Auctioned to the Cruel King - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Kayla POV
The halls of this palace always managed to look colder than they felt.
Too polished. Too quiet. Too… untouchable. But not today.
I spotted Alaric across the corridor. His broad shoulders stiffened as he pointed and gave firm instructions to two servants lifting crates. He walked like a man with a permanent purpose, chin high, like he carried some invisible war banner at all times.
I’d tried to find Lance first, but that failed.
I hesitated before stepping forward.
If it were a normal day, I’d never willingly start a conversation with him.
But today wasn’t normal. Vivian’s words still rang like a curse I couldn't shake. I needed answers. And I’d get them, even if it meant talking to the Lycan King’s most arrogant guard.
“Can I speak to you?”
Alaric arched a brow without looking at me directly. “You can,” he said dryly. “But you’ll forgive me if my attention is a tad bit divided.”
Incredible. “Wow. That was polite,” I muttered.
I shouldn’t have expected anything different from him this time. He was the king’s right hand after all—a Lycan, through and through. And if there was one thing I knew about Lycans, it was that their egos could sink a mountain.
“I’ve always been this way,” he replied with a shrug. “Unless you'd prefer I be another way to you. Though that one’s earned.”
He turned to face me fully, arms crossed, gaze sharp. “Surprised you’re even willing to share the same air as me. First time you want to have a conversation.”
Gods.
The arrogance. I kept myself from rolling my eyes. “There’s always a first time.”
“I heard we’ll be hosting some kind of Alpha tonight,” I said quickly, pushing aside his smugness.
He nodded. “Yes. You heard true.”
“Where’s he from? Who is he, in general? What’s his purpose for visiting?”
Alaric didn’t answer right away. One of the maids approached, whispering something about an arrangement. He gestured curtly, then turned back to me.
“Why do you want to know all this?” he asked his tone a shade too curious. “You’re not the one making bargains with them. That’s the king’s role.”
“It’s not wrong to be aware,” I said evenly.
He didn’t seem impressed. “You should find the king then if you're so interested. I’m told against giving you any information about the visitor myself.”
“So, you're saying he ordered you not to tell me?”
“That’s what I just said.”
A forced smile tugged at my lips. “Just… good.”
“Yes. And the king’s a bit excited about it, actually. So do not spoil his mood.”
That didn't help…at all.
“Where is he?”
Alaric shrugged, already half turning away. “He stepped out. Or could be anywhere. He’s the king.”
Of course.
Talking to him had only stirred up the panic I’d tried so hard to bury. Vivian’s words echoed like a ticking clock in the back of my skull. Even my wolf was anxious.
My hands trembled. No. No. Don’t spiral.
I turned sharply.
“Thanks,” I muttered bitterly, walking away without waiting for another one of his smug retorts.
Why had I even bothered?
“Lady Kayla,” Moira’s voice called after me, “you have to calm down. If it’s about what Miss Vivian said—”
“Stop.” I snapped, too harshly and regretted it immediately when many eyes turned to me.
Moira flinched. “I’m sorry, my lady.”
I wanted to apologize, but the tightness in my chest wouldn’t let me. I was drowning in it. No one here knew what I was feeling, that I was drowning in fear. If Landon comes here, I’d crumble. He would find a way to make sure of that…he was that sadistic and Lance never trusted me to begin with.
I’d already dug myself a grave from trying to flee too.
“Moira,” I said suddenly, turning to face her. “You said the king ordered that you give me anything I want, right?”
She nodded, eyes wide.
“That means fulfilling my wishes and commands too?”
Again, a nod.
“Good. Take me to the King. You know this palace more than I do, so take me to him.” I know we’d already searched for him before, but I was sure there were places we didn't look.
“Yes, my lady.”
We walked through the halls and wings searching. Even checked some offices belonging to different departments hoping he was there since he wasn't in his own office. Each corner I turned felt like I was preparing for war. My expression must’ve shifted with every step, because a few maids glanced up as I passed—and didn’t bother hiding their whispers.
“Why is she pacing around like that?” one said too loudly.
“She looks like she’s lost it,” the other replied with a giggle.
None of it mattered if my past was walking through that front door tonight.
But I couldn’t find him. Not anywhere.
