The Alpha King's Breeder

That's What I'm Doing Here?

Isla

“Miss Isla? Miss Isla, are you all right?”

The sound of Poppy’s voice has my eyes flying open, and I realize I haven’t quite blacked out, but I have come close. I blink a few times and note she has her arms around me, and I have one arm on the bed. “I’m fine,” I tell her, blinking my eyes as I try to clear my head. “I’m fine.” I try to push myself up onto the mattress but find myself floundering, unable to get my limbs to cooperate.

“Here, lie down for a moment. I’ll get you some water.” She begins to lift me up onto the bed, which is so tall, it’s nearly waist-high on me.

“I can manage,” I assure her, and she lets me go. Somehow, I manage to climb up onto the bed, and Poppy heads into the bathroom, muttering under her breath that it’s taking far too long for them to bring my food.

I sit there for a moment, staring at the door that King Maddox has just left through. My cheeks heat just thinking about him.

That was the king!

I feel like such a fool. I should’ve known that it was the king I was speaking to, but then, I’ve never seen him before.

How was I supposed to know?

“Here you go, sweetie,” she says, handing me the glass. I take it and sip it, but I’m still in shock. I barely get out a thanks. I hold the glass to my lips for a few minutes, willing the water to go down. “How long was he in here?” she asks me.

“Not long,” I tell her. “Just a few moments.” I set the glass aside and force some deep breaths down my throat.

I need to get a grip on this situation. Of course, I would mee the king eventually. I am just shocked that he was able to come in here and speak to me without me even realizing that it was him.

“What were you talking about? Not that it’s my business.” Poppy gives me a small smile, and I feel like I need to tell her everything.

But I don’t know what to say so I just tell her, “Nothing. He just wanted to make sure that I was okay, after that woman hit me.” I still couldn’t believe the king himself would come by to check on me—a lowly servant. I figure I would see him from afar, as obviously Poppy has at some point. But to have him in my chambers? Up close and personal? That seems impossible to believe.

“That was awfully kind of him,” Poppy says. She goes back to the pile of clothing and begins to straighten it up. Some of it fell on the floor when she saw the king and dropped to her knees. Maybe I was supposed to do the same. Should I have immediately dropped to the floor? That would’ve been difficult in the little I am wearing. Did I even bow my head? I don’t even remember.

A knock at the far door interrupts Poppy, and she goes out to it, leaving me along with my thoughts for a moment. The king just saw me wearing only a towel with my hair up and a bare face. I’m sure he wouldn’t expect anything more of a servant, but still… it’s embarrassing. I can only imagine what he must be thinking of me. He probably thought I looked hideous. I’m sure I won’t ever see him again, not after that.

“Here you go—finally!” Poppy says, setting down a plate with some dinner on it. I can’t see what it is, but it smells good. “Come and eat, sweetie, while I figure out what you should put on. I doubt you’ll have any more visitors tonight, but one never knows.”

I am starving. I can’t remember the last time I ate a full meal, so even though I feel a bit odd eating in front of her, I get down off of the bed and go over to eat.

It’s chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy and a roll. To drink, there’s a small bottle of champagne.

“This is for me?” I ask her. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” she says. “That’s what they’re having at dinner. They just fixed a plate for you.”

I stare at her for a moment, flabbergasted. Servants at the castle eat really, really well. I sit down and begin to eat, trying to control myself. I didn’t even see the chocolate cake at first. I can’t believe all of this food is for me.

Poppy finishes hanging up the clothes, and as she does so, she talks about King Maddox. “He’s so handsome. He has women from all over the kingdom throwing themselves at him all of the time, of course. And he doesn’t like it. You know, he’s sworn never to take another Luna.”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard,” I say.

“Luna Rebecca was the love of his life, his true mate. He loved her so much. Some people say they’ve never seen anyone so much in love with their mate. He’s even said that if the Moon Goddess gives him another mate, he would reject her. That’s what I’ve heard anyway. It’s not like I converse much with him.”

I don’t have much to say to that. He did say he knew who she was, after all. I only smile at her and keep eating, trying to remember to chew and not scarf it down.

“But… he is lonely and sad, I think, and he’s too young for all that. I hope, one day, he meets a beautiful young woman who will make him forget all of his sadness.” She smiles at me with a twinkle in her eye, and I think she’s trying to imply something, but I don’t know what it might be.

I am nearly finished eating now. I haven’t drank the champagne because I don’t really drink alcohol, and I’m so lightheaded from nearly fainting, it’s probably not a good idea. I take a few bites of my cake and say, “Well, I hope he finds someone. He seems like a nice man.”

She chuckles. “Yes, I hope you do.”

I look up at her, not understanding what she means. The way she said that implies that I may have had an ulterior motive in what I said, and I most certainly do not. “What do you mean?”

“I mean… it’s only natural that someone in your position would want him to find… someone to make him happy. I think you should put this on when you’re done.” She smiles and sets out a pajama set for me on the bed. I have no idea what time it is, but if the king is eating dinner, maybe it is time to get ready for bed. I think those dinners usually start late.

I finish eating and take another sip of my water before I ask, “What do you mean, someone in my position?” I get up and walk over to the bed where she has laid the pajamas as she goes to the table to get the tray I’m finished with ready to set out for the other servants to pick up.

The pajamas are very nice. I have no idea what’s happening or why I am here, but I still think there’s been some sort of a mistake.

Poppy gathers up the tray and opens the door as she says. “You know, someone in your position. Someone like you will obviously grow attached to him. I know I would.” She makes a face at me, wide-eyed, and smiles before she goes out.

I am lost and wait for her to come back in. “Attached to him?” I ask as she reenters the room.

“Of course. Or… is this not your first time doing this sort of thing? Forgive me. I didn’t know. I just assumed….”

“What sort of thing?” I ask. She must know more about why I’m here than I do. Sitting up straighter on the bed, I ask, “Poppy, do you know why I’m here—what my job at the castle is?”

“Why, of course, I do,” she says with a shrug. “Everyone does!”

“Everyone does?” I ask. Apparently, everyone does but me.

“Yes, of course! It’s been the talk of the entire staff since your arrival. I have to say, there are quite a few women who are jealous of you! If I’m completely honest, I’m one of them.” She laughs and covers her mouth. “I hope that doesn’t offend you. I’m sure it’s not as easy a job as everyone thinks.”

I am still quite confused, so I look her in the eye and finally ask “And what is that exactly? What job is it that I’ll be doing?” I ask her.

She scoffs and says, “You just want to hear me say it, dear? Fine! I don’t mind. Everyone knows it. You’re the Alpha king’s breeder.”