Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder by Alice Knightsky
Chapter 12 – Nice Scarf
**Rosalie’s POV**
The graceful elegance of the white and gold piano reminded me of the one my mother used to have. The thought was both painful and pleasant at the same time.
It had been so long since I touched any instruments. Until recently, I had forgotten that music used to be such an important and joyful part of my life.
Thinking over the memory, I slid onto the golden stool and let my fingers brush over the keys.
It only took me a few moments to get used to playing again, but once I did, I was totally immersed in the melody. It was like reuniting with a dear old friend with whom you could immediately reconnect emotionally, no matter how long it had been since you’d seen each other.
I may have been sold to a ruthless Alpha – but this was still my life.
The people here were not all awful or hurtful toward me. In fact, many of them cared for me, although I didn’t understand what I had done to deserve their kindness, especially Estrella and Vicky. When I was free and left here, I would miss them.
And Alpha Ethan…
The most intimidating and gorgeous man I had ever met, my master.
My eyes closed, and everything about him rose up in my mind. His slander and powerful fingers that brushed over my skin, his deep voice that rang over my ear, his cold and musky scent that surrounded me, and his piercing and clear blue eyes that locked on me…
The music slowed down.
He was always distant and cold, and I could never understand what was in his mind. He probably would be the only man to touch me. But to him, I was only a tool, a container. My heart filled with bitterness at this thought.
But none of those things would matter after ten months. My mind flew forward… ten months and a pup, and after that, I would be free.
Subconsciously, I allowed the tune to flow from my throat. It had been so long since I sung any song, and the joy of singing was very much alive in me.
My eyes closed, and I felt the sound of the music and the lyrics I was singing deep inside my soul. Letting the tune flow with more emotion than I had shown in a longtime, a smile crossed my lips.
Yes, I think, I am ready to be a breeder…
…and to pursue my freedom.
**Ethan’s POV**
The smell of earth drew me in.
As I looked down, I saw the wet gra*s*s beneath my feet. The sky was dark, and something in the air smelled off, but I didn’t know what it was. I felt scared and alone in the darkness.
“Hello?” I called out softly.
“Ethan?” My father’s voice slowly called to me from a distance.
“Father?” I called out. “Father!”
Racing towards the forest, I searched in the direction I heard his voice. His figure stood near the tree line, and a smile crept across my face.
“Father!”
As his smiling face came further into view, I watched a shadow step from the darkness behind him.
I wasn’t sure what was happening, but before I could do anything I watched as the blade swept from behind him – cutting him down where he stood.
“Nooo! Father!” I screamed.
Then, I heard an angelic voice from far away. It reminded me of the moon, and the peace I felt in my wolf. It was a celestial song I had never heard. The owner of that voice had to be an angel.
I looked around… all those awful memories were fading away. It isn’t real, you’re dreaming. Wake up, Ethan, wake up.
My eyes snapped open, and I looked around my room.
Rosalie. She was singing.
Beautiful singing was what I heard, and it captivated my soul, waking up a part of me I longed for that had been destroyed.
Talon hadn’t reported their music room visit last week, but I had happened to walk by.
I remembered how the afternoon sun framed her with a golden glow, and how her hair was almost as bright as fire under the sunshine. She was wearing a simple white dress, which blended with the white piano as a whole, as if she was born to play it.
Ever since that day, I heard Rosalie singing now and again in the Luna Suite. She probably thought no one could hear her. However, my alpha blood came with extremely sharp senses, and I had been able to. I would sit there listening, taking in in her words.
I couldn’t allow myself to fall down this road. The more her voice touched me, the harder it was for me to control myself. Talon was her caretaker, and he had to get a hold of her.
I had to have her stop… Even if she soothed me in a way no one else could.
The last thing I needed was another distraction. War was brewing, the longer we waited, and the stronger the forces of our enemies got, and the more danger we were in.
“Talon.” I mindlinked him.
“Yes, Alpha?” he replied immediately.
“Come over.”
Talon had to stop her singing. She had a job to do, and so did I. Yes, she was pretty – and kind, I had been told – but it didn’t change anything. My mind was firm, and the sooner I could get her away from here, the better.
I frowned as her song continued. It was vague, like a gentle whisper in my ear.
I could imagine she was sitting by the window, watching the night sky. Of course, she wouldn’t know there was any audience.
I couldn’t quite make out the lyrics, but, strangely, I could tell how she was feeling. Lonely but peaceful, sad but hopeful.
Shouldn’t a weak soul like her be frantic and live in fear all the time, like the few times I interacted with her?
I had to admit, whatever she was singing, it was beautiful.
“Alpha?” Talon opened the door and walked in. “Is everything ok?”
He looked concerned. And, honestly, it took me a second to remember why I had called him in. I cleared my throat.
Forget it. Why should I waste my time on a breeder? If she wanted to sing, I would just let her do her thing. After all, how much time did she have left in this world? I had more important things to worry about.
“Talon, have you increased our patrols?”
“Yes. I met with the security of the a*s*saulted packs yesterday and sent reinforcements. Of course, it’s going to take some time for us to investigate fully.”
“That’s good,” I replied, thinking over everything. “I want to make sure this is properly taken care of. Make sure you send Rex up there to handle it all.”
Sending Talon had been an option, but I didn’t want anyone else to oversee Rosalie. She was in a delicate situation, and Rex was a good second choice for this mission.
“Alpha, everything will be executed as you wish. Is there anything else that you need?”
Talon looked at me with a bit of confusion. Normally I wouldn’t call him at this hour without very a specific task. “No, I just wanted to be sure.”
I took a sip of water. Alright, I admitted it – this wasn’t like me. I blamed the damn nightmare. He hesitated for a moment.
I frowned. “Do you have anything else to report?”
Then his multicolored scarf caught my attention. I crossed my arms over my chest, looking at him and the new decoration around his neck. “Nice scarf.”
“Thank you, Alpha.”
“She made it for you.” I didn’t need to ask, and he knew who I was referring to.
“Yes… she did,” he replied. “It was a thank-you gift for being kind to her. Nothing more.”
“Talon,” I said firmly, looking him in the eye.
We grew up together, and we knew each other too well. He had something to say. “Spit it out, Beta. I don’t have all night.”
Finally, Talon said, “It’s about Rosalie.”