Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 119: Laid to Rest

*Jared*

Hestia was like a ghost in the darkness.

I lost sight of her in the shadows almost immediately. Her scent was still pungent and my wolf was locked onto her

scent. I had eyes on her trail too. She wasn't trying too hard to cover her tracks.

As long as I had a trail and scent to follow, I wasn't slowing down. I would follow her to the edges of the Dark Realm

if it meant destroying her once and for all.

Over and over again, the threats she'd made against my child rang in my head. She wanted to kill me and use that

against my child to manipulate them.

She wanted to trick my child into finishing her ritual by using me against them. I would NEVER allow that to

happen....

We ran and ran until my wolf's feet were sore. The pads on his paws started to rub off and he slowed down.

Sniffing furiously in the air and on the ground, I realized we'd lost Hestia's scent. I couldn't see her trail anymore,

either. It was like she'd vanished.

She might have used her witchy tricks to escape this time, but now I knew how weak she really was.

My wolf whined and I consoled him. It was better if we got back to Eliza before he had another meltdown.

After sending her away like I had, he'd been upset, again, fighting me for control every step of the way. As soon as

Hestia had thrown Eliza with magic, I'd given him that control. He deserved it after holding back while I'd said all

those horrible things to her.

Now, I had to go back and make sure she knew I was only playing along.

My wolf and I took solace in knowing that the next time we crossed paths with Hestia, I wouldn't have to hesitate.

She was weak and I could obliterate her. I would....

My wolf trotted steadily back to the stone circle where Eliza, Archer, and the rest of my men were gathered.

I had run after Hestia so fast that Archer and the others couldn't keep up with me. It was better that way. I didn't

really want anyone to see me rip Hestia apart, especially Eliza.

I could see the Stone Circle getting closer, but I couldn't sense Eliza.

My wolf whined suddenly, and I was reminded that I couldn't feel her or hear her because the mate bond was still

severed.

As soon as I was close enough, I shifted back and found some clothes to put on.

“Jared, it's good to see you alive and well," Archer said when he saw me.

“Alive… I'm not sure about 'well' yet," I grumbled. I sighed heavily and shook my head.

“Still, after you rushed off, I was pretty worried. I caught up with Eliza and she filled me in… I think."

I chuckled humorlessly. “There's a lot of damage control to do, still."

“Yes…" Archer stepped back, revealing what was at the center of the circle.

Eliza was lying on the ground with Mila hovering over her.

“What happened!?" I snapped.

Mila turned her head over her shoulder. She put a finger to her lips and turned back to Eliza.

I clamped my mouth shut and looked at Archer.

“She collapsed. Mila says she's fine."

I knew I could trust Mila to look after Eliza, but I still wanted to know what happened. If I went over to Mila; I knew

she wouldn't answer my questions. Her focus was needed to make sure Eliza was treated properly.

“Alright, Archer, get the others together and have them rebury the witch's bones. Bury them in new places and fill

in the old holes," I ordered.

“Yes, of course."

“I don't want these bones ever found again!"

Archer nodded and got the other men together. They quickly gathered the bones and started burying them again.

I took a deep, steadying breath and went over to Mila. I crouched down beside her.

Eliza had her eyes closed. She looked incredibly pale and winced a few times.

“What happened?" I asked, gritting my teeth. “Why are you always getting here too late!?"

“Late?" Mila scoffed.

“You could have helped us against Hestia."

“I did help you. It isn't my fault that neither of you listened." She tossed her eyes around the stone circle.

“You mean that vague message you had Ciana give me to not let Eliza come here?" I threw back.

Mila nodded. “Yes. I told you to come alone and keep Eliza away… not my problem that the two of you didn't listen."

“But you knew it would happen," I pointed out. “You could have been here to stop it. You could have–"

“Jared, it is not my place to stop everything bad from happening. Besides, I learned a long time ago that it is never

a witch's place to play with fate or to try and change the future."

“Then what is the point of getting visions?" I snarled.

“Visions are just that… a vision of a possible future. It isn't set in stone. If I had intervened any more than I had or

stopped this completely, then I could have made things a lot worse… I still might have...."

She trailed off as she lifted Eliza's hand.

“She's not wearing the moonstone."

“You're right," I said, wondering if she hadn't seen where I left it.

“My vision of what happened here definitely involved Eliza and that ring… so my warning did some good."

“Oh… I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just mad that my message to her wasn't clear enough… I told her to go back to the

village and stay far away."

Mila chuckled lightly. “Well, you should know not to tell a headstrong female shifter what to do."

“I keep forgetting...."

“She'll be just fine, you know."

