CHAPTER 2

MAYA

The guards dragged me toward a truck parked at the edge of the camp. When I saw what was happening my heart shattered all over again.

My people were being shoved into the truck like cattle. Men with whips cracked them across their backs without mercy. I memorized every single face of those men. I would come back for them one day.

"She is to go with you" the guard said to the men loading the truck. Then he shoved me forward and I stumbled but managed to catch myself before hitting the ground.

I turned back to the guard who pushed me and stared him down. He did not like that one bit and slapped me hard across the face.

"Lower your gaze you filthy mutt. You may have been something in your old pack but now you have been reduced to nothing" he snarled.

Despite the sting on my cheek and the venom in his words I refused to look away. I was the only child of Alpha Richard Stone. I was born to lead. I was not going to bow to some guard no matter how weak I was right now.

My wolf had gone silent ever since I got together with Damien. She slowly closed herself off until I could barely feel her presence anymore. It was strange because he was supposed to be her mate but she never once acknowledged him as one.

The guard raised his hand to hit me again but the loader pulled me away just in time.

"Easy there Gerald. You cannot expect me to sell her with bruises all over her face. Let the girl be. Load her up and let us get moving!" the loader ordered.

Another man grabbed my arm and shoved me into the back of the truck before slamming the door shut behind me.

I slowly turned around and was met with exactly what I expected. Hateful eyes. Resentful glares. Every single one of them blamed me and I could not argue with that.

"Who would have thought that one day you would be the downfall of all of us? I never liked you and now I know why" a girl named Jasmine sneered from the corner.

"Jasmine stop. She is the Alpha's daughter" another girl beside her whispered.

"So what?! Our Alpha and Luna are dead and it is all her fault! Our lives are ruined because of this witch!" Jasmine screamed and lunged toward me but the girls around her held her back.

"Calm down. There is no use fighting right now."

I turned toward the calm voice and my eyes went wide. It was Olivia. My best friend. Or at least she used to be my best friend before I got with Damien and she pulled away from me.

Looking back now it seemed like everyone saw through Damien except me. Had I really been that blind?

Olivia did not look at me. She kept her eyes on Jasmine. Her body was covered in bruises and her clothes were torn just like everyone else. The sight of all of them in that state made guilt eat me alive from the inside.

"I cannot calm down Olivia! My mate was killed right in front of me! I hate her!" Jasmine screamed and turned to me with fire in her eyes.

I said nothing. What could I even say?

"We all lost someone Jasmine. Every single one of us is suffering. Instead of pointing fingers we need to focus on what is coming. We are all getting auctioned tonight so prepare yourself for that" Olivia said in a steady voice.

The truck went dead silent. I could see the fear creeping onto every face around me and I understood why.

We were being taken to the auction house. It was a place where Alphas and Betas and anyone with money or power went to buy women like objects. I had seen it once before and it was the most disgusting thing I had ever witnessed.

Women paraded on stage while men stared at them like pieces of meat. I had wanted to shut the whole thing down but too many Alphas supported it so it stayed open.

"I promise all of you that I will get revenge for every life that was lost. The Blue Moon pack will rise again" I said quietly but with every bit of determination I had left.

Jasmine let out a bitter laugh. "We are on our way to being owned by strangers. We might as well be dead."

Nobody spoke after that.

I leaned my head against the side of the truck and eventually my exhaustion won. Sleep pulled me under and when I woke up it was because the truck door was yanked open with a loud bang.

The loader grabbed me first since I was closest to the door and pulled me out roughly. He shoved a white gown into my hands. It was so thin I could almost see through it.

"Get dressed now. The auction starts soon" a man announced as they handed gowns to the rest of the girls one by one.

I held up the gown and my stomach turned. "I cannot wear this" I muttered.

The loader stopped and turned to me with a grin that made my skin crawl. "Would you rather go out there naked? Because trust me that would bring in a lot more money."

The other men laughed and nodded in agreement.

I opened my mouth to argue but Olivia grabbed my wrist and shook her head at me.

"Stay quiet and put on the dress before you make things worse for all of us" she whispered through clenched teeth.

I let out a heavy sigh and followed her behind some bushes where we all changed. When I put on the gown I wanted to rip it right off. It barely covered anything.

"Hurry up! We are leaving now!" the men marched toward us and each one grabbed a girl by the arm before dragging us toward the auction house.

I did not bother struggling. My mind was too busy thinking of ways to escape. But the auction house was surrounded by guards. Only the rich and powerful came here and security was tight.

We were all gathered backstage and the announcer strolled up to us. He let out a low whistle as his eyes swept over the group.

"You brought some real beauties this time" he said with a sickening smile. Then he stopped right in front of me and tilted his head.

"Alpha blood huh? You are quite the catch. We will start with this one" he said.

My eyes went wide as two massive men grabbed my arms and began dragging me toward the stage.

"Let me go!" I screamed but they ignored me completely.

I could hear the announcer hyping up the crowd from behind the curtain. The roar of voices from the other side sent chills racing down my spine.

"Tonight we are starting off strong! This girl is as beautiful as a flower in full bloom. Her skin glows brighter than the stars and there is not a single flaw on her" he announced.

"That is what you say about every girl" a man in the crowd called out and the others mumbled in agreement.

"Yes but this one carries Alpha blood" the announcer replied.

Silence.

"Bring her out" he ordered.

The curtain flew open and bright light hit my face so hard I had to squint. The two men pushed me forward and handed me to the announcer. He grabbed my hair and swept it to one side before tilting my neck toward the crowd.

"She has never been marked" he declared.

He was right. Damien never got around to marking me. At the time I thought he was waiting for the right moment. Now I knew the truth. He never planned to.

The crowd erupted with excitement and the announcer grinned before leaning close to my ear.

"You are going to make me very rich tonight" he whispered. Then he grabbed the side of my gown and tore it open.

I gasped as more of my skin was exposed. If it were not for the underwear I was wearing I would have been completely bare.

The men in the crowd went wild and the numbers started flying.

"Twenty thousand!"

"Twenty five thousand!"

"Thirty thousand!"

"Fifty thousand!" an old bald man screamed from the front row. I had to swallow the vomit rising in my throat.

Tears rolled silently down my cheeks. I was an Alpha's daughter. I was supposed to lead a pack. And here I stood half naked on a stage being sold to the highest bidder.

I even recognized faces in the crowd. Alphas and Betas who once shook my father's hand and sat at his table. Now they were bidding on me like I was property.

I had no power. No wolf. No one to save me.

I lowered my head and accepted my fate.

Then a voice cut through the noise like thunder.

"One million dollars."

The entire room went dead silent. I lifted my head to see who had spoken but before I could the announcer dropped to his knees pulling me down with him.

"Sold to the Lycan King!"