Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 812

Chapter 23 : A Dance With Jared

Jared extended his hand to me, beckoning me forward. I glanced over my shoulder at Aeris, who was looking smug and suspicious as he leaned against the railing of the terrace overlooking the city of Suncrest. Night was falling, and the city lights sent an amber haze rippling over the horizon.

It would have been beautiful had that orange-eyed creep not been standing right in front of my view.

“Eliza," Jared repeated more sternly.

I fixed Aeris with a steely glare and took Jared's hand. Aeris raised his brows at me but looked nothing but amused.

Jared placed my hand in the crook of his arm as we walked back into the ballroom, leaning down to hiss, “Don't egg him on."

“He knows," I said, looking up into his eyes.

Jared looked down at me, nostrils flaring. “What did you say?"

“I didn't say anything! He said it was–it was my hair. It was my hair that gave it away. Someone in his circle must have recognized me from the auction."

Jared cursed under his breath and broke from my gaze to look around the ballroom. Warriors were posted along the walls, watching the proceedings. Jared eyed them all, then found Archer and Brandt in the crowd.

“We're getting out of here tonight," he said, leading me through the crowd again.

“But he hasn't given you the scroll yet–"

“I don't care about the scroll."

“Of course you do! That's why you're here, and why you brought me here. You need it. I'll be fine–"

“He will stop at nothing to lay claim to what he believes is his," Jared seethed in my ear. I closed my eyes as a ripple of heat rushed through my body as his breath tickled my neck. “I won't let anyone else have you."

Anyone else?

Jared straightened up, catching Brandt's eye in the crowd. He nodded once, his pointer finger brushing against the tip of his nose. Brandt made another quick motion with his hand in response and disappeared into the crowd.

“What was that all about?" I asked, but Jared moved us deeper into the fray.

We arrived at the edge of the dancefloor where a dance was already in full swing. It was a group dance, the couples weaving in and out of each other and then twirling with their partners.

“We'll catch the next dance," Jared said absently, his eyes still scanning the room.

It was obvious he wasn't going to tell me what was going on. Was Aeris going to announce to the crowd that I was his breeder? Was Jared really planning on trying to escape the castle when it was so heavily guarded?

Was he seriously about to give up on the mysterious scroll he needed because of me?

The song ended and applause erupted through the ballroom. The young dancers beamed with pride as a few couples made their way back into the crowd of onlookers, others staying on the dancefloor as the orchestra prepared for the next dance.

I didn't know how to dance like this. Every move was calculated and well-practiced. I'd watched some of the young women dancing with their partners when I'd first arrived at the ball. They danced with controlled grace, their faces screwed in concentration as they hit each and every step with precision. They'd been trained to dance like this, likely for years.

Archer and I had simply swirled in a circle, clutching each other's hands for dear life and trying not to mow down anyone dancing nearby. I had a feeling this next dance would be very different with Jared as a partner.

I looked up at Jared as he watched the orchestra prepare for the next set. His eyes were locked on the violinist. Aeris had mentioned a few times that Jared was acquainted with his court and kingdom. He would know these dances. He'd know how to play the game.

That's what this was, after all–a game. I was just a piece of it, a cog in the wheel.

Jared took my hand and led me out onto the dancefloor as the music started.

“I don't know the steps," I said softly, trying to hide my discomfort as he slid a hand along my lower back.

“It's fine. Just pretend like you're enjoying yourself. That's what Aeris wants to see," he replied.

I scanned the crowd, seeing Archer and Brandt posted on opposite sides of the room, both of them looking in the same direction. I knew they were watching Aeris without having to crane my neck to follow their gazes. Aeris was testing us. I had to prove with this dance that I wasn't some lowly breeder saved from the auction block. I had to prove I was some high-born lady like the women in his court.

“Eliza," Jared whispered as he raised our joined hands to shoulder level. “It's a waltz."

“I don't know how to waltz–"

“Move with me," he breathed, then he swept me into the dance.

I knew Jared was light on his feet. He'd mentioned being a good dancer, but the word “good" wasn't an adequate description of how the man moved. He was confident in every step he took, sure-footed and strong. He was as agile as he was graceful.

Me? Not so much.

“Let me lead," he said over the music. “Submit."