saoirse had been extremely sensitive. While I knew, or at least hoped, that it wouldn’t last, I didn’t want to be the cause of any extra stress for her.

“And are you... happy about this decision or realization?” I asked slowly, thinking about every word before I said it.

“Yes,” Saoirse said with a smile as she looked at me. She moved closer and leaned down over the bed to give me a soft kiss. “I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to marry you. I just want to make you proud.”

She kissed me again, and I groaned.

“You better leave before I pull you back down on this bed, my mother be damned,” I told her, receiving another chuckle in response.

“I’ll make it up to you later, I promise,” Saoirse said, leaning back down to give me another kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I replied, watching as she walked away from me and out of the room.

As soon as the door shut, I mind-linked Daxton to meet me at once. I jumped out of bed and dressed in a hurry, ignoring the uncomfortable sensation that her departure had left me with by leaving.

Daxton was faster. He was already waiting for me when I met him in the small room off the empty wing of the castle. It was an odd location, but I didn’t want to be anywhere where Saoirse or someone else might overhear us.

“What’s up?” Daxton asked as soon as he saw me, looking worried.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” I told him, trying to put him at ease.

Daxton visibly relaxed in front of me. “Okay, what’s up then?”

“I just needed to talk to someone, and you are the only one I trust,” I admitted with a shrug.

“I appreciate that man,” Daxton said, clapping a hand on my shoulder as his chest puffed up. “And you know I have your back. I’m your Beta for a reason.”

“You’re my best friend for a reason too,” I told him, pushing him away playfully.

Daxton chuckled, now fully relaxed. He knew I wouldn’t joke around if it was something life-threatening.

“Okay, so tell your best friend,” he said, dropping his voice despite our privacy. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Saoirse...” I started.

“Trouble in paradise already?” Daxton asked, jumping to conclusions. “No way, man. I’ve never seen you happier... or her either for that matter.”

My heart swelled at his words and the truth behind them. “No, no, it’s nothing like that.”

He stood there patiently this time, waiting for me to continue instead of interrupting.

“It’s just that this morning, Saoirse rushed off to meet my mom,” I started to explain. “She told me that she has fully embraced her future role of Luna Queen and is taking action now to ensure that she fulfills it to the utmost standards.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Daxton asked as I paused again.

“Yes, of course, it is,” I said quickly. “And I know she will excel at it. She was born with the spirit to lead. However, that spirit is a little... damaged right now...”

“Ah,” Daxton said in realization when I couldn’t continue. “And you are worried that she might be pushing herself too hard with this queen preparation.”

“Yes,” I admitted. “I just feel so torn about encouraging or pushing Saoirse too quickly into royal responsibilities while she remains so emotionally fragile. She hides it well, but I can tell she is struggling. She keeps having nightmares, and I hear her cry out for me in her sleep every time I leave her side.”

I felt bad admitting these private things to Daxton, but I knew he would never tell any other person. And I needed him to understand where I was coming from and why I was feeling so worried. I needed him to understand so he could give me advice on what to do.

Daxton stood for a moment, contemplating what I had said. I appreciated that he was taking the matter just as seriously as me, so I didn’t push for him to speak. I just waited patiently.

“I understand your worry,” he finally said. “However, I think you have to have faith in Saoirse and her strength. She has always surprised us with her capabilities, and I don’t think this is any exception.”

“You’re probably right,” I said with a sigh. His words had helped slightly, but I could still feel the worry inside of me.

Daxton also seemed to sense that worry.

“If it would make you feel better, maybe just introduce Saoirse incrementally to soft public roles befitting her station as your new wife,” he suggested. “It could help build confidence and mental strength for the heavier burdens ahead. You don’t have to do it all at once.”

“True,” I said. This time, I did feel much better. If we had Saoirse doing small roles as my new wife, that also meant that I could be by her side to support her.

Daxton was right. She was strong and had always been strong. I needed to have faith in her.

“Plus, we don’t have to put her on the front lines,” Daxton continued. “I can help you identify some minor, specific issues that she could meaningfully contribute her insights toward to make her feel needed and you feel secure. That way, she could give her influence without the dangers she has encountered before.”

The more he talked, the better I felt. A smile even managed to crack on my face as I considered his suggestion.

“That is brilliant, Daxton!” I exclaimed. “It could be a trial run to allow her to express herself and learn while also keeping her safe with me. While she would still be in the line of fire, it would just be verbal. That sounds like the perfect compromise, at least for now.”

“It will allow her to explore her stances and find her own footing again without having the leadership role forced upon her,” Daxton agreed with a nod.

“And she won’t be in danger,” I said with another sigh of relief.

However, at those words, I noticed Daxton grimace.

“What?” I asked, my voice strained.

“Well, not any more danger than before,” Daxton said, shifting from one foot to the other. He sighed as well, this time in defeat. “I was already dressed this morning because I was getting ready to come report to you.”

“About?” I asked.

“Alexa.”

I felt my stomach twist at the name of the woman who had ruined my original wedding and tried to sabotage my relationship with Saoirse—Alexa, my deranged ex-lover.

“As you know, we have been working tirelessly since the... since she attacked you,” Daxton rushed out. “And we think we might have our first lead.”

“Tell me.”

“While making discreet undercover inquiries to her whereabouts, I picked up some whispers that she is hiding somewhere in the Light Realm near Celestial City,” Daxton said. “I sent word to have the city officials be on the lookout for her. I haven’t heard anything back yet, but I just thought you should be aware of what I found so far.”

I cursed under my breath, turning to pace the length of the small room. Alexa’s presence, or lack thereof, was a shadow hanging over me that I couldn’t seem to banish. Since there was nothing I could do about it, the unfinished business ate at me.

Deep down, I was still afraid of her and what she had planned. Even though she was somewhat far away from the capital, I couldn’t help the uneasy feeling that she would return to finish what she started.

That part was the hardest for me to wrap my mind around. She must have been after something, and I was certain she didn’t get it. I was unsure of what lengths she would go to finalize her plans.

I also questioned what her plans were. Not knowing was driving me crazy too.

I stared at Daxton, my Beta and best friend she had almost killed in her orchestrated disaster. Then there was what she had done to me and Saoirse by default. There was no way I could let the vindictive woman remain free. I felt the anger toward her growing inside of me.

I would find her and take her down myself if I had to.