Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1260 - 15 : Nothing Changes

Chapter 1260: Chapter 15 : Nothing Changes

*Zara*

Things were tense on our way back, but I refused to speak much to Noah. I realized that I was more upset than I should have been that he’d put me on the spot and asked me to try the Luna Lily tea.

There was no point to it, and why he’d been adamant about it, I didn’t know.

Thankfully, no more incidents occurred, though Serena continued to complain, and Noah’s patience was running incredibly thin. They were definitely not in love, and this flower confirming it only made them drop the badly formulated act both had tried to put on.

“This isn’t going to change things, is it?” I asked on the ride back to the mansion.

Serena said, “For me, no. Noah? We already knew the outcome, flower or not. We’re not in love, but it doesn’t mean anything. We are smart and practical. We can handle this marriage.”

Noah nodded, glancing toward me for a moment before looking back out the front window. He said in what almost sounded like a defeated tone, “It changes nothing for me.”

I rolled my eyes. He was still on that. “Still, you two will not end up happy. Marriages of convenience just don’t work out. We should–”

“We should nothing,” Noah interrupted with a low growl. “Drop it, Zara. You did your job. We’re matchmade. The requirements were never ‘love.’ I’ve accepted Serena. You already have a mate, so you should now accept that.”

I felt my heart clench and looked down to my lap. This was horrible. I opened then closed my mouth, feeling dread set into my very soul.

In a softer tone, Noah said, “Hey. Your job isn’t in danger. People will see you were successful. Alright? That said, your future isn’t in danger. I promise.”

His tone was almost tender there, and I almost felt as though I believed it. But that wasn’t the point.

I supposed he was right, and that my job was fine even if he and Serena weren’t fated mates. In the end, they would not be happy. There was no true love, no beautiful ending to this.

In the end, ‘job done’ or not, I had failed. I had failed my ideals, I failed to sway him. It broke my heart. This was my first job, and Noah would end up miserable in the long run. I knew it.

If he would just let us take a little bit longer...

“We can’t delay the wedding a little bit further?” I asked.

“No,” Noah and Serena said bitterly at the same time.

Well.

It was worth a shot.

I sighed and remained silent for the rest of the trip. We arrived, and I dismissed myself to go meet with Issac and Estella. We once again met in their office, and their eyes were wide with hope—hope that I was about to crush.

Swallowing, I wet my lips. Then, I said, “We went through with the journey. As expected, the Luna Lily confirmed they are not a true match.”

Issac leaned forward, giving a nod. “Then surely they will be calling off the wedding?” he asked, though at my expression, he frowned deeply.

I shook my head. “No,” I said helplessly. “There was no way I could convince them out of it. Neither of them is in love, but they both still want to marry... Noah for convenience, Serena for status. I tried swaying them, but they’re both stubborn.”

“I see,” Issac said with a sigh. “Well, Noah has always been known to be stubborn. I wish he would see reason for once, but Goddess knows I wouldn’t be able to convince him either.”

Estella nodded in agreement, letting out a sigh. “Maybe this is the best we can hope for.”

I clenched my jaw, holding back tears, before finally saying, “I will leave after the engagement party. Maybe I can offer some advice so they will at least be happy.”

Both Issac and Estella nodded, and then Estella spoke up. “Regardless of love, they are still a match and will carry on the responsibility of Drogomor pack. We will still pay you the full amount.”

Issac nodded in agreement, but I shook my head, exhaling softly.

“No. I have another client. It’s fine. I didn’t do my job properly. They aren’t in love. I am very sorry,” I said, my voice breaking a bit. I was on the verge of tears, but I wanted to get this over with.

Estella frowned. “We mean it. You worked so hard, and though it didn’t work out to your expectations in the end, we got some sort of outcome.”

“It wasn’t the outcome Noah needed,” I said after a pause. I then shook my head. “I really appreciate it. I will be fine, though. I do not want payment.”

They weren’t going to sway me, and with that, the meeting ended swiftly. I returned to my room, starting the process of packing so I could get out of there.

At least I could return to searching for my true mate from the clearing. That night had been wonderful, and we were now blessed with a child on the way. I knew, deep down, he would be as excited as I was when I finally found him.

I knew he must be searching for me too.

He had to be.

***

During the engagement party, I sat in the corner and watched the couple with an exhausted gaze. As a matter of fact, I kept feeling myself grow more and more wary. I figured it was stress, but now I wondered if it was because I was pregnant.

Whatever. I would be out of here soon and able to take care of myself properly.

Noah was being stubborn, but that didn’t mean he shouldn’t be happy. Despite how heavy everything felt, I tried to keep a bright smile and pretend to be happy throughout the party.

