Auctioned to the Cruel King - Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Kayla’s POV
I didn’t sleep.
Not really.
Not with the storm clawing against the glass panes like a beast desperate to break in—and not with Vivian’s words coiling like a serpent around my throat. Every time I blinked, I saw her face again. That look. The curve of her smile. The chill that laced her voice when she said those words.
Her last word before she walked away.
I tossed beneath my covers, shifting so much that I tangled the sheets around my legs. No matter how tightly I clenched my eyes, I couldn't unsee it—that glimmer in her gaze when I’d grabbed her. Then almost gleeful. As if she'd been waiting for me to touch her. To be that desperate.
What the hell was going on?
I rolled over again with a frustrated sigh, only for my body to lock in place as sudden heat slammed through me like a wave. My breath hitched. The fabric of my night dress felt suffocating, too coarse, too hot, too wrong against my skin.
“No, not now,” I whispered into the dark.
I hadn’t gone into heat since Landon broke our mate bond. Not like this was anything like that. Fuck! What was happening?
My body burned. Each breath was thick with arousal that didn’t belong, spiraling fast, turning my skin fevered and damp.
Another wave crashed over me, and I bit back a moan that wanted to tear from my throat. My hands fisted in the sheets as images flooded my vision—my breath came in ragged pants, and before I knew it, I’d slipped out of my clothes.
My skin still prickled, and my thighs trembled. The worst part was that the one memory of Lance that terrified me came clear now.
…of the night I tried to flee…
His Lycan form, the way he’d snarled, how he’d cornered me—eyes glowing, fangs bared. I'd been terrified then. I should have been now. But something in me stirred wildly at the memory.
“What’s wrong with me?” I whimpered, trembling.
I turned onto my back and let my hand slip between my thighs. A broken moan clawed from my throat as I moved, needing release, needing to stop the storm raging inside me. I hated it—how my body reacted to the image… the heat of him sliding against me—inside me. His claws at my hips, his mouth at my throat.
My thighs trembled as the wave broke.
My back arched off the bed, a sound torn from my throat, part sob, part cry.
But then the heat vanished as suddenly as it came.
Gone. Just like that.
Not because I’d satisfied it. But as if it had never belonged to me in the first place.
I lay there, breathless and cold now, damp with sweat and shame.
“Fuck. What just happened?”
“I must be going mad.”
“How could I…” It terrified me now to even think of it. Of what I’d desired.
Stumbling from the bed, I crossed the room to the low table and poured myself a drink. The wine was strong, biting. I downed a glass, then another. I didn’t stop until the room tilted, the edges of reality fraying like old paper.
When I passed out, it was with the glass still in my hand and the taste of those thoughts still in my mouth.
A sharp rustle woke me—light slashing into the room. I groaned and buried my face against the edge of the table.
“No,” I moaned. “Put it back. Close the damn curtains…”
“You’ve slept long enough,” Moira’s voice cut through the fog in my head. “It’s past noon. You’ve been cooped up in here so long I was about to get the medic.”
“Just give me five more minutes.”
Moira scoffed. “How comfortable do you think that position is? You’ll feel it in your neck by nightfall. Up. Now.”
I groaned louder, but she was already pulling me upright.
“You need to wash the wine stink off, my lady.”
Somehow, she got me to the bathroom, half-dragging, half-leading me. Cold water touched my skin shocking me awake the moment I sank into the tub.
“Oh, goddess—it’s freezing.”
“Are you awake now?”
Did she do this on purpose?
I nodded anyway, teeth nearly chattering, just as a knock thundered from beyond the bathroom door.
Moira wiped her hands and stood. “Hold on. Let me get that.”
I watched her disappear and listened to the muffled voices, my stomach already curling before she returned.
“Who was it?” I asked, heart tight.
“A guard,” she said, frowning. “You’ve been summoned.”
“Summoned?”
“The council has called for you.”
I froze. “Why? What did they say?”
“Nothing specific. Just that you’re expected. Now.”
Panic rose in me. “The council…” I hadn’t heard a single whisper of them since arriving here. I’d hoped to never hear from them at all. Council meant power. Judgment. And judgment had never worked in my favor.
“What do they want?”
Moira’s lips thinned. “The guard didn’t say. But it’s formal. The council chamber is…well, it’s more court than conversation.”
I stiffened. “Who controls it?”
“The king can interfere, but… he usually doesn’t. Unless he wants to spark a war among his advisors.”
“You’re starting to scare me.”
She didn’t deny it. Just handed me a robe.
By the time we reached the council chamber, my legs had gone numb. Moira squeezed my hand gently.
