Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 1400 - 155 : Into the Light

*Briella*

I thought my childhood was pretty good.

I was only beginning to really learn about all the sacrifices and turmoil my parents had to endure to ensure that we would have a safe future.

It was why I was determined to fight.

I thought my father was secretly hoping I would go into medicine like my younger brother, Kai, or something equally as safe and boring. But I was told that at a young age, it was pretty clear that I would be joining our military forces, the powerful defensive unit that protects Drogomor.

“I’m proud of you,” my father said.

He wasn’t just saying it as my father. He was saying it as Alpha of Drogomor.

I stood tall in front of him, though I barely reached his shoulder, and kept my face passive as he clipped the glimmering badge onto my uniform that signaled the completion of my advanced tactical training.

As I stood alongside the rest of the cadets who had just graduated alongside me, I did my best not to shake with excitement. It was the last bit of training I needed to finally be allowed to help lead the new specialized forces unit alongside Beta Caleb and my uncles.

Cheers erupted through the arena. I allowed myself to look up into the crowd, where I spotted my mother and younger brothers. They cheered loudly, my brothers pumping their fists in the air.

I let out a breath of relief when the ceremony officially ended, and we were allowed to break formation to file into the reception area, where we would enjoy a grand feast to celebrate our achievements.

My mother found me first, not even bothering to hide her overwhelming pride as she threw her arms around me and pulled me into her chest. I was only momentarily embarrassed and then quickly hugged her back.

“I’m so proud of you,” she said, pulling away to study the new shimmering badge on my dark uniform.

“Thanks, Mom,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.

My mother, the beloved Luna of Drogomor, had always been my biggest role model. A lot of people probably thought it was my father, given the direction I decided to take in my life. While he was also a huge influence growing up, it was my mother’s gentle spirit and fierce kindness that motivated me to fight for our pack.

I nearly fell over when a thick arm draped itself across my shoulders. I grunted at the substantial weight as I adjusted so I could glare at my younger brother, Kellan.

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to be our leader,” I teased good-naturedly, shoving him off of me.

Kellan just laughed, the sound open and boisterous. I couldn’t help but grin. My younger brother, who was often mistaken as my twin since we were only a year apart, although he quickly surpassed me in height by the time we were toddlers, was, in a word, a goofball. He was constantly teasing me and getting under my skin.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. Despite his antics, I knew he was going to be an amazing leader. He knew when to be serious. When he was, no one wanted to mess with him. He was a capable fighter and already a fierce leader.

I knew my parents were proud of him.

“I’m just so proud of my little sister,” he joked, ruffling my hair with his large hand.

I swatted his hand away but smirked up at him. I might have been short for my age, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. It never had before.

“Congratulations, Briella.”

My face softened as I turned my attention to my youngest brother, Kai, who was most likely the kindest of us all. He looked so much like our mother with his shiny green eyes and light brown hair while Kellan and I both took more after our father.

I hugged my baby brother. “Thank you, Kai.”

He wasn’t really a baby anymore. Although he was technically an adult now, I couldn’t help but remember the day he was born, and how small and fragile he looked. What I remembered even more than that was the fierce need to protect him.

That hadn’t changed, even though he was taller and probably physically stronger than me. He trained in basic combat like the rest of us and continued to train just to keep the skills up. He just didn’t advance like Kellan and I had since our younger sibling’s passion was in medicine.

“I know you’re going to be an amazing warrior,” Kai said when we pulled apart.

I gave him a fond look. “And you’re going to be a kick-ass healer.”

Kai rolled his green eyes but chuckled at the oxymoron. I knew it would be true. Kai had to be the youngest healer in the entire realm. From what I heard from his peers and teachers, he was also likely the most skilled and knowledgeable.

Goddess, I was so proud of him.

“Briella.”

I faced the final member of my family, who was striding toward us.

I straightened and tried to hide my teasing smirk as I stood at attention. “Alpha,” I said curtly.

My father didn’t bother to hide his smirk and opened his arms. “At ease, my little warrior.”

I laughed and threw myself at him. He chuckled, kissing the top of my head as he pulled me against his chest, my toes barely skimming the floor as he did so.

This was probably the best day of my life. I would soon be defending my pack alongside my uncles and Beta Caleb, and the party was probably the most exciting one Drogomor had ever had. It was getting wild with all the dancing, just how I liked it.

It was also a beautiful night with twinkling lights surrounding the party, creating a soft glow as we danced to our heart’s content. The moon was full as well, which was appropriate. It was as if the Moon Goddess was smiling down on me, promising a bright future for me and my brothers.

“Briella.”

I looked over my shoulder as I danced with one of my fellow graduates, a guy named Drius, who Kellan had already shoved away from me once or twice. I didn’t mind the guy. My dance partner was pretty easy on the eyes, his light brown eyes impossibly bright as he gazed down at me.

“Briella!”

I tore my eyes away from Drius again at the stern tone my father took as he called me a second time. I gritted my teeth but excused myself before making my way over to my impatient father.

“What is it, Father?” I asked, trying to keep the attitude out of my voice.

His eyes narrowed slightly, cluing me in that I had failed to keep the attitude at bay. He draped an arm around my shoulders and led me toward the array of dining tables. “I’m not certain I approve of your choice of boys,” he hissed quietly.

