Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1339 - 94 : A Sliver of Hope

*Zara*

I stepped out of the library, grateful for the break that Luna Estrella blessed me with. She had been drilling me all afternoon on different possible political disputes that could arise at any time in Drogomor. It was causing me to wonder how often disputes occurred and if there was something else that could be done about that.

All the studies gave me a newfound respect for Luna Estrella. It was hard for me to admit, and I felt guilty for my way of thinking, but I had been under the impression that the life of a Luna was fairly laid back, at least compared to that of the Alpha.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. While the Alphas of Drogomor undoubtedly had many things that they had to attend to, the Lunas seemed to have just as much. At least during my studies so far, I’d gathered that the Alpha’s role was to protect and withhold the physical well-being of their people by overseeing security and disputes that could threaten the pack.

The Luna seemed to be the very heart of the pack. Her role might seem more indirect than the Alpha’s, but I was under the powerful impression that it was just as important and arguably, more difficult and complicated than the Alpha’s. The Luna was expected to protect the hearts and souls of her people by being the peacemaker in times of conflict. The festivals and parties, which I had previously assumed were more to entertain the people than anything else, were really another way to keep the peace by bringing the whole community together.

That most recent revelation made me more determined to fit into this role. Luna Estrella and I were getting closer as well. She was so warm and seemed genuinely concerned about me whenever I didn’t seem to be feeling well. She wasn’t just a great mentor, but she was a kind friend as well.

My feet froze when I passed by Alpha Issac’s office. I could hear Noah’s booming voice rising with tension. I stopped in front of the door, knowing I probably shouldn’t be listening in but concerned about what could have Noah sounding so stressed.

My eyes rounded as I made out the words. Gray was here, and he was going to be held prisoner until his father was found and apprehended. Before I could fully process how this could be possible, Noah stepped out of his father’s office, his blue eyes widening slightly when he saw me.

“Hey,” he said gently, the tension leaving his face as he smiled at me. “Did my stepmother actually release you early today?”

“She’s letting me take a quick break,” I said casually, waving the question off. I hesitated briefly. “So, Gray is here?”

That brought the tension back immediately and I watched Noah’s jaw tighten. “Yes, he’s being held prisoner until Alpha Daven is captured.”

My eyebrows rose even though I had heard that much. “And what were his crimes?” I asked.

Noah’s mouth tightened, and I saw frustration flash in his deep blue eyes. He pinned me with a stern look, which just caused me to cross my arms over my chest defiantly.

“It’s nothing to concern yourself with, Zara,” he said. “You’d best put the boy out of your thoughts.”

“Yes, he is really just a boy,” I said flatly. I narrowed my eyes. “So, why is he being held prisoner then?”

My reasoning didn’t seem to sway Noah at all. If anything, his expression hardened even further as he took in my stance and my stubborn look. “He may be young, but he is a member of a pack that is now considered an enemy of ours. We must be cautious with him. We can’t be sure that he isn’t a spy.”

I dropped my arms, my lips tightening as I considered Noah’s words. I knew he was right, and I was just starting to learn more about the difficult decisions that leaders of Drogomor need to make to take care of the whole.

But Gray is just a boy, my brain screamed at me, though I also couldn’t help but remember the cold and heartless way he’d rejected poor Lorelei, leaving the girl to recover from the harsh rejection on her own just because of her low status in the pack.

“You’d best return to the library to continue your studies,” Noah said, turning to go. “I’ll see you at dinner.” Without another word, he stalked off.

I stood rooted to my spot, watching the tense muscles in his back for a moment before letting out a long breath and turning to go back to the library.

I tried to stop thinking about Gray, but as I tried to focus on my studies, I found that he was overwhelming my mind. I knew the pull of the mate bond. He had come all this way to try to reconnect with Lorelei.

I tapped my pencil on the desk in front of me, feeling conflicted. I had a duty to my pack, and that meant listening to and accepting the decisions that both Noah and Alpha Issac made. Still, I had a duty to care for the hearts of the community as well.

And although Gray wasn’t a part of our community, if he truly did want to make amends with Lorelei, wasn’t that worth pursuing?

Gray had callously rejected Lorelei when she was in a vulnerable state before, but he also took the risky journey to Drogomor to make things right. He would have known that there was a chance that he would not have been received well and yet, he decided to make his way here anyway.

