Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 867

Chapter 77 : The Witch That Became a Luna

*Jared*

I thrust into Eliza, holding her tightly in my arms.

She shuddered and trembled around me, her inner walls tightening against my c**k.

Groaning, I pressed my forehead to hers, our breath mixing together.

My heart swelled with all my love for her. It overwhelmed me. My c**k trembled and I tensed, releasing into her.

Breathing heavily, I clung to Eliza.

She melted against me, nuzzling my chest.

I felt so close to her and like all the love I felt for her, the love I'd tried to deny myself, wrapped around us protectively.

It wasn't enough to protect us from the curse, though.

Sighing, I snuggled up with her. Eliza's breathing evened out quickly as she fell asleep.

I cradled her against me, running my fingers through her hair and stroking her arm.

The fire slowly burned out and I could hear the wind and rain letting up. The storm had almost passed.

Or had it?

There was still this curse hanging over our heads.

Tilting my head down, I looked at Eliza's sleeping figure. She looked so peaceful and relaxed.

Smirking, I kissed the top of her head. At least I'd kept my promise to help her relax and forget about the storm outside.

I ran my fingers down Eliza's arm, seeing the emerald-colored veins creeping up from her wrist, where the Cryptex had infected her… or cursed her.

My shadow shifted, ravenous and restless, tired of slumbering for so many years. It was ready to devour me.

And soon, the shadow in Eliza would be ready to devour her, too.

I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let Eliza succumb to the curse.

Sighing, I rested my cheek on her head and held her close. There was no way I'd see her hurt by the curse, or worse....

Even if I had to make my own dark deal, I would see her spared.

If it was the last thing I did....

***

Yawning, I opened my eyes and stretched.

Eliza was still draped over my chest. She murmured and squirmed as I moved around.

“Hey, sleepy, wake up, the storm has passed," I said. I kissed the top of her head and flexed my chest.

“No," she whined.

“Wake up, wake up." I poked her lightly on the cheek.

She swatted at my hand.

Chuckling, I ran my finger down her nose.

“Hey!" Eliza sat up and glared at me. “It is too early for that."

“We survived the storm." I grinned at her.

From the inside, it didn't look like our hut was damaged at all. We hadn't even needed any of the bowls for leaks.

I threw my clothes on and tossed Eliza hers. They were all heaped on the floor. I hurried outside while she got dressed.

The outside of the hut was still intact. Some of the thatching had blown off, but it wasn't that bad.

A few trees nearby had blown down, and there were giant palm fronds scattered all around. Some debris from the ocean had washed up too.

I surveyed the other huts and saw that our hut had gotten off easy.

Some of the huts were completely flattened. Others were missing their roofs or doors and shutters.

Several of the locals were already gathering together to help remove the larger debris and start repairing the huts. I rushed over to help them out.

“We've got to move all this stuff out of here. It will be easier to start rebuilding once the area is clear," I told them, taking control of the situation.

I spent the rest of the morning helping the villagers move the fallen trees, palm fronds, and other debris out of the village and away from the huts.

While I was directing some of the villagers on where to bring all the garbage, I felt eyes on me.

Glancing up, I saw Eliza standing near our hut, her eyes meeting mine.

Smiling, I headed over to her.

“Are you just going to watch or are you going to lend a hand?" I teased.

She handed me a water bottle.

“Oh, I'm just enjoying a good stare." She stuck her tongue out playfully.

“Thanks." I lifted the water bottle like I was toasting and then guzzled down half of it in one large gulp.

“You're handling the locals really well. I mean, this is their home and you just took charge."

I shrugged. “I don't think they've had a disaster like this for a while. I've handled enough of these to know what to do."

“You're very good in a crisis and quick to help others. I think those are very admirable qualities." She winked at me.

“Thank you. Now, are you going to help or what?"

“Sure, sure."

Eliza accompanied me back to the debris pile and she helped drag things away from the huts.

It took two days to get all the debris and fallen trees out of the way. I could tell a lot of the locals were starting to feel despair over how long it was taking. We'd had to set up some tents as temporary shelters for the people whose homes were too destroyed.

I organized a group of villagers to begin collecting supplies and materials to repair the huts, so once the space was cleared, we got right to building.

Eliza helped by bringing food and water around with other women while the rest of us started patching up the damaged huts.

