Chapter 5
The warehouse echoed with the sound of chains and desperate whimpers. I sat huddled in my cage, watching as the first of us were led to the auction block—a raised platform where women were displayed like livestock.
"Next up," the auctioneer called, his voice dripping with false enthusiasm, "we have a young beta female from the Eastern territories. Healthy, fertile, and trained to serve."
A girl no older than eighteen was dragged onto the platform, her eyes vacant with shock. She wore only a thin shift that did little to cover her trembling body.
"Starting bid at five thousand," the auctioneer announced.
Numbers flew through the air as rough-looking wolves raised their hands, each bid driving the price higher. The girl's fate was sealed when a burly rogue with a scar across his face won with a bid of twelve thousand.
"Sold to the gentleman in the back," the auctioneer declared, as two guards dragged the screaming girl toward her new owner.
I closed my eyes, trying to block out the sound. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, fighting against the silencer's effects.
"Focus," I whispered to myself. "Daddy needs to hear me."
I concentrated on the golden warmth in my chest, pushing against the silver collar's burning suppression. If I could just reach my father...
"Stop struggling," a guard hissed, noticing my efforts. "You'll make it worse for yourself."
I ignored him, pouring all my energy into breaking through the block. For a moment, I felt something give—a tiny crack in the mental barrier.
"Father," I called silently. "Please hear me."
My eyes flickered golden as power surged through me. The guard stepped back, his face paling.
"What the hell?" he muttered, reaching for his weapon.
Before he could draw it, Viktor appeared beside him, moving with preternatural speed. His hand shot out, striking me across the face with such force that I slammed against the cage bars.
"Don't try that again," he snarled, his eyes flashing red. "You're mine to sell."
---
Outside the warehouse, Cason crouched in the shadows, flanked by three of his strongest warriors. His face was a mask of determination as he studied the heavily guarded entrance.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" he asked the Beta beside him.
"Yes, Alpha. The trail leads straight here."
Cason's jaw tightened. After following Nola's scent to this abandoned industrial area, he'd discovered the warehouse guarded by rogues—Viktor Blackwood's men.
"We're retrieving our runaway member," he told his warriors. "She's Silvermoon property."
One of the warriors raised an eyebrow. "Property, Alpha? Or mate?"
"Rejected mate," Cason corrected coldly. "She belongs to our pack until we decide what to do with her."
They approached the gates, only to be stopped by four burly guards.
"This is private property," one growled. "Trespassers aren't welcome."
"We're here for one of ours," Cason replied, letting his Alpha aura flare. "A runaway Omega named Nola Simpson."
The guards exchanged glances. "Can't help you."
Cason's patience wore thin. "I'll make this simple. Either you let us in to retrieve what's ours, or I report this operation to the Council."
As they argued, a voice drifted through the partially open door—the auctioneer's voice, growing more animated with each word.
"Coming up next, gentlemen, is something special. A rare, unblemished female with unusual markings. Bidding starts at fifty thousand."
Cason froze, his blood turning to ice. He knew that voice—it was Nola's.
Without waiting for permission, he shoved past the guards and burst through the door, his warriors close behind him.
---
Inside, the warehouse was packed with wolves from every territory. Cason pushed through the crowd, following Nola's scent until he reached the front row.
There she was—locked in a silver cage, her neck encircled by a burning collar. Her eyes widened when she saw him, hope flaring briefly before dying as she saw the coldness in his gaze.
"Nola," he said, his voice carrying across the suddenly silent room.
Kiana materialized beside him, her face twisted with calculated concern. "Cason, thank the Moon Goddess you found her! I told you she ran away."
She leaned close, her voice dropping to a whisper that only he could hear. "Look at her, Cason. She must have come here willingly to sell herself as a whore."
Cason's expression hardened as he looked at Nola—really looked at her. She was dressed in the same clothes she'd worn when she disappeared, but now they were torn and dirty. Her eyes were wide with fear and something else... betrayal.
"Is this true?" he demanded. "Did you come here willingly?"
Nola shook her head frantically. "No, Cason, please—"
"She's lying," Kiana hissed. "Just look at her."
Cason approached the cage, his eyes cold as he stared at the girl he'd once thought was his mate.
"You are truly worthless," he said, each word a dagger to my heart.
He turned his back on me, addressing Viktor with a curt nod. "I've seen enough. She's not worth retrieving."
As he walked away, a hulking figure stepped forward—a scarred rogue who'd just placed the winning bid.
"Then I'll take her," he growled, his yellow eyes gleaming with triumph. "She's mine now."
You may also like
