Chapter 5 Just A Breeder

Skye’s POV

“Time to get up, Skye,” Ethan’s voice called, muffled through the wood.

I groaned, rolling over in bed. My head throbbed like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it, and my eyes felt gritty, swollen from last night’s tears.

“You okay?” Ethan asked, poking his head into the room.

“Fine,” I lied, my voice raspy.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Listen, the new Alpha of Stormhowl Pack, Maxwell, is visiting today. As the Beta’s family, we’re expected at the banquet tonight.”

“You think I’m in any shape to play dress-up and smile for some visiting Alpha?”

“You gonna hide in here forever? You’re stronger than that, Skye. Show up looking like a million bucks and prove to everyone you’re not broken.”

He stepped forward, placing a sleek black gift box on my bed.

“Picked this out for you. Wear it tonight.”

I stared at the box, the ache in my chest flaring. Ethan was right, I couldn’t let them see me crumble

“Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll go.”

That evening, I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the fitted sky-blue dress Ethan had chosen. It hugged my curves, the silky fabric catching the light. I’d tamed my hair into loose waves and dabbed on enough makeup to hide the evidence of my breakdown.

I looked... presentable.

At the banquet hall, the air buzzed with chatter and the clink of glasses. The long table was laden with roasted meats, fresh bread, and pitchers of wine. My parents flanked me as we took our seats, Ethan across from us.

I scanned the room, my stomach twisting when I spotted Leon near the head of the table, his golden hair gleaming under the chandeliers. Our eyes met for a split second before I jerked my gaze away, focusing on the plate in front of me.

Alpha Maxwell, a broad-shouldered man with a salt-and-pepper beard, stood to raise a toast.

“To the Frostshadow Pack, and to Leon, a fine young wolf who’ll make a hell of an Alpha one day.”

Then he grinned at Leon. “Tell me, have you found your mate yet?”

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. Leon’s gaze flicked to me, cool and unreadable.

“I have,” he said evenly. “But I don’t think she’s suitable.”

Whispers rippled through the room, and I felt every eye turn to me. Before I could process the sting, Maya’s voice cut through, sharp and gleeful.

“Alpha Maxwell, allow me to introduce the unsuitable woman sitting right across from you. Skye has no wolf and could never produce strong heirs for our pack.”

The room went silent. My face burned, and I gripped my fork so hard my knuckles whitened.

“Maya, enough,” Alpha James snapped, his tone sharp enough to make her flinch.

Maxwell’s eyes slid to me, appraising. “Shame, she’s beautiful.”

I wanted to disappear. To sink through the floor and never come back.

Maxwell turned back to Leon, his tone casual. “Here’s a thought. You don’t have to reject your mate. I could send you a strong, beautiful female warrior from my pack to be your Breeder. It’d strengthen the alliance between our packs. What do you say?”

The word “Breeder” hit me like a slap.

A Breeder? Some woman to bear Leon’s children while I—what? Sat by and watched?

My father’s voice cut through the haze. “Alpha Maxwell, that suggestion is inappropriate.”

But Alpha James, to my horror, leaned forward, his expression thoughtful.

“Actually, it’s not a bad idea. Skye’s always cared for Leon, hasn’t she?” He looked at Leon. “What do you think, son?”

Leon’s eyes met mine again, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of hesitation. Then he spoke, his voice steady. “It could work. If Skye’s willing, she could still be the future Luna, and we’d ensure strong heirs for the pack.”

“I’m not willing!” I spat, my voice shaking with rage. “Not now, not ever!”

I didn’t wait for a response. I turned and stormed out, the chatter of the banquet fading behind me as I pushed through the heavy doors into the cold night air.

“Skye, wait!” Leon’s voice chased me, and before I could get far, his hand closed around my arm, pulling me to a stop. “This is the best solution. You’d be Luna. What more do you want?”

I yanked my arm free, glaring up at him. “What more? You think I’d share my mate? Stand by while you sleep with some other woman and have her kids? What kind of woman do you think I am?”

His jaw tightened. “She’d just be a Breeder, not a wife. Once she’s pregnant, I wouldn’t touch her again.”

I laughed, a bitter, broken sound.

“You’re unbelievable. I’d rather accept your rejection than live like that.”

His eyes darkened, but I didn’t give him a chance to respond.

I turned and ran, my heels sinking into the snow as I fled toward the lake, tears blurring my vision.

---

The lake was a mirror of stars, its surface barely rippling in the frigid night.

I collapsed onto the shore, my sobs echoing in the stillness. The pain in my chest was unbearable, a jagged wound that refused to close.

“Miss, I hate to interrupt, but you’re sitting on my clothes.”

I froze, whipping around to see a man emerging from the water, his form half-shadowed in the moonlight. My heart raced, and I took a step back, instantly on guard.

“Who are you?” I demanded, scanning the darkness. A rogue? I couldn’t make out his face.

“Easy,” he said, his voice calm, almost amused. “I’m with Stormhowl Pack, here with Alpha Maxwell.”

I frowned, my hands still clenched. “Then why aren’t you at the banquet? And why the hell are you swimming? The water’s practically ice.”

He chuckled, a low, warm sound.

“Could ask you the same thing. Why’s a pretty girl like you crying by a lake in the middle of the night?”

“It’s none of your business.”

He swam closer to the shore, and as he started to climb out, I caught a glimpse of bare skin below his waist. My face burned, and I thrust his clothes toward him, spinning around to give him privacy.

“Here,” I muttered.

“Thanks,” he said, and I heard the rustle of fabric as he dressed.

Desperate to change the subject, I blurted, “Your pack—Stormhowl. You’ve got a lot of strong, beautiful female warriors, right?”

“Plenty,” he said. “Why?”

My chest tightened, the image of Leon fuck some perfect warrior woman flashing through my mind. I regretted asking.

“No reason,” I mumbled.

He stepped closer, his voice softening. “You’re beautiful too, you know. Why compare yourself to anyone else?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Ethan’s voice cut through the night.

“Skye!” Ethan jogged toward me, his eyes narrowing at the man behind me. “Who’s this?”

“Just a warrior from Stormhowl,” I said quickly.

Ethan grabbed my hand. “You ran off, and Mom and Dad are freaking out. Come back with me.”

I let him pull me away, glancing back at the stranger. His face was blurred in the darkness.