Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 256

Chapter 36: Everything in This Room is Mine  

Troy

“I thought you never wanted to talk to me again, ever,” I said as I closed the door to my room behind me, leaning against it.

Maeve had followed me all the way back after calling up to me in the crow’s nest. Reluctantly, I’d come down to see what she wanted.

It was a relief to be here, on the Persephone, standing in my room. It would have been even better if the woman on my bed was willing, maybe even naked, not giving me the look Maeve had in her eyes.

“I changed my mind, for now.”

“I see,” I said as I crossed the room, pulling the chair from the desk and sitting in it backward, my legs on either side of it, and my chin resting on its back. “I’m sleeping in here tonight, just so you know.”

“No, you’re not.” Maeve said with conviction, jutting her chin.

“Well, it’s my room. Always has been. You can sleep here, with me, or go bunk with the boys three stories down.”

She glared, crossing her legs. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing one of Young Pete’s poet shirts. It was way too large, but the look suited her somehow, especially in a pair of Young Pete’s trousers that fit very well.

I cleared my throat, waiting for her to begin. I knew that it was supposed to be a serious conversation, but I was in a light mood. I was happy to be home.

And even though she hated me, I was happy Maeve was here with me, too.

“Why does Damian want me?” she asked point-blank.

I shook my head, unsure of how or where to begin. I reached into the pocket of my shirt and pulled out the map Romero had given me, the only thing I had managed to bring with me from the castle, and held it out to her.

“Toss it to me,” she said.

“It’s fragile, come get it.”

Her eyes narrowed into silts as she stood, walking gingerly toward me. I could’ve given it to her, of course, but I enjoyed the view of her body in the tight pants she was wearing too much to let the opportunity pass me by.

We had all given Pete shit for it, of course. He was a gangly young man, and Maeve filled out those trousers better than he ever would

“What is it?” she asked, looking down at the ragged, coarse paper as she sat back down.

“It’s what Damian was after. You were only a piece of the puzzle.”

“What do I have to do with. I don’t know what this says?”

“It’s in another language… an ancient language. It’s a map to Lycaon’s Tomb.”

“Lycaon? From the legend?”

I nodded, watching her face as she looked over the map, her brow arched as she tried to make sense of it.

“He was supposedly the Moon Goddess’s son, right?” she continued.

“Yeah, that’s the guy.”

“But that is a fairy tale? A myth?”

“I thought so too, but this map… it’s authentic. At least, it looks to be. Whoever made it, well, they made it a long time ago. I think I could get us there-” I said.

“Why? You just said this is what Damian is after. Wouldn’t he be looking for the ”

“He doesn’t know where the tomb is. He wanted the map. Romero had it, for some reason. That’s why Damian needed Romero, at least. paused, unsure of how to tell her about our last night in the castle. “Horace attacked him. Something must have changed between Romero and Damian”

“Horace did what?” she was shocked, her mouth hanging open.

12.07

Chapter 36: Everything in This Room is Mine

“Horace,” I breathed, “was one of Damian’s spies.” And then I told her everything, how Ernest and Gemma came with me to see him. How Romero died right in front of us.

“I wasn’t sent to Valoria to find the map. I was sent to get Romero out of the tower. That’s what I was told. It was simple; I’d free him and be on my way, getting him safely back to the isles, and we would receive a huge sum of money for it. But I was deceived, Maeve, tricked into believing that was all. I agreed because well, Damian knew my parents. At least he said he did. He said Romero was my grandfather and that he-look, I just needed to see him.”

“Keaton told me. She paused, looking guilty

“Told you the whole story, huh? Yeah, I knew he would.”

“I promised him I wouldn’t tell you what he told me,” she said.

“Well, I promise I won’t tell him you told me; how about that?”

She nodded, once, a brief smile touching her lips. I felt a little sick at the sight; it was the first time I’d seen her smile since we’d left the castle.

“Romero said something about you being the key, Maeve. Do you have any idea what he meant?”

She shook her head, her brow knitted in a frown. “I don’t.”

“Well, we’re stuck then. That’s all I know.” I lied, deciding not to tell her about Romero’s desire for Maeve to produce an heir for my line that he would raise and use for its powers. He was dead, after all.

“Keaton said we were heading south for the Southern Pass,” she said, her voice wavering. “He said I can’t that I can’t even write home.”

“Do you understand why?” I asked, hoping she could see the sense in the decision.

“It would put us at risk-”

“it would put your family at risk, most of all. It’s unlikely Damian will try anything; he won’t invade Winter Forest. Your mother is too powerful.”