The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Lylah had managed to reach the black market, but upon arriving there, she found out that her sister had already been sold.
"Who was she sold to? Do you know who bought her?" Lylah couldn't wrap her mind around the news. The thought of her sister, now owned by someone.
Anyone could had bought her for their own devious desire-- a lustful man, a brothel owner or it could even be a Vampire intending to use her sister as a blood bank.
The life of a slave these days, is terrifying.
"I'm afraid we can't tell you what you want, little one. Leave." The man she sought shrugged them off, but as he turned, he bumped into Ryder, his cold, heavy eyes glaring at him.
"My sister is the Alpha of Ravenwood pack. Her being bought here was a mistake, one that could put you into deep shit... Tell me who bought her, and I'll let you keep your head," Lylah warned.
The man sighed. It was a quiet corner in the dark night, and he knew it wouldn’t take much strength for Ryder to snap his head off.
"Meet Lady Gelena. She is the Chief overseer of the black market. She has all the records. You can get what you want from her," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Take me to her," Lylah demanded, and as the man made to decline, Ryder let out a warning growl. Sighing in defeat, he spoke again.
"Come with me," he said to Lylah. "Just you."
Ryder frowned, but Lylah gave him an assuring nod that she was going to be okay. Reluctantly, Ryder stepped back.
Lady Gelena sat in her wide office, a cigarette tucked between her fingers. As her door creaked open, she tore her gaze away from the book in her hold and settled them on a young girl and one of her sentinels.
She raised a brow.
"They are here to see you," her sentinel spoke.
"I'm closed for today," Lady Gelena spoke flatly, returning her gaze to her book. "Leave."
"Arianna Greystone. To whom was she sold?" Lylah asked, and Lady Gelena sighed.
"I'm quite sure I spoke a language we both understood moments ago," she muttered.
"Please..." Lylah stepped forward, her voice desperate. "I just need to know where she is. That is all."
"Don't beg, girl. We don't reveal such information," Lady Gelena spoke calmly, her gaze still fixed on her book.
Anger rose in Lylah's chest. "My sister is the Alpha of Ravenwood pack. She was betrayed by those fools and bought here. You could at least do some research before you sell someone so important!" she snapped.
Recognition flashed in Gelena's gaze. Her brow creased. "The Alpha's daughter?"
She dropped her book on the desk and looked at Lylah. "She caused quite a stir in the market. The highest bidding this organization has ever received. The traitor Alpha's daughter."
"Traitor?" Lylah frowned.
"She betrayed her pack and was banished by them. That is the story, is it not?"
"What?!" Disbelief surged through every inch of Lylah's tone. "That is absurd. My sister was betrayed by that bastard Kael and the elders. They conspired against her, wanting to kill her... But she was sold here by the guards instead!..."
Lady Gelena cut her off. "I have no business with packs and their politics. I barely even know five alphas in the country. I simply mind my business here—the black market. Trades of all kinds, including humans and wolves, are made here. It is not my concern who your sister is or was, or whatever happened to her." Lady Gelena said, her gaze sharp. "As for whom your sister was sold to, I cannot reveal that."
Lylah's jaw clenched, then she walked towards the table with the bag she had brought with her.
"Three million," she dropped the bag on the table, prompting the woman's attention to shift toward the bag and then at her.
Lylah added, "That's all my savings. I need to know everything you know about my sister."
Gelena sighed, reaching for the bag. After confirming it was filled with money, she sighed again.
"Dear, you have no idea what kind of deep trouble you're chasing," she muttered, though the young girl's expression remained firm. For a fleeting moment, a glimmer of impression flashed in Gelena's gaze.
"Lord Fredrick purchased your sister. He was the highest bidder," Gelena finally revealed.
Lylah frowned at the title. "Lord of lands and estates in the Lunaris Citadel?"
"Correct. Coming here to acquire a slave—one accused of treason—meant it was for a critical purpose."
It took a while before Gelena's words digested in her.
"My sister was sold to the Lunaris Citadel," Lylah mumbled, her heart sinking to her feet, the words bitter as they rolled off her tongue.
The Lycan King's domain! Why such a place of all places!
"As of what I heard, every new slave is to stand before the king for judgment tonight at the grand court. Traitors are said to be one of the most unforgiving sins—the price is death... Considering, the heavy claim on her."
Lylah's heart sank further. This is terrible!
"I’d advise you not to go there, not only do they hate intruders, they torture and kill them. And even if you manage to find your way in... Your sister might already be dead."
Arianna
Every fiber of her being screamed for her to look away, but those eyes seemed to pin her in place.
The golden amber eyes locked onto her as if they had been waiting, and she felt like prey caught in a trap with no escape.
No place to run.
The world around her blurred, fading into the background as though everyone else had disappeared, leaving only her and the King, seated on his throne, larger than life.
His eyes held no emotion as they bore into her.
Slaves were forbidden to meet the King’s gaze. But she had. He caught her staring.
Oh heavens... I am screwed.
Finally, she managed to tear her gaze away, drawing deep breaths to calm her frayed nerves.
Her eyes shifted to the level below the throne, where the Lords were seated. One of them sat higher and more commanding than the others.
The Hand of the King. Beta Lucas.
Another Lycan in the Citadel. He sat with a regal bearing, his sharp gaze unwavering.
Arianna had only read about them. This was her first time seeing them in person.
"No! No, Your Majesty, please!" a desperate voice cried. A male slave at the far end fell to his knees, clasping his hands tightly as he bowed, his head pressed against the cold marble floor.
"Death sentence?" The slave beside Arianna panicked, his voice trembling.
Death?!
"Have mercy! Please, have mercy!"
The King had just sentenced a slave to death.
"Mercy? Having your own twin brother killed out of jealousy is not exactly a trait deserving of mercy," the King’s voice rang out, cold, deep, and brimming with authority. "You should have thought of that before ordering the assassination of your brother."
"I was blinded, my King! I never meant to—"
The slave's plea was cut short when the executioner behind him swung his sword.
A bloody line appeared on his neck before his head slid off, rolling onto the floor with a sickening thud.
The tension in the air doubled.
Selene had mentioned that slaves would be sentenced to die if their sins were deemed too great.
The claim against Arianna was treason, and by law, traitors were to be executed, exiled, or tortured until their last breath, depending on the severity of their betrayal.
Denying a claim without evidence was equally perilous. Those who denied their sins without proof faced even harsher punishments.
Either way, the outcome was deadly.
Admit she was a traitor and face severe punishment. Deny the accusation without evidence and still suffer—possibly even worse.
Oh heavens, what was she going to do?!