Auctioned to the Cruel King - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Kayla’s POV
Fear didn't just grip me.
It consumed me, rendering my thoughts into a chaotic whirlwind. It clawed at the inside of my throat, raw and dry and ragged. My pulse thundered like a warning bell as Lance hunched over me, his massive form radiating heat and fury, and…and…
"Why are you here?!"
My brain froze.
"What the hell are you doing out here?!" he barked again, louder.
His eyes were locked on mine.
The realization that I was caught by the very person I was fleeing from crashed over me like ice water.
My mind scrambled for an excuse, any plausible reason for my presence.
“I—” In a parched, nervous voice, I managed, "Can’t—uh…haa…C-can't a girl take a midnight walk to see the sights... you know, enjoying the breeze?"
The breeze? Gods, that was pathetic. I should have just begged to be spared and hoped he listened. But of all the excuses I could have concocted, that was what my panicked brain offered up? I wanted to sink into the earth and disappear.
His expression didn't budge.
Sweat slicked down the ridges of his bare chest, his muscles rippling beneath his skin as he moved back slightly, he was moving away, rising, he wasn't killing me. Yet. And he was naked.
But it wasn’t lust that froze me in place—it was the absolute certainty that one wrong word would get me ripped apart. I couldn’t even bring myself to look lower. Not out of modesty—fuck modesty now, I was about to piss myself out of terror.
Did he maybe buy that excuse? Somehow?
"Sightseeing? So far from the palace, with none of your escort, and just steps away from the main roads," he said, his voice rising. Of course, he didn't buy that lame excuse. "Do you think I was born yesterday?"
I flinched, my body instinctively curling in on itself.
I definitely didn't think that through.
"N-no, of course not," I rushed, my voice breaking. “I didn't—”
He stepped forward, and instinct screamed at me to run, but my legs wouldn't move.
"Why are you lying to me?"
H-huh?
“I’m not.”
Lance’s eyes moved to where the bag had been hurled. That was when I scrambled to my knees, ignoring the sharp ache flaring in my left shoulder before rising to my feet. I couldn't afford to show weakness now. He’d tackled me and torn through flesh like paper, and now blood trickled warm down my arm beneath the fabric.
I needed to think, to find a way out of this.
I had to act ignorant and pretend I was never trying to flee. Maybe even act offended. But I needed to keep him away from checking the bag. I turned, that was my mistake as his voice stopped me cold.
"You dare turn your back on me?"
He seized my arm, his grip like iron. Pain shot through me, and I cried out, "You're hurting me!"
"Then answer me!"
"I didn't turn my back on you," I said quickly, desperation creeping into my voice. “I would never—”
He snarled, then yanked the bag from me, spilling its contents onto the forest floor. The jewelry glinted in the moonlight that had managed to leak out of the thick clouds—
Silence choked the air.
There was no way I was getting out of this. If only they weren't there, I could…
He looked at me, fury etched into his features. "What are those?"
He released my arm, and I staggered back, clutching where he’d just gripped. "I must have taken the wrong bag.” More lies.
"And why should they be in a bag?"
I froze, my mind racing.
He hadn't killed me yet, hadn’t choked me like he would have, which meant there was still a chance. But I needed to tread carefully.
When I didn't respond, he bent down, picking up the jewelry, and examining them silently. When he looked back at me, his eyes were cold.
"What are you doing here, Kayla?"
This time I was sure I’d have my head cut off if I gave the wrong answer, but still, "I…” My throat closed. My heart galloped. “I was just… taking a walk and got lost.”
He blinked once.
"First it was 'see the sights,' now it's 'night stroll.'” His nostrils flared. “You're really asking for it, Kayla. Never thought of you to be one that easily loses their bearings. You're not some damsel in distress.”
The words slammed into me.
He took a step closer, looming.
“I've never been the type of alpha who repeats a question constantly, and weirdly it's happened twice now, again, and on the same day and by two people who do defy me.” He paused. “I’m going to ask again,” he said, voice rising. “And if you make me repeat myself—or lie—I swear by the Goddess—”
He roared, “What are you doing here?!”
I flinched so hard my spine hit the tree behind me. My lips trembled.
“I—I—”
"Speak!" he shouted.
"I—I was leaving.” Shit! I said it.
Lance’s expression changed. And his eyes flickered, almost like a glitch in something monstrous.
“Leaving,” he repeated. “To where? For what? What do you mean you were leaving? You on an errand?”
Was he toying with me? Was this sarcasm or rage?
“No,” I said quietly. There was no need to lie anymore. “I was leaving the palace.”
He stared at me for a long beat, as if trying to peel me open with just his gaze.
His muscles tensed, rippling as if warring against themselves. For a fleeting moment, a golden gleam flashed in his eyes before fading back to their usual shade. Then, with a low groan, he turned away.
Was he going to let me live?
It felt just like that night with Alpha Kane—like there were two versions of Lance. One who would tear me apart for so much as glancing out the window, let alone trying to escape. And the other... the one who fell eerily silent in moments like this.
A voice cut through the woods.
“My King!”
He turned his head, his back still tense. Alaric emerged from the shadows, holding a set of folded clothes.
“Oh,” Alaric said, startled. “My apologies, Alpha. I didn’t know you would be… accompanied.”
Lance didn’t even flinch. “She’s just leaving.”
My heart hiccuped.
“Escort her back to the palace.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Alaric bowed, then stepped toward me.
“And…” Lance said and Alaric halted. “Do not let her out of your sight. Not for a second until she’s returned to her room. Have another guard posted at her door and her maid in her room. Tonight.”
Alaric nodded slowly. “Understood.”
I was going from one prison to another—only this one would surely be more secure. But it was still better than being killed.
He turned, retrieved his clothes, and disappeared into the trees without another word.
Goddess. I let out a sigh of relief.
Alaric watched him go, picked the scattered jewels, and then looked down at me. “You heard him,” he said, voice cold. “Get going already.”
I forced myself off the tree, my entire body sore and trembling.
The walk back to the palace was a blur. Alaric remained silent until we reached the palace entrance, where he ordered two guards to accompany us. "You," he said to one, "come with me." To the other, he commanded, "Get the lady's maid to her room immediately and send for tonight’s patrol captain.”
“You need an entire army to watch me now?” I muttered.
He didn’t answer.
Inside my chamber, I went straight to the pitcher and poured a glass of water. My hands shook so badly that the rim clinked against my teeth. I’d died five times tonight already—emotionally, mentally, in pieces.
“You should stay hydrated,” Alaric said. More of sarcasm than actual concern.
“Speak for yourself,” I hissed, setting the glass down hard.
He watched me, arms crossed. That usual look of distaste on his face was now something darker.
“You know, I’ve never seen Alpha Lance go soft on anyone before,” he muttered.
“Squeezing my arm like he wanted to rip it off is your idea of soft?”
“You still have the arm,” he said, “and you’re standing here.”
My hands curled into fists. “Okay. Get out.”
“You know that isn't possible.” He shifted to look through the window then sighed. “I don’t know what you were trying to pull tonight, but next time you try it… your head will roll.”
A knock came then. Moira’s voice filtered in, followed by her entering with a folded blanket.
“Stay in the room tonight,” Alaric told her. “And get that damn rope off the window.”
He tossed the bag at her and walked out.
I eyed the bag, Alpha Kane’s card was still in there.
I believe?