Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1154 - 65 : Change of Heart

Chapter 1154: Chapter 65 : Change of Heart

*Rion*

Our guides from Thorn Forest helped us gather supplies and return to the cave. Eva’s barrier allowed us entry easily enough. She made it so that only those who were welcome could enter the cave again.

The crew spread out and got to work handing out supplies and getting started on making a meal.

I saw Eva and Daphne in the back of the cave. They sat on a bedroll together and they looked like they were having a serious, intimate conversation.

I hoped they were bonding and getting to know each other. The two of them were the most important women in my life, and I wanted to see them on good terms.

“How’d things go while I was away?” I asked one of my men who remained behind.

“Good. Quiet. Some guards came through but the barrier protected us.” He nodded toward Eva.

“And my sister?”

He smirked. “She’s been quiet.”

I nodded and headed over to Daphne and Eva. Already, the cave filled with the savory, juicy scent of a campfire-cooked meal. My stomach growled. I’d been out running around all day. I was glad food was on the way.

“Hey you two, how’s it going?” I stood behind Eva.

Daphne looked up at me and smiled widely. She sighed and shrugged. “Nothing to report.”

“Really?” I glanced at Eva.

She also shrugged. “Yeah. It’s been a pretty slow afternoon. Were you successful?”

I nodded. “We got all the supplies we need for a few days.”

I looked between Daphne and Eva. There was absolutely no tension between them at all. Had my sister really managed to spend the whole afternoon in the cave with Daphne and my men and not make any ridiculous threats?

“Rion, ladies, have something to eat.” Jasper brought three plates over and passed them around.

My stomach grumbled again.

Eva scoffed and patted the floor. “Sit, eat with us.”

“Us?” I arched an eyebrow at her.

Quickly, she buried her face in her plate and scarfed down some food.

Daphne reached out and took my hand. “How’d it go out there? Are Alpha Gareth’s forces still lurking around?”

“We didn’t encounter any. I’m guessing they’ve moved on from the area because they didn’t find anything.”

“Thank the Goddess for Eva’s barrier, then.” Daphne favored Eva with a smile.

Seeing my sister make connections with other people warmed my heart. I asked the two of them what they did all day and they muttered about exchanging stories.

They didn’t give me any details, but it sounded like the two of them had bonded some. They were giggling together and everything. I hadn’t seen Eva that relaxed before.

“How’s the little one?” I motioned to Daphne’s belly.

She sighed with a big smile on her face and touched her stomach. My heart palpitated, skipping like a rock over a calm lake’s surface. She looked so maternal and tender.

“We’re fine. A good meal definitely helps.” She held up her plate.

“Do you want more?”

“Please? I’m eating for two now.”

I took her plate and refilled it. The rest of the crew was settling down for the evening. Some were playing cards. Others were just lounging and relaxing. A few went into a back corner of the cave to smoke.

Eva’s shield gave everyone an excuse to let loose a little.

Daphne gobbled down her seconds. Still, she managed to look perfectly graceful and royal as she did. I never knew anyone could look that attractive while stuffing their face.

“What?” She glanced sideways at me.

I smirked and brushed the corner of her mouth with my thumb. “You saving this?” I showed her the speck of food on my thumb.

Daphne rolled her eyes.

“Stop teasing her so much, Rion. She’s been through a lot.”

“It’s alright, Eva. I’m used to it.”

I leaned back on the cave wall and enjoyed the scene of my sister and Daphne getting along. It almost felt like the three of us were enjoying a family meal.

My mind wandered, and I wondered if that would ever be possible. Could Daphne, Eva, and I, along with our child, live a normal life as a tight knit family?

I studied Daphne closely. Seeing her smiling again, happy and free, meant more to me than she’d ever know. With every crinkle in her nose and the way her lips twitched just before she laughed, I couldn’t imagine not seeing those little expressions every single day.

After finding Hestia’s treasure, Eva and I had all the treasure we’d ever need. It meant I could finally help Eva get set up in a safe place where she wouldn’t have to be persecuted or tortured anymore.

I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. As beautiful of a thought as it was, I knew it wouldn’t lead to family dinners. Daphne had to return to the palace, as much as I didn’t want to think about that.

With the treasure, I had the means to support Daphne and our child and give them both the comfortable, pampered life they both deserved.

As long as Eva was wanted by the palace, Daphne and I would be separated by politics. Could I give up a role in my child’s life?

I glanced at Eva. She and I were family. We’d been through a lot, and she deserved a comfortable pampered life just as much as Daphne and the baby.

