Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 636

Chapter 136 : His Mate

*Lena*

Crimson Creek was totally changed. I almost didn't recognize it. Black tents stretched for at least a mile, separated by rows of green, freshly cut grass. Flower baskets hung from every corner of the single street running through the village, and thick curtains were drawn in every window against the sun.

Warriors were walking around with baskets of supplies, some of them slipping into the darkened tents. Others were mingling with the new “locals," the vampires who had escaped their realm and were staying in Crimson Creek.

The vampires were bundled up in dark clothing, their faces shielded by hooded cloaks and sunglasses. I even heard the laughter of children as we walked through the village toward Gideon's property, and the noise brought a sense of peace to my heart.

Peace–that's what this was. We'd always carry the wounds of war, but now we all had a future to look forward to, and for the majority of these vampires, especially the ones who had been enslaved… a better one.

It took roughly twenty minutes for us to reach Gideon's property. There was a fresh coat of paint on the house, a bright robin's egg blue, and the front yard had been mowed. A garden had been planted beneath the front porch, and rose bushes were in full bloom as we walked along the new gravel path leading to the front door. Xander motioned to the old barn, which at one point had been caving in on itself. There was a pile of lumber outside of the barn, and inside I heard the telltale thudding of a hammer hard at work.

“It looks totally different," I murmured, pausing to look out over the property. Rows of wheat and barley fluttered in a warm breeze in the distance, where the sun kissed the towering grand estates dotting the hills beyond.

“I didn't think I'd ever want to call Crimson Creek beautiful," Xander said, squeezing my hand. “But this is just…"

“When did you two get here?"

I whirled around, beaming up at Bethany and Alma, who had come out onto the porch. Alma was dressed in her usual flour-dusted apron, and Bethany was covered in sawdust and grease. I let out my breath, then let go of Xander's hand so I could waddle over to them.

“It's so good to see you," I breathed as I hugged them both. Even Alma softened into my embrace, which warmed my heart. I could feel Xander's smile from where he was still standing in the yard.

“I thought I smelled you on my property," came Gideon's voice, lifted in a laugh as Xander and Gideon clapped each other on the back. Gideon was also covered in sawdust and had obviously been the one working in the barn when we'd walked up.

“You're just in time for lunch," Alma said as she took my hand and led me into the house.

I glanced over my shoulder at Bethany, Gideon, and Xander as they followed behind, and had done so just in time to notice Gideon's longing gaze as he met Bethany's eye, a soft smile touching his lips.

Xander caught this too, and he gave me a knowing smile before I turned back around and followed Alma into the house.

***

“So, it'll take them some time to adjust. Is what you're saying?" Xander said as he leaned back away from his empty plate, his eyes focused on Gideon, who was seated at the head of the table.

“Right. It's not that they can't be in the sun, but it hurts, and will likely hurt for a while. Even we struggle, and we were born in this realm. Right, Alma?" Gideon replied.

Alma nodded as she rose to collect the dishes, waving away my offer to help her. We'd been discussing the vampire refugees over plates of roast beef and a salad made from the greens Bethany had planted. It was delicious, and I'd had two helpings already, and was looking forward to whatever dessert Alma had planned. I could smell cinnamon and chocolate in the air, with a pinch of blood root, of course.

“So, the hybrids and the king's guards were the only ones who couldn't be in the sun? Is that what you're saying?" Xander pressed, crossing his arms over his chest.

Gideon shrugged, then nodded. “Sure, I guess. The sun here is also incredibly intense for these people, you know. Most of them couldn't handle being in the sun for very long in their own realm. Also, you have to understand that we didn't deal with the king and his beasts until five years ago, at the most. We're learning something new about these people every day. They're different from us in a lot of ways. They need blood to survive a lot more than we do, for one. They're not accustomed to eating blood root for that purpose, and it has made some of them sick, mostly the children. The supplies being sent to Crimson are keeping people fed and clothed, however."

“What of Zeke?" Xander asked, and for a moment Gideon's face darkened.

“He's… uh, well. He's had to break up a few conflicts in the village so far, but otherwise his time is spent with the ambassadors–"

“Trying to find a solution as to how to house these people, and where?" Xander interjected, and Gideon nodded.

“The old estates have been filled by the larger families, housing multiple generations. There's been talk of some of the vampires going east, which I think is a good idea. The lower vampires had four underground kingdoms from what I understand. Zeke is now king of Brune, the largest of the kingdoms. They'll likely stay here in Crimson Creek. The rest of the kingdoms lost their leaders in the war. There's been talk of moving them to Winter Forest, or giving them their own territory far north–"

“Winter Forest?" I asked, shocked rippling through me. I glanced between Xander and Gideon. “I thought they were being sent to Mirage?"

“Lincoln and I discussed it that day we visited him and Carly," Xander replied, tapping his fingers on his arms. “He's in agreement that Mirage isn't a suitable option. The climate is one thing. It's far too sunny, and the days are long. Winter Forest is shrouded in night most of the year–" Xander paused to heave a breath before continuing. “And, Winter Forest has already put a call out that they will be welcoming to any and all vampire refugees seeking aslym, unlike the other packs."

I c****d my head to the side, narrowing my eyes on Xander.

“I've been in contact with your grandparents," he shrugged. “Their people put it to a vote, and no one in the entirety of the pack voted not to accept the vampires as citizens of Winter Forest."

“It's not a bad idea," I said honestly. I had no argument against it, in fact. I was just surprised. Winter Forest was dark most of the year. Summer was an issue, given that the sun hardly set, but it wasn't nearly as intense as the climate in the southern territories.