Didn’t that prove something? Maybe he truly was remorseful for his past actions and wanted to make amends.

There was really only one way for me to find out.

Luckily for me, Noah was going to be out late on some important business with his father, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to pay Gray a little visit to see for myself if he was truly remorseful for what he had done.

I felt a little guilty as I descended the stairs into the dark underground prison cell where he was being kept. I knew that Noah would probably be livid if he learned of my going to see Gray. Still, it wasn’t like I was in any kind of danger. Gray might have been an arrogant jerk, but he wasn’t truly dangerous.

There was only a thick glass wall separating us. I spotted him immediately, sitting on the cold hard ground of the cell. I was sure he’d heard me approach, but he didn’t look up. I could see his jaw was tight though.

“Hi, Gray,” I said, breaking the tense silence.

Gray didn’t answer nor did he lift his head, but I thought I noticed him twitch at the sound of my voice. I wondered if he expected it to be Noah or Alpha Issac checking to make sure he was still securely detained.

“I suppose your precious Noah sent you down here to interrogate me further,” he finally said, but he still didn’t raise his head.

“No, actually,” I said coolly. “I came on my own accord.”

I was having mixed emotions already, even though I just started talking to Gray. His cold demeanor was causing me to rethink this decision. Maybe he hadn’t changed after all.

Still, he seemed upset as well, and maybe that was the reason for the attitude. I knew I wouldn’t have been much better off in his shoes. I winced, remembering what it was like to be held somewhere against my will. I was certainly no stranger to the feeling.

“Then you’re probably here to tell me that I don’t deserve Lorelei after what I did to her,” he said bitterly.

I frowned. Although his deep voice was laced with anger and frustration, I detected something else as well.

“I don’t believe that,” I said quietly.

That was what caused Gray to finally look up at me, his round eyes wide with shock. “Really?” he asked, his voice thick with shock. Then, his eyes narrowed into slits. “And why would that be? Your mate made it very clear that he thought otherwise.”

“It doesn’t matter to me what Noah thinks about your relationship,” I told him honestly. I drew in a breath. “Relationships are my specialty, not his. While Noah shines in many other areas, this is definitely more my thing.”

Gray seemed to digest that, but he was back to looking at the dirty floor.

I just watched him for a moment. For an arrogant jerk, he did seem extremely vulnerable at that moment. His stringy hair was sticking to his forehead and his eyes were round and sad. He looked very young as well. He didn’t belong in that cell.

I cleared my throat and took a step toward the glass wall separating us. “Did you really come all this way for Lorelei?”

Gray froze, and I was shocked to see his jaw lock with emotion. He still kept his eyes down, but I could still make out the tortured expression that spread out over his face.

“It took losing her for me to realize that we were meant to be together,” he said brokenly, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. “The past few months have been absolute torture as I’ve had to live with myself knowing that I hurt her and that I might never get a chance to make things right.”

I felt my heart splintering at his admission.

He raised his head and looked me dead in the eye, and that’s when I saw all the remorse for myself. It shined undoubtedly in his round orbs. “I will never regret anything more than I do over wounding Lorelei so deeply. I feel like the biggest jerk, and I would do anything to earn her forgiveness... that is, if she would even still have me.”

I stared at him for a moment, and it was impossible not to believe him. The despair in his eyes seemed eerily similar to the one I felt when Noah lost his memories.

He truly cared about Lorelei and genuinely wanted to make things up to her. I was sure of it now.

“If you truly want to see Lorelei again,” I began, speaking the words before thinking them out, “I could appeal to Noah on your behalf.”

Gray looked at me in disbelief, but I could see the hope shining in his eyes as well. “I would be forever in your debt, Zara,” he said, and the use of my name on his lips made me feel as if we were truly forming some kind of friendly pact.

“I will do my best to convince him to show mercy,” I said, pleased that he seemed to be cheered by the mere notion. “I might be able to convince him that you could prove to be useful leverage for capturing Alpha Daven.”

“Thank you, Zara,” he said.

I could hear the gratitude pouring off him in waves.

I nodded and turned to go, determination filling me as I climbed the steps, the hope I saw in Gray’s eyes mirrored by my own hope of helping Noah to have compassion and to see reason.