Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder Chapter 933 - 149 : What Took you So Long?

*Eliza*

I finished nursing and rocking the baby to sleep. As I put the baby down for a nap, Lena ca into my room waving a piece of paper around.

“What’s that?” I arched an eyebrow.

“This is the guest list–at least, the most up-to-date one. Do you want to see?” She held the paper out to .

“That depends. Has Jared responded?”

Lena frowned, and I already knew the answer before she shook her head.

My chest panged and I clutched my heart. It seed that Jared wouldn’t be attending the welcoming, naming ceremony for his own child.

“There’s still ti, Eliza. Don’t give up hope yet.”

I shook myself out of my mont. “It doesn’t matter. The naming ceremony isn’t even for Jared. It is for my baby.”

“That’s true.” Lena peered into the bassinet and smiled fondly.

“I’m sure he has a lot going on with the pack. With all the renovations Archer told Scarlett about in his letters, I’m sure he’s busy. I’ll let you know if he RSVPs.”

“Thank you, Lena.”

The morning of the ceremony arrived and Jared still hadn’t responded. Other guests had arrived days in advance to get settled and give their personal congratulations. I tried to keep my smile on, but I couldn’t help but feel like one of the most important people in my child’s life had no interest in being here.

Did Jared hate that much? Had he never gotten his mories back? Did he think if he didn’t co, I’d return to the Light Realm and our child would be safe there?

I just wanted to talk to him.

“He’s here!” Scarlett burst into the room.

“Shh, the baby is napping!” I jumped off the edge of the bed, my heart in my throat.

“Sorry,” Scarlett whispered, crouching down slightly. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it, I’m just so excited. He’s here!”

A mont of hope flared in my chest.

“Jared?”

Scarlett’s excitent drained quickly. “Oh, I’m sorry, Eliza. I... I didn’t an to get your hopes up. Archer just arrived with Gage. Jared isn’t with them.”

I sighed and nodded. “Well, we should go greet them.”

Scarlett’s smile returned and she jumped up and down.

We headed to the entryway of the palace. A lot of guests were arriving since it was the day of the ceremony. Scarlett quickly picked Archer out in the crowd. She ran right over to him and threw herself into his arms.

I watched as Archer grinned and spun her around. It was hard to watch them, knowing that Jared wasn’t even coming. But I smiled. I couldn’t help but be happy for them.

“Archer, Gage.” I nodded to them, joining only after Archer set Scarlett down.

“Eliza, you’re looking lovely.” Archer took my hand and kissed the back of it.

“You’re flattering . Does that an you don’t bring good news?” I arched an eyebrow at him.

Archer gave a sheepish grin. “Actually, the opposite.”

“That’s right, Jared sent us ahead with a ssage,” Gage added.

“What ssage?”

“He’s on his way. He just had to take care of a few things along the way.” Gage nodded and grinned.

He had to take care of a few things? What could be so important that he would risk showing up late to his child’s naming ceremony?

“He shouldn’t be long,” Archer agreed.

“Shouldn’t be long with what?” Scarlett asked. She must have sensed my unease with the situation.

I thought hearing that Jared was on his way would be uplifting. I thought I’d feel hopeful. Instead, my stomach twisted uncomfortably, and I got the feeling I wouldn’t like the reason he was running late.

“Archer, you better tell us the truth!” Scarlett demanded. She pointed sternly at the floor.

“Alright, Jared is running late because he had to escort Zoe and her baby back ho.” Archer kept glancing around like he didn’t want to make eye contact with . “It is just a detour.”

“Who is Zoe?” I crossed my arms firmly.

“She’s nobody,” Archer said quickly.

Scarlett rolled her eyes. “She’s a refugee from the capital. She was pregnant when she ca to Midnight Sun and she saw Jared as her savior, so he was helping her out. She’s nothing to worry about, trust !”

I nodded, but my stomach gurgled uncomfortably. If Jared was prioritizing getting so other woman and her child ho, did that an there was sothing more personal between them?

“Co on, honey, it is ti to get you in your dress.” My mother put her arm around my shoulders and guided toward the stairs. “Your father and brother will be here soon. The whole family is coming.”

“How? You told them?” I glanced sideways at her.

“Of course, I told them. They all want to be here to support you.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

My eyes stung a little with tears. It was a good reminder that I could always fall back on my mom and my family, no matter what.

