Auctioned to the Cruel King - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Lance’s POV
“See that things run well in my absence,” I said quietly. “And—” I paused, glancing back at the palace walls—“keep an eye on the Luna.”
Yes, Luna. I’d heard my reasons for elevating her status here.
Alaric’s brows lifted, barely a twitch, but enough for me to catch it. “Should I keep her confined?”
“No,” I replied flatly. “Let her be.”
He hesitated again. “What if she attempts to flee again once she learns you won't return immediately?" That was a possibility.
Moreover, the suggestion should have sparked rage, should have sent my beast clawing for dominance at the mere thought of her running, but—
“She won't try to run again. Not now, at least,” I said, finally meeting his eyes.
Alaric dipped his head. “If that’s what you believe, Alpha.”
He was holding something back.
“Something is on your mind. Speak,” I commanded.
Alaric met my gaze. “It’s just... it’s unlike you. You’ve changed. This isn’t how you used to operate.”
A flicker of something stirred in my chest. For men of my caliber, change most times implied weakness, implied that the foundations I'd built my rule upon were somehow shifting. Though I knew what part he was referring to.
“You don’t approve?”
“My approval is irrelevant,” he answered. “However you choose to conduct yourself, my duty remains the same—to serve you and this kingdom. That will never waver."
A dark chuckle almost escaped, but I silenced it. “It seems you, at least, have never changed."
“No, Your Majesty. I have not.”
“Then that's all I need.” I stepped forward. “I’m leaving now.”
He bowed low. “Safe travels, Alpha.”
Just as I was about to reach for the car door, a voice stopped me.
“So you're just going to leave without telling me that you're leaving or where you’re going?”
I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
The morning light caught the auburn highlights in her dark hair, and something about the sight of her was charming. “Was I meant to deliver that to you now?” I replied calmly. “Or is this your way of telling me you wish to perform your Luna duties?”
She stiffened, her shoulders drawing back like a wall going up. Her silence was louder than any answer.
She disapproved of what I just said.
She stared at me, and I stared right back. Her face was flushed, pink blossoming over her cheeks and nose.
“You look... flushed,” I noted.
“I’m not.”
“If that makes you sleep well.”
“I said, I’m not!”
My tone hadn't been harsh—merely factual—but I found myself oddly pleased by her boldness as well as her shyness in cases like this. The broken girl I'd claimed at auction would never have dared approach me with such a direct challenge.
I was beginning to like this too much. Ric was right.
“How did your escort with Landon go?”
A shadow danced across her face. Brief, but telling. I saw it, how she quickly masked whatever emotion flickered through her. I'd deliberately created opportunities for them, and from her reaction, he'd taken the bait exactly as I'd anticipated.
“It... it went well,” she said. “But that’s beside the point. I need to talk to you. After—” She stopped herself, probably because of Ric.
I see.
“Now you're baiting me with words and not going through with it,” I said, watching her glare. “You know, I once read that character is the foundational aspect of a person. It determines their fate. So, whatever fate one meets—it’s of their own making.”
“Oh?” she scoffed. “You read?”
“In trickles,” I said. “Bit by bit, you’ll discover me. And then, you might even understand. I may awe you.”
She rolled her eyes, irritated. Cute. “You're talking in riddles again. Just speak plainly.”
I took a step closer. She didn’t flinch as my hand came to rest on her shoulder. “See?” I murmured. “A few weeks ago, if I came near and touched you like this, you'd flinch. You acted like you were being stabbed. Now look at you. Confident.”
I leaned down and pressed a kiss to the side of her lips, slow and firm.
“I’ll be back in a few days,” I said against her skin. “Wait for me. Then we’ll talk.”
Her scent clung to me as I pulled away and stepped into the car.
The ride to Kane’s pack was long and uneventful. By the time we reached the pack territory, Kane was already outside, standing tall in front of his estate. He smiled—too easily.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” he greeted.
