Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1073 - 136 : Losing My Mind

Chapter 1073: Chapter 136 : Losing My Mind

I moved a cot into the nursery for Sasha to sleep on. She never wanted to leave Hunter’s side. I didn’t blame her after that attack.

Kicking myself, I wished I’d taken her more seriously. Clearly, there was still a threat out there, and I’d blown it off like it was some new mother thing. I’d make it up to Sasha once the danger had passed and our son was safe.

Every night when the sun went down, I waited for Hunter and Sasha to go to sleep. As soon as I was sure they were sleeping peacefully, I went outside and patrolled the borders of the mansion.

The next full moon was fast approaching.

I walked around the corner of the mansion to check the back. There was some private security on staff, and I knew their patrol patterns so I wouldn’t accidentally mistake them for intruders.

My ears prickled and I stopped prowling. I stuck to the shadows and listened harder.

Panting, breathing, and soft footsteps–there was nothing more than the sound of my private security patrolling the grounds.

I sighed and relaxed my fists, not even realizing I’d clenched them.

The moment that I’d seen Hunter about to be taken by that wolf, I realized that I wasn’t taking my family’s safety seriously enough.

I had to start.

I looped around toward the forest side of the mansion and stood at the edge of the house. My eyelids dropped and I snapped them open immediately. I didn’t want to worry Sasha, so I waited until she was asleep before going out to patrol. It left little time for my own rest since I’d stay up until the sun started to rise.

A snap sounded, and my head shot toward the woods. There wasn’t anyone on the security team in that direction. I stood perfectly still and held my breath, listening intently. There was definitely something out in the forest.

I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, catching the scent of an unfamiliar wolf nearby. I clenched my fists and headed into the woods. With each step, I was careful not to disturb the ground or make a sound.

In the shadows of the tree trunks, I saw something move. There was definitely someone out there.

I ripped my clothes off and shifted quickly to pick up the scent better. On silent paws, I stalked through the woods toward the shadow. As soon as I got to the trees, the shadow was gone. I sensed the unfamiliar presence deeper in the woods.

Again, I followed, but right when I thought I caught up to them, they were farther away. They were faster than me. I paused and watched as they melted into the shadows and disappeared into the woods.

Shortly after, the scent was gone. I couldn’t track them anymore. Who was this mysterious wolf?

“Awooo.”

“Aw, awooo.”

I snarled and stood my ground. The howls taunted me, egging me on. I wouldn’t follow. For all I knew, this game of cat and mouse was designed to lead me and my security team away from the mansion. It was better to stick close to home on a night like this.

I turned back and found my clothing. If the threat was that close, I couldn’t risk falling asleep. I stayed on the perimeter of the mansion all night, patrolling. It put my mind at ease because I wasn’t going to let anyone slip through security again, and the only way I could ensure that was to be out patrolling myself.

When the sun was up, I headed inside, yawning and stretching. Brady raised a brow at me as I entered the kitchen and grabbed the coffee pot from his hand, pouring myself a mug.

“Um... hello to you too.”

“Sorry, I was up all night patrolling.”

“Again? Lucas, you can’t keep doing this, man.” Brady gave me a concerned look.

“I have to. Someone almost took my son!”

Brady took a step back and bowed his head. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Has anything else happened?”

“No.” I sighed and shook my head. “Nothing serious. Last night, I encountered a strange presence, but they escaped before I could catch up to them.”

“You didn’t go after them?”

“I tracked them for a little while, but I didn’t want to get too far from the mansion in case they were trying to lure me away.”

“Lucas, I know this is your family on the line, but you can’t keep going without sleep,” Brady said.

“What else am I supposed to do?”

“Get more help?”

“Yeah....”

“I know it’s not much, but I can help you out now and then,” he offered. “I’ll stay on alert whenever I’m at the mansion.”

I nodded. “Thanks, man.”

“Take care of yourself, Lucas. You’re no good to Sasha or Hunter if you’re half dead.”

“I know. I’ll take a nap today when my mom and Sasha’s mom are here to help her out. It’s better than nothing.”

“Have yourself a good breakfast. I’ve got to go to work,” he said.

I grumbled and I guzzled down my coffee as he left. It had been a long, long night.

My phone buzzed, and my brow creased as I went to it.

I picked it up and heard Xander on the other line. “How are things going at the mansion?”

“I came across an unknown intruder last night, but they eluded me.”

