Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 795

Chapter 795

Chapter 6 : I Need That Map "I asked you,"

he growled, taking a heavy step toward me, "a question."

"Your laundry," I replied casually, waving my hand toward the basket on the couch.

"You never mentioned you were a historian-"

"This room is off limits," he said, cutting me off.

Well, this wouldn't do.

I wasn't even close to finished looking through his treasure trove. He stopped short of me, crossing his arms over his chest.I did the same, mimicking his stance, even though my heart was thundering.

"If you didn't want anyone in here, you should have locked the door," I said tartly.

His steely expression didn't change, but I saw the flash behind his eyes and the way the corner of his mouth twitched with some unsaid, cutting remark.

‘Try me; I thought.

‘I've dealt with worse than you.He said nothing further, but I held his gaze.

"I have no idea where anything is in this house, let alone your room," I continued.

"It's a maze.Whoever built it should be ashamed of themselves."

"You have quite a mouth on you for someone allowed to stay in my house by the graciousness-"

"Like I have a choice? You brought me here against my will."

I was suddenly seething, every moment of pain, fear, and fury bursting to the surface as I stared up at Jared.

"By the graciousness of your heart? Oh, please-"

"Would you have rather been a breeder? Or left behind to be tossed into a brothel?"

I bit down on the inside of my lip.

Okay, he was right about that.

However— "What right do you have to go snooping around in my private quarters? Do you not realize how fragile-"

"Of course I do,"

I snapped, shifting my weight as I extended a finger to point at one of the glass cases.

"I've never seen the Dias of Orian before.But, that’s a model, I'm sure.Likely cast in granite.Oh, and-"

I stepped past him, my shoulder brushing against his arm.

"This author's theories have been debunked repeatedly.But him-"

I pointed to a large, dust-covered book on a shelf above my head, the title barely visible because of wear and age.

"His theories about the movement of the packs through the northwestern hemisphere of Findali are legend, still to this day.No one has been able to prove him wrong.But you only have volume one in your collection.Volume two covers..."

I trailed off, meeting his gaze.His mouth was slightly ajar, his eyes narrowed into slits as I let my arms drop to my sides.He was shocked, that was Clear, and I'd stupidly given too much of myself away.I didn't know what to do, so I curtsied and started for the door.

"Wait a f*****g minute," he rasped, and I halted.

"Who are you?"

"Eliza-"

"I know your name," he said with obvious annoyance.

I knitted my fingers together, turning to face him.

He took a step toward me, his head tilting as he looked down at me.

"What are you? A spy?"

"If I were a spy,"

I said on a breath laced with impatience, "I wouldn't willingly tell you, now would I?" He arched his brows at me, and I realized he was not used to being talked to in such a way, but I was beyond caring.

"I like to read," I said, hoping this was enough.

"And you have books."

"Don't play dumb.It doesn't suit you."

"Neither does being in the laundry, but you told Miriam I was a skilled seamstress."He pursed his lips.I waited for his response, but none came.I eyed him, then turned on my heel and walked toward the door.

"If you want something to read," he said sharply, "find something in the library. I keep it stocked for the servants to use as much as they like."

I reached the door and opened it, my hand gripping the knob so tightly my knuckles were white.

"And," he said, his tone of voice giving me pause.

"If I catch you in here again, you will be punished."

"ls that a promise?" I said, my chest tightening around the words as I looked at him over my shoulder. I had no idea why I'd said it.

But I had, and I had to admit I was looking forward to his answer.He opened his mouth, then closed it again, but a spark of a challenge flashed behind his eyes.

"Get out of my study, Eliza," he said firmly, but he lingered on my name a little too long.

My blood heated, and not from anger.

"I know nothing about him,"

Giselle said as she twirled a lock of her ink-black hair around her finger.

"I just know he's the boss, you know?"

I chewed my lower lip as I settled my weight on my stool at the worktable, the air already thick with steam from the washing tubs as the water began to heat for today's laundry.I'd spent the entire night laying awake, reeling from my run-in with Jared in his precious study.I needed that map, and I was going to get it, one way or another.

"He chided me like a child," I gruffed, sticking my fingers through a gaping hole in the sleeve of one of the shirts I was supposed to mend today.

"How exactly does their clothing get so tarnished? This is madness!"

Scarlett, who was sitting across from me at the work table, said nothing in response to my question.

Giselle, who was currently hiding from her responsibilities in the kitchen, was happy to oblige.

"Fighting," she said, matter-of-factly.

"There's a sparring ring at the edge of the village.It's a rule that all members of the crew who are not on duty as a guard must practice in the ring for at least three hours a day."

"And what do they do in the ring, exactly? Other than rip their clothing to shreds?" I laughed, slipping a thread through a needle with now practiced grace.

Scarlett noticed my improvement and gave me a soft smile, which warmed my heart tremendously. I grinned back, flushing with pride. I'd take the little wins, I supposed.

"Well," Giselle started, settling herself on a stool.

"They fight with their fists most of all I believe, then daggers and swords and the like-"

"Swords and daggers?" I exclaimed.

Giselle nodded, her eyes flashing with excitement.