My jaw dropped. “Did you really call me over here just to get me away from Drius?” I demanded. “That’s hardly fair, Dad. He’s a good guy. And he was second only after me in all of our classes.”

“He’s still not good enough for you,” my father quipped. I marveled at how similarly he sounded to Kellan just then. “But dragging you away from that boy was just a bonus. We have a more pressing matter to attend to.”

I wondered what the more pressing matter could be.

As we weaved through the crowd, I finally caught sight of my family off to the side. There was an old woman in white robes with them, and I felt my eyebrows rise toward my hairline. She was obviously not a member of the Drogomor pack.

Her skin was dark and weathered. She had snow-white hair that was neat and flowing past her shoulders. Her robes looked extravagant with golden celestial symbols.

They all looked up as we approached. I glanced at my brothers questioningly. They both looked at the woman in awe, paying me no mind.

My mother beamed at me and reached for me. I stopped so I was standing beside her, facing the old woman. “Briella, this is Niva.”

My eyes widened at the name as memories of hearing stories of my mother’s journey from her home realm came rushing into my mind. This was the woman who had rescued my mom when she was just a baby, rescued her from a cruel demonic dictator named Malphas.

I held my hand out, noting that it was shaking slightly. “It is an honor to finally meet you, Niva.”

The old woman chuckled and wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug. “You have grown into a fine young woman, Briella,” she said. She pulled away and started to go through the satchel against her waist. “I have brought something for you.”

I couldn’t help but stare in disbelief. “You came all the way from the Embervale just to deliver something to me?”

Niva laughed again, a light tinkling sound. “No, dear girl,” she said. “I’ve also come to visit your family. It has been far too long since I’ve seen your mother, and I’m not getting any younger.”

Niva produced a roll of parchment and held it out to me. I looked down at it before glancing at my parents, who nodded encouragingly.

I read the neat calligraphy on the old-looking paper, feeling my eyes widen with each word. “This...” I could barely speak but forced the rest of the words out. “This is an invitation to visit Celestial Valley and train with the tribal elders.”

“It is your birthright to do so,” Niva said gently. “This special magic has been passed down through generations. It is, unfortunately, a dying art that we hope we can continue to preserve with your help.”

I glanced at my parents. My father had an arm around my mother’s waist as they gazed at me with pride that I had been given such a priceless opportunity. My mother’s eyes shone with excitement, but there was some worry there as well, probably because traveling to another realm could be dangerous.

Still, I knew what I had to do.

I turned to face the priestess. “I accept.”

Niva smiled warmly. “You will be a fine wielder of magic,” she told me. She then looked at my mother with just as much warmth. “Just like your mother.”

Someone else stepped up beside me. I looked up in surprise to see Kai standing there, facing Niva. “Would it be alright if I visited Celestial City as well?” he asked in his smooth voice. “I am studying to be a healer and would be grateful for the opportunity to expand my medicinal knowledge with the powerful priests and priestesses.”

Niva beamed at him, her brown eyes lighting up. “I’m sure they will be delighted to be able to pass down their medicinal practices to you.”

I turned to face my little brother fully. “Are you sure about this?” I asked him, my protectiveness rising as I thought of my mild-mannered brother in a strange, unfamiliar realm.

“I’m sure,” he said firmly. “I want to learn all I can from the Celestial Valley members, but I also don’t want you going alone. I want to accompany you so I can watch your back.”

I didn’t cry often, but those words from my little brother were enough to cause tears to build in my eyes. I hugged him tightly.

“I’m counting on you to take care of our sister, little brother,” Kellan said, clapping Kai on the shoulder once we’d pulled apart.

I spared another glance at our parents. They looked insanely proud of us but wistful as well. I couldn’t really blame them.

It was unknown what Kai and I would experience on our journey.

It took a few days for Kai and I to prepare for our voyage into Embervale. Our father insisted on testing us on some important defensive fighting techniques. Although it was unlikely that we would encounter enemies within Celestial Valley, he still refused to allow us to leave without ensuring we could defend ourselves.

Kai and I both had to pack and take care of some respective duties before our departure. Kai was vital to the healing center. He needed to make sure they would be alright without him for months, possibly even years.

“Watch each other’s backs,” my father ordered as our elders prepared to open up the portal into the Embervale.

“Yes, sir,” Kai and I chorused.

My father nodded before giving us both a hug.

Kellan came up to us and ruffled my hair playfully before punching Kai lightly in the shoulder. “Don’t have too much fun without me,” he said with a smirk. He pulled us both into his arms at once, giving us a bone-crushing bear hug.

Finally, our mother stepped up to us and gave us both a fond look. “Celestial Valley is filled with magic you can feel beneath your feet and in the air around you,” she told us, her bright green eyes brimming with excitement and joy. “I know it will fill you and make you both powerful magic wielders. I’ll miss you both, but I’m also so very proud.”

Kellan and I probably both had tears in our eyes as we hugged our mother before pulling away and walking up to the glowing portal.

This was it, I told myself, practically shaking with nerves and anticipation.

And then my brother and I stepped into the light.