Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 317

97: A Family Matter

“And they really didn’t talk about Tasia at all?” Myla moved about the room, glancing at her reflection in the mirror as she examined her hair. It had been styled in long, thin braids that touched her waist and had been woven with strips. of turquoise silk. They had been fashioned in an intricate up do, and the bun of braids on the top of her head had been decorated with tiny jewels shaped like seashells. She looked absolutely exquisite, and I was very much looking forward to whatever dress she was wearing tonight.

I had forced Mom and Dad to include Myla, Cleo, and Ali son, who I was just getting to know, in our dress order for the gala being held at the castle to celebrate not only Rowan’s coronation but mine and Troy’s. It was a huge ask, but I had gotten my way, and now all of the women in my circle would be decked out in brand-new gowns and shoes for the event.

Keaton, however, had refused to let Ethan pay for Myla’s gown. He had purchased something for her himself, and its design was a secret. Keaton had agreed to come to the gala, mostly at Myla’s urging.

“Not a single word was spoken about it, according to Rowan and Troy,” Gemma said as a maid unwound her hair from several huge hot rollers.

I was only slightly worried about talking about Tasia in front of the maids, who were known to gossip. But to them, our conversation likely sounded like nothing more than a

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shared annoyance over a random woman, not an evil Dream Dancing sorceress who had just killed her entire pack.

“How odd,” I murmured, catching my own reflection in the mirror. I wasn’t totally happy with what I saw. I felt puffy, and no amount of concealer was going to cover the dark circles beneath my eyes.

“I’m sure the Alphas of the east are aware; how could they not be?” Myla peered down at her fresh manicure with inter

est.

“Dad is likely being picky with who he tells. I’m sure he still believes this is a family matter. Plus, Tasia hasn’t done any thing for weeks, not since what happened to Mom and Hanna in the temple. No one has seen or heard from her.” I rose from the vanity, waiting my turn to have the rollers taken from my hair. I looked at the dresses that were hanging from the canopy of my four-poster bed in clear garment bags.

I touched the bag that held the elaborate garment I was meant to wear. It was a soft baby blue gown with long sleeves made of sheer blue fabric, and the entire dress had tiny, embroidered silver and turquoise stars with pearls in their centers, making them look like little flowers.

It was a beautiful dress, styled in the official colors of the pack of Poldesse-blue, turquoise, and silver.

Tonight, I would be crowned Luna of Poldesse.

And I felt nothing but anxiety about the fact that nearly every Alpha and Beta of the pack lands would be in atten dance.

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“What if Tasia strikes tonight, at the gala?” I whispered,

turning away from the dress.

Myla looked at me, her brow furrowed. “Oh, Maeve. Don’t think like that.”

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“I doubt she would, Maeve. If she plans on taking over the pack lands, she’d have no one to rule if she killed all the Al phas.” Gemma was right about that.

I sighed deeply, tucking my hands in the pockets of my robe as I sat down in front of the vanity again, letting the maid take the rollers out of my hair..

Ingra brought the triplets into the room roughly an hour later with the help of another maid, who was carrying a very fussy George on her hip. I fed each triplet, my breasts feeling raw from the amount of breastfeeding and pumping I had been doing the entire day to make sure each baby would have enough milk for bottles while I was at the gala.

George wouldn’t take a bottle, but Will, Charlie, and Oliver seemed happy to just be getting fed, and Ingra had assured us all that the boys would be alright during our absence.

Gemma handed George back to Ingra’s assistant, a young maid with an ample chest that George seemed to find quite comfortable as he nuzzled against her, closing his eyes. Gem ma then crossed the room and grabbed her dress, holding the garment bag over her arm as she bent down to kiss me on the top of the head.

“Don’t fret, Maeve. Everything is going to be okay. This is one of the biggest nights of your life, you know. Try to enjoy yourself.”

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“I will,” I said soberly, not sure if I believed it.

One by one, everyone left the room, and I kissed each of my sons goodnight as Ingra took her leave with them. I turned to the garment bag that held the dress, reaching up to unzip it so I could run my fingers over the glistening fabric.

It would be only an hour or so now before the gala began.

Troy entered the room without knocking, closing the door behind him. I was instantly more at ease the second I saw him, and felt the knot in the pit of my stomach loosen as he stepped forward.

I was in shock. Troy looked like a totally different person.

His hair was swept back from his face and brushed behind his ears. He was clean-shaven, of course, and his skin was still sun-kissed from our time spent on the Persephone. He was wearing a black tuxedo that fit him like a glove, the contrast between his black suit and crisp white shirt setting off the col ors of his eyes.

He was wearing a sash the same color as my dress, and it was emblazoned with the official emblems of Poldesse that showcased Poldesse’s flag. Below the emblem of the flag was a crest. It was covered in jewels, and at its center was a wax ing gibbous moon. Etched into the crest were some words written in a language I couldn’t read. I peered at it, tilting my head as I tried to decipher the strange symbols. He touched the crest with his fingertips, shrugging.

“It means ‘Strong the Current.’ That’s the pack motto. Lynus said it hasn’t been worn since… well, since before Romero’s time.”

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, then I realized I had no idea what the motto for Drogomor or Winter Forest was. I’d likely

find out tonight, especially since everyone was expected to be dressed in their finest outfits and jewels.