Chapter 13

Everly’s POV

Lucas and Kiran had already managed to subject me to enough pain and ended up selling me to the Lycan king. We had already exited the auctioneer's room with Alex then I was hustled into his waiting carriage, and soon the horses surged forward with a whisker. I slumped against threaded wool, drinking in fresh scents of pine and musk that seemed... comforting, compared to the filth and fear permeating my world for so long. Silence reigned for some time as the countryside rolled by, my new lord content to simply observe with that unfathomable stare.

"You need not fear me, little one," rumbled a deep baritone suddenly, yet its gentleness surprised me. "No harm will come to you in my care, you have my word. Rest now; we have a long journey, and you've endured too much as it is."

Despite my instincts screaming this was surely another cruel trick, a sob welled in my throat at such small kindness after endless cruelty. Exhaustion claimed me before I knew what c