Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1269 - 24 : Calling it Off

*Zara*

The day after the ball, it was time to head back to Drogomor. I met with Gia before I left Windy Clouds, giving her a bright smile.

“You and Marcus found each other,” I said softly. “How did it feel, Gia, finding your true mate?”

“Oh Zara, it felt wonderful,” she said. “It was like waking up from a dream and seeing the most gorgeous person in mind and body in front of me.”

“That intense?”

“Yes, our kiss gave me a burst of sheer happiness and passion,” she said with a faraway smile. “I know he’s the one. I can feel it.”

“That’s wonderful, Gia. What are your plans now?”

“Well, I’m going to head back to my pack for now, but we’ll keep in touch. Marcus and I already have plans to see each other again soon. This will lead to big changes in my life.”

“I’m here to support you, Gia,” I said softly, leaning over and giving my friend a hug.

***

On the way back to Drogomor, I felt extremely hollow inside. I hadn’t found my mate and had no extra lilies with me either.

My wolf was silent, as hopeless as I was, and I felt like curling up and crying for a few hours. I didn’t have the liberty of doing so, though, as I wasn’t home yet.

When we got back, I met with Issac and Estella.

I said quietly, “I’m feeling extremely homesick and need to return home.”

The Alpha and Luna exchanged a glance but relented quickly.

Issac commented, “Your help with Noah truly is valued, Zara. I know it did not go as you expected. But your efforts are greatly appreciated.”

I smiled faintly and dipped my head respectfully. “Thank you, Alpha Issac. I think in the end, Noah will choose the right thing for himself. It will just take a while.”

Issac nodded, then sighed, staring down at the table. “Hopefully, your words on true love will stay with him.”

“I hope so,” I said.

“Do you need anything before you go?” Estella asked. “Are you sure you don’t want to be paid for your work?”

“I am sure,” I said. “You let me stay here entirely for free, and it’s been wonderful,” I said sincerely. “I’ve made a whole new discovery, after all, from the adventures here.”

“The Luna Lily,” Estella said in a dreamy voice. “The pack is abuzz with that journey, even now. Some say it was a large reason why some mates found each other during the Moon Ball in Windy Clouds.”

I felt a pang in my gut. It had worked for so many, including my beloved best friend Gia, but not for me. The brief moment of distraction from my negative feelings faded.

I just nodded. “It very well may be true,” I said with a wink. From there, I stood up and gave a kind farewell.

Just then, I felt a vibration in my pocket from my phone.

‘Are you okay?’ she texted me.

She must have noticed the despair in my tone when we were leaving Windy Clouds.

‘Not really. I am going to head home now. I need some time to myself to think. We can meet up again sometime. Have fun with Marcus for me,’ I sent her.

From there, I made my way down the hall, intent on getting to my room so I could finish packing and be ready to head home as soon as possible.

Before I could get there, though, I turned a corner and almost ran headfirst into Noah. His shocked blazing blue eyes fixed on me, and he tilted his head.

“In a rush to get somewhere? Did you check in with Calvin already?”

I shrugged. “I’m heading to my room to pack. I haven’t spoken with Calvin yet because I’m heading home,” I said.

Noah blinked, a deep frown forming on his face. For some reason, I felt like my wolf disliked this idea as well... or maybe it was the concept of leaving Noah.

My wolf and I had both been focused on finding our mate, so why she suddenly was downtrodden about leaving the Alpha Heir, I didn’t know. As always, it was best to ignore her for now.

Only that one time had my wolf led me to something wonderful, after all—the night of the full moon in the clearing.

At the time, I knew all was right. It was a feeling I really needed to capture again. My mate had to be out there somewhere.

My mind was snapped out of my thoughts when Noah casually said, “Well, can I come with you?”

I wondered why he wanted to come with me. That made no sense.

“Excuse me?” I said, bewildered. “But why? You need to stay here. You have the wedding to deal with... or better, a wedding to call off so you can find your true mate. Joining me won’t help with that.”

“Well, the trip can give me some time to clear my head,” he said. “Plus, after everything I put you through, I would like to see that you get home safely. It’s the least I can do.”

Annoyingly, my wolf was tugging at me to accept, but I shook my head and remained firm. “No, that’s okay.”

“Why don’t you want me to come?” he asked. “Will your mate be there?”

My stomach clenched at the mention of my mate. At this point, I wondered if he knew the truth, or at least suspected something. I didn’t know, but either way, I wasn’t going to confess it here. It was best just to wish him well and say goodbye.

“I should get my things together,” I replied.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?” I asked.

“Will your mate be there to look after you, Zara?”

I couldn’t stop my lip from quivering. After a pause, I said, “No. Is that the answer you wanted?”

Noah blinked several times, then growled, “Not necessarily. Why?”

“I don’t know, okay? He wasn’t there at the ball, but we’ll get together at some point. It’s complicated, Noah,” I said, clenching my jaw.