The ones that were completely destroyed would take a little longer to repair.

On the fourth day of cleanup and repairs, missionaries from Saboreef showed up.

They brought food, water, clothing, blankets, and other supplies. Many of them also started to help out with the rebuilding.

While I helped get the missionaries settled, one of the men stopped me.

He grabbed my hand with his. His wrinkled skin was rough, fingers knobby with age. He was one of the elders.

“You… I know you...."

“I don't think so, Sir. I think you have me confused with someone else." I tried to pull away from him.

“No, I know you. You're Jared Crimson. Yes, I know you!"

“I...."

Creasing my brow, I stepped back from him. I hadn't been back to Saboreef since I was young. I didn't expect anyone to remember me now that I was grown.

“Oh, you've done well for yourself, haven't you? I can tell you've lived a good life. That's all we could have hoped for. It is so good that you made the best of your situation."

“Uh...."

How did this guy know about my life? How did he know about me at all?

I only vaguely remembered him. Taking a step back, I looked at him and imagined him several years younger, but I didn't remember being that close to him in my youth.

“You must tell me everything. I want to know all about your successes," he insisted.

I nodded and looked around at the busy village.

“We will have a chance to talk after we put the village back together. Isn't that what you're here for, too?"

“Yes. You seem to have everything under control, but we are here at your disposal."

“The extra help is appreciated." I nodded respectfully to the elder and got back to work.

Several of the new huts we constructed were stronger and sturdier than the previous huts.

I made sure to get stronger materials for the roofs and the walls, and the villagers seemed really happy with the improvements. We were even able to make the huts a little larger and with more storage space.

It was very hard work, but the load was cut in half with the arrival of the missionaries and it was rewarding.

By the time most of it was done, I felt like we'd accomplished a huge victory.

With the curse and dark deals that had been looming over me, it felt nice to slow down and do something meaningful for once.

“Thank you so much for helping us," the village leader said, joining me, Eliza, and the missionaries as we took a lunch break.

“It's not a problem. We're happy to help," I assured, smiling.

“We're going to throw you a feast tonight to honor your contribution."

“Do you even have the supplies for that?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

The missionary elder stood up and came toward us. “We can provide the food." He motioned to two women elders behind him. “Miss Eliza, if you follow these women, they'll bring you somewhere to get cleaned up and changed."

“Yes, this is wonderful. We will prepare the feast," the village leader gushed excitedly.

“Jared, I have some fresh clothes and a place you can get cleaned up, as well," the elder offered. He motioned in the opposite direction that the elder women had taken Eliza.

I was a bit concerned about being separated from her, but the missionaries seemed safe enough.

It felt so good to shower and put on some fresh clothes.

When I got back to the village, there was already a bonfire lit in the center of the village and lots of platters of food set out on tables. They sure knew how to throw a feast together quickly. There was even a huge deer roasting over the big fire.

“Oh, there he is!"

Several of the villagers called out and waved to me as I returned. They shook my hand and clapped me on the back as I walked through them. I smiled and nodded along. Their admiration was appreciated.

I caught up with Eliza. She was standing by the fire with a shish kabob.

“Mmm, this is delicious!" She stuck it in my face, and I took a bite.

“Yeah, it is," I agreed as the tender meat melted in my mouth.

“Listen, listen to this," the village leader called out, motioning us all to gather around the fire.

I put my arm around Eliza's shoulders and we moved closer.

“Once upon a time, many, many years ago, the witches coming to Saboreef were being hunted, picked off, and destroyed. Saboreef wasn't safe for them, but not everyone in Saboreef agreed with hunting and killing witches."

I glanced at Eliza. She was wolfing down her food, hanging on every word the village leader said. It must have been the history of their village. Many people in the local villages liked to tell historical tales when they had feasts like this.

“So, the ones who wouldn't stand for the witch-hunting came here and settled down. But that was not the end of the witches in Sabroeef...."

As the village leader continued to tell the story, my mind prickled with familiarity.

My mother's voice came back to me. I had a sudden memory of her holding her locket open, the song playing in my mind. Her lips were moving, but I couldn't make out the words she said. But I could remember some of it.

She'd told me that the song in the locket was about a witch… a witch raised in Saboreef who became a very powerful Luna....