Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1636 - 78 : Preparing for the Imminent

*Kryzen*

“Wish us luck,” I said to Briella and Alyna as Roy and I prepared to leave the house for our meeting with Alpha Thorne and Luna Arboria.

“You boys don’t need luck,” Alyna said goodnaturedly, sending a smirk our way.

I just rolled my eyes, my expression softening when Briella rose from her spot on the couch to skip over to me.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. I marveled at how right this felt, having her in my arms this way. She fit against me as if she was made just for me.

Briella tightened her arms around my waist. I could feel the desperation in the embrace. She looked up at me, her green eyes wide and serious. “Be gentle,” she told me. She bit her lip, and her eyes went down to my chest. “These people have a special bond with their companions. It will be hard for them to see the danger. You need to be sensitive.”

I felt my lips tighten. Briella had been acting a little strangely since she got back the previous night from her little trip with Raya. She didn’t say much, telling me that she rode on flying beasts and that it was the most amazing experience. I had no doubt that her advice stemmed from the time she spent with Raya.

I rolled my eyes teasingly for her benefit. “Sensitive is my middle name,” I told her, chucking her beneath her chin fondly.

She gave me an exasperated look and then looked to Roy.

He nodded once, winking at her. “I’ll make sure he’s nice,” he said.

I had to roll my eyes a second time. Roy was just saying that. He knew very well that I was diplomatic and reasonable during these types of meetings. Although, the stakes were much higher this time around than they normally were.

I was a little surprised that it didn’t take much convincing to meet with the Alpha and Luna privately. It seemed as if we made the right move by leaving Briella and Alyna behind. We were apparently much less intimidating this way. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

“Good afternoon,” Alpha Thorne said politely as Roy and I entered the throne room. He took Luna Arboria’s hand, and I could see why. The woman looked a bit wary to see us.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us again, Alpha,” I said respectfully, lowering my head in a bow. Roy did the same, following my lead.

“Of course,” Alpha Thorne said. His hand reached up so he could stroke the fur of his large animal companion, a beast with a long tail and pointed teeth. “May I ask what it is you wish to discuss with us? I was under the impression we had put yesterday’s topic to rest.”

I clenched my jaw. Thankfully, Roy stepped in. “I’m afraid that the topic from yesterday will need to be revisited,” he said.

Alpha Thorne’s entire countenance darkened. His animal companion lifted its mighty head and growled low in its throat. “And I’m afraid that I do not wish to discuss it further.”

“You need to be sensitive,” Briella’s voice murmured in my mind.

I took a long, calming breath. “Please hear us out, Alpha Thorne,” I said as patiently as I could. “We would very much like to offer our aid to you. We have seen the tenacity and strength of your people. Please let us help.”

“This is not a matter of belief or disbelief,” Luna Arboria protested, her voice full of sadness. “Even if you are correct that we are in danger, we could not do anything about it.”

Roy and I glanced at each other. “What do you mean?” Roy asked politely. “Why would you not be able to do anything?”

Alpha Thorne gripped his wife’s hand and patted it reassuringly. “It’s alright, my dear,” he murmured to her. “We are not required to do anything at this time.”

I wanted to immediately argue against that statement. We needed to act as soon as possible, but I waited, knowing we had to tread carefully.

Alpha Thorne stared down at us once he was done consoling his mate. “I’m sure by now you have gathered that we have a special connection with our animal companions. Centuries ago, our people made a vow to respect not just their lives but the lives of all living things.”

“All living things,” I repeated, processing what he was saying.

“All living things,” Luna Arboria confirmed with a sharp nod. “We do not consume the flesh of animals, nor do we fight with them in any way. You understand, don’t you?”

I stared at them in disbelief. They were being completely irrational in the face of this danger. They even seemed to believe what we were saying, but were refusing to do anything about it.

“Yes,” Roy said. “We understand that you wouldn’t want to do anything that could threaten the bonds you’ve formed with your companions.”

“All life is sacred,” Alpha Thorne said firmly. “We have lived this way for centuries. Even when there have been challenges, we have been able to deal with them in a peaceful manner. Why should this be any different?”

All my attempts toward sensitivity flew out the window at the Alpha’s words. I felt my hands curl into fists at my sides. Roy sent me a warning look, but I ignored it completely. “Because this time, your people could be in more danger than they ever had before. Are you saying that, as their Alpha, you wouldn’t defend them?”

Alpha Thorne stood so abruptly from his throne that even I had to stumble back a step as he towered over us. “I never said I wouldn’t defend my people if necessary,” he growled. He took a breath, calming himself. “What I am saying is that there are ways to protect ourselves without using violence.”

