Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha King (Forbidden Alpha Kings #4)

36. Aiden

36

Aiden

The journey to Delilah’s packlands is longer than I expect it to be.

I remember Raine telling me that it was toward the outskirts of my rule, but never did I expect for it to be this far out. When we arrive, Delilah stops us before we’re able to make it across pack borders, coming to an abrupt halt.

She shifts and turns to me. “Listen…I need you to know that whatever my pack alpha tells you, it’s most likely a lie.”

I shift too and grimace. “Everything you are telling me could be a lie.”

“Why would I travel all the way to you just to make something like that up? I risked my life trying to sneak out and get to you, and when I met your enforcers at the border.”

She does have a point—a rather compelling one at that.

We managed to sneak out ourselves from my packlands without alerting any of my enforcers, which had been a feat in itself. I’d gotten good at it during my teenage years, back when my father was still alive and breathing down my neck about every little thing.

My only ounce of freedom had been outside of those estate walls, running free in the forest without anyone warning me to be careful.

“You do realize that in all of this, I’m just trusting your word,” I say.

She props her hands on her hips. “Seriously? You were taking it seriously when I told you she was sold off as a breeder.”

My heart squeezes at the reminder.

I hope it’s not true. I hope this is all one massive plan to coerce me into coming to see Raine so that she can talk to me, because the alternative is far more sinister than I could ever hope to imagine.

Being sold off as a breeder is terrible by itself…but to the ruthless Southern King?

Raine’s as good as done for.

No matter how much hurt she caused by her lies—or according to Delilah, lack thereof—I never wanted anything bad to happen to her. I cut her out of my life not to punish her but to protect myself. In no way had I ever wished ill will on her.

As much as it stung, there had still been a small part of me that hoped she would find happiness with her baby and the male who got her pregnant.

“Yes, I do remember that,” I tell her, annoyed. “I was there.”

“Okay, then act like it. She’s in trouble. I have no clue where the Southern Lands are. The only reason I remembered how to get to your packlands is because I mapped it out with Raine before we left.”

I nod slowly. “Has she never left Andromeda either? Aside from the ball.”

Delilah shakes her head.

Then if she has been sold, there’s no way for her to find her way back here, even if she wants to. She could try to trace her scent back, but at some point, the trail would taper off and she’d be stuck wherever it ended.

I have a vague understanding of where the Southern border starts, but where Nyx Calloway’s actual packlands are? I have no idea.

Not to mention even if I did, would I be let over the borders to see if Raine was with him?

“My beta and one of my advisors are already here,” I explain. “They’ll look around while I talk to your alpha. Stay hidden, I don’t want them apprehending you.”

She nods and quickly shifts.

I watch as she darts through the forest again, disappearing.

Running a hand through my hair, I head for the border and slowly walk across it. It isn’t long before I’m met with a group of enforcers, all of them completely shocked to see me.

“Y-Your Grace!”

“Take me to your alpha,” I demand.

There’s no fight in any of them as they lead me through the trees to a small, quaint village that looks both old and a little run-down. I let my eyes wander while I follow the enforcers, imagining Raine living and growing up here.

What had her life been like being in a pack so…humble?

Eyes follow me unabashedly, the members of Andromeda either frozen by shock or bowing so far down that they are practically on their hands and knees.

I’m brought to a fair-sized mansion in the middle of the village, one of the enforcers quickly heading up the stairs to dart inside to find Daniel.

What an odd choice leaving me out here instead of inviting me inside.

Behind me, another one of the enforcers clears his throat. “Your Grace, is there anything I can get you? Or, er…your enforcers?” He looks around at the emptiness behind us.

Now that I think about it, coming with no one does look a bit odd.

The doors to the mansion burst open, Daniel appearing and looking rather frazzled. “Your Grace!”

I make my way up the stairs. “My beta and advisor are still here, yes?”

His eyes are wide as he nods. “Yes, we were just having some tea. Are…are you…you’re here to join us!”

“I am.” Glancing behind him, I can see the enforcer that went to get him moving around the foyer frantically.

“Of course, of course. Come in.”

He ushers me inside and glares at his enforcer, who quickly darts out and shuts the door behind him. The stink of nerves and fear wrinkles my nose as I breathe it in, trying hard not to make a face.

It doesn’t bode well that Daniel is panicking about seeing me.

“Right this way.”

I’m led down a long hallway and to a small sitting room at the very end of the hall. A maid is walking out of the room with a tray in her hands, almost dropping it onto the floor when she sees me.

I ignore her sputtering and push past the doorway, relieved to see both Camden and Constance sitting on one of the couches.

Both of them rise to their feet the instant they see me. Constance’s face remains neutral, while Camden’s visible shock and confusion are evident.

“Good afternoon,” I tell them, and take a seat next to them on the single chair. “Is this fresh?” I nod to the tray holding the untouched cups and teapot.

“Yes, of course. Please have some,” Daniel says, and takes a seat directly across from me.

He’s too nervous for it to be natural. When he came to Pollis to drop off Raine’s letter, he’d been nervous too, but also arrogant. Here, I see none of that.

I wonder what he’s hiding.

“It’s nice to see you’ve decided to join us, Your Grace,” Constance says while sitting. “Your absence was very loud.”

I hold back a snort. “Forgive my tardiness.”

I’m handed a warm cup after the tea is poured and settle back into my chair. I have no patience to beat around the bush, so instead of being tactful, I get it over with. “Daniel, I was informed that you had a visitor recently from the Southern Lands.”

His face pales instantly. “P-Pardon?”

I sip my tea and then fix him with a serious look. “The alpha who visited you recently from the Southern Lands…who was he?”