I wanted to break eye contact and stare at the floor, but I resisted the urge to do so, glaring him down and daring him to challenge this.

“How is it complicated?” he asked.

“Why do I need to explain that? I just don’t know.”

“People typically know what ‘complicated’ means when they say it. That sounds like an excuse.”

“Well, this time I don’t,” I huffed, my tone growing more agitated.

But rather than pry, he dipped his head. “Touchy subject. Fine. I get it.”

I knew I should tell him this was none of his business every time it came up, but I decided against it. When it came down to it, Noah was coming from a place where he wanted to help me.

“In any case,” he said, his tone softening, “I will come along. Look, Zara, consider it a selfish ask on my part. I really need to get away from Drogomor for a while.”

“You do?” I asked, bewildered.

He nodded. “Yes. Not only that, but time away from this pack will help me learn about my responsibilities and be exposed to new perspectives about how other packs operate. I won’t shove my way in if you don’t want me to.”

“Huh. You won’t?” I asked, raising a brow.

He was all about the push and the shove until I snapped back at him, and even then, he could still be stubborn.

“I won’t,” he then added in an annoyed tone.

“So, if I say no, you’ll leave me alone?” I asked.

Noah nodded firmly, then sighed. “I won’t be happy about it, but yes. It will be your home, after all. I would really appreciate it if you let me join you.”

“Will the wedding be prepared in time?” I asked. “Or are you delaying it?”

“Oh,” he said casually. “Delaying, no... canceling, yes.” He smirked at my bemused expression.

I felt my wolf grow extremely excited at this news.

“You mean you’re calling off the wedding? What caused this decision?” I asked, unable to help but smile and feel a surge of relief rush through me. Maybe everything I did here really wouldn’t be in vain, I thought.

“Our talks, Zara,” he said, “and your faith, your desire for my happiness, and Serena’s too. We won’t be happy together... as much as I hate to admit it, because I’m sure it will go to your head,” he added in a joking tone.

I couldn’t help but give a soft giggle, my eyes flashing defiantly as I stared him down. He winked at me, raising an eyebrow seductively, which caused me to roll my eyes.

“Go on,” I said, basking in the fact that he was admitting I was right.

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” he laughed.

I caught a radiant smile from him that lightened my mood even further.

“I am. You should compliment me more often.”

He rolled his eyes and didn’t lose his smirk.

After I nodded, he continued. “You were right, about everything. Zara, you’re an incredibly gorgeous woman to me, but more importantly, you’re passionate and intelligent.”

“See, that’s not so hard, is it?”

“I’m about to say that it is.” His tone was adorably teasing.

“No, no. Go on. Keep talking, I won’t interrupt again.”

“You sure?” he asked.

“No promises.”

Noah chuckled. “Look. I know I didn’t take you seriously before. Could you forgive me for that and let me accompany you?”

“Hmmm,” I said. “I’ll think about it.” I smirked as he scoffed.

“Well, you don’t have much time to think about it if you’re leaving right away.”

“Nope, I don’t need much time,” I said. “Noah Drogomor, Alpha Heir, I will allow you to accompany me so that you can get more experience with other packs and learn new perspectives.”

“And to make sure you won’t get yourself into trouble again,” he muttered.

“Hey now, don’t push your luck, or I’ll ask you to repeat how right I am again as a requirement to come with me, something that clearly pained you.”

Noah laughed, then let out a groan. The smile he wore met his eyes, and for the first time since the letdown of the Moon Ball, I felt elated.

Suddenly, a furious voice came from around the corner. “You’re calling off the wedding?!” came the shriek of a familiar power-hungry woman.

Serena turned the corner, storming up to Noah and clenching her fists. Noah was unmoved and stood his ground as he always did.

“Yes,” he said flatly. “I am.”

Then, his tone turned a bit softer. “Serena. You’re not happy with me either. This was never going to work out. We both thought fated mates were a fairy tale. It turns out that the only fairy tale is your obsession with being the perfect Luna.” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

“I only wanted to do what was best for the pack!” Serena cried. “You can’t be serious, Noah!”

“I am,” Noah said, his stare unwavering from hers. “The wedding is off, Serena. It’s something you will need to accept and move on.”

“I won’t accept it and move on! Noah... I... after everything... I thought we agreed... you promised me!” she shrieked.

Noah narrowed his eyes and stepped up closer to her, intimidating, not backing down given that she was now red in the face and relentless.

“You will accept it,” he said, his voice in a low growl. “You will move on. You have no choice, Serena.”

Serena lifted her hand as if she was going to hit him, and I saw Noah’s blazing blue eyes flash in a wild fashion, as if he were about to shift.

Intimidated, Serena lowered her hand and took a step back, sliding her blazing gaze to me.

“This isn’t over,” she snarled.