It was clear that we were getting nowhere in this conversation. I had to remind myself that they had lived this way for centuries, much like many of the other Embervale communities. We just weren’t going to be able to convince them.

I had to speak through my teeth to get the words out, plastering a pleasant smile onto my face. “Forgive us for not understanding your way of life,” I said, ducking my head.

The Alpha and Luna visibly relaxed. “No harm done,” Luna Arboria said. “Please do enjoy the rest of your stay here. We are honored that friends of Mathias are staying with us, as well as a descendent of Priestess Amara. Reach out if there is anything else you need.”

“Of course, we are happy to host you as long as you’d like,” Alpha Thorne added.

We thanked them before taking our leave.

“I suppose we have no reason to stay any longer,” I said once we were a safe distance away from the Alpha’s mansion.

Roy’s shoulders dropped. “I suppose you’re right,” he said. “We’ve done all we can. I can’t help but be concerned. What will become of these people?”

I blew out a breath, knowing full well that Briella would have the same concerns, only much stronger ours.

The situation seemed hopeless. We were likely just a handful of kids to the Alpha and Luna, not worthy of being taken seriously despite Briella’s connection to Priestess Amara.

“We have more important matters to attend to now anyway,” I said firmly, striding purposefully back down the path leading to the guest house.

Roy straightened and followed after me. “True enough.”

We had to prepare for war.

“Why does it feel like we’re having the same argument over and over again?” Briella asked with a huff.

I pulled my shirt over my head, tossing it into the clothes bin. I sighed heavily before turning to face her.

We were both ready for bed, dressed in our night clothes, but Briella looked far from relaxed as she glowered at me. Her hair was loose around her, and the lacey nightgown she wore distracted me. It was going to be difficult to argue with her when she was dressed like that.

It would be difficult but not impossible. “Because we need to leave each community that we happen upon, and each time, you haven’t been ready to do that.”

That was the wrong way to say it. Briella’s jaw clenched. “And you agreed to stay each time. You can’t be holding that against me.”

She was clearly angry with me, but I wasn’t at her. I just stared at her and sat on the bed, gesturing for her to come over to me. She hesitated before doing so slowly, standing just out of arm’s reach.

I sighed. “Please come here. I’m sorry I made it sound like I’m blaming you,” I apologized. I smiled at her when she reluctantly approached me. I guided her so that she was standing between my knees.

I placed my hands on her hips, looking up into her eyes. “I know you want to stay, but when you hear about our meeting with the Alpha today, I think you’ll agree with me,” I said. I paused, continuing when it was clear the stubborn look on her face wasn’t disappearing. “Their way of life is more peaceful than we realize. They don’t consume meat at all.”

“Is that so surprising?” Briella demanded. “They have bonds with these animals that we could never understand. How could they ever imagine eating one of them?”

Her voice was rising rapidly. I had to grab her hands to calm her. “I know,” I said. “And I’m not against their way of life in any way, but I’m just saying that it made it very clear to me that we won’t be able to convince them to fight when it comes down to it.” I couldn’t even bring myself to say “if.” A battle was imminent.

We couldn’t risk being on the losing end.

“We have to move on,” I told her firmly. “We have a lot to do, and we don’t know when they’re going to attack. We have to gather forces and prepare in any way we can.”

Briella’s eyes rounded with fear. I hated myself for having to state it so directly, but I knew she was strong enough to handle it.

She had to be.

“We have to stay,” she said finally.

I gaped at her. “Have you not been listening to a word I said?” I demanded.

“I have been listening,” she said. Her lips thinned. “But I also know it is even more reason we can’t leave yet. These people are more vulnerable because they won’t believe in the real danger that we’re about to face. We can’t leave them while they are clueless.”

I reeled slightly as if she had slapped me. Staying was the moral thing to do. Even if we couldn’t convince them of the danger, we could be there to protect them. I still wondered what the cost would be.

“We would be wasting time we could be using to gather forces,” I told her bluntly.

Briella nodded. She had clearly thought of that already. “Just for a little while longer,” she said. She hung her head and bit her lower lip, suddenly looking very vulnerable. “I can’t leave these people. I won’t abandon them.”

I blew out a breath and then tipped her chin up with my fingers. “We won’t abandon them,” I corrected, earning a watery smile from her. Then, I scoffed.

Her eyebrows rose. “What?”

I smirked, straightening so I could kiss her. I gave her a wry look when we pulled apart. “Just trying to figure out how I ended up with a mate who is more stubborn than I am.”

Briella laughed, surprised by my response, and leaned in to kiss me again.