All Chapters of AUCTIONED TO THE LYCAN KING: Chapter 171 - Chapter 175

POV: 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 fin

POV: MayaPain.Not physical. Worse than physical.The binding stone tore at something fundamental inside me. Ripping away pieces of myself I had not known existed until they were being destroyed.I felt the Moon Goddess bloodline being dragged out of my body like roots being torn from earth. Every strand of power pulled free sent fresh waves of agony through my entire being.But beneath the pain, something else stirred.Something ancient and furious.The corruption in my veins, the black tendrils that had been slowly killing me, suddenly blazed with silver light.I understood then. Miriam had been right about why the power was destroying me. But she had been wrong about the cause.The bloodline was not rejecting me because I hated myself.It was preparing for this. Knew Mordain was coming. Knew I would need every ounce of strength to survive what came next.The corruption was not death. It was transformation.And Mordain had just triggered it."Impossible," Mordain gasped as silver l

POV: MayaThree months later.I stood on the rebuilt southern wall, watching the sunrise paint the kingdom in shades of gold and amber. The scars of battle remained, but new growth pushed through the cracks. Literally and metaphorically.Below, in the courtyard, wolves and Lycans worked side by side on the final repairs. Not because they were ordered to. Because they chose to.That was the difference three months had made."You are up early," Asher said, joining me on the wall. He carried two mugs of tea, offering me one.I accepted it gratefully. "Could not sleep. Too much to think about before the ceremony.""Nervous?""Terrified." I smiled despite the admission. "What if I mess up the words? What if people still do not accept this?""Then you improvise. And we convince them." His hand found mine. "Like we have been doing for months."He was right. The past three months had been an endless series of negotiations, councils, and delicate diplomatic dances as we built the framework for