Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1211 - 122 : An Illuminated Threat

Chapter 1211: Chapter 122 : An Illuminated Threat

*Eva*

Jasper and I sat on a bench as we watched the boys run around on a play structure just outside of the guest house that we were staying in. Rion and Daphne were staying just a few houses away, which was extremely convenient for whenever we needed to watch Ayla and Selene or if we needed them to watch Aster and Tarik.

Jasper had an arm around my shoulders and gave me a wide grin when we met gazes. “Your boys are really something,” he said after a moment.

I giggled. I couldn’t agree more.

We watched my sons play. There were a couple of other children on the playground, including Ayla and Selene, who we were watching for the afternoon. Aster and Tarik were so young, but they were already taking their roles as older cousins very seriously.

Aster seemed particularly fascinated by his cousins, and I assumed at least part of that had to do with the fact that they hadn’t been around other children. It sounded like Varge kept them mostly isolated to hide the fact that they were still alive.

Aster was holding Selene’s hand, leading the little girl across the bridge that connected the two play structures together. Ayla was on the ground level with Tarik, chasing the older boy as Tarik ran around the poles holding the structure up. The two were giggling madly as they played.

“I can’t believe that I finally have them back,” I murmured, tearing up once again at the thought.

Jasper’s arm tightened around me sympathetically.

A small part of me had been worried about how boys would react to Jasper. He was such a big part of my life now. I wanted them not just to get along with him, but to love him as well. I knew I couldn’t expect them to think of him as a father figure, but if they could just see him as a friend, that would be enough for me.

I shouldn’t have been worried. Considering how easily Jasper was able to bond with me, I should have guessed that he would have a similar experience with my boys.

Tarik immediately took a liking to Jasper. I could tell that my son thought he was cool. He followed Jasper around everywhere and loved to ask him questions about fighting. Jasper was so good with him, so patient and kind.

Aster seemed to like Jasper as well, but my eldest son was actually more of a Rion fan. I could tell that Aster thought my brother was the coolest person alive. Aster was the more serious of the two boys, but Rion seemed to bring out the childlike wonder in him. I appreciated that so much.

“I’m so happy for you, Eva,” Jasper said in a low voice. “I already care about those two a lot. I know that they aren’t my sons, but I want to be something of a father to them if they would even want that.”

“I would love that,” I told Jasper honestly, leaning against him. I felt a frown touch the corners of my mouth. “I know that the boys really like you too, but it could take a while for them to be themselves around us.”

“What do you mean?” Jasper asked, shifting so he could look at me. “They seem very comfortable with us already.”

I shook my head, my lips pursing as I watched the boys play. “I can’t put my finger on it, but something is definitely off about them,” I said slowly, thinking the words as I said them. “Aster, specifically, doesn’t seem quite like himself.”

“That’s understandable I think,” Jasper said with a nod. “After all, they’ve been through a lot since they were taken from you. I’m sure that any child would take a while to return to their normal, innocent childlike ways if they were detained by a deranged bastard like Varge.”

I understood his point, but this was something else. I could feel it. “He isn’t just acting like he’s been traumatized,” I argued. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I watched as he looked over his shoulder nervously. Tarik did the same. “They’ve been acting almost like they’re waiting for something bad to happen.”

“They’ve been traumatized, Eva,” Jasper reminded me gently as if I actually needed reminding.

I winced at the word, causing his features to soften.

“It’s natural for them to be a bit nervous. They’re not used to being in a safe environment. They’ve probably always been taught to watch their backs.”

I hated that that was true, but I still felt like something else was wrong. They didn’t quite seem scared of whatever they were waiting for. It was more like they knew something was going to happen and were resigned to it.

Jasper suddenly grabbed my hands so that I was looking at him again. “Hey, you don’t have to worry anymore,” he murmured. “I know you’re so used to the stress. You’ve been through so much, but it’s over now. Let me take care of you and the boys now.”

Then, he kissed me. I hummed against his mouth, loving the feel and the warmth of him. And for a moment, I obeyed him, letting myself focus on everything I had, everything that I was able to get back. I could feel the desperation behind Jasper’s kiss. He was concerned for me, but he also was trying to convey just how serious he was about protecting me and the boys.