And the guards wouldn’t let me into his private wing, not even when I tried to flash authority I barely had. So I did the only thing left.
I returned to my room, shutting the door harder than I meant to.
“I’d like you to leave me now. I want to be alone,” I said, my back still to Moira.
“Yes, my lady.”
I stood there for a long breath. Then another. My heart pounded so violently that it hurt.
Fuck. Please, please…
I started pacing. Back and forth. Back and forth. The walls felt too small. Too tight.
“No. No. No.” The words tumbled out of me as I clawed at my scalp, pulling at my hair. “Please don’t let it be him. Please don’t let it be him.”
My knees buckled. “Oh damn... I—I can't breathe.”
I gasped for air, leaning heavily against one of the bed columns as the room seemed to spin around me. My vision blurred, curling around the panic in my chest.
I gasped. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t—
I didn’t know how much time had passed.
But a soft clack echoed through the room.
I flinched.
Then a voice.
“I heard you’ve been searching for me all day.”
I turned, bleary-eyed, the room dim except for the soft glow of a lamp beside the bed. The chandelier above remained off, cloaking most of the space in shadows.
“How long have you been sitting there?” I asked, my voice muffled through the bed covers. Bed covers? How did I get on the bed?
“I can’t hear you.”
I sat up slowly, every movement making my head swim. My eyes adjusted enough to see him sitting by the window—The Lycan King himself, Lance Valois, draped in a strong aura like it was stitched into his bones.
“How long have you been sitting there?” I asked again.
“About an hour, maybe.”
Maybe?
“So you’ve been watching me sleep?”
“It was that way. What was I supposed to do? After all, you look…” He paused.
“I look what?”
“There’s no need to hear that.”
I scowled. “You’re here to check if I’m okay, right? And to find out why I was searching for you?”
He tilted his head. “Yes.”
“Then tell me.”
He smirked. “I see you’re fine. No need to ask again. And as for your reasons… well, I want to believe I know why you were looking for me, but it's something we can always address maybe after tonight."
“No. No. No. I can’t join you tonight. Not for supper.”
“And the reason?”
“I’m sick.”
The lie escaped before I could reason with it.
“I don’t feel well,” I added quickly. “It would be rude for a sick person to sit beside your honored guest. I wouldn’t want to pass anything along.”
He stood, the lamp casting golden light across his face. “The doctor said you’re fine.”
My senses dulled.
“What?”
“Your maid heard you collapse and called for her when you didn’t wake. She checked you while you were unconscious. I’ve been here since the news got to me. So, I believe you’re well now.”
I blinked at him. “Doctor…?”
Had I really been that far gone?
“You won’t be doing much,” he added. “We’ve already had our first round of talks. So, your presence is a courtesy.”
“Wait—he’s here already?” I whispered.
“Of course.”
Panic clawed its way back up my throat.
“You look worried,” Lance said, watching me. “Are you alright?”
“I’m… fine.” I cleared my throat, lying to both of us.
“Good.” He walked to where the dresses were laid out on the foot of my bed.
I wanted to ask—needed to ask—which Landon, which pack, why he was here. If he said anything about me. But the questions stuck in my throat like silver.
“Great selections tonight.” Lance picked one of the dresses with practiced ease. “I’d advise you wear this one.” He lifted the gown. "You know, only the best..."
There was something different in his voice, something sensual and deliberate that made me swallow hard. He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body.
Then his thumb grazed my bottom lip, slow, while he pinned me with his eyes.
“They’re dry,” he said lowly. “Do you want me to wet them for you?”
My breath caught. NO! But I never said it out loud.
He sighed like he’d heard me.
“I think a red shade would look exquisite on them, don't you think so?”
“I…don’t know.”
There was something too knowing in his eyes. Just like Alaric said. The king was excited. And if he was excited, that could only mean one thing—whoever the guest was, Lance wanted them here.
He withdrew his hand and turned toward the door. “Get dressed,” he said. “I’ll be waiting before the first course begins.”
And then he was gone. And Moira entered moments later like she’d been sent in by him.
“My lady?” she asked.
I swallowed, “You may come in.” I managed a smile.
Landon.
If it was him… then tonight would either be the start of my ruin—or my rebirth.