Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1146 - 57 : Love Conquers All

Chapter 1146: Chapter 57 : Love Conquers All

*Daphne*

I was thunderstruck by my mother’s revelation. So many questions ran through my head and so many more things began to make sense–like why she hadn’t been able to heal Rhys.

The next few weeks were stressful. My parents and I discussed what to do about the predicament in the kingdom and about what would be best for keeping me safe. I hardly had time to think about my birthday until the night before when I went to bed.

“We will announce your engagement to Alpha Gareth tomorrow night at your party,” Father had said wearily.

I nodded, still unsure whether I was comfortable with the plan. It had struck me as odd that Alpha Gareth had agreed so quickly to play the part of my fiance... no–that he had been willing to do so while understanding the arrangement was only a show. Father still has some strong connections to some of the loyal Alphas across both realms, and after explaining our situation, Gareth was more than willing to step up.

“I know you will be safe within his pack until we can figure things out. They are strong, despite their rough ways of doing things,” he had continued, frustration growing in his tone.

Mother had reached over, placing a hand on one of my dad’s arms. “She will be fine. Daphne has proven she can take care of herself,” she said softly.

My concerns for my mother had been growing since our conversation in her chamber. I’d noticed her growing weaker with each passing day. She had been taking more breaks to spend time in her chamber, alone.

I had met with Rhys a few times, talking to him through our connection. He hadn’t been able to shed any more light on the situation.

Before going to bed, I spoke with Rhys again. He warned that darkness was growing over the palace once more, and the allies of the royal family shouldn’t be easily trusted.

My dreams were haunted by unease, showing me darkness and unrest everywhere. As I opened my eyes, I was relieved to see the sunlight streaming through my velvet curtains. I rolled over to block the light, stretching my limbs as I moved.

As I stretched out my arms, I felt the tug of my wolf in my mind. I kept my eyes closed, enjoying the warm feeling of her comforting presence. I was calm and relaxed as I felt the gentle shifting of my body becoming a wolf for the first time.

I opened my eyes and admired my wolf as her reflection looked back at me in the mirror. Her chestnut fur and hazel eyes reflected my own, but the shine of her coat had been absolutely stunning.

I often wondered what it would feel like to experience my wolf, and now I know. Strength rushed through my body, and I couldn’t help but admire the elegance with which my wolf presented.

Her emotions flooded my mind as I thought of my baby bump. I felt her excitement for the pup growing inside of us, but it was soon shadowed by a feeling of sadness as she realized we were missing our mate.

I felt her sort through my memories and she had paused and lingered on the thoughts of Rion. I tried to assure her that, despite the circumstances, we would be with him again.

For the next few hours we shifted back and forth with ease. I was excited by how effortless it was running and jumping around as my wolf. Her instincts pulled at my mind, and I knew she longed to feel the sun on her fur and run freely through the garden. In the next moment, we hurried out of my room and down the steps toward the great outdoors.

She was overjoyed to sniff the fresh air and feel the dewy grass beneath her paws.

My wolf showed off for a little while, jumping to impossible heights and running full speed through the tall grass. Although the time spent together was a pleasure for us both, our empty stomach protested our time outdoors.

My wolf had wanted to stay out, but food was more important. I reminded her that we had a baby to take care of, and she instantly agreed to go back inside. We rushed up to my room and shifted back. I washed up quickly, slipped into the gown that Pepper had set out for my special day, and went down to breakfast.

The smell of the delicious breakfast dishes reached me on the staircase, and my stomach growled in anticipation.

“Happy Birthday, Daphne!” Father said, giving me a quick hug before I took my place at the table.

“Thank you!” I replied with a smile I felt stretching from ear to ear.

He beamed at me. Mother also smiled pleasantly, leaning over to kiss my cheek as she patted my hand. “Happy Birthday.”

“Thank you.”

I hungrily devoured breakfast. My appetite was insatiable from running with my wolf and nourishing the child growing within.

After eating my fill, I decided to walk around the grounds. My wolf had been eager to see more of the world around us for herself. The canopy of the trees swayed gently in the breeze, causing dapples of sunlight to dance around my feet. I couldn’t keep my thoughts from drifting to Rion as I walked.

Questions of his well-being and location wracked my brain as I second-guessed my decision not to go after him again. I had to trust for now that Eva would protect him and keep him safe. But I was still worried about him.

