Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1335 - 90 : Reflection of the Future

*Zara*

“I know that your memories haven’t fully returned, but do you remember anything about the first day we met here in Drogomor?”

I relaxed and sighed contentedly as I leaned back against Noah’s chest. We were in the beautiful nursery that I’d helped design for Briella. There were pastels everywhere from the light rose-colored crib and the matching draperies.

Noah squeezed me adoringly and rested his chin on my shoulder so he could kiss my cheek. “I remember that day pretty well, particularly the time when we met eyes and a certain young lady blushed upon seeing me.”

I gasped in outrage and turned so I could slap his chest. “Well, I seem to remember a certain Alpha heir being extremely difficult even upon first meeting him.”

Noah chuckled. “I can’t deny that, unfortunately,” he mused.

We were both quiet for a moment as we both remembered the day that we met. Even though Noah didn’t remember everything, I was extremely thankful that he remembered that day.

“We’ve really been through a lot together,” I said.

Noah shuddered suddenly and I turned slightly so I could give him a confused look.

“What is it?” I asked.

Noah shook his head and I saw that his bright blue eyes were filled with amusement. “Nothing. I was just remembering when I met your father for the first time.”

I giggled as the memory flooded my mind. It had been so nerve-wracking at the time. “I thought for sure that you were going to drop dead from the look Father gave you.”

Noah kissed my cheek again. “It was as if he saw my attraction to you even back then.”

I blushed at the soft quality his voice suddenly took and cleared my throat. “I should check on Briella,” I said, crossing the short space between us and the crib where she lay napping.

My eyes rounded when I saw that Briella was very much awake and heard her cooing, which sounded very much like singing, Her eyes were the brightest blue I had ever seen. I lost my breath when those gorgeous orbs focused on me, and my baby girl’s tiny lips curved into a sweet smile and she giggled.

Her first giggle.

“Noah!” I practically called out, unable to tear my gaze away from our little girl. “Come quick!”

Noah jumped up from the pale pink sofa and hurried toward us, his wide blue eyes panicked. “What’s wrong?”

I could barely answer, my eyes pricking with tears of amazement and joy as Noah came up behind me. I heard him suck in a shocked breath and I turned to see him beaming brightly.

“Her first song, and she’s laughing,” he breathed, his voice thick with emotion as well. He brushed some of Briella’s downy hair. “Look at you, my little princess. That is such a beautiful laugh you’ve got.”

He stroked her little cheek, causing Briella to smile even wider before he turned his head to kiss me.

After a quiet and peaceful couple of hours with Briella, Noah and I stepped quietly out of her room so we could go about our day as the future Alpha and Luna of Drogomor. There was much to be done, and while we were parents before anything else, we would have to pry ourselves away from our precious bundle for several hours.

“What’s on your schedule today?” I asked Noah conversationally as we walked hand-in-hand down the hall.

“I actually arranged another meeting with Aunt Sasha,” he admitted, to my surprise. His tone dropped to a more serious one. “I’m going to press her again about reaching out to that witch who placed those markings on your back. Hopefully, that witch can provide us with some insight about your past.”

I smiled softly but with concern as well. I knew that Noah was worried about the sigils, fearing that they could harm me in some way. I was grateful that he was going to such lengths to help solve the mystery behind my origins, but I also didn’t want him to add more responsibilities to the ones he already had as future Alpha.

“Thank you for going through the trouble for me,” I murmured.

He stopped walking and pulled me into his arms, dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “It’s no trouble at all to ensure your safety and well-being,” he said fiercely. His tone darkened. “Speaking of which, I’m also planning to continue investigation and search efforts to locate Serena and Merida.”

I leaned back slightly to look into his troubled blue eyes. “What do you intend to do once Serena is found?” I wondered, my eyebrows furrowing.

Noah stiffened, and I shivered slightly at the anger that flashed across his usually calm features. “That woman must answer for the danger she engineered that led to your abduction and the trauma you’ve suffered because of it.”

He hadn’t answered my question directly, but the implication was clear. Serena would pay.

I readjusted uneasily in Noah’s embrace. I suspected that Serena likely acted out of desperation and didn’t feel like she deserved Noah’s intense wrath, but I also understood his need for justice and security.

Noah clearly had a lot on his mind already, so I felt guilty that I was about to add to it, but that was too important for me to keep to myself. “I’m arranging for a series of nanny interviews today to hire permanent help with Briella.”

