"Water… Please, I need water," Leia rasped as she banged weakly against the door of the dungeon.
Her strength was fading. The silver shackles around her wrists and ankles burned against her skin, leeching away the last remnants of her energy. Her throat was parched. The ache in her body was no longer just in her muscles, it had seeped deep into her bones.
Just then, the heavy door opened, and the man responsible for her captivity stepped inside.
"You'll be free to go once the auction is over," he said casually, unlocking the shackles.
Leia stiffened at his statement.
"Auction?" Her thirst was quenched just by hearing that word.
A slow, sinister smile spread across his face. "Yes. Tonight, you'll be sold to the highest bidder."
Her stomach twisted in disgust. Before she could react, he reached out and ran his fingers along her cheek. The touch made her feel disgusted, and she immediately jerked away, slapping his hand aside.
"Don't touch me!" she spat, her anger momentarily eclipsing her weakness.
He chuckled darkly. "I'll let that slide, only because you're the main attraction tonight. You're worth far too much for me to damage before the bidding starts."
His words sent a cold shiver down her spine.
Leia wanted to fight. To rip him apart. But the wolfsbane coursing through her veins made sure she couldn't. Her wolf, her strength—both were weakened.
For now, she had only one priority: getting out of here. If playing along with this auction gave her a chance to escape, then so be it. She would deceive whoever purchased her tonight. She could easily fight the humans once the wolfsbane effect left her body.
With rough hands, the man dragged her out of the dungeon and through dimly lit corridors.
She heard the cries of the women—all were humans. They were begging to be released, not wanting to be sold. What kind of hellish place was this?
Soon, they reached a grand hall, hidden behind thick velvet curtains. Leia could hear the whispers of the people—only men—seated on the other side of the platform.
"Now, the most awaited bidding of tonight begins!" the announcer's voice echoed in the hall, making her shiver.
The man released his grip on her and shoved her forward. Her body stumbled, her vision blurring from exhaustion and dehydration. She pressed a hand to her temple to keep herself steady and tightly shut her eyes before opening them.
Finally, she moved to the center of the raised platform. A single, blinding white spotlight switched on, and it was focused on her while the rest of the hall remained in darkness.
She felt those hungry, predatory gazes on her from all those men.
Their gazes drank her in like she was nothing more than an object for their entertainment.
She could already feel her stomach twisting in disgust. If she could fight them, she would have. But for now, she needed to stand quietly.
"This is no ordinary woman, my esteemed lords!" the announcer boasted, his voice dripping with excitement. "She is a true gem among all the young women here. Untouched and pure. Make sure your bids match her worth!"
Leia wondered what he meant by that. What kind of gem was she? Or maybe he was just flattering those humans.
The hall started erupting with offers.
"Two hundred thousand!"
"Four hundred thousand!"
"One million!"
The numbers kept climbing, their enthusiasm making her sick. Her nails dug into her palms as she moved her eyes rapidly, hoping this bid would stop soon.
"Fifty million!" a deep voice roared through the hall. The voice was not loud, but it was not low either. It felt like a wolf growl, but Leia didn't want to believe it. One thing she noticed was that this voice intimidated everyone present in the hall.
She instinctively turned toward the source. Her breath hitched when she met a pair of piercing red eyes staring straight at her from the darkness.
For a split second, they glowed and it was confirmed now, they were a wolf's eyes, an Alpha's, particularly.
'What is a werewolf doing here!?' she thought.
Then, just as quickly, they shifted back to their normal shade.
She was doomed. An Alpha had just put the highest bid on her. The species from whom she was supposed to stay hidden would become her buyer if no human put a higher bid on her than him.
Her mother's last words from years ago echoed in her mind: "Stay hidden from the wolves, Leia. No matter what happens, never let them find you."
She had obeyed her mother's command. For years, she remained among humans, moving in the shadows, careful not to leave any trace. But all it took was one mistake—and now she was standing in this auction hall, staring at the very thing her mother had warned her about.
An alpha werewolf.
'Please, please!' she silently prayed in her head as she still hoped someone else would buy her.
"Fifty million one!"
"Fifty million two!"
"Fifty million three!"
But the worst happened. The Alpha had just purchased her.
"Leia Solayne is sold to Mr. Lucien Calandrino!"
Her escape plan shattered in an instant. No amount of deception would work now. Because the man who had just claimed her wasn't a human, worse, he was an Alpha. She could never escape from his clutches because he was more powerful than her.
"Leia, come with me. You need to get ready," said the same man and held her arm.
"Don't touch her!"
Leia heard Lucien's voice thunder in the hall and within seconds he was before her. Before she knew it, darkness enveloped her eyes and she fainted.
~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers,
This is the author's first time writing a story with more than one mate. Every alpha has a different story, and they are unique in their own ways. The female lead is sharp and cunning. The author hopes you show support to the story by giving it votes and comments, and gifts if possible.
THANK YOU
HAPPY READING