Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1551 - 150 : The Passage of Time

*Saoirse*

It had been a long time coming. We had spent weeks in the Dragon Realm healing and helping them to recover. Now it was time to go home.

I stepped through the swirling colors of the portal, Rhys’ hand clasped tightly in mine. The familiar tug at my navel signaled our departure from the Dragon Realm, a place that had been both a haven and a prison over the past few weeks. I missed my children. I missed my bed. I missed our home.

The scent of pine and fresh snow welcomed us as we emerged into the crisp air of Egoren.

"Are you ready?" I asked Rhys, squeezing his hand as we looked out over the rolling hills that led to our kingdom.

"More than ever," he replied with a soft smile, though his brown eyes held a trace of the visions that often haunted him.

We walked side by side, the anticipation of seeing our children quickening our steps. Our wolf forms might have made the journey swifter, but we chose to remain human and savor every moment of our return.

The castle loomed on the horizon, a sight for sore eyes. But something was amiss. As we approached, there were changes—subtle yet unmistakable. There was a new banner and an extension to the walls.

Rhys noticed it too. His grip on my hand tightened. "Rhys, what’s happened here?"

I shook my head, unable to comprehend. It was only when we crossed the threshold and the faces of our courtiers registered shock and disbelief that the truth began to dawn on me.

"Father!" cried a voice, strong and mature. We turned to see a young man, the spitting image of Rhys at his age. Confusion clouded my thoughts. He wasn’t...

"Adelaide?" Rhys whispered beside me, his eyes wide as he took in the young woman who stood before us, poised and regal.

"Mother, Father," Adelaide said, tears glistening in her eyes. "How can this be?"

My heart lurched at the sight of them. Our little ones were no longer little. They had become a young man, strong and sure, and a young woman, graceful and composed. Aiden’s eyes held stories untold, battles fought, and wisdom gained. Adelaide’s gaze reflected a maturity that surpassed her years, a queen in her own right.

"Mother... Father..." Adelaide’s voice wavered.

I stepped forward, my hand finding Rhys’ as we bridged the final gap. Aiden’s sharp intake of breath was a sound I never knew I’d missed so much. It filled the silence of our return, a testament to the shock that wove through every set of eyes upon us. My son, no longer a boy but a young man, stood frozen, his gaze darting from me to Rhys and back again.

Adelaide, with the poise of the leader she had evidently become, stepped closer, her hands trembling as they reached out. Upon touching mine, a sob broke from her lips. "Father... Mother... You’re real."

Tears blurred my vision. I struggled to speak. "Oh, my loves, we’ve missed you so much."

"Is it truly you?" Adelaide’s question hung between us, her bright eyes searching our faces for the truth her heart already knew.

"It is, Adelaide," Rhys assured her, his deep voice resonant with the authority of a king yet soft with paternal love.

"Look how you’ve both grown," Rhys managed, awe lacing his voice.

"Too much time has passed," I whispered, my heart heavy with love and loss. "Tell us everything."

"Everything," Rhys echoed. As he spoke, the kingdom watched on. Their king and queen were home at last but walking a path of rediscovery through the hearts of their heirs and the land they swore to protect.

Aiden shared tales of governance and strife. His words painted a picture of a kingdom that had thrived yet yearned for its missing monarchs. Adelaide interjected with anecdotes of festivals and the alliances that had been forged, her diplomatic prowess evident.

"Our grandfather and grandmother have led with wisdom and strength," Adelaide said, glancing toward the castle. “There were attempts to take over or pass the crown on, but they refused. They stepped up, promising to rule until we were old enough to take over."

"I’m so sorry, my loves" I sobbed. “I am so sorry we have missed out on so much of your lives. We should have been there.”

“You promised to return,” Adelaide’s voice wavered. “It may be a little later than expected, but you have returned.”

"Will you... Will you stay now?" Aiden’s question cut through the hum of conversation, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that demanded honesty.

Rhys met my gaze across the table, his expression a mirror of my resolve. "We are home, Aiden. This time, for good."

"Then there is much to catch up on," he said, a hopeful smile creeping onto his face.

"Indeed, there is," I replied, my heart swelling with the promise of the future and the bittersweet taste of the past.

It was then, in the embrace of our children, that we understood the cruel trick time had played on us. Axureon had said time moved differently in the Dragon Realm, but we hadn’t expected... this. We lost more than a decade, an eternity in the eyes of our family and kingdom. We were strangers in our own land, outsiders to our own blood.

