Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 1395 - 150 : A Haunting Farewell

*Noah*

A few days of relaxation together later, we returned to Drogomor, completely flushed with joy after our intimate lakeside mating ceremony.

Pack business started to take my mind, and I paid attention to how Zara was handling being a Luna. Situations were handled with so much grace on her end, and I had to marvel at how dedicated she was.

Meanwhile, I focused on patrolling a lot, leading Drogomor warriors along and keeping my nose held high for any signs of danger.

The True Sons of Sebastian were extremely dangerous, that much was clear. Feedback from meetings with our allies confirmed that.

Tensions were still high, and I often needed to attend meetings to keep things stable. The stress in the pack was deep, but people were very happy to have me and Zara as the Luna and Alpha pair.

I heard the general rumors as I walked back to the pack house for lunch. I gave a light smile at the more positive outlook people were having as compared to when we’d been on the border listening in.

“Do you see how hard Alpha Noah is working? Luna Zara too.”

“It’s so nice to see Alpha Issac getting a break, and our new leader is doing such a good job with running the pack.”

“I was worried, given the rumors, but they cleared things up really quickly.”

“Drogomor is going to prosper now. I know it. I’m so relieved things are finally stable. Issac’s heir had us all very worried for a bit there.”

“I always knew they come through. They radiate worthiness, after all. Blessed by the Moon Goddess, I say.”

I smiled at that thought and thought that maybe we were. We had gone through so many trials and tribulations, but here we were as the Alpha and Luna pair, unwavering in our resolve.

However, some of the words and murmurs through the pack weren’t so positive, especially concerning the Dark Realm.

“Things continue to grow out of control there, have you heard?” one pack member asked another.

“Yes. I’m worried about it. Drogomor can persevere, but it’s not going to be easy.”

“Cult activity is never a good thing. Extremists are absolutely terrifying.”

“Don’t I know it. So many have been lost to their behavior. I hope war isn’t on the horizon.”

The idea of war wasn’t tantalizing, especially with our growing family. I hoped we’d resolve things with Egoren rather than fall into an all-out conflict.

I had a sinking feeling that the same couldn’t be said for the True Sons of Sebastian. Their want for chaos was clear as more and more rumors of destruction rippled through the territory.

I mulled this over in my mind a week after Zara and I had returned and immersed ourselves into pack business. I was on patrol when I got word from Caleb through the link.

My fur spiked, as I was in wolf form at the time, when he sent me the news. “Envoy scouts have returned to Drogomor, Alpha Noah. They want to speak with you urgently.”

“I am on my way now.”

I sent word to Zara as well, and soon, we met in the main hall with none other than Eva herself, who was wringing her hands and completely tense.

“Thank you so much for seeing me, Alpha Noah and Luna Zara. Matters have come up, a-and... things are such a mess. I’ve come to request your help.”

“Of course,” I said, my tone serious. I’d returned to my normal form and dressed. I was sitting formally across the table from her, studying her expression, which was wide-eyed and dripping with worry.

Zara said, “We’d be happy to help. After all, you helped us so much, you and Lumina. We still appreciate that with all our hearts.”

Eva gave us both a smile, but it quickly faded. “I’m here escorting refugees. The Egoren Luna queen and her two young children are with my group and requesting temporary rest.”

I widened my eyes, shocked at this news. Things had been tense between Drogomor and Egoren, but we hadn’t heard any updates from them since trying to smooth things out.

“What?” I breathed, exchanging a glance with Zara before looking toward Eva again. “This is surprising news. Temporary rest?”

“Yes. They are bound for the sanctuary of Winter Forest, but the travel has been difficult. I suggested stopping here. She was wary at first, but I reassured her that all would be well.”

I nodded. “We’ve been looking to mend things between Drogomor and Egoren. This is so sudden but by all means, she is welcome in here. We will hear her out right away.”

Zara nodded. With that confirmation, the Luna queen was brought in. She was as tense as Eva. Her eyes were distant and flashed warily when she looked upon me.

However, when she saw the complete lack of aggression from anyone present, and Eva’s reassuring smile, she relaxed somewhat. A frown remained plastered on her lips. I knew it wasn’t due to being here now.

She cleared her throat and dipped her head. “Thank you, Alpha Noah, for hearing me out,” she said formally.

“You are very welcome, your majesty,” I said. “First, I want you to know you are more than welcome to stay for temporary rest here. It is granted.”

