Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder by Alice Knightsky
Chapter 36 – Fed by Ethan!
“I will marry Madalynn.”
The young woman squealed upon hearing Ethan’s words, while I froze, looking at him in shock.
“However, my agreement has some conditions.”
A smile crept over Romero’s face, and nothing about the glimmer in his eye was tasteful.
“Go on…” Romero replied. “I am listening.”
I felt a heavy flow of anger and irritation coming off of Ethan through the packbond.
“I will not fulfill the marriage until after the war is complete. I have to be focused on our defense issues right now, and cannot have my mind clouded by marriage and other womanly affairs.”
A scoff from Madalynn caused me to smirk. Romero didn’t seem overly keen on the idea either, but nodded his head. “Anything else?”
“I will not get rid of my breeder, either.”
“That’s not fair! I am going to be your wife-”
Romero lifted his hand to stop his daughter’s protest, and he gave Madalynn a stern look. “Don’t speak out of turn again, or you will sorely regret it,” Romero warned her.
He turned back to Ethan with a smile. “My apologies, King James, Alpha Ethan.”
“All good,” the king a*s*sured Romero.
“Those are perfectly fair terms,” he continued swiftly, cutting off the debate. “Ethan will marry Madalynn, but he can keep his breeder until the wedding day.”
Then he turned around to look my Alpha in the eye. “But not longer than that.”
I saw Ethan’s fists clench. Uncomfortable silence filled the room.
Finally, I heard him grit through his teeth, “Deal.”
**Rosalie’s POV**
Estrella had made sure to take care of me, and once I had finished her medical protocols, she allowed me to return to my room— but under the condition that I stay in bed for two days and try to take it easy from now on. The room the king had put us in was rather lovely, and had a separate living area with a sofa, fireplace, and other fine furnishings. It was basically a small one-bedroom apartment that, to some capacity, fit every need I could possibly have.
Letting out a sigh, I curled up against the pillows in the bed and felt impossibly alone.
I hated how much my life had changed. Yes, it had its moments when things were wonderful— but I felt so conflicted.
A knock on the bedroom door drew my eyes toward the entrance. “Yes?”
“Miss Rosalie, it’s Mary, your servant. May I enter?” Servant?
“Uh- yes, of course.” Slowly, I slid from my position to sit up and propped a pillow behind my back.
I watched the door open, and a petite blonde-haired girl with large blue eyes stepped in, carrying a tray with silver-domed dishes.
“I brought you food, miss,” she said softly, walking toward the bed and placing the tray on a nearby table. “Alpha Ethan indicated that you are under doctor’s orders to rest, and I have been instructed to fulfill your needs from now until Miss Estrella releases you from that order.”
I was taken aback and shocked. I had been given a servant!
“Um- no, I think that will be okay,” I stuttered, feeling completely weirded out by the situation. “I’m grateful for your help, but you don’t have to do this.”
Her blue eyes widened in shock, and she looked up at me. “It’s an honor, miss. Please, you don’t have to thank me— it’s my job to serve those above me.”
“Mary, I appreciate you. You don’t have to fear judgment from me when you’re around me. I’m just not accustomed to having people serve me like this.”
“Of course, miss. Is there anything else I can get for you?” she replied, giving me a small smile.
“No, thank you for everything. I am sure it’s perfect.” I a*s*sured her.
“One more thing, miss. What color do you prefer?”
Mary’s question caught me by surprise, and I was a little uncertain as to why she was asking such a thing.
“What do you mean?” I replied softly in confusion.
She hesitated for a moment, and then smiled. “Well the engagement party is coming up, and I am helping Miss Vicky to take care of you. I was curious as to the color you prefer so that I may get a dress ready for you, since all were invited.”
So, Ethan was going to marry Madalynn after all? Was this already public knowledge?
An intense wave of sorrow swept over my mind. I realized I had been mentally blocking out this topic.
Mary noticed my reaction and started to apologize. “Miss Rosalie, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”
I couldn’t hold this against Mary. She didn’t do anything wrong.
“Oh-” The hesitation that filled me lasted for a moment while I composed myself. “Let me think about that. Is that okay, Mary? I’m not sure whether I can attend…”
The surprise that crossed Mary’s face only lasted for a moment before she nodded her head in understanding. “Of course, miss. Please just let me know, and I will get something ready for you.”
I watched as the young woman turned from me and exited my room.
I sat back on the bed, the weight of my sorrow bearing down on me.
Ethan was never mine, and he would never be mine. I seemed to keep forgetting that fact. Ethan’s engagement was happening, and eventually, he would marry another woman.
The food was sitting there next to me, but I had totally lost my appetite. Even though I knew I needed to eat, I decided to give myself a few more minutes.
I watched the blue sky outside of the window, and again, all I could think about was Ethan’s blue eyes.
I sighed, turned my focus back to the food. Even if I didn’t want to eat, I had to – for my baby.
Before I could force myself to take a bite, my bedroom door opened-and revealed the face I saw in my mind day and night.
Ethan stood in the doorway, his eyes upon me as if a calmness had overtaken him at the mere sight. I hadn’t expected to see him anytime soon, considering that he had so much going on. But his presence was warmly welcome – I would take any chance to be around him that I possibly could.
“How are you feeling?” he asked as he took steps closer to me. “I see that the girl was able to bring you food.”
“Mary,” I corrected him gently, watching him with a smile. I couldn’t help myself – he was here, and that totally made my day.
Ethan looked at me for a moment, confused.
“Her name is Mary— the maid’s, that is. She is very nice. Thank you for having her help me. I appreciate it.” He seemed almost stunned at my reply, and simply nodded his head. “Did you eat?”
I was really happy that he came to visit, but a bit nonplussed. He was acting out of character. After all, most of our conversations thus far had been him giving his order and me doing as he had instructed.
Did he change because of the baby?
“I was about to,” I replied.
I watched as he lifted the silver lids. My eyes widened at his action— and at the amount of food that had been provided for me, as well as drinks.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked.”
“It’s all amazing.”
My reply was so soft that when I looked up at him, I found that he was staring at me with a glint of something in his eyes I wasn’t sure of.
“Fruit would be lovely,” I added.
Ethan kept staring for a long moment— and then suddenly snapped back to the present. He frowned, hesitated for a second, and then murmured, “Of course. Here…”
He lifted the white bowl of fruit, and as he handed it to me, our fingers brushed gently together.
The feeling of his touch on my skin made me want so much more of him, but I knew that it wasn’t possible.
I would have his baby, and he would expect me to leave when I was done. I would have to leave him, and I would have to leave my child. The thought broke my heart.
“Estrella found out how far along you are,” Ethan finally said, breaking the silence between us as I fed myself a strawberry.
“She did?”
“Yes. She said you are about two weeks from conception, or something like that.”
A chuckle left my lips upon hearing him try to explain it. His gentle and deep voice made me feel I was spoiled or loved by him, even though I knew it wasn’t possible and all was just my illusion.
“That’s wonderful,” I said with a smile. “I’m happy I’m able to give you a child. Someone for you to always love and guide in life.”
My words stopped him in his tracks, and instinctively, he reached out his hand, laying it across my stomach. “Yes. I will protect the child with my life.”
The way he looked at me when he said those words made me feel as if it was an unsaid promise he was giving me. That even though I would be gone, he would ensure that my child was always protected.
Even though the sentiment warmed my heart, I wished more than anything that I could alter my circumstances slightly.
I didn’t want to leave – I wanted to be with him.