Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 423

Chapter 81: Can You Do Me a Favor?

I did everything I could to be cooperative with what Magnolia wanted me to do. Once everything was done, I was finally able to leave my room and get some fresh air.

Getting Luther's fur. That was the task Theo, who still wanted to be called Tallis, had given me. I don't know where his confidence in me came from, but I guess neither of us had another option.

Tallis wouldn't reappear until the set time we'd agreed to meet. And I better have what we needed by then...

I needed to think about how to get close enough to Luther to get his wolf's fur. Heading out into the gardens, I wandered through the little pathways looking at the flowers.

In the entrance to the garden, there were beautiful tulips and irises poking up through green ground cover that had small blue flowers on it. The gardens were well cared for and so vibrant and colorful.

Walking deeper into the garden, I passed by an old fountain that wasn't in use. The basin was empty and the statue at the center was faded. It looked like the fountain hadn't had any water in it for years.

On the opposite side of the fountain the garden changed.

There were rose bushes that were thick with thorns and vines and hardly any flowers. The smaller plants that grew around the base of the rose bushes were wilted. Their stems arched over, the petals of the flowers curling at the tips and turning brown.

The soil was so dry on top that it was blowing around in the wind.

This part of the garden hadn't been taken care of in a long time.

I looked around and saw a few gardeners in other parts of the garden. They were working hard and I could see how healthy those areas were. Why did no one come and take care of these flower beds?

It was strange that Luther kept most of the mansion in good order while intentionally leaving some parts in their dilapidated state. Maybe like the left wing of his mansion, there was some sentimental meaning of these flower beds as well.

I knelt down beside one of the rose bushes and pulled some fallen leaves away. Underneath was a small sprout, struggling to get free. I helped the little sprout angle toward the sunlight.

Poor thing wouldn't last long without water and proper care.

The same weedy vines that choked the rose bushes would take over this little plant, too.

Feeling bad for the garden, I went to the nearest tool shed.

There was a watering can and a hose and a bunch of little rakes and trowels. I even found a pair of pruning shears. I gathered it all together and went back to the neglected flower beds.

On hands and knees, I worked to cut the vines off at their base and dig up the roots. These weeds would strangle the entire garden, eventually. With each plant I freed from the vines, I raked the topsoil, turning the cooler soil from underneath, then I watered the plants.

When I was done weeding, I moved on to pruning the rose bushes, cutting the vines off them and trimming back the leaves and branches.

"What are you doing?" Luther's voice came from behind me.

I whipped around and tucked my free hand into my pocket. There were leaves and brambles all around my feet.

"I could tell this area used to be beautiful. It's a shame to leave it like this. I love flowers, and since I've got some time, it's a good way to spend my afternoon."

Sighing, Luther shook his head and walked around me. He stroked his chin and looked at the rose bushes.

I Can You Do Me a Favor

"These were my mother's favorite flower beds," he explained. "Sebastian killed her, and all of my pack. Since then, I haven't let anyone touch her prized flowers."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be intruding," I whispered, "I didn't know."

"How could you? I doubt Sabestian is so forthcoming with the skeletons in his closet. Even with someone he wanted to see end up with the Dark Prince," Luther said, giving me a wry smile.

"He just needs someone to be with Prince Theo, anyone" I explained quickly and redirected the topic back to him. "Do you know if there are any other survivors?"

I wondered if he knew about Theo's mother, Lady Nita.

"He killed everyone! I buried their bodies with my own hands! The only one I couldn't find was my aunt. I hope she was able to escape. I've been looking for her for years, but I couldn't find her."

"Your aunt?" I asked.

Luther had been able to manipulate the Moonlit Crystal. So had Theo's mother, Nita. Theo and Jake had said she was from the same pack and could also manipulate the Moonlit Crystal.

Was it possible that Nita was Luther's aunt? If she was, that meant Luther and Theo were...cousins?

I was stunned by my guess and I had to try to confirm it.