She let out a sigh of relief and gave a genuine smile to me and then Zara, as my Luna gave a sympathetic smile and nod to the distraught woman.

She said, “You have a right to be aware of what is going on. My mate remained behind in our kingdom, battling insurgents you have heard of by now, I am sure, The True Sons of Sebastian.”

I winced, as did Zara, at that name again. Their infamy was growing, and it looked like Egoren was getting a huge brunt of the issue now. I nodded.

“Yes,” I growled. “Cultists who want nothing more than to sow instability between the two realms. It is alarming. Have they advanced enough to send you here?”

She nodded, swallowing and letting out a sigh. “My mate is fighting as we speak. He decreed I should secretly take our heir and daughter to protect the future royal line. I...” Tears welled in her eyes. “I am so worried.”

She covered her face and began to cry, breaking the formal mask for a moment and shaking. I frowned deeply, not interrupting this show of emotion and understanding entirely.

If I had to send Zara away while I fought, she would be just as heartbroken. I felt for this woman. Royalty or not, it was hard to not break down in circumstances like this.

I glanced over to Zara, who put her hand over her heart. A tear glided down her cheek as she stared with sympathy at the queen.

After a pause, she said, “We are here for you, your majesty. You will be safe here before you need to take the remainder of the journey. And if there is anything else we can do...”

“No,” the queen choked, before clearing her throat and looking up again. She quickly wiped away her tears, exhaustion now radiating from her. She clearly had gone through so much recently.

She gave Zara a light smile and then looked toward me. “Thank you, Luna Zara and Alpha Noah. Your hospitality here is enough, and I will never forget it. I feel a bit sheepish for being wary at first.”

I shook my head. “Don’t be. The rumors about what happened are still painting us in a bad light, but we can catch you up as to what happened while you are here. I can assure you that the situation that had us away is now handled.”

Zara winced, her eyes growing distant as she no doubt thought back to the danger Briella was in and the darkness that she had to send away following her battle with the demon.

I reached over and gently squeezed her hand, which helped her relax. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, refocusing on the queen.

“I’ll have the servants show you to your rooms. How long will you be staying?” she asked.

“Just the day. We will need to depart under moonlight toward Winter Forest with our escorts later tonight. This brief reprise is much appreciated. Again, thank you so much.”

With that, the queen stayed and was caught up with what happened with Zara and me during our trip to the other realm dripping with far more magic than this one.

Her eyes were distant as we told the story. They widened in alarm at the tales of the horrible demon that Zara had to deal with.

“Wow,” she breathed. “I can understand why it would have you away. It was a year there for only a few months here, and in those few months here, it was pure chaos.”

Zara nodded. “I hope you consider what happened, and we can come to a less violent solution between Egoren and Drogomor. I think maintaining our alliance is important.”

“It is,” she said softly, “especially now. I will discuss these matters with the king w-when I... i-if I see him again.”

“I believe you will,” I said firmly. “He is a strong king and leader. This is just a precaution. I would do the same for my family.”

Zara winced at that idea, prompting me to rest my hand on her shoulder. “I am glad it’s not necessary yet,” I added.

The queen gave me a grateful smile and dipped her head. When the moonlight bathed the area, it was time for her to leave.

She bowed before Zara and me. She then straightened up with tears in her eyes. “Thank you for your hospitality. The meal was delicious, and we needed that rest. I hope we can make it through this with as few casualties as possible.”

“I hope so too,” Zara said gently to her. “Drogomor is here to help the realms, and we would like to continue aiding you. You are not alone.”

“That fact gives me so much hope,” she whispered. With that emotional farewell, she was off.

I sent a few Drogomor warriors with them for a bit of the journey just in case they were needed. Hopefully, the True Sons were not leaking into this area to cause trouble for them.

That thought was absolutely terrifying.

Zara and I stood vigil as the desperate royal refugees slipped west through the dense forest. Eva and Lumina guarded them. I knew that additional protection also put them at ease.

A cold wind blew over the hill we were on as we watched them fade into the darkness, no longer illuminated by the sunlight pooling around us.

Zara tightened her arms around my waist, holding our sleeping toddler in her other arm and leaning against me. I let out a soft sigh, silence stretching between us as a somber mood settled.

That’s when a shadow fell across us, and I furrowed my brow.

Slowly, I turned my gaze up to the sky.

Gliding across the full moon above was a large and ominous winged silhouette.