Selling Your Wife Off

I forced myself to focus. My father was right outside.  

  

  Taking a shaky breath, I scrambled off the bed, ignoring the sharp pain in my thighs. I wrapped myself in my nightgown hastily, smoothing my hair down before opening the door just a little to peek at my father.  

  

  He gave me a knowing look, amusement flickering in his eyes. “I see Aiden is taking good care of you.”  

  

  I forced a smile. “Yes, Father. Everything is fine.”  

  

  Aiden, now fully dressed, walked up behind me, resting a possessive hand on my waist as if we were truly husband and wife. “Good morning, Father,” he greeted smoothly, his voice dripping with fake warmth.  

  

  My father beamed. “Good morning, my son. I trust my daughter isn’t giving you any trouble?”  

  

  I stiffened.  

  

  Aiden’s grip on me tightened just slightly, a silent warning. “Of course not,” he chuckled. “She’s been nothing but obedient.”  

  

  My stomach turned at the word.  

  

  Obedient.  

  

My father nodded approvingly. “Good, good. I’ll be in the dining hall. I expect to have breakfast with both of you soon.”  

  

  I bowed my head slightly. “Of course, Father.”  

  

  As soon as he walked away, Aiden released me, his touch leaving a burning sensation on my skin.  

  

  “I hope you enjoy your little fantasy while it lasts,” he muttered, his voice void of emotion. “Once your father leaves, everything goes back to the way it was.”  

  

  I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “I know.”  

  

  His gaze flickered over me one last time before he walked past me and out the door, leaving me standing alone.

  

  Breakfast was awfully silent. Aiden sat across from me, barely acknowledging my presence, while my father occasionally glanced between us, clearly sensing that something was off.

  Finally, my father broke the silence.

  "How’s your mother? Does she come to visit often?"

  Aiden set down his fork, his jaw tightening slightly. "No, she doesn’t," he said, his voice cold and distant. "She can’t seem to forgive herself over the fact that I had to trade my lifetime happiness for her life."

  I widened my eyes in shock. My hand trembled as I reached for my cup, coughing to dispel the tense atmosphere. My father’s expression darkened, his gaze flickering to me as if searching for a reaction.

  Desperate to change the subject, I quickly forced a smile. "Father, Aiden and I have something to attend this evening."

  Aiden didn’t even glance at me, but my father’s mood seemed to lighten at the thought of us spending time together.

  At that moment, Athena walked in with a tray of tea. She looked delicate and beautiful with soft brown curls. I noticed the way Aiden's entire attitude changed the second she stepped into the room—his eyes softened and his posture was more relaxed.

  He looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. I bit the inside of my cheek, willing myself not to react. Instead, I turned my attention to my father, engaging him in conversation so he wouldn’t notice anