Lahat ng Kabanata ng AUCTIONED TO THE LYCAN KING: Kabanata 161 - Kabanata 170

MAYAThe throne room had been hastily repaired for the trial. Workers had cleared the debris from Gabriel's assault, but scorch marks still blackened the walls. A reminder of how close we had come to losing everything.Every seat was filled. Lycans and wolves packed together, united in their desire to see justice served. The air hummed with tension as guards led Kael in.He walked with his head high despite the chains binding his wrists and ankles. No fear showed on his weathered face. If anything, he looked annoyed by the inconvenience.They forced him to his knees before the throne where Asher sat, Maya standing beside him."Kael Whitmore," Asher's voice rang through the chamber. "You stand accused of treason, murder, conspiracy, and crimes against the crown. How do you answer these charges?"Kael lifted his chin. "Guilty of everything except treason. One cannot betray a kingdom one was trying to save."Murmurs rippled through the crowd."You murdered my mother," Asher said, his voi

MAYADawn broke cold and gray over the execution grounds.I stood in the front row of witnesses, wrapped in a heavy cloak against the morning chill. Around me, survivors of the southern gate attack nursed fresh wounds. We had driven Mordain's forces back, but barely. Twenty-three more dead. Forty wounded.The cost kept climbing.Asher had chosen not to attend the execution. "I have seen enough death," he had said quietly. "I do not need to watch another man die, even one who deserves it."But I needed to be here. Needed to see this through.Gabriel was led onto the platform in chains, his hands bound behind his back. He had refused the traditional hood, wanting to face death with open eyes.He saw me in the crowd and smiled.That same infuriating smile he had worn during the trial.The executioner read the formal charges. Treason. Massacre. Attempted regicide. The list went on.Gabriel did not flinch. Did not beg. Just stood there with that smile as if this was all part of some elabor

MAYASleep, when it finally came, brought no peace.I stood in the ruins of Blue Moon territory, but this time everything was different. The silver light blazed around me, brighter than it had ever been in reality. Power unlimited. Strength beyond measure.And I was using it to kill my own people.My mother appeared before me, her throat already slit, blood streaming down her chest. "Why did you not save me, Maya? You had the power.""I did not have it then," I tried to say, but my voice would not work."Liar." My father materialized beside her, his chest torn open. "You let us die. You ran like a coward.""No, I tried to fight. I tried..."But they were right. I had run. Had hidden while my pack was slaughtered.The scene shifted. Now I stood in the palace throne room, but it was filled with bodies. Every person I had killed during the battles. Lycans and wolves mixed together in death.They rose slowly, their eyes accusing."Was it worth it?" a young Lycan soldier asked, the one who

MAYAThe rain felt clean against my skin.Everything else felt corrupted. The black veins spreading through my body. The power eating me from inside. The guilt that had become a constant weight crushing my chest.But the rain was pure. Untainted.I stood at the edge of the ruined southern wall and wondered if falling would feel like flying."Are you going to jump?" Asher's voice came from behind me, careful and controlled."I am deciding if I am worth saving."The wind picked up, pulling at my soaked nightgown. One strong gust and the decision would be made for me.Part of me hoped for it."May I join you?" Asher asked.I shrugged. "It is your wall."He moved beside me, not touching, just standing at the same precipice. Looking down at the same rocks that had killed three soldiers when this section collapsed during Gabriel's assault.Their bodies had been removed. But I could still see the blood stains on the stone below."Tell me what you are thinking," he said quietly."That everyon

ASHERThe location was buried deep in the palace archives, in records Kael had tried to destroy but missed.An unmarked grave in the northern garden. Far from the royal crypts where my father rested. Far from anywhere visitors might accidentally discover it.Erik had buried my mother like she was shameful. Like her existence was something to hide.Maya found it three days ago while searching for information about Elara's research. She had not told me immediately, understanding I would need time to prepare myself.But time had run out. Mordain's parley was scheduled for this afternoon. And something in me needed to do this first. Needed to speak to the mother I barely remembered before potentially walking into a trap.The rain started as we left the palace, a cold drizzle that matched my mood perfectly."You do not have to come," I told Maya as we walked through the gardens."I know. But I want to. If you will let me."I nodded, grateful for her presence even though I could not find wo