Mila placed her hand over Eliza's forehead. Eliza winced and then breathed easier.

“What happened?" I chewed the inside of my cheek nervously.

“She broke a few ribs in the fight. Nothing major."

“The baby!?" My heart hammered in my chest.

“The baby is just fine," Mila assured. “I sedated her in order to keep her more comfortable, but I've used my magic

to help with the pain. I can wake her up if you'd like."

“Yes, please." I nodded.

Mila leaned in close to Eliza and whispered something in another language. Eliza's eyes fluttered opened and she

smiled up at me.

“Jared. Please tell me you killed that b***h!"

I smiled lightly and took her hand, squeezing gently. “I wish I could, my love. But she escaped again. Fortunately,

she is weak and the next time I see her, my wolf and I won't hold back."

Eliza smiled and nodded. “Good."

“How are you feeling, Eliza?"

“My ribs are a little sore but I'll be okay. Mila already told me that the baby is fine." She sighed and winced.

“Can we move her? I'd like to get her home to rest and recover."

“She needs a little more rest before she can be moved. But you have something you need to do, too," Mila said.

She stood up and brushed her pants off.

“What do you need me to do?"

“The first witch's bones need to properly be laid to rest. There's a ritual that needs to be performed. I will tell you

and your men what to do."

“Thank you, Mila."

“Do you forgive me for not being here to stop this?" She winked at me and headed off into the darkness.

I looked back down at Eliza. “You shouldn't have come here. Why didn't you listen to me?"

“Because I knew that you needed my help. I knew that everything you said was to protect me." she lifted her left

hand to me.

I took her hand, squeezing tightly. Lifting it, I pressed my lips to the back of her hand.

“I'm sorry I said those things. I didn't mean any of it. You're not a burden."

“Jared, you don't have to say it. I know why you did it."

“Then you should have listened."

“I wasn't going to let you face Hestia alone," she argued.

I shook my head. “Silly, silly girl. It wasn't Hestia I was trying to protect you from." Chuckling, I played with her wild

curls.

“Then what?" she creased her brow.

“Mila warned Ciana to tell me that you couldn't come to the Stone Circle. There was concern that you'd get hurt."

“You should have told me...." she muttered. “I could have...." She bit her lower lip and then winced again.

“Okay, that's enough talking," I said, hedging away from the argument she was ready to have knowing that I kept

something from her. “You should lie still and conserve your energy as much as possible. Focus on healing so I can

bring you home."

Eliza glared at me, not liking being shut down. But she nodded and closed her eyes, letting the pain subside.

I didn't want to leave her side, but I saw Mila return with an armload of natural artifacts. She had several plants and

small sticks.

“We need to make protective talismans to bury with each of the witch's bones. It will help keep them safe and

hidden and help bind the magic soaked into the bones."

Mila passed the sticks out to Archer and all my men. She handed a fistful to me last.

She was very patient as she showed us how to make the talismans out of sticks, like little dream catchers.

“Lay the talismans into the holes with the bones," she instructed. Mila handed each of us a small bundle of fresh

herbs. “Put the herbs in there too. It isn't as strong of a binding spell as I'd like, but we need to get Eliza back to

safety."

I didn't care if the spell wasn't strong. As long as the witch's bones were bound for the time being. Hestia couldn't

double back and steal the bones.

Once Eliza was fully recovered, I could send a team back to check on the bones. Maybe Mila would even stick

around long enough to help with a stronger binding spell.

“Do you think we can move her now?" I asked. It had only been an hour or so.

“I'm going to sedate her again. I can't prevent all her pain, but at least it will keep her from injuring herself more

while we move her."

I grimaced. The idea of moving Eliza and causing her pain didn't sit well with me. I'd definitely caused her too much

pain over the past few weeks.

Mila knelt over Eliza and whispered something again. Eliza's eyes dropped closed quickly and she breathed deeply,

evenly.

“She's sedated and can be moved. But you need to watch her ribs. Any twisting or pressure on that side of her body

could lead to further damage. It isn't life-threatening now, but if any fragments break off her ribs, they could

puncture her lungs or heart, and that would be very bad."

“We'll be careful with her," Archer assured.

I looped my arms under Eliza's shoulders and Archer took her ankles. We lifted her carefully, in unison, and held

Eliza as flat and straight as we could.

“This is going to be slow going...." Archer grumbled.

“I'll stay with you, and Eliza, until she is fully healed. I can continue to heal her throughout the journey. You won't

have to carry her like that the whole way," Mila offered.

I nodded and looked at Eliza's sleeping face. She was right in my arms, but she still felt so far away because I

couldn't sense the mate bond.

I still had a lot to make up for with Eliza....