They took our hands and led us through the castle. They spoke, but I couldn’t seem to take in any of their words. It was in one ear and out the other. My children, my beautiful little children, were not so little anymore, and we had missed it all.

The throne room doors swung open with an echo that bounced off the high arches, sending a ripple of surprise through the gathered court. Eyes widened, mouths fell agape, and whispers swelled into a cacophony of disbelief. We stepped forward, Rhys and I, hand in hand, the very image of youth untouched by time’s relentless march.

"Rhys?" a deep voice boomed, one that used to command armies and now quivered with uncertainty. King Xander stood from his throne, his presence as formidable as ever yet laced with incredulity. Beside him, Queen Lena rose, her hand covering her mouth to stifle a gasp.

"Father, Mother," Rhys said, his voice steady yet betraying a flicker of sorrow, "we have returned."

"By the spirits," Xander breathed, descending the dais with Lena at his heels. Their eyes darted between us, searching for signs of age and finding none.

"Is it truly you, my children?" Lena’s voice broke as she reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed my cheek—a touch to prove to herself that we were not apparitions.

"Yes, it is us," I replied, my throat tight with emotion.

Their embrace enveloped us, warm and desperate. But as their arms encircled us, I felt the sharp sting of reality cut through the reunion. It was not complete. There were others whose absence loomed large.

“Where have you been? We thought you lost for good. And how... do you look the same as the day you left?”

“We followed Pyroth to the Dragon Realm,” Rhys offered. “We defeated him, but we sustained injuries. Time works differently there, but we never expected... We had no idea...”

“We didn’t realize we would lose so much time,” I finished for him, emotion choking me.

“We must feast! This is a time for celebration! The rightful rulers have returned to us!”

As the night wore on, the initial joy of reunion ebbed, leaving behind a quiet realization that while we may have returned to our home, fitting into the tapestry of this new life would be our next great challenge.

I watched as the morning light spilled through the grand windows of the throne room, casting long, golden lines across the worn marble floor. The kingdom’s elders, each one a pillar in their own right, stood before us with expressions masked in caution and curiosity.

"Your Majesties," Elder Tamsin began, her voice steady yet warm, "we are honored by your return, but much has changed in Egoren since you left."

Rhys nodded, his posture regal beside me. "We understand that time has not stood still in our absence. We wish to learn of these changes and how we might serve our people best."

Whispers brewed among the gathered crowd like leaves caught in a soft breeze. I felt Rhys’ hand find mine, an anchor amidst the sea of uncertainty.

"Trade with the coastal cities has flourished," said Elder Bram, his beard nearly as silver as the streaks in his ceremonial robes. "New routes have opened, and with them, new challenges."

"And the alliance with the mountain clans?" Rhys inquired, his brow knitting together slightly.

"Strengthened, but they seek reassurance that their future is secure with your leadership," Elder Tamsin replied, watching us intently.

"Of course," I added, my voice clear despite the fluttering in my chest. "We will honor the commitments made and build upon them."

Elder Tamsin nodded, her eyes flicking between us. "And what of the dragon shifters? With Axureon’s aid, peace has been tentative but holding."

"Peace with the dragons remains our priority," Rhys stated firmly. "We will continue to work closely with Axureon to ensure it lasts. They are working to rebuild their realm, and we will offer them whatever aid they need."

"Your children have done well guiding Egoren," Elder Bram interjected, his tone suggesting both pride and a hint of challenge. "They have grown into leaders themselves."

"Indeed," I said, warmth spreading through me at the thought of Aiden and Adelaide. "Their strength and wisdom have clearly shone in our stead. We are here to support them and all of you."

"Your Majesty," Elder Tamsin said, stepping forward, "forgive my boldness, but the realm needs assurance. Can we expect the stability of your presence, or will fate once again pull you from us?"

Rhys squeezed my hand, and I met his gaze before answering. "Egoren is our home, our heart. We shall not part from it again."

The elders exchanged looks, their eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and lingering concern. It was a fragile trust we would have to nurture back to strength.

"Then let us begin the work," Elder Bram declared, his voice resonating with a newfound resolve.

"Let us begin," echoed Rhys and I together.

As the meeting came to a close, the elders bowed and retreated, leaving us alone in the vastness of the throne room. Rhys turned to me, his eyes searching for mine.

"Saoirse, this will be a journey," he said softly.

I nodded, feeling the weight of the crown upon my head for the first time since our return. "A journey we’ll take together," I assured him.

"Together," he repeated. In that word, I found the strength to face whatever lay ahead.