Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1263 - 18 : Dinner Time, Tensions Rise

*Zara*

It had been a few days, and I’d been focusing on rest. While I left my room on occasion for smaller things like lunch to keep my ears open regarding the wedding, I hadn’t left my room much.

The exhaustion was taking its toll. Tonight, however, I was well enough to attend the Drogomor family dinner. Noah insisted that I go when I was well enough so I could enjoy the food and atmosphere.

I had told him I enjoyed both immensely when I could actually be there, and I supposed he wanted me to be happy and comfortable.

With my attitude, I had no idea why he cared so much, but there we were. Issac and Estella were very pleasant. Truthfully, getting out there with them, along with the rest of the Drogomor pack, was a nice idea.

I ran my brush through my hair, staring at my expression and noting just how tired I looked. There were shadows under my eyes, and I let out a yawn.

I wondered how many weird looks I would get. My stomach twisted with a sudden surge of nervousness.

Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all.

Gossip spread like wildfire here, and I wasn’t looking forward to hearing what the Drogomor pack had to say about me.

Shoving that down, though, I held my head high. I was not meek, and my wolf emphasized the feeling that I shouldn’t be cowering away because of that either.

I wanted to get out there and socialize, so I would. Besides, Gia wasn’t going to let me sit around either.

“The people here are really nice, Zara,” she said. “I am so happy you are going to join the family for dinner. I am surprised they invited me, too!”

I chuckled softly, stepping aside to let her into my room. She was staying on, insisting she remain here to help look after me and be a familiar face. I was so grateful to her.

“They are,” I had to admit. “And of course, they did. You light up the room, Gia, even though your teasing can go right over some people’s heads sometimes.”

Gia just had to have a laugh. “It does, yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good teasing.” She inspected me, then nodded. “You look well enough to attend. Do you feel ready?”

“As ready as I am going to be,” I said.

With that, we headed out toward the dining hall. I tried my best not to hold my breath on the way there, expecting to hear about how irresponsible I was and rumors of where my mate could be.

Instead, I heard people discussing the wedding. “I’m glad the Clouds are coming to visit. Have you tried their famous apple pie? It’s got to be the best I’ve ever had.”

“I’m just glad Serena is letting people bring food to be shared. With how tightly she has her claws in the wedding, I figured she’d hand pick the menu.”

“Ugh, that would be a nightmare!”

I smiled, relieved the Drogomor pack would be able to have fun in that regard, even if Serena was being a little bit pushy with how the wedding should go.

It was a big day, so I could understand to some degree, even if it wasn’t the approach I would take to a wedding.

I briefly met the gaze of some Drogomor pack members, including the warriors who had been with us during the trip through the Dark Realm. One of them, Luis, had often checked on me on the journey.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

I expected him to add something about the pregnancy, but he said nothing more.

“I am recovering slowly, but well enough,” I said in a soft tone. Then, I gave him a warm smile. “Thank you for your concern.”

“You are very welcome,” he said, sniffing the air for a moment. “Dinner tonight will be lobster and delicately spiced veggies. I’m glad you’re heading there. You don’t want to miss it!”

Gia licked her lips, rubbing her hands together. “This pack knows how to impress with a good meal,” she murmured, causing me to chuckle somewhat.

I met the stares of other Drogomor pack members, but no one wore a judgmental or scrutinizing expression... just worry, really, which had me growing even more confused.

I wondered whether Noah had told everyone. I expected gossip to be flowing like a river, but there wasn’t a single mention of it.

When we arrived at the dining hall, I took a seat next to Gia and Noah. Issac and Estella eyed me with concern as drink orders were received from one of the Drogomor servants.

“The trip to the Dark Realm took its toll on you,” Estella said. “In the end, it’s good to know the truth about our Alpha and Luna, even if the wedding is still to go through.”

Issac grunted. The Alpha shook his head in disapproval, but clearly decided this was a fight he wasn’t going to win. Noah shot him a glare, clearly expecting him to start up something.

Serena shrugged, saying in a somewhat cheerful tone, “Well, in the end, the pack needs a strong Alpha and Luna. We’ll be just fine for that, fated mates or not.”

I wasn’t so sure. I said to Estella, “It was a tough journey, but I am glad to have found the Luna Lilies.” I gave a light smile. “I can help people feel their matches now with a bit more haste than I would have otherwise.”

“That is a wonderful thing,” Estella said with a smile. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

I briefly wondered if she and Issac wanted to try the tea, but I decided against that.

