Lock her up

The Alpha standing next to Raina stood to his feet, ready to counter whoever had spoken, but he froze instantly as he came face to face with him and released his hold on Raina.

"I raise the bid to two million." Xavier's voice echoed again, and the hall choked with silence.

The air in the room shifted instantly, and the laughter died. Every head turned toward the back of the hall where the voice came from, and then murmurs began once again.

The sight of him was worse than chains. His face alone shackled her with memories she could never escape. She is more shocked by the price he offered to get her.

Xavier Blackthorn. The Lycan King.

The stories had never done him justice. Tall, broad-shouldered, his presence alone was enough to silence the Alphas who moments ago were barking over each other like desperate dogs.

His black coat draped over his powerful frame, and his cold ocean eyes burned with a light that seemed to pierce straight through her as he held her gaze.

The warriors holding Raina’s chains stiffened, and even Marcus faltered for a moment before pasting his smug smile back in place.

The event that had taken place between Xavier and Raina's parents three years ago was no secret to anyone in the hall. According to her uncle and Xavier’s account, her father had tried to kill Xavier but failed, ending up dead along with her mother.

“Ah… King Xavier,” Marcus said smoothly, though his voice wavered ever so slightly.

“What an unexpected honor,” he muttered.

After what happened back then, no one would have believed he would come to an auction organized by the Ironclaw Pack.

Xavier didn’t respond to Marcus’s chatter. Instead, he raised his hand, repeating his bid.

"Two million," he said, his low and dangerous tone reminding Marcus that he had to strike the gravel to make it official.

Marcus cleared his throat, glanced around at the crowd, then forced a laugh.

"Well, it seems the Goddess herself has decided. Sold!” he announced loudly, skipping the usual countdown.

The warriors jerked Raina’s chains, dragging her to her feet. Her legs wobbled as they pulled her toward Xavier.

Before handing her over, the warriors turned to Marcus for confirmation of payment, then pushed her forward.

Xavier didn’t catch her. He let her stumble and fall to her knees before him.

Raina's pulse throbbed so loudly she could hardly hear anything else.

Of all the people in the room to claim her, it had to be this devious man. The same Lycan King who had killed her parents right in front of her.

Raina closed her eyes, tears slipping out despite her desperate attempt to stay strong. Her wolf whispered again, a plea she knew was futile.

“Please…”

Xavier’s fingers twitched at his sides. His eyes narrowed as the soft, broken voice brushed through his mind like a ghost.

His wolf lunged at him with a snarl.

Mate.

As if pushed by an unseen hand, Xavier removed his coat and crouched beside Raina, draping it over her body.

Despite the tender action, his face remained stoic and unconcerned about the dried blood and wounds on her.

Raina's tears stopped briefly as the warmth of the coat touched her skin. She wrapped it around herself quickly, grateful to be covered.

Xavier stood again and ordered his beta, Stephen, to lead Raina away while the bidding for other items continued.

Xavier returned to his seat at the back of the hall, waiting to bid on the true item he had come for. His wolf pressed at the surface, reminding him that she was their mate and should be claimed. But Xavier resisted, focusing instead on the item that now took her place at the front.

Earlier, he had raised his card impulsively, unable to resist the whispers in his head. But now, he couldn’t care less about her.

She was merely a breeder with nothing more to offer. There was no way he would ever crown such a woman as his Queen. When the time came, he would simply dispose of her.

Unable to find the exact item he had come to bid for, Xavier rose, ignoring those who tried to engage him in small talk, and left the Ironclaw Pack house for his car.

Stephen stepped out as he arrived and bowed, noting his Alpha hadn’t secured the item.

“We are done here,” Xavier muttered, climbing into the front seat while Stephen drove and Raina sat in the back.

The journey back to Bloodthorn’s fortress felt endless. Raina shifted uncomfortably, sore all over and faint from hunger.

Across from her sat two guards with fierce looks, watching her like hawks. Silence pressed down on them all.

Her stomach growled loudly, demanding food and water after a day of starvation, but Raina knew that was the least of her worries now.

Her greatest fear was why Xavier had bought her. The thought of his intentions made her shiver quietly in her seat.

If memory served her right, he wasn’t like those lustful animals who sought every female they could claim. But then, he had just bought her for an enormous price in front of everyone, and he hadn’t killed her yet.

Whatever his reason, it had to be something evil.

Men like him, who killed and accused others without remorse, were nothing but wicked and disgusting.

Her stomach growled again, more intensely this time. Raina sighed heavily, wishing she could at least fill her belly before whatever misfortune awaited her came to pass.

Even her wolf grunted for water, exhausted.

“Use your words!” Xavier suddenly snapped, his eyes flashing red as he turned fiercely toward Raina. She startled, blinking at him.

She watched as his eyes slowly shifted back to normal before he looked away again, leaving her perplexed.

The cruel, ugly memory of three years ago slammed into her. The night she walked in and saw Xavier standing over her parents’ dead bodies with those same ferocious red eyes. Her shoulders trembled so hard it made her dizzy.

She wished she could sink her claws into him and rip out his heart, just to watch the life drain from his eyes. But she had no such power and now, her life is in his hands as well.

After what felt like three endless hours, the car stopped. Xavier stepped out while Raina remained inside, restricted by chains.

“What do you plan to do with her?” Stephen asked. He had been surprised when Xavier spent a fortune on her despite having no desire to keep a breeder, but he kept his curiosity contained.

Xavier slipped his hands into his pockets. After a short silence, he decided her fate.

“Find her a room and lock her up,” Xavier said coldly.

He turned to leave, but his wolf surged forward again, growling inside his head.

Xavier’s jaw clenched. 

“And feed her,” he added through gritted teeth.

Raina lifted her head at the words, her chest twisting in disbelief.

A cruel King who had murdered her family… and yet, he couldn’t quite let her starve.

She hated him even more for it.

Stephen nodded, confused by the contradicting instructions, and watched Xavier leave. Then he ordered the guards to take Raina to the dungeon and lock her up there, deciding to order food for her later, then head into the house.