Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1087 - 150 : Egoren Airport

Chapter 1087: Chapter 150 : Egoren Airport

*Lucas*

**FIVE YEARS LATER**

Wind whipped the large, red ribbon, making it difficult for King Xander and me to cut. But I was told this wind is good for lift and would make a nice tailwind for when our maiden flight went over to the Light Realm.

Finally, between the two of us, the fateful cut was made and the ribbon snapped back, dancing away at both ends to reveal the automatic doors of the new Egoren Airport–the first airport in the Dark Realm.

As Xander gestured for the assembled to enter, I searched the crowd for my family. There was my beautiful wife, Sasha, holding our daughter Willow’s hand. And my son Hunter was practically bouncing with excitement next to them. I waved and they waved back eagerly.

I had made sure my family had spots on the maiden flight today. I wanted us all to experience this historic moment together.

Xander clapped me on the shoulder. "You did well, Lucas. And I see you were wise to book your family on the first flight."

I grinned. "I wouldn’t have had it any other way."

“I’m going to take in the general splendor for a bit. I’m sure you’re planning to do the same, in daylight, with the shops and restaurants open,” Xander said. “Watch your creation breathe before take-off.”

“I am.”

We nodded to each other and Xander wandered off to be among his people while I stood back, standing alone in the great big ticketing area first, then going past it through security to the shops and restaurants beyond.

The whole terminal was a hive of activity. I was excited because this was just the first terminal–Xander had already planned for three more around the Dark Realm. I was in charge of designing all of them.

But this is the largest. It was the one in the capital, the Egoren Airport.

And the contract was given to me.

I walked past a fast food place and a bar, a souvenir shop, and a newspaper stand. Everything was brand spanking new, including the employee uniforms. The whole place smelled of newly taken down plastic and untouched concrete.

I loved it.

I also knew this place was as safe and efficient as any airport in the Light Realm, and may even rival them. Now that we could fly back and forth, connecting our realms more closely than ever before, I would be able to explore the other airports and see what I thought. A good idea was a good idea, after all.

People movers helped me get around swiftly. I admired all the fine work my crews had done. Colorful mosaics of important moments in our history lined the walls between gates.

It had been quite a piece of negotiating to get the artist to lower himself to create his art in an airport, but once he realized it would be the first airport in the land, he fell all over himself to put his mark on this momentous bit of history as well.

I made my way to Gate 38.

Gate 38 was where it was all going to happen–the maiden flight. It was still an hour to take-off, and most of the guests had already crowded there, with the hundred lucky ticket holders right at the front.

People were marveling over the high ceilings, open spaces, lofty windows... everything. I could hear compliments exclaimed and whispered all around, and it made my heart swell with pride.

My family joined me, and I gave Sasha a quick kiss, enjoying the sparkle in her eyes. "Welcome to the first airport in the Dark Realm."

"It’s magnificent, Lucas," Sasha said, her eyes beaming with pride for me as she took it all in.

Hunter was peering around excitedly. "This is way cool!"

Willow just stared with wide eyes, clutching her stuffed wolf tightly. I could tell she was impressed.

I spotted Xander right up by the counter with two perky flight attendants and one airport bursar who had come with a wheelchair for one of the passengers. I assumed it was one of the Dark Realm’s oldest citizens. He had been contacted and, despite his advanced age, he had decided to take the maiden flight.

“If I die aboard, I’ll die happy,” he wheezed at Xander.

And, sure enough, the old man trembled slowly over to the wheelchair, another aged but stronger gentleman at his side. He was proudly rolling his own canister of oxygen, swatting the other man’s hand away when he tried to help.

“I’ve got it, Murray.”

I covered a smile with my hand.

He perched himself in his chair in a very dignified manner while the bursar loaded the oxygen tank onto the back of the wheelchair.

Everyone started clapping, and he soaked it up, as well he should have. He’d earned it.

“Thank you, sir, for agreeing to join us today. It’s truly a great honor, especially given how far you had to travel,” Xander said, shaking the old man’s frail hand.

“That’s Fredric to you, Your Majesty. Don’t stand much on ceremony any more. Figure it alleviates a lot of that stress they say kills people.” Frederic wheezed at his own joke.

Xander chuckled. “Well, thank you for joining us, Frederic. I’m very excited that I will soon be able to pay more visits to Alvar with the help of airports like these.”

“Don’t come flying in on our account. We’re an independent lot,” Frederic sniffed.

I could tell Xander was trying very, very hard not to laugh, but that was only because I knew him well.

“Yes, I have heard the stories,” Xander assured him.

