Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 358

Eventually, I saw a mansion in the distance. Its size was decent, but it was dilapidated, with ivy and other plants growing up the sides all the way to the roof. The paint had long since faded, and some of the tree branches were battering against the shingles, knocking them free.

He quickly tore inside, leaving the door ajar. I hastily made my way up the steps, barely missing a hole that might’ve cut my foot off at the ankle.

Inside, I slowed and looked around. The marble floor was covered with dirt and windswept leaves in the corners. The furniture was nice-antique velvet couches, maple tables, marble busts, and the like-but it was all dirty and broken.

I heard footsteps further down the hall and followed, trying my best to use caution, but now that I was in this situation, I realized it would be difficult for me to fight this man off. I’d do what was necessary to save my friend, though.

In the back of my mind, I considered what I might do if I needed assistance and wondered how feasible that might

be….

Entering the room, I saw a muscular man wearing all black standing beneath a dirty chandelier that flickered as it swung slightly above him. His green eyes were narrowed on me, his hair slicked black, and the scowl on his face told me he was ready to handle me in much the same way that he’d taken care of Brook.

She lay on a dusty couch behind him, moving slightly, which made me think whatever he’d done to knock her out was beginning to wear off.

“I don’t know who you are or why you’ve taken my friend, but she’s coming back with me right now,” I said in my most stern

voice.

A smile cracked across his face. “Your friend can go wherever the hell she wants to,” he said with a dismissive shrug of his shoulders. “It’s not her I’m worried about.”

“What’s that?” I asked him as he came a few steps closer to me. I wanted to retreat, but I had to hold my ground-for Brook’s sake.

“I didn’t go there to take this little nymph,” he explained, pointing at Brook. “I came there for you.”

I pressed down the wave of confusion that was washing over me and just quietly stared at him while I quickly evaluated my retreat options.

An evil laugh ricocheted off of the walls. “I knew if I took her,

you’d follow along like the sweet little puppy dog you are. Do you know why?”

Father had once taught me that I should never follow the verbal traps my enemies set for me. Since he obviously wanted me to ask for an explanation, I decided not to behave as he wished. “I don’t have time for this! Release Brook, right now!” I demanded.

As expected, even without me pressing him, he told me what he wanted me to know. “I’ve heard about King Sebastian’s plans for you, Ciana Black, and I have to make sure that they don’t happen. You cannot have a child with Theo.”

My mouth dropped open as I digested what he was saying. How in the world had he heard about this already? I’d only found out myself a little while ago. My disadvantage was that he seemed to know me quite well, yet I had no clue who he

was.

My brain quickly came up with a reply that may help to get some information out of him. “It’s none of your business!” I scolded him. “And who are you to disagree with King

Sebastian’s order?”

“You can call me Luther,” he grumbled under his breath. “Sebastian might be your king, but there are plenty of people, including many in your own pack lands, who rebel against his rule.”

What?!

Sometimes at the dinner table, I had heard Mom and Dad talking about their disagreements with King Sebastian’s policies, but I also remembered how they’d said that simply

overthrowing the royal court would only cause more issues for the already unstable society.

The bottom line was that having different political opinions and publicly rebelling against the royal court were two very different things; the latter could easily result in the destruction of our entire pack!

I pressed down my emotions and purposely rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right,” I said, trying my best to maintain a level tone and pretending that I didn’t care what he had to say, even though I was desperate to learn more about what might have occurred in my pack.

“Ciana. The rebellion has already begun. Why, even in your own homeland, there are people who are against King Sebastian, those who would cast off your father for being loyal to him. Join me…”

I couldn’t help but scowl at this man for bringing my dad into it. “What made you think that I would trust the judgment of a stranger who kidnapped my friend rather than my own father’ s!”

“Well, well. I’m not going to continue to stand here and have this conversation. I have other plans for you, gorgeous.” With that, he came at me, and I hastily dodged out of the way, grabbing a small table that was sitting by the door and tossing it in his direction.

Brook was stirring again on the couch, but she was so out of it, I didn’t think she could be of any help.

“Not bad,” he praised. “But your opponent is me.” Suddenly, his hand moved as fast as lightning and his powerful fingers

were wrapped around my throat. His other hand had grabbed both of my wrists, and I wasn’t able to move anymore. I was captured!

“Now, be a good girl,” he chuckled in a low voice. “You’re a slippery one, but I’ve got you.”

Just then, I heard thundering footsteps in the hall. My help had arrived.

I looked him in the eye and gave him a bright smile. “Oh, really? Have you?”