Auctioned to the Cruel King - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

Kayla’s POV
There was a flicker of something in Alaric’s expression. His gaze had found Lance first, then slid to me with obvious hesitation. I could practically see the question forming behind his dark gaze—should I speak freely with her here?
"Don't worry," Lance said before Alaric could voice his concern. "You can speak in front of her. I already told her everything."
A moment passed.
Then Alaric nodded once. “The seekers just sent word. He’s there.”
Lance’s brows furrowed. “At the Last Inn?”
“Yes,” Alaric replied. “Cleo’s not hiding. But he’s surrounded by others—Lycans, mostly. Armed. Watching the exits.”
Lance leaned back in his seat with a low exhale. “So he’s preparing for a fight in case things go sideways.”
“It would seem that way, yes.”
The Last Inn. I'd never been there, but I’d know what an inn looks like. And being an inn, there was likely the chance that innocent people were there too. Travelers, maybe families just trying to get by.
I looked at Lance, seeing the hard set of his jaw.
"Shouldn't we be avoiding a direct conflict with him? Just talk it out?"
Lance gave a cold, humorless laugh. “He broke Vivian’s fingers and waltzed into my palace unannounced. That doesn’t sound like someone interested in diplomacy.”
“No, but—” I hesitated. “What if there’s more to it? What if there’s a reason for all this? Maybe—maybe he’s desperate.”
“There are no what-ifs here, Kayla.” Lance’s voice hardened. “This is the path he chose. His greed decided his fate. We’ll move in quickly and quietly. Ready the Seekers. And bring the Button wolves”
I ignored the chill that danced down my spine and stepped forward. “Okay. Then let’s try this—let me go into the inn first.”
“No.” Lance’s voice cracked like a whip. “Absolutely not.”
I held my ground. “I’m not asking for permission. Just a chance. He seemed…interested in me when we met before. That could give us leverage. I’ll talk to him. Let him see reason. You can have your men waiting outside, ready if things go wrong.”
His face darkened. “You may get caught in the crossfire.”
“That’s why I’m not going alone.” I turned to Alaric. “You’re going with me.”
Alaric blinked. “What?”
“You were there that night,” I said. “You know the history. You know what he’s capable of. So you’re going to negotiate on behalf of your King while he waits behind us.”
Lance stared at me. He said nothing for a long moment. Just watched. Like I was a puzzle with new pieces he didn’t know existed.
Then: “Alright.”
We spent the rest of the evening preparing. I changed into something plain—simple black pants and a fitted jacket. My hair tied back. No jewelry. Nothing that screamed royalty. Just a woman walking into a den of wolves, praying her courage would be enough.
By nightfall, the cars were waiting.
Alaric and I rode in the first one, and the interior was quiet, save for the engine's hum and the sound of our own breathing. I didn’t know what to say to him. Didn’t know how to fill the silence between us, so I watched the dark woods blur past the windows.
Behind us, Lance followed in another vehicle, with others who were already prepared for any outcome.
This is insane, I thought, watching the Last Inn come into view through the darkness. What am I doing?
The inn was exactly what I'd imagined, a squat, weathered building with light spilling from its windows like gold coins scattered in the dark. The sign above the door creaked in the wind, and I could hear the low murmur of voices from inside.
On the outside, it looked harmless. Welcoming, even. But the guards posted at the entrance gave it away, nothing here was accidental.
They stepped forward as we approached.
“Private inn,” one of them grunted. “Keep walking.”
Alaric didn’t flinch. “The master of the establishment is expecting us. Tell him Luna Kayla is here, escorted by Ric.”
The guard frowned but didn’t argue. He disappeared inside without another word.
The wait was tense. I could feel Lance’s presence in the dark behind us, even if I couldn’t see him. I wondered if he was watching me now, wondering if he should’ve said no.
Then the guard returned.
“You can come in.”
The inside of the inn was warm and smoky, filled with the scent of beer and aged whiskey. A bit more well put together. Conversations died as we entered, dozens of eyes tracking our movement across the room. My wolf surged forward but I shoved her back to the back of my mind.
Alaric and I made our way to the bar, where we ordered drinks that we barely touched.
Time passed. Slowly.
Minutes dragged into nearly an hour. We waited. Faces came and went. Customers laughed, drank, and played cards. But Cleo didn’t show.
Fucking bastard.
Then the innkeeper stepped forward, clapping his hands. “Alright, everyone! Inn’s closing. Time to pack it up, folks!”
Chairs scraped. People groaned. Coats were grabbed. I rose from my stool, heart sinking. Had we been played?
“I guess he’s not going to show himself,” Alaric muttered as he stood beside me.
We turned to leave but a guard stepped into our path.
“Not you two,” he said, voice low. “Cleo’s waiting for you upstairs.”
I exchanged a glance with Alaric. Then followed.
We wound our way up the seemingly renovated staircase, the corridor narrowing with every step. At the very end, a door swung open.
Cleo stood on the other side, arms outstretched like we were long-lost friends. The serpent tattoo on his throat shimmered in the candlelight.
“Ahhh,” he said warmly. “Welcome, welcome!”
He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug before I could stop him. “Forgive me, my Luna—but it’s not every day royalty walks into our humble establishment.”
I didn’t return the hug.
He stepped back, eyes scanning the hallway. “Where’s Alpha Lance?”
I smiled coolly. “Tied up in other business. So he sent us in his place.”
His gaze lingered on me, and something sharp flickered in it. “Brave move. Not sure if it’s wise. But brave.”
Then he turned to Alaric. “Ric. Still looking young. Still standing straight.”
“We don’t have time for games,” Alaric replied stiffly. “Let’s get to the point.”
Cleo didn’t argue. He gestured to the chairs inside the room. “Come. Sit.”
We did.
He sat across from us, draping one arm over the back of his chair. “So,” he said. “You here to grant my wishes? Finally deliver what I asked?”
Alaric met his gaze. “That’s what we’re here to figure out. We weren’t told exactly what you wanted. Make us an offer.”
Cleo’s smile faltered slightly. Then he glanced at me. “Are we sure we should be having this discussion in front of her? It’s… sensitive.”
“I’m already here,” I said. “You’ll just have to deal with it.”
He looked at Alaric.
“She stays,” Alaric said firmly. “She’s the King’s Luna.”
Cleo shrugged. “Alright then.” His voice turned almost lazy. “Didn’t Vivian tell you what I wanted? Hmm. I suppose in between the cracking of her fingers and her screams, she may not have remembered my demands.”
Alaric’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
I leaned forward. “The Alpha is willing to forgive your trespassing and the harm you brought to someone under his protection. But you’ve to—”
Cleo snorted. “Protection? Oh, you mean Vivian. A subject, you called her.”
He chuckled darkly. “She and your precious King used to fuck all over this inn. I’m talking about every surface. They’d drink, and by midnight, they’d start tearing into each other like animals…”
If I hadn’t already heard about their wild history, maybe that would’ve hit harder. But now? I just looked at him, unimpressed.
I looked Cleo dead in the eyes. “Enough. What. Do. You. Want?”
His smile vanished. That easy charm slipped away, revealing something colder underneath.
He looked me over once more. “You seem different from yesterday. Tell me…” He leaned. “What made you come?”