A chameleon, this one—adapting his demeanor to whatever he believed would serve him best. But even that has its levels which is why it is all good I play right into his palm.
“Thank you,” I said with practiced courtesy. “What a lovely place. Lovely pack territory.”
He chuckled. “We weren’t prepared for your impromptu visit. The letter came in so fast, my council and I could barely believe it.”
“Incredible, isn’t it?” I replied. “That I chose to visit myself. It’s rare.”
His proposal during our last meeting had been predictable. What he hadn't expected was for me to counter with an entirely different arrangement—one that would serve my purposes far better than his original proposal. And I know it was the reason they are yet to respond, but that wasn't why I came today, at least not the first on the table.
We walked into the palace side by side.
“You’ve yet to respond to my offer from our last meeting.”
Kane cleared his throat. “You gave us a lot to think about. These things take time.”
“Let’s sit,” he gestured to an enclosure.
Food was already laid out. Wine poured generously. The illusion of hospitality. But I love how the space overlooks a field.
“What a feast,” I noted.
“We made sure to offer you the best,” Kane said. “Our cooks worked beyond their limits.”
I sipped the wine. “Though food isn’t what brought me here. But I’m impressed.”
Kane tilted his head. “Then what did bring you?”
“Tell me about your relationship with Howling Crest Pack.”
His eyes stilled. “Why is the Howling Crest Pack relevant to our discussion?"
"Relevance is subjective. I'm asking about your relationship with Alpha Landon specifically."
“Cordial,” Kane said slowly. “Mostly trade agreements.”
Lies.
“Ruthless, isn’t he?”
Kane went silent.
“He pillages. Takes without giving. I’ve heard he’s got your cousin in his court—as insurance.”
The flicker across Kane’s face was all the confirmation I needed to know I'd struck the nerve I'd been aiming for.
This might just go too easy.
“Where did you hear that?”
“I have ears everywhere,” I said. “As kings, we learn to pay attention to the smallest of things.”
Kane leaned forward, he’d tried to hide it so well, should it be another Alpha, he might’ve just succeeded. “So what are you offering?”
“What makes you assume I’m offering anything?”
“You came here. Haven’t touched your food. Only wine. And the first thing you bring up is my problem. And I know definitively that Landon poses no threat to you. You could march on his territory and crush him without significant effort, but you won't because that would create tension with other packs."
“I appreciate your astute observations,” I said. “I never underestimated your intelligence. So the question becomes: what do you want? Or rather, what do you believe I can offer to change the status quo?”
Cocking my head slightly, I added, “Believe me, I harbor no personal animosity toward Landon, but my late father taught me to always combat injustice in whatever form it takes—in this case, the oppression of a potential ally."
Kane raised an eyebrow. “You think so highly of me?”
“More than you think.” I smiled.
“And what if I already have a plan in motion?”
He did have. That wasn't a lie. Kane was good at such and would have succeeded if one of his hands hadn't been caught short.
“It won’t work.”
“What?”
“You plan to declare war, save face. But I guarantee you—he’ll crush you in a week.” The bastard had gathered more than enough people against Kane.
Kane laughed. “You underestimate us.”
“No. I know what you’re capable of. But he’s desperate.”
Calling another Alpha that makes it look like I'm the saint.
“A dying flame. The question is whether you understand the extremes he's willing to reach. You've heard the rumors, haven't you? Honestly, I don't typically involve myself in territorial disputes, especially among wolf packs. But him... I want to make a special exception. Indirectly, of course."
“And why should I trust you?” Kane asked. “You hosted him in your palace. Word travels fast. You gave him a more extravagant reception than you gave me.”
“Believe me or not,” I said, finishing the wine. “From where I sit—you need all the help you can get. He’s a storm coming for your gates, Kane. And I’m the only one who might give you the umbrella.”
Kane’s jaw flexed. “Alright. You’ve made your point. Now tell me… how exactly are you going to help me?”