I felt my wolf was too. We both agreed that we needed Rion. I just had to figure out how to tell my parents. Just running off and doing what I wanted hadn’t worked out well the last time. Also, it hadn’t been fair to them. I was of age, and I would soon be a mother myself. I decided to tell them my decision that night.

The palace was a blur of activity most of the day. Servants hurried about the palace preparing for my birthday. Alpha Gareth had shown up a few hours before the celebration, and I had been sent to my chamber to prepare for the long evening.

“Are you excited?” Pepper asked after coming into my room to help me get ready.

Rumors of my upcoming engagement had been flying around the palace for the last week. None have been verified, but after tonight, everyone will know. Pepper was going through my closet to find a red dress that would still fit without showing off my growing bump.

“Tonight’s celebration is an important one, but I think I would still rather just soak in a hot bath and go to bed,” I replied, exhausted from everything I had on my mind.

Pepper frowned at my comment. “You only get to celebrate getting your wolf once, but I understand how draining it must be in your condition,” she said, pulling out one of the last red gowns from the walk-in.

She held it up and lifted her brow at me. “What about this one?”

I hadn’t worn that red dress in a couple of years and was actually surprised when she found it in the back of the closet. Pepper helped me get into it. The gown was a strapless number that was a little tight on top. My breasts had grown in preparation for motherhood, but Pepper was able to squeeze them into the fabric. The silk bottom was supposed to be loose, but it hugged my belly a little due to the slight swelling.

It was a relief to both of us that the gown zipped up and looked flattering around my curves.

Pepper stepped back and gasped. “You look stunning!” she squealed, urging me to sit down on a bench so she could work on my hairdo.

I had to admit I looked good after Pepper finished my hair. She had been kind enough to pick out a cute pair of black shoes with no heels. Word arrived from another servant that it was time.

My father waited at the top of the staircase for me. He gave me a smile that reminded me of the days when I was little and could run into his arms. Everything else melted away as he hugged me.

“Never forget that you are my daughter and under any circumstances, you will always have my support.”

“Do you really mean that?” I asked when I pulled back.

He looked me in the eye. “I mean that.”

He held his arm out for me to hold. A crowd waited at the foot of the steps. There were so many attending the party in my honor that they didn’t all fit in the grand hall. An aisle was formed for me to walk through the group into the hall.

My mother was positioned by Alpha Gareth standing at the foot of the steps. I had to admit he was very handsome. His dirty blond hair was cut tight on the sides and back of his head, but it was long and slicked back on top. Gareth’s dark brown eyes looked like black pools as they devoured me hungrily while I descended toward him.

Muscles could be seen flexing under his suit as he moved. As we reached the landing, I realized how tall he was. Still, something about him didn’t feel right, and my wolf whimpered as I stopped beside him.

I decided it was merely the fact that he wasn’t Rion as we turned to face the crowded room as my parents ascended to their thrones.

“Thank you all for joining us on this, the night of my daughter’s twenty-first birthday,” my Father announced in a loud booming voice. “As you all know our youngest daughter, Daphne, has come of age to find her mate and settle down. It is with a happy heart that I announce her engagement to Alpha Gareth.”

The room erupted with applause and joyous cries that led into a festive evening of congratulations and well wishes. I felt the day become long and drawn out. I wished Rhys and my sisters were there. It was a long night of food, dancing, mingling, and small talk about the future. Alpha Gareth had stayed by my side the entire evening, making me slightly uncomfortable when he would take it upon himself to put his arm around the small of my back.

I wasn’t sure if he truly understood that he was only posing as my finance. Every time he touched me, I would feel my wolf bristle. I had to hold her back from aggressively pulling away from him.

Once the celebration dwindled and the last guest finally left, the palace fell into silence once again. The party was over, but I still had to confront my parents about the plans I had made and became more and more certain of throughout the day.

I approached them before they left the hall. I knew Alpha Garth could hear me as well.

“I know you all went through great pains over the last few weeks to set all this up, and I can never thank you enough for that,” I started, looking back and forth between my parents and Alpha Gareth. “I had hoped that after gaining my wolf, this arrangement would sit better with me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. I want to go after Rion.”

I held my breath as I waited for their response.

Would they understand?