“Hmm. I’m afraid things on our end have taken an interesting turn. I’ve had my men out looking for any clues, and they came across something somewhat disturbing.”

“Disturbing how?” I breathed, my words catching in the back of my throat.

Other than Sasha’s dreams and the vague warnings about our son, we didn’t have anything to go on to tell us what the danger was out there and who was coming after him.

If the king had found something disturbing and he was calling me about it, I could only imagine what that meant for Hunter.

“My scouts found a remote cave in the mountains. It’s pretty far out of the way, so I’m surprised they found it at all. Apparently, something about the cave felt off, and they decided to explore.”

“That sounds like more magic and dark energies,” I commented.

“Yes, that was my concern. Inside the cave they found bones.”

“Bones?”

“Some were old and some were newer, bones have been left in that cave for years to rot.”

“What kind of bones?” I was sure I didn’t want the answer to that, but I had to ask.

“We’re still running tests, but some of them appear to be shifter. This isn’t some kind of burial ground, either. There were rags stained with blood.”

“It sounds like some sort of sacrificial chamber.”

Xander sighed. “That was my thinking as well. A few of the rags had Lycaon insignias embroidered on the corners.”

“Well, I guess we know who was making the sacrifices,” I grumbled.

“So it would seem. Lucas... some of the bones are small.”

“H-how small?”

“Child small,” he replied.

I swallowed around the lump in my throat, my stomach sinking. Who had sacrificed children, and why? What could possibly justify that?

“I’m guessing these aren’t normal Lycaon church worshippers. My guess is that it is some splinter group, extremists that are more violent for their cause.”

“Then I will remain more vigilant. If they were sacrificing children, it seems their desire to turn someone like my son into a host for the Dark Lord hasn’t been abandoned.” My voice sounded much firmer than I thought it would.

“Yes. I know you have limited security of your own. I’m sending triple security detail to help out around the mansion. You, Sasha, and Hunter are family, and I’m not going to let anything happen to the three of you.”

“Thank you, Xander. That means a lot, and the help would be most appreciated.”

As much as I didn’t want Xander to feel like he had to help, I wasn’t going to turn it down. This was my mate and my pup at risk. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them.

I headed to the nursery to check on Sasha and Hunter. She was already up nursing him. From the looks of it, she’d slept well. I was glad to see that. At least one of us would have the ability to be a parent for the day.

Sasha looked up at me and frowned. “You look exhausted.”

I nodded and went to her, kissing the top of her head. “I had a long night.”

“Is everything okay?” Her eyes widened and I heard her breath hitch.

She knew there was danger, but I didn’t want her to be overly concerned. It was important that she stay as calm and stress-free as possible for our son.

“Xander’s sending over more security to help out. We haven’t found anything concrete yet, but I think it is important for us to remain hypervigilant.”

“I agree.” Sasha took Hunter to the changing table and gave him a fresh diaper.

“Your graduation is coming up.”

She nodded absently. “I haven’t been able to think about it.”

“That’s why I’ve been thinking about it for you. With all that’s been going on, maybe it’s not the right time to go to your graduation.”

Sasha sighed. She brought Hunter to her shoulder and started burping him.

“I was thinking the same thing,” she admitted.

Relief swept through me. I thought she’d fight me on that. Sasha had every right to be at her graduation. She worked really hard to get there, and I know how proud she was of her accomplishments. I wanted her to celebrate, but under the circumstances....

“I know it’s not what you want, but we could always have a celebration here, just the family.”

She smiled at me and settled Hunter into his bassinet. “Lucas, I want to make sure my son is safe. If that means missing my graduation, it isn’t an inconvenience. Besides, I’m more worried about who is after my son.”

“Xander thinks it might be a splinter group from Morianne’s faction. I’m guessing they haven’t let the dream of the Dark Lord die.”

“It should have died with him hundreds of years ago.”

I nodded. “Well, we need to find out who the leader is. That’s who we need to deal with.”

Sasha took my hand and pulled me out of the nursery. She tugged me across the hall to the bedroom and sat on our bed. Smiling, she patted the space beside her.

I sat down and it felt so good to be off my feet.

“It can’t be Morieanne or Stone, because they are locked up in the palace. But Lucas, there’s something even more important than finding out who the leader of the group is.”

I furrowed my brow and took her hands. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“You haven’t slept in days. Lay down and get a nap while Hunter is sleeping. Nothing is going to happen in the middle of the day.”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “You’re the best,” I said, so grateful for the Moon Goddess who had sent Sasha to me.