When we finally pulled apart, his eyes were intense, boring into mine with a fire that I had never seen there before.

I wrapped my arms around Jasper’s neck, pulling myself against his warm chest. “Thank you,” I whispered.

I could tell he heard me by the way he tightened his arms around me and dropped a kiss to the top of my head.

I decided to ask the boys about it later that night.

I was hesitant at first. I didn’t want to bring up any unnecessary scary memories that they might be repressing, but I was also concerned that something was very wrong with them.

We had just put away some of the toys that Alpha Oliver had provided for the boys. It was dark and about time to get the two ready for bed. I had debated waiting to confront the two, but they both started to look nervously toward the window overlooking the community.

I took a deep breath and crossed the room to shut the curtain, wondering if they were afraid of the dark or something. I knelt in front of them, looking into their matching gray eyes. “I’m worried about you two,” I said gently. “Is there something bothering you?”

Their huge eyes rounded, and they glanced at each other before looking down at their bare little toes. I squinted at them and realized that they almost looked guilty. My heart softened even more than the melted puddle it already was since getting my babies back.

“You don’t have to worry,” I murmured, caressing each of their cheeks fondly. “Even if you did something you think might have been naughty, you won’t be in trouble.”

Aster finally looked up at me and his deep gray eyes, which were just a shade darker than his brother’s, watered slightly, causing my chest to twist painfully. “Varge told us that you would die if we didn’t do it.”

I gritted my teeth at the sound of that bastard’s name. “What did you do?” I asked carefully, keeping my voice light so they would know they really weren’t in trouble. A bad feeling started to form in my stomach. “Please, boys. Mama needs to know so that she can help.”

Tarik looked at his brother. “I want to tell her,” he said in a soft, shaky voice.

Aster bit his lip but then nodded. “He’s still in our heads. He made us mesmerize Alpha Oliver and a lot of the other pack people.”

I blinked at him. “Mesmerize?” I echoed.

Tarik grabbed my arm, hugging it tightly to him as he gazed up at me. “He told us to do it to everyone we could,” he said. “And when Varge comes—”

I was processing this with growing apprehension when we were interrupted by terrified screams coming from outside. I grabbed the boys and hugged them to me, all our eyes darting to the window across the room.

I felt a terrifying desperation fill me as I realized that it could only be one person causing that high level of panic and fear.

No. Please.

I just got them back!

I prayed to the Goddess with all my might that I was wrong. There was no way, not this soon. After ordering the boys to stay put, I hurried to the window and after just half a second of hesitation, threw the curtains open to peer outside.

My exact nightmare was wreaking havoc right outside.

Varge looked even more powerful and terrifying than when we’d fought him last. I hoped desperately that it was just due to the nighttime darkness surrounding him that he looked larger than he had been just days earlier. The moonlight only seemed to illuminate his pointed teeth and claws that were outstretched threateningly.

I felt panic rush through me as I turned to glance at my sons, who were watching me with fear in their eyes. It was clear that they knew what was outside. They had been waiting for it since we brought them back.

But how did they find us? Was it possible that Varge used the boys as some kind of tracking device? Unfortunately, that wasn’t too far-fetched. We knew well enough that Varge somehow had access to some dark magic.

I returned to the window, my heart pounding as I tried to devise a plan. I needed to get the boys to safety. I watched in horror as I realized that Varge was being protected by several of the same warriors who had helped us rescue the boys. Not only that, but these were the men whom Aster and Tarik helped heal.

I didn’t have much time to dwell on that since I spotted something even more disturbing. Alpha Oliver stood at the large gate separating us from Varge. I gasp flew from my throat as the Alpha gestured for the gates to be opened. The walls flew open, allowing the beast to pass through effortlessly.

This wasn’t good, I realized as the pieces began to fall into place. Varge was obviously here for Aster and Tarik. Not only that, but it had all been a trap so that he could get to Ayla and Selene as well.

Something was wrong with Alpha Oliver and the other warriors. Everything was happening so quickly. My only thought was that I needed to get the boys to safety. We needed to stop Varge.

And I had a sinking feeling that we were going to be doing it on our own.

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