“Are you ready?”
I nodded, barely.
She pushed the doors open.
The doors opened with barely a whisper, revealing a chamber that looked exactly like what Moira had described. Though it reminded me of a sanctum and a courtroom had a bastard child. Columns lined the walls, lamps flickering with golden light. At the far end, a statue of the Moon Goddess stood, silver-eyed and all-seeing. In front of her were two chairs, both occupied—two men I’d never met before. And somehow wished I never met.
One regal, the other severe.
And I immediately had a feeling I should have fallen ill or something.
Lance sat off to the side, arms folded. And it just happened I could tell his aura was different. His eyes flicked to mine—guarded. I blinked when I saw Vivian. It was just him and the two men, with her near them, and my mind wandered to many possible reasons my presence would be needed and none of them was good.
I drifted toward Lance, knees weak. Then took the seat beside him, close enough to catch the barely leashed tension radiating from every line of his body.
“Who are they?” I whispered. “What’s going on?”
“They’re my beta and a legal executor.” Gods his voice was strained. “A suit’s been brought against you.”
“What?” My voice cracked. “By who?”
His jaw ticked. “I just got here.”
“And what is she doing here?”
Before he could answer, the older man spoke.
“You may come forward now, Luna.”
My legs felt like water as I stood. I stepped forward slowly.
The one who’d called me nodded with a forced smile. “Forgive the abruptness. I know you don't know me or my colleague, so in the interest of a fair hearing, we should introduce ourselves. I’m Darrell Lyndsor, beta of Stormreach and second to Alpha King Lance Valois. This is Aries Smallton, keeper and executor of the law.”
Aries nodded without smiling.
Uh…okay?
“Now, do you understand why you were summoned today?” Darrell asked.
“No. No one told me.”
Aries leaned in to whisper something to Darrell, who nodded.
“He will now read out the summons.”
Aries unrolled a parchment. “It has come to the attention of this council that a deceit has occurred—one capable of undermining the integrity of the royal line, threatening the continuity of leadership, and bringing shame to the Lycan name.”
My chest tightened. “What…?”
Aries looked straight at me.
“Is it true that you cannot bear children?”
The room immediately plunged into silence. My ears rang. My heart stopped. No. No, no…and somewhere in the distance I could hear Lance's sharp intake of breath. My secrets, the ones I'd buried so deep I'd almost convinced myself they weren't real, came crawling out of their graves to stand before me in all their terrible truth.
No, no, please…
“What?” Lance stood abruptly. “That’s outrageous. Who told you that?”
I wanted to be dead that instant.
Darrell raised a hand. “Please, Alpha King Valois. Let her answer. The goddess sees all.” His words felt like an executioner’s blade. Then to me, “Luna Kayla,” he said softly, “is it true?”
Sweat dripped down my spine.
“Where did you hear that?” I whispered, eyes darting between them.
“That wasn’t the question,” Darrell said. “Do you need it rephrased?”
Aries began again. “Is it a factual truth that you cannot bear children?”
I turned my head—and saw Vivian smirking.
It had to be her. When did she learn of it? Was it during Landon’s visit? Did Cartier tell her? Did he tell them? Did the doctor? Did Lance know? My legs shook and I forced myself to keep standing.
“If you answer yes,” Aries continued, “it proves you knowingly deceived the king—intentional manipulation to secure your status as Luna and Queen.”
My chest heaved. “You’re putting words in my mouth. I haven’t admitted to anything.”
“And that’s why we’re asking.”
Lance stepped forward. “Enough.”
He moved to my side and I flinched at his presence. I could feel that dark and wild energy now and I was too scared to look him in the face.
Darrell stood as well.
“Are you saying you are above the goddess? That her sight is beneath your power?”
“No,” Lance said. “But if she truly sees all, then you already have your answer. And as for the rest—it will be discussed in private. With me.” He looked at every one of them in turn. “This doesn’t leave these walls. Do you understand me?”
He glared at Moira who was by the side. She nodded. Then at Vivian.
My vision blurred.
They know my secret. They all do now. Everyone. Why was this happening to me? I was… I was… I was shaking so much I could barely stand.
“I hear you loud and clear.”
Just then I saw her stiffen like she’d felt what I felt from Lance. So did the others. And I was so afraid to speak, to look as Lance led me away.
As we crossed the doors, his grip tightened suddenly, claws digging into my wrist.
I gasped, looking up and nearly shit myself. His eyes were glowing—wild and dangerous and inhuman. My heart stuttered and suddenly my knees gave way.
And then—