Things were well between them, and I didn’t want to suddenly open a rift should there be uncomfortable truths, even if true love was the most beautiful thing in the world.

Issac said, “The pack has been abuzz asking how you have been. They continue to thank you for your aid with finding Noah his match, true love or no. The offer is still there for payment, especially given the toll this is taking on you.”

“Drogomor has provided all of the care and medicine I’ve needed,” I said in a soft, thankful tone. I shook my head. “Really, I am situated. I appreciate it, though.”

Gia said, “I appreciate your openness to allow me to visit my poor, stubborn friend. I knew she wasn’t going to back down until she discovered the legends were true.”

Noah had to have a snicker at Gia’s description of me, causing me to shake my head and hide a faint, amused smile. As the conversations carried on, my pregnancy didn’t even come up once.

The need to know was killing me, so eventually, I pulled Noah aside for a quick chat.

“Change your mind about the tea, beautiful?” he asked, though there wasn’t much hope in his tone.

“Nope,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I wanted to ask if you told anyone about my pregnancy. It hasn’t come up yet.”

“Me? Why would I tell anyone that?” he asked in a bewildered tone. “That’s your secret to tell, not mine.” He offered a shrug.

I blinked in surprise, rubbing at the back of my neck.

“Well. You’ve seemed irritated that I refused to drink the tea, and that I went on the journey in the first place. So, I thought—”

“You thought wrong,” Noah muttered. “I’m annoyed to no end, yes, that you’re being a stubborn brat.” He rolled his eyes but softened his tone. “That doesn’t mean it’s right for me to blurt your secret out.”

I nodded, thinking it over. Then, I gave him a genuine smile. “Thank you,” I said.

We returned to the table and began to eat, relief probably radiating from me in waves.

Mid-dinner, Serena looked at me and said, “Oh Zara, you did so well uniting Noah and me. I know it is disappointing we aren’t fated, but we appreciate that.” She gave a smile that felt somewhat forced.

I nodded, taking a bite of my food before replying, “I am happy to help the Drogomor Pack.”

Serena then said, probably for the third time tonight, “Your mate must really be missing you! Will he be here to find you soon? Or will you be returning home?”

I clenched my jaw, now on the spot. I couldn’t think of anything to say, but thankfully, I didn’t have to.

Noah said, “Let’s not get into Zara’s private business. She will grace us with her presence at the wedding, and the journey took its toll on her.”

I shot Noah a thankful glance, then frowned at Serena’s response.

“But the rest of the pack seems fine, as do you and I! Have a weak immune system or something, Zara?” she asked.

I shrugged, and now Gia spoke up. “Well, she did have to deal with you and Noah on the journey, which I’m sure can be taxing.” At Serena’s eye twitch, she chuckled. “I jest!” she said cheerfully.

Thankfully, it was a distraction that further led the conversation away from the topic of me feeling unwell, and my mate being nowhere in sight.

***

*Noah*

After dinner, I headed to my study, while Serena unfortunately followed close behind. I couldn’t help but feel annoyed at her presence.

“Zara is staying here for quite a while, and now inviting her friends. What, does she want to join our pack or something? I thought she had a job to do?” Serena wondered.

“Like I said at dinner, she wants to attend the wedding and see that we are set off in the best way possible given that she matched us,” I said, trying my best not to give a growl.

My wolf whimpered a little, tugging at me to go check on Zara again. I ignored him, as now wasn’t the time. Really, I wanted to be alone. With Serena pestering me, that wasn’t going to happen.

Serena scoffed. “Why isn’t her mate coming to get her?”

“Why can’t you leave her alone?” I asked. “You want to be all up in her business, and that’s something she probably knows the answer to and wants to keep to herself.”

“Why are you defending her? Why do you care, Noah? In fact, why did you insist on her drinking the tea? In the end, what should matter is that you will be Alpha, and I will be Luna. We will be able to help bring the pack to a beautiful new era.”

I rolled my eyes. “The way you talk can be so grating,” I muttered, reaching up to rub at my temples. “I am glad you have enthusiasm for the pack. I look forward to leading it as well. But Zara being here does not endanger that.”

“I never said it did.”

“You implied it,” I said in an exhausted tone.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I really don’t want you thinking the worst of me!” Serena pouted, a hurt expression crossing her face. “Noah, I only want to look out for us.”

"Are you? Well, for the time being, just consider her to be a part of the pack,” I suggested.

Serena lowered her gaze, and I knew that wasn’t what she wanted to hear. After a tense moment, she turned and hurried from the study without another word, the click of her heels echoing down the hall.