Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 492

Chapter 150: White Queen to the Rescue

♦Rosalie*

Sitting in my cozy cabin in Winter Forest, I glanced out the window at the beautiful scenery around us. The snow was falling softly, adding to the peaceful atmosphere inside. Big fluffy flakes gently swirled through the air as they danced their way to the ground. The white blanket that covered the ground outside was pristine and untouched, except for the tracks of the occasional animal.

The room we were in was small but warm and inviting, much cozier than the castle I used to live in here in Winter Forest. The walls were made of wood, painted a deep red color that matched the braided rug on the floor.

It was getting dark outside, but the family room was bright. A fireplace made of stone took up one wall, and a fire was crackling happily inside, casting a warm glow over the room.

"I love these family gatherings," I said, sighing contentedly. ' It's so nice to be all together, especially during the winter solstice.’

"I agree. Mom," Maeve said from her seat nearby. "It's a nice change from our annual reunion at Avondale. While that was fun for a few years, I really do miss seeing snow during winter.'

Troy gave his wife a kiss on the cheek before he sat down. "I bet you'll miss the beach in about three days.'

My daughter laughed, "Oh, I'm sure I will, but right now, nothing beats a sip of warm cocoa by the fireplace.'

Rowan and Hannah sat next to one another on a smaller couch across from Maeve, their fingers interlaced. I sighed contentedly, 'There's nothing like being surrounded by loved ones to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.'

Ethan and I built this house when Maeve and Rowan were just kids. We had so many memories of their adventures together in the woods nearby. Sometimes it was still hard for me to believe that Maeve and Rowan were all grown up and had children of their own.

My husband sat by my side, holding my hand as we reminisced about the old days. It was hard to believe how fast the grandkids were growing. I could hear Maeve's three boys playing upstairs in one of the larger bedrooms, along with their cousin, Selene, who had turned eight not long ago.

"Here," Ethan said, raising his mug of cocoa in a toast. ’To family, the greatest gift of all."

We all clinked our mugs together and took a sip of the warm, chocolatey drink.

"Speaking of family," Maeve seemed to suddenly think of something, ‘I forgot to tell you that Selene said something interesting. It was last year, around the same time when you guys came to Avondale."

Immediately, she got all the attention in the room, especially from Hannah. Maeve gave Hannah an assuring smile, "Don’t worry, nothing bad.'

Troy's brow slightly creased, it was obvious that he also remembered that incident. Maeve continued, 'Selene said someone who looked like her grandpa was coming home. Dad, I could only think of one person who looks like you and is similar in age as you."

That was when a loud knock at the door startled all of us. I looked up to see Ethan had already gotten out of his chair to answer it.

Who would be visiting us at this odd hour?

The rest of us got to the door just in time to watch Ethan's face go pale and he took a step backward, shock written all over his features. I couldn't see who was at the door from where I was, but I heard Ethan's gasp.

"Soren?" Ethan muttered in disbelief. "Is that really you?"

"Hello Ethan. It's been a while.'

No matter how many years had passed, I could never forget that voice!

Happy tears brimmed my eyes as I ran up and saw a face that looked extremely like Ethan's. "Oh goodness! Soren! It really is you!"

I opened my arms and tried to give the man who had accompanied me through some of my worst days a welcome-home hug, when I saw there was someone in his arms.

A young woman. She was unconscious. While there were no visible wounds, she looked distressed.

"Yes, it's me." Soren smiled. "Rosalie, it's wonderful to see you. You haven't changed a bit.' Then his smile faded quickly. "I know it's been a long time, but I need your help.'

“It’s cold out, come on in." I gestured to him. Assuming that the person who needed help was the young lady he brought, I directed my kids, "Maeve and Rowan, help Soren put her down in the bedroom at the top of the stairs."

'Yes, mom," they responded in unison.

Without being asked, Soren explained as we laid the young woman down on the bed, "This is my daughter, Ciana. I wish I could introduce her to you all in a much less chaotic manner."

Soren had a daughter and she was absolutely gorgeous.

I had a thousand questions to ask him, but I had to pick the most urgent one right now. 'Tell us, what can we do?"

He looked stricken. His face was etched with worry and guilt. It looked as if he blamed himself for what had happened to his daughter, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him.

Soren's gaze locked on me.

"Long story short, Ciana lost her life essence and her soul. She needs help from the White Queen!"

***

It took all of us a while to digest the information that Soren brought.

Who would know there was a whole separate realm out there? No wonder we hadn't seen him for years in a row no matter how hard Ethan and Georgia tried to get in touch with him.

"It's been so long since we had any trace of you. I thought you were lost to us forever," Ethan said, his voice laced with emotion.

"I'd used the portal to go back and forth a few times, but I had no idea that the portal wasn't always in the same spot," Soren explained, pacing back and forth across the room.

"But you managed to locate it at the same time that Ciana needed help. Goddess must be watching out for her." I smiled, glancing over my shoulder at him, and saw Ciana in her sleeping form. She was a lovely girl, and I figured she got her blonde hair from her mother.

Soren nodded. "Very true. Not only did we locate the portal, Ciana also happened to be in possession of another Moon Stone, that's why I was able to bring her over. The Goddess has indeed blessed us with everything working in our favor this time, including the fact that when I stepped through the portal, I was so close to Winter Forest."

I listened to Soren's explanation, my mind racing with questions. It was clear that there was still so much we didn't know about the Realm of Shadow and the power of the Moon Stone. But right now, our focus needed to be on Ciana and finding a way to cure her.