Noah stiffened, and I was able to predict how he would react to that. We were both already so fiercely protective of our daughter because of how fragile she was upon coming into the world. I was reluctant as well to start looking into getting help with her, but if I was to resume my duties as future Luna, I would need the help eventually anyway.

Noah relaxed after a moment as I watched the conflict on his face. “I don’t like the idea of someone else taking care of Briella when she’s still so young,” he said quietly, but he seemed to notice my growing tiredness from caring for our daughter because he traced what had to be a dark bag beneath one of my eyes. “But I know it will just become more necessary as time goes on, especially when you return fully to your own pack duties, and especially as our little fighter continues to grow and become even more active.”

I smiled up at him, marveling at how lucky I was to have such an understanding partner. I gripped his hands and gave him my best determined look. “I’ll make sure whoever I choose is the most loving and trustworthy person,” I vowed, not wanting anything less for our daughter.

Noah nodded before smiling gently down at me and caressing the side of my face in his large, warm hand. “I don’t doubt that for a second,” he said with conviction.

***

I held interviews in one of the many parlors in the mansion, offering tea and snacks to each woman I had brought in. I was extremely impressed by the line-up. Many of them had been nannies before and had been recommended by Luna Estella herself.

I held about a dozen interviews in all, and there wasn’t anyone that I disliked. Each woman was warm and friendly, and I was certain Briella would have adored any of them. There were a couple of young ladies who I felt weren’t as qualified as the others, so I was able to narrow the list down somewhat.

The interviewing process took all day as I evaluated each woman on their childcare philosophies, experience, demeanor, and apparent rapport with babies.

In the end, I was extremely grateful to have found the perfect match in an angelic older candidate named Agatha.

“I understand that you have forty years of experience with young children,” I said, trying not to sound too impressed.

“Yes, that’s right,” Agatha said, her deep brown eyes warm and sweet as she held my gaze confidently. “I’ve always had a passion for helping children thrive, no matter what their circumstances. I’ve always believed that this should be done with as much gentleness and sensitivity as possible though.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I said.

I knew then that Agatha was the one. I had no doubt that she was perfectly suited to attending lovingly to Briella’s needs.

That certainty only doubled when I brought Agatha into Briella’s nursery so she could meet her young charge herself. Agatha had cooed over my daughter and seemed to immediately be charmed by her.

I watched with contentment as Agatha bonded with Briella, looking forward to the first full night of uninterrupted sleep now that my baby would have round-the-clock care.

I had been so excited to tell Noah the news when he returned home. I was waiting for him in the sitting room by the front door when he finally got back.

I knew something was wrong immediately when I got a good look at his face, despite the fact that he had kissed me sweetly in greeting.

“What is it?” I asked at once.

Noah set his work bag down and then joined me on the plush sofa. “I spoke with Aunt Sasha today. She was unable to convince the witch to meet with us or to offer any kind of revelation. I’m so sorry, Zara.”

“Don’t be sorry,” I said immediately with a shake of my head even though my heart felt like it was splintering at the news.

If Sasha Black couldn’t recall the details of the disturbing nightmares I had as an infant and the witch that helped her was unwilling to help, maybe I really would have to pack away my hopes of uncovering the truth behind my origins.

Noah traced my lower lip, and it took me a moment to realize that it was because my teeth were worrying it. I released the skin and looked up at him. His blue eyes were sad as he stared down at me.

“It’s okay,” I told him. “Really, it doesn’t really matter where I come from. I know where I belong now, and that’s with you and Briella.”

Noah could tell that I wasn’t truly okay, and he took me into his strong arms, rocking me and stroking my back with his comforting fingers.

I was discouraged by the news, but I couldn’t let that interfere with our lives. We had a daughter now that needed us to be strong. I took a deep breath and then told Noah about my news about finding the perfect nanny for Briella.

It seemed to be the bit of information that Noah needed as well after his grueling day. He was excited to meet this woman and I promised to set up a time we could all meet and discuss Briella’s care.

I focused my attention on Briella in the following days, needing the distraction from Noah’s news. I found solace in nurturing the tiny miraculous being that I was blessed enough to be able to call my daughter. I held her close to my chest late one night, Noah’s arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

We both gazed down lovingly at our little ray of sunshine who now represented both our futures.