If Jared didn’t co to the naming ceremony, I felt like I should return to the Light Realm. I’d have my family and their support, and my child would be safe.

I just wanted my baby’s father to get the chance to be a part of their life.

At this point, I didn’t think Jared was coming. He was off with so other woman. It was a good way to show that he didn’t care. I thought of how when I first planned to co to the Dark Realm, I was going to run straight back to the village and see him.

It was a good thing I hadn’t done that.

“Cheer up, Eliza. He said he’s on his way.” Scarlett tagged along with and my mom.

“I know.”

I blinked back my tears, not wanting my mom and Scarlett to see them. They’d both done so much to help make this ceremony special.

Back in my room, my mom did my hair while Scarlett tried on different dresses.

“I know I’m not a guest of honor, but I still want to look good.” She twisted back and forth in front of the mirror.

“You just want to look good for Archer,” I teased.

Scarlett scoffed and t my eyes through my reflection. I stuck my tongue out at her.

She ran back into the closet and pulled out another dress.

“Is that so wrong? I haven’t seen him in a while and I want to make a good impression.” Her voice was muffled and far away as she rifled through dresses.

“It isn’t wrong. Eliza, has your hair always been this unruly?” My mom groaned. She tried running a comb through it and it got stuck.

“Yes, it has. You just haven’t brushed it for a while.”

“Well, I’m not going to keep trying to comb it. I’ve got another idea.” She grabbed a bottle of detangler and spritzed it into my hair.

“Okay, I think I found the dress. This one, right?” Scarlett twirled around, showing off the flaring skirt on the ballgown she’d chosen.

“Yes, that is the dress for you,” I confird.

My mom finished with my hair and she did a good job pinning it up in all the right places. She left a few curls hanging loose and made them much more defined with a heat curler.

She quickly did my makeup and then went to retrieve my dress. “I picked this out especially for you and for this occasion. I think you’ll really love it.”

The dress my mom picked had a black lace bodice with an open back and long, lace sleeves. The skirt flared out at the waist like a true ballgown, all the way to my ankles.

“This seems kind of... dark.” I ran my hands down the poofy skirt.

“Well, you aren’t really the guest of honor, are you? That’s your baby. You will be wearing contrasting colors when you hold the baby in your arms.”

She held up the white baby outfit she picked out.

I smiled and nodded. “Alright, I like it.”

I put the baby’s outfit on and held them in my arms.

“This is your night. No matter who is here, or isn’t here, it is your night, okay?” I kissed their forehead and cuddled them close.

We headed to the ballroom. Already, it was filled with lively music and so many guests. They were dancing and mingling. The ballroom was filled with chatter.

Lena and Xander sat on a tier at the far end of the room in thrones, overlooking the event.

Whenever I walked by soone, they paused to congratulate and make little faces or cooing sounds at the baby.

It was a night of so much joy and love and appreciation, but I couldn’t help notice that Jared still wasn’t there yet.

Soon, all the guests were there, and still no Jared.

My heart sank, and all the pain and sadness that had been building welled up inside of . I didn’t think I could take one more cheery smile or one more congratulations.

The only person that was supposed to be here wasn’t....

I knew this night was about the baby but I couldn’t help it. Jared should have been here. It didn’t feel right without him.

“Mom, do you think you can take the baby for a bit? I need so fresh air.”

I passed the baby to my mom and she went on chatting with my dad and a few other family mbers.

I rushed to the palace doors, the tears I’d been holding back all day finally spilling free. My heart clenched, my lungs felt tight and constricted. I could barely see where I was going as I ran to the front door.

Just as I reached for the door handle, it was yanked open. I couldn’t stop and I collided headlong with a strong wall of a chest.

I pressed my palms to the chest and pushed back, blinking quickly to clear my vision. I tried to apologize but strong, firm arms ca around and held close.

Gasping, I looked up into Jared’s eyes.

My jaw dropped and I stared at him. The warmth of his body against mine soothed . His powerful arms were full of love and affection. His eyes locked onto mine and burned into my soul.

I was at a complete loss for words.

“Uh....”

He lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine.

The air rushed out of my lungs and I was helpless to resist. I kissed him back, lost in his touch.

After a mont, we pulled apart and I sighed.

Jared’s thumbs brushed across my cheeks and wiped the tears from my face.

“What took you so long?” I asked, my lower lip quivering.