After dinner, Daphne decided to rest. I left her in the corner and sat outside the cave, just at the edge of the barrier. Eva came to join me. She took in a deep breath and looked up at the stars.

“You and Daphne seem to be bonding.”

She shrugged. “We had a lot to talk about.”

“Like what?”

“Just stuff, you know.”

“No, I don’t.”

Eva chuckled. “Just stuff between the two of us.”

“Fine, be that way.” I rolled my eyes.

“I’ve been thinking....”

“Oh boy.”

“Rion, shut up!” Eva smacked my arm with the back of her hand.

“Sorry. Go on.” I rubbed my arm.

“I’m thinking I should turn myself in.”

“What!?” I stiffened and stared at her, bug eyes. “Did someone sprinkle crazy powder on your dinner? Why would you even say that!?” I had worked so hard to get Eva back, and now she wanted to hand herself over to the royal guard.

“King Xander made a deal with you for your freedom. Maybe they’ll do the same for me.”

“And if they don’t, you’ll end up in a cell for the rest of your life. Is that really what you want?”

“Hm.” She shrugged. “Do you really think a royal prison cell could hold me indefinitely? I have the power to escape, if things don’t go my way.”

I set my hands on my hips. “That doesn’t exactly make me feel better. Eva, I just got you back. I don’t want to lose you again.”

“I don’t want to lose you either, but Rion... you have a child on the way. I don’t want you to be torn between a life with me and a life with your child.”

“That’s not fair, Eva. For years, all that mattered was getting you back and making sure you were safe.”

“You accomplished both goals.”

“I also promised myself that we’d never be separated again.”

“And if I go back to the palace and turn myself in, maybe we won’t be. Look, if I want to prove to myself, and everyone else, that I’m not like Hestia, doesn’t that start with admitting my wrongs?”

"But Eva, imprisoning yourself doesn’t make sense. Are you sure Daphne didn’t make you any promises about the palace being lenient?"

Eva shook her head. "No, it was just a conversation between the two of us. This is my decision, Rion."

I studied her, searching for any sign that she might be holding something back. But she held my gaze evenly. With a resigned sigh, I raked my fingers through my hair. I shuddered, picturing the cold, isolated cell that awaited her–sterile walls, a drafty cot. Eva deserved so much more than that lonely, bleak existence.

“I don’t trust the king and queen,” I said.

“Neither do I.”

“Eva, what is this really about?” I stopped attacking her and softened my tone.

Eva slowly turned to face me and shrugged.

“Eva....”

“You’re going to be a father, Rion. Do you even know what I’d give to–”

She let out a breath. “You should be a father to your child. That way, they’ll have a chance at a better life than what we had. Whether you’re there full-time or part-time, if you’re still looking out for me, I’ll only be in the way.”

“Why are you saying these things, Eva? You were the one who wanted us to go away together and live in a quiet, peaceful place, just the two of us.”

Even when Eva was set on kidnapping and sacrificing Daphne, I never had any intention of letting her live out her life alone. She’d lost too much, and I wanted to help give some of it back to her.

“I just want to keep you safe and give you the life that you were robbed of.”

Eva took my hand. She gave me a somber, grateful look. “I know, Rion. I love you for that.”

“Then why are you saying you’ll turn yourself in? That’s a horrible life to choose for yourself.”

“It is my choice, isn’t it?”

“Is it?” I arched an eyebrow at her. She and Daphne had been talking all day.

Daphne must have told Eva about the deal King Xander made with me and given her some kind of hope the same would happen for her.

Why would she do that? Daphne knew how much Eva meant to me. Could she be that desperate to trap me into a life with her? Maybe I didn’t know her as well as I thought.

Would Daphne go to such lengths to try to convince Eva to turn herself in?

“It is my choice, Brother. Don’t think otherwise. I know what options I have, and none of them are great. If we leave together, you’ll be separated from your child and the woman you love. We’ll be on the run for the rest of our lives.”

“We can change our names and hide out somewhere. The palace won’t spend all those resources looking for us.”

“Maybe not, but you’d still be giving up so much. You’ve already given up so much for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Before you made the deal to kidnap Daphne to ‘trade’ for me, you weren’t in trouble with the law. You sacrificed your freedom. Don’t sacrifice your child, too.”

“But–”

Eva held her hand up. “Rion, if I turn myself in, I’ll still be close to you and your child. We won’t be completely separated.”

I sighed heavily, my eyes drifting back into the cave.

Daphne was resting soundly, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she had something to do with Eva’s change of heart. My sister wouldn’t willingly give up her freedom, not after everything she’d been through.

I didn’t want her making decisions based on false promises.

I’d have to find out the truth.