Auctioned to the Cruel King - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Lance’s POV
The forest had always been a place to burn through the weight on my mind. Not today. I’d spent half the night in the woods, chasing silence, trying to douse the fire that had taken root since her attempted escape. But the woods offered no counsel. The river, when I reached it, was colder than I remembered.
It’d been long I dragged myself to this part of my territory.
“Fuck…”
Foolish guards. They hadn't even noticed her absence until... Had I not gone to her bedroom, she’d been half across my territory as of now. And worse, that she might’ve succeeded if I hadn’t intervened when I did. That truth made the water feel like ash.
Gods, that woman gets on my nerves.
By the time I returned to the palace, the sun hadn’t risen, but the sky was turning a light shade of blue, daylight straining to break through. My clothes clung wet to my frame, water dripping from my cuffs, my hair slicked back from where I’d run my fingers through it too many times.
“Your Majesty,” James greeted me at the entrance, bowing low. “Welcome back.” He must’ve been the one who reported to Ric.
I didn’t look at him. “Thank you, James.”
My boots left prints on the marble floor.
“Umm… You have a visitor,” he added, hesitantly.
My head turned slowly. “At this hour?”
He swallowed. “She said to tell you, ‘You know who,’ once you arrived.”
The muscles along my jaw clenched. I turned to him fully, my stare pinning him like a blade.
“How long have you worked for me, James?”
“T-Twelve years, Your Majesty.”
“Twelve years,” I repeated coldly, stepping toward him. “And in that time, you’ve learned nothing—not even to name a snake when you see one.”
“I-I’m sorry, My King.”
“You should be.” I turned away before the fear in his eyes could irritate me further. “Next time, use a name. Or your tongue might go missing.”
I didn’t wait for his reply. I moved through the grand halls, boots echoing against the high ceilings, until I reached the stairs. The moment I started climbing, I felt it—that prickling heat behind my shoulder blades.
Eyes.
“I can feel you watching me,” I said into the silence.
A soft laugh answered.
“As sharp-witted as ever. Bravo,” came her voice, smooth and smug. “You smell good too. Not like I was hiding.”
Vivian stepped out from behind the marble column, a book in her hands she clearly hadn’t read. Her hair was pinned up like she was royalty. Her mouth curved—not a smile. It was the same look she gives whenever she was after something, I’d known her nearly my entire life for fuck sake.
She started to walk towards me, her fingers trailing along the railing as she moved.
Geeze. This again.
“Enjoying yourself?” I asked coldly. I should send her away, but I wanted to know her reason for showing up this early, since she sometimes brings needed information in hope she gets what she wants. It works too.
“Why disturb me this early? I should gouge out those eyes of yours. Rip your limbs off for the hell of it. We’ve been over this.”
“Hmm,” she hummed, unconcerned. “That would be bad for me. But also—” she leaned closer, “—very bad for you.”
She clapped slowly. “Leaving me out in the cold to fend for myself? Bravo again. You’ve always had a flair for performance, Alpha.”
I didn’t respond. She stepped forward and pressed her palm to my chest, fingers sliding down across the wet fabric, trailing lower to my abdomen, and then—
She grabbed me through my pants.
“Still as firm as I remember,” she whispered. “Maybe he wants to come out and play?”
I grabbed her wrist and wrenched it away before shoving her back against the nearest column. Hard. “Marian. Stop it.”
She hated that and her face twisted with it. “Don’t call me that. Never call me that.”
She yanked herself away and straightened her gown, pretending composure, though her pride was clearly bruised. This dance had become tiresome over the years, courtesy of my father and his minister. The river had done its job in cooling my beast and foul mood. Otherwise, her blood would be staining the marble by now.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing for now,” she said casually, twirling a strand of hair. “But you know things change. I like to keep my options open. For life, remember?”
Of course.
“You always show your face when there’s a crisis,” I muttered. “Predictable. I told you before—I may tolerate your nonsense but pestering me this much can end badly.”
“Move on, Vivian. It happened. Then it stopped.”
“And who stopped it, Lance?” Her voice cracked then with rage. “We’re bound. Your father blessed our union. You and I—we fall together. I die, you die.”
“Enough of that nonsense,” I snapped. “Why have you come to see me?”
She glared at me before answering. “You know why I’m here,” she said sharply, the playfulness fading. “Cleo called in his debt. I don’t have the funds.”
“And?”
Her eyes widened. “And? You’re going to pretend that doesn’t matter? That after everything, you’ll just cast me aside like garbage?”
“You made the deal. Handle it.”
“So this is how it ends.” She steps back. “I see your new bride has you tied up in knots. Don’t worry. She’ll fade like the others. Unless, of course, she fucks you better than I did.”
My eyes darkened. “Leave now.”
“What?”
“I said leave.”
I didn’t raise my voice but it sure was clear what was about to happen next.
“Fine,” she hissed. “But what happens next? You brought it on yourself.”
She turned and walked off and I sighed. Of course she had to come and ruin the little peace I managed to gather before returning. What a drag. The voices in my head throb and I fought to bring them back to normal, holding the railing as I steadied myself.
I should’ve returned to my chambers.
I didn't do that though.
I opened the door without knocking.
She was awake.
Moira jumped to her feet from where she'd been sitting in a corner chair, and Kayla rose quickly from the edge of her bed.
Moira bowed. “Good morning, Alpha.”
My eyes remained on Kayla. One glance told me she hadn't slept. At least she'd changed from that ridiculous escape attire. The thin nightgown she wore now revealed the outline of her body beneath—I forced my eyes away when they settled on her peaked nipples.
“Leave us,” I ordered Moira, who scurried out with a quick curtsy.
“Is there something you need?” she asked, voice hoarse but clipped.
That tone.
It had been soft but not submissive. The subtle undercurrent of loathing didn't escape my notice.
“Were you always this way?” I flexed my wrist. “Although, the same can’t be said for your wolf, she can’t also be this irrational in thinking?”
“Don’t speak of her like you know her.”
“I know she tried to drag you back when you ran,” I said, taking slow steps toward the window chair. “I know she trembled when I found you. I know she didn’t want to die. After all, I’m still your mate.”
Her face twisted.
"But I still have to praise you for getting that far," I continued. "Imagine if it wasn't me who found you... maybe some guard did—” Her face told me had thought of that too. Good. At least she wasn't that stupid. “But still, your resolve remains unshaken."
She looked paler than usual, and her heart had been racing since my arrival, but she maintained her composure admirably. I finally reached the chair and sat.
"You should be sitting.”
"No, I'm fine standing.”
"I said sit down."
She lowered herself onto the edge of her bed, posture rigid.
"Let's get to it," I said. "Let me hear it. Why did you try to flee? And where were you planning on going after you successfully escaped from my pack?" I paused, watching her reaction carefully. "Howling Crest Pack, perhaps? But then, of course not, there’s no way you would return there, unless…”
Her face drained of all remaining color.
"What?" I arched my brow. "You thought I wouldn't know of even that?"