Bought By The Beast

The champagne was expensive. The dress was borrowed. And I was about to be sold to the highest bidder.

"Lot seventeen," the auctioneer's voice boomed through the underground hall. "Rielle Morven. Twenty-three years old. Unmated. Bloodline verified."

My stomach twisted as a spotlight hit me, turning my skin to porcelain under the harsh glare. Around me, the darkness breathed with wealth and power... alphas and nobles gathered in the shadows, their eyes gleaming as they assessed the merchandise.

Me.

I forced myself to stand straighter in the ridiculously revealing black dress they'd poured me into. The fabric clung to every curve, barely covering what mattered. They wanted us to look desperate. Available. Fuckable.

And I was desperate. Just not for the reasons they thought.

"Bidding starts at fifty thousand," the auctioneer continued.

A paddle raised in the back. Then another.

I scanned the crowd, searching for the one face that mattered. The one alpha who'd promised he'd be here. Who'd sworn he'd get me out of this nightmare.

Kieran.

My boyfriend of two years. The male I'd given everything to, including my virginity on a promise of forever.

The male who'd ghosted me three weeks ago when his father arranged this auction.

"One hundred thousand," someone called.

My heart hammered. Where the fuck was he?

"One-fifty."

The bids climbed higher, and with each one, my hope died a little more. Kieran wasn't coming. He'd never planned to come.

I was alone.

"Two hundred thousand," a new voice rang out. Deep. Rough. Wrong.

The crowd went silent.

I turned toward the voice and my breath caught.

A male stood in the far corner, half-hidden in shadow. But even from here, I could see he was massive... easily six-five, shoulders that could break doors, and an aura of violence so thick it made the air taste like copper.

He stepped into the light, and my knees nearly buckled.

Not an alpha.

Something worse.

His eyes were pure silver, not the pale gray of werewolves, but molten metal that seemed to glow in the darkness. His face was all sharp angles and brutal beauty, framed by black hair that fell just past his collar. He wore a suit that probably cost more than most people's houses, tailored to perfection over a body that screamed predator.

And he was staring at me like I was already his.

"Two-fifty," another bidder countered, trying to sound confident.

The silver-eyed male's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.

"Five million."

The room erupted.

"Sir, I don't think..."

"Five. Million." His voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

The moment the number left his mouth, something settled in his expression. Not decision. Not interest. Finality. Like he had already made this purchase long before he entered the room. Like the auction was only a formality he was patient enough to allow.

"Final offer. Anyone else want to try?"

Silence fell like a guillotine.

The auctioneer stammered. "S-sold. Lot seventeen to... to..."

"Caspian Valdyr," the male