Several members of the Drogomor pack approached me, all smiles as well, praising me for a job well done that, to me, didn’t exist.

“You really are a matchmaker! He was so stubborn, we never thought he’d pick anyone.”

“Noah is finally settling down. It’s a miracle!”

“A job well done! Your services will be appreciated so much by the Drogomor pack!”

“So glad Noah will be taking a mate. He’s almost to the altar because of you!”

“Well done, what a bloody relief that is!”

And so on....

I didn’t share their enthusiasm, but I was excellent at pretending I did. My smile didn’t fade, and everyone thought I was very happy. I even congratulated Serena and Noah, who thanked me politely.

I saw the way they looked at each other—Noah with complete uncertainty, Serena with relief and adoration. She was no doubt happy she’d get the status of becoming Luna of the pack. That just didn’t sit well with me at all.

As the party went on, I was encouraged to join the dance floor at one point. Not wanting to show anything was wrong, I got up and did so, feeling a bit light-headed and dizzy.

That shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Noah was on the dance floor with Serena, eyeing me curiously as I stepped onto it.

I thought I was doing pretty well, up until the room began to swirl, and I felt myself fading out very quickly. The edges of my vision began to darken, and I realized I was far less stable than I originally thought.

The last thing I remembered was a pain in my abdomen and the smell of blood before seeing Noah rush over to me and feeling his arms around me as I fell.

Then, everything went black.

***

*Noah*

I couldn’t believe Zara nearly passed out on the dance floor. What had happened?

I took her to the healer’s room, where I parked myself for quite a while. Serena whined about it, saying I should leave her to the healer and focus on the engagement party, but I ignored her. I needed to figure out what was actually wrong with Zara.

No, I didn’t know why.

The thought of her being sick caused me to clench my jaw, though I had no idea why.

A few hours after the fainting incident, the healer approached me. He wore a perplexed expression, which caused me to raise my brow. “What is it?” I asked.

“Zara... she is pregnant,” he said, causing me to widen my eyes.

“What?!” I asked, feeling anger surge within me. We had gone through that entire journey while Zara was pregnant?

I stormed into the room, sitting there and letting out my breath. It took several hours for her to wake up, but when she did, like hell was I going to withhold my opinion on this.

“You went trekking through the Dark Realm carrying a child, Zara?! Are you serious?!” I snapped.

“Dead serious,” she said in a weak but unwavering tone, locking her eyes on me as she laid there in bed.

“Was it worth it? You could have hurt yourself and the child. For what?! To confirm what we already fucking knew?” I asked.

“Yes. You were too stubborn to listen to me otherwise,” she said with a light growl, causing even more guilt to billow in my gut.

Great.

I let out an exasperated sigh and put my hand on my forehead, trying to formulate what I was going to say next.

“Do you know where this supposed fated mate of yours is?” I asked finally, as that was a very pressing question.

Zara avoided my gaze, clearly deep in thought about this. She couldn’t give me an answer, and rather, avoided it entirely.

“I am not sure why you care,” she said, finally.

It was an unspoken ‘no.’ I then asked, “Did he know you were pregnant? Did he leave after he found out, if so?!”

“That is none of your business,” Zara said in an annoyed tone, causing me to let out an annoyed grunt.

She may have been dismissive, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to be.

Finally, I came to a viable, realistic conclusion.

“You’re not leaving,” I decided, keeping the tone of my voice flat. “You need to stay for the better of your health and unborn child until your supposed fated mate comes to take responsibility.”

“What?! No! Fuck that!” she swore, clenching her fist and baring her teeth at me. “I want to leave and put this whole situation behind me.”

Was she crazy? I was having none of that, and I fixed an unwavering stare onto her.

“You’re unwell, Zara. Fuck, you were bleeding! So long as you are here, you are our responsibility, and I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. You will stay here until the healers say you are fit to leave... no bitching, no arguing. It’s for you and your child,” I growled.

She fell silent as if she were thinking of a reason to decline. I figured she might be worried about her mate.

“You can tell him where to find you,” I offered. “Of course he will be welcome to stay until you are well.

“No,” Zara said softly, letting out a slow sigh and tears filled her eyes. “I was going to go find him after... I don’t know where he is.”

A spark of anger flashed through me.

She continued, “I have a family and home with my parents. They can take care of me.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I asked, then I shook the question away. “It doesn’t matter, Zara,” I said. “You’re staying here, under our care. You may ask your parents to come and stay until you can leave. You may think I’m incompetent, but I can at least do this right.”

I saw the objection forming and placed a quieting finger on her lips.

“You need help. Just let me help you.”

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!