“Right. And am I gonna be flying on this thing in a coffin or are we getting things underway?” Frederic groused.

Murray patted Frederic’s shoulder.

“You’re right,” Xander said. “I need to make a speech, and then you two will be the first passengers aboard.”

“I’ll let you know if everything’s up to snuff,” Frederic agreed.

“Good. Alright, ladies and gentlemen...” Xander began.

I was only half listening. I was too busy watching the excitement and anticipation on people’s faces. So far, the airport was a roaring success, and we hadn’t even done one flight yet.

“... Royal Engineer Lucas Black...” Xander was saying.

I looked up and waved at everyone, who had turned around to look at me.

There was a thunderous round of clapping, and I was nearly overcome with emotion.

“Still not getting any younger,” Frederic said once the applause died down.

A chuckle went through the crowd and Xander’s eyes crinkled at the corners. He paraphrased whatever he’d been planning to say, “So, thanks to everyone who had a hand in building this, our first airport, and, as Frederic says, let’s get boarded!”

I blinked. Xander was going on the maiden flight? I hadn’t known that.

Sure enough, Xander followed Murray, who pushed Frederic’s wheelchair from the bursar onto the plane, shooting me a wink over his shoulder and waving us forward. "Come, the maiden flight awaits!"

The flight crew welcomed us aboard. I settled into my seat next to Sasha, across from Hunter and Willow. Through the window I could see the remaining ribbon from the opening ceremony fluttering in the wind across the tarmac.

Soon the captain’s voice came over the intercom welcoming us aboard the first flight from Egoren Airport to Cedar Hollow. The plane began taxiing down the runway. I reached over and took Sasha’s hand as we accelerated into the sky.

As the plane leveled out, I turned to Sasha. "Well, we’re airborne–the start of a new era."

Sasha nodded, gazing out the window. "It really opens up so many possibilities, doesn’t it?"

"It does indeed." I paused. "Have you given more thought to moving to the Light Realm?"

"I have. And now with the planes, it’s much more feasible," Sasha said excitedly.

"No more long sea voyages," I agreed. "Just a quick flight whenever we want to visit back and forth. We could keep a home in both realms."

Sasha squeezed my hand excitedly. "Oh, there are so many lovely estates in the Light Realm I’d love to show you. Also, the sixth gifted school has already opened up in the Light Realm. So far, the first graduates have become highly sought after as Lunas for the strongest packs."

I nodded. "We should have seen that coming. The packs want to harness their powers."

"I just hope rival packs don’t try to take advantage of the girls’ abilities," Sasha said, brow furrowing slightly.

"Yes, we’ll need to be vigilant about that," I agreed. "But I’m confident the schools have prepared them well. And they seem to form close bonds with each other."

Sasha relaxed and smiled. "You’re right. Lena made it a point to teach them the importance of unity between packs and the realms. With a proper support system, they’ll thrive."

She went on to describe potential homes in the Light Realm as I listened thoughtfully. This would be a big change, but an exciting new Chapter for us.

"The only thing is... I have sunk my roots deeply in the Dark Realm," I admitted. "As an engineer, I’ve always found ample projects and opportunities there. And I know King Xander relies on me."

Sasha nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. But surely between the two of us, we can find a solution that allows you to maintain a presence in the Dark Realm while also letting us make a home closer to our family in the Light Realm."

"You’re right, love. We’ll make it work." I brushed a loose strand of hair back from her face. "And just think–soon we can take the children to visit all the famous sites in the Light Realm. The Crystal Caverns, the Sea of Light–"

"Oh, Willow will be over the moon to visit the Summer Glen!" Sasha said excitedly.

"And Hunter will surely find trouble to get into no matter which realm we’re in," I chuckled.

We spent the next few minutes happily discussing potential homes we could look at in the Light Realm, and fun day trips to take the kids on.

After a lull in the conversation, Sasha said softly, "I know change can be hard sometimes. But I think this will be a wonderful new adventure for us all."

"You’re right, as always," I told her. "Any adventure is better with you by my side."

She leaned her head on my shoulder. "I love you, Lucas."

"And I love you, Sasha." I kissed the top of her head, then looked out the window at the sun streaming through the clouds around us. The future seemed bright, and our family would face it together.

I leaned in and kissed her neck. “Everything I need is right here.”

Sasha beamed at me.

I looked over at Hunter and Willow, who were still utterly fascinated by the flight.

“All we really need is us, anyway, right? You, me, and our two best designs,” Sasha grinned.

I smiled back. “Yes. You, me, and our two best designs.”