All Chapters of SOLD TO THE RUTHLESS LYCAN KING : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Ariana's POVThe sound rolled through the chamber like distant thunder.Stone scraped against stone until a line of light appeared across the far wall.Nobody moved.We watched the opening grow wider, wondering who was on the other side.Kael quietly drew his sword.The sound of steel sliding from its sheath seemed louder than the moving wall.He stepped in front of me without saying a word.I didn't argue.Not this time.Rowan walked to the left side of the chamber while Elias lifted the lantern higher. The light reached the doorway just as it opened enough for a person to walk through.A shadow appeared.Then another.I held my breath.An old woman stepped into the chamber.She wasn't dressed like a soldier or a noblewoman. Her grey cloak was dusty from travel, and she leaned heavily on a wooden staff that looked almost as old as she was.Behind her stood two young women carrying baskets filled with herbs.None of them carried weapons.The old woman stopped the moment she saw me.He

Ariana's POVThe first soldier had barely hit the ground when the second arrow flew past Kael's shoulder and buried itself in the stone wall behind him.The chamber exploded into movement."Shields!" Darius shouted.His men moved at once, raising their shields to block the narrow entrance to the tunnel. More arrows struck the wood with dull thuds, but they held their ground.Rowan grabbed my arm."We have to move."I pulled free."I'm not leaving.""This isn't the time to argue.""Then stop arguing with me."He opened his mouth to reply, but Kael spoke first."Rowan."Rowan turned."Take her.""I said no."Both men looked at me.My shoulder was still burning from the poison, and my legs felt weaker than they should have, but I forced myself to stand straight."If I run every time danger comes, then everything my parents died for means nothing."Kael walked towards me.He stopped so close that I could see the tiredness in his eyes."You think leaving makes you a coward?""I think leavi

Ariana's POVNobody moved.The fire crackled behind us.The soldiers stood in front of us.For the first time since entering the hidden chamber...There was nowhere left to run.The old man smiled as though we had arrived exactly when he expected.He rested both hands on the top of his walking stick and looked at me with calm, patient eyes."So much of your mother lives in your face."His words made my stomach turn.He spoke about her as if he had known her well.Kael stepped in front of me."Don't come any closer."The old man chuckled."If I wanted the girl dead, she would never have reached this cave."He lifted one hand.The soldiers behind him lowered their bows.Not completely.Just enough to show they weren't about to attack.It wasn't mercy.It was confidence.The old man believed he had already won.Miriam's hands trembled."I watched you swear an oath before the Moon Altar."She couldn't keep the anger out of her voice."You promised to protect the royal family.""I did.""A

Ariana's POVNo one believed him.Not at first.Rowan frowned and took a step towards the wounded soldier."Say that again."The soldier leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath."He came alone.""You're telling me one man broke through your army?""He didn't fight all of us."The soldier's voice shook."He fought the men who stood in his way.""How many?""I don't know.""I stopped counting."The cave became so quiet that I could hear water dripping somewhere behind us.Malach slowly tightened his grip on his walking stick."So...""He finally came."Kael looked at him."You were expecting him.""I prayed I was wrong."Before anyone could ask another question, a slow, steady sound echoed from outside.Footsteps.Not running.Walking.Each step was calm and unhurried.Whoever was coming had no fear.The footsteps stopped at the entrance to the cave.A tall figure stood in the light.The sun was behind him, making it impossible to see his face.He wore a long black cloak tha

Ariana's POVThe cave erupted."That's a lie!" Celeste shouted."It isn't," Darius fired back. "I saw you."Kael stepped between them before either could move."Enough."His voice wasn't loud, but it carried through the chamber."No one draws another weapon until I know who's telling the truth."Darius didn't lower his sword."I served Ariana's father for fifteen years. I know what I saw."Celeste's breathing became uneven."And what did you see?""I saw you unlock the palace gates.""I unlocked them because Elena ordered me to.""No.""Yes!"Their voices crashed into each other.For a moment, they weren't enemies.They were two people dragging twenty years of guilt behind them.I looked from one face to the other.Neither of them looked like they were lying.That frightened me more than anything.Miriam stepped forward."I was there too."Every eye turned to her.She looked tired.Not from the journey.From carrying the same memory for too many years."The palace was already surround