Auctioned to the Cruel King - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Kayla’s POV
“What happened last night,” Lance said, his tone clipped and devoid of feeling now, “was you fulfilling your duty, as per the arrangement.”
My stomach twisted. Duty? Yes, having sex was part of it, it’d been my duty, but— He didn’t even look at me when he said it—his eyes remained fixed on his wine glass.
I swallowed hard, trying to blink away the weight pressing down on my chest. But he wasn’t done.
“You were meant to bear my child. Or did you plan on doing that without sex?” He picked up his cutlery. “Because if so, I’d love to hear how.”
I stiffened.
“I never said such a thing.”
“No?” His gaze lifted then, slow and merciless. “Why complain then? You were dripping for it. Moaning. Begging for it. In my better judgment, that isn’t rape. To think you would call that rape when the sounds you made said otherwise. Even though it was…unexpected.”
My lips parted, but no sound came out.
There was no rage in his voice. That would've been easier. “So… you weren’t drunk.” All the luster was gone now. But I wanted to crush that relaxed face of his.
His eyes didn’t flicker. But his body did. Barely. Just a small stiffness, a twitch in his jaw, but I caught it.
“You knew exactly what you were doing,” I continued.
His gaze didn’t waver, but I saw something shift behind his expression. I tried to piece things together. There hadn’t been the scent of alcohol—none of the subtle cues. But something else had been off. And he was aggressive. Not to mention his glowing eyes. Even in a world where glowing eyes were normal among Lycans and Alphas, his had been... different. Like two smoldering embers threatening to consume him.
“Your eyes,” I said quietly. “They glowed. And not like normal Lycans.”
His stillness became an answer. But then he said, “Do my glowing eyes bother you?” That wasn't the response I was fishing for.
I swallowed. “I just want to know what you want from me.”
“You already know what I want.”
Of course, I did. A child. He made that painfully clear. I swallowed and glanced at the silverware in front of me, the fancy meals, the ridiculous intimacy of shared breakfast after what happened. Then considered his words. He wasn't bringing up what happened in the corridor with Alpha Kane. He wasn't plotting some elaborate punishment. I'd been worried for nothing... maybe.
But still… did he have to be such a cold, self-righteous bastard about it?
I didn’t say that out loud.
Instead, I sat there as his gaze slid down—no, to my neck. The place I had covered with layers of foundation and powder. But he saw it. I knew he saw it. His jaw ticked, and his nostrils flared slightly, but he said nothing about that.
“Now eat,” he ordered, nodding toward the untouched food.
I reached for my fork and knife with numb fingers. I must’ve looked foolish calling it rape. After how I’d sounded. After… damn you.
The food was as they looked, if only I could reject them, but I chewed anyway.
Then the door opened.
A guard stepped in. “My King,” he said. “Alpha Kane is here.”
My fork paused halfway to my mouth.
He was still around?
Lance didn’t seem surprised. “Send him in.”
Moments later, Kane strolled into the room. He was dressed in his usual tailored red, with an insignia gleaming on his chest.
“Apologies for intruding on your morning.”
I managed a smile, even though my insides were tight. His eyes lingered too long on my neck, and a flicker of amusement curved his lips.
“Lady Kayla. You’re glowing this morning,” he said smoothly. “I daresay the night treated you well.”
I choked on the air, sputtering. My spoon clattered on the porcelain.
Kane’s face paled, or maybe that was what I saw. “Oh—are you alright?”
I nodded too quickly, patting my lips. “Fine.”
He offered me water and I took it.
“You’re quite the beauty this morning,” he said after I lowered the glass, still watching me. “Forgive me, I can’t help myself. Alpha Lance, you really did win this time.” The bastard didn't have to say more than that for his words to be understood.
Regardless, Lance’s face didn’t change.
Lance nodded once. “I trust your room was comfortable.”
Kane settled at the same spot he’d occupied last night. “More than. The breakfast was divine. My compliments to your chef. You must introduce me sometime.” Then he turned to me with those eyes I’d forgotten. “Seems I need to steal your cook. My own palace staff might need lessons.”
I stared. Charming, Kane’s commentary is a complex thing if I am being asked. I may have known him for just one night, but those words danced close to the edge of flirting and provocation and something tells me, they were both.
“I can see you enjoyed that much.”
Kane laughed. “We only live once. Why not enjoy it?”
Lance offered a faint smile. “It’s not too late for it to be arranged. You could stay another night.”
Kane shook his head. “Unfortunately, I have a pack to run. You know how it is. Plotters don’t take days off. Stay away too long, and there’s no castle to return to.”
He chuckled. “Oh look, time already.”
Kane stood from the table, brushing invisible lint from his coat.
Lance followed suit, offering his hand. “Travel well, Alpha Kane.”
Kane took it firmly. “Thank you again, Alpha Lance.”
Then Lance turned—to me.
“Dear.”
Dear?
“Do you mind seeing off our guest?”
I blinked. Wh. Wh. What is he after now? Was this a trap? Some kind of test? The guts on him... oh, how I'd like to smack that smirk from his face.
But I simply nodded, the perfect picture of submission. "Of course."
I walked Kane to the entrance of the palace, where his entourage waited by their car. Neither of us spoke as we crossed the grand foyer—he didn't attempt to pass me any more messages, and I didn't offer any farewells beyond what was expected. Good. At least I wouldn't have to fear Lance's wrath for that.
When Kane departed with his men, I turned back toward the palace, already dreading facing Lance again.
"Lady Kayla," Moira said, appearing at my side like a shadow, "we should head for your appointment."
I stopped, frowning. "What appointment? No one told me about any appointment."
"There is an appointment with the doctor," she explained.
I stared at her, unease crawling up my spine like a thousand tiny spiders. "Why would I need to visit a doctor? For what reason?"
"It's the king's orders, Lady Kayla.”
Well, he's going to have to come drag me himself. That's what I would have said if I wasn't keeping a secret. But resistance would only raise suspicions, and I couldn't afford that.
But why would the Alpha need me to see a doctor? Unless…
A chill settled in my stomach, spreading outward until my fingertips felt numb.
Does he know?
The doctor’s wing was nestled on the far side of the palace, separated by arched hallways. Less foot traffic. Less noise too.
The doctor was already waiting for me when I entered the cool, sterilized room.
She smiled warmly. “My lady. Good to see you again.”
There was nothing good about this. But I smiled. “What’s the check-up for?”
She didn’t sense my unease. Or she ignored it.
“Just a few routine assessments,” she said cheerfully. “To monitor your cycle and general health. Nothing too invasive. We simply want to ensure you’re in prime condition to carry the King’s child.”
There—there it was.
I forced a smile, but my lips barely moved.
“Don’t worry,” she added kindly. “You’ll be asked to change into something more comfortable. And your servant won’t be needed for this.”
My feet felt frozen.
My throat was dry.
The room was quiet except for the distant tick of a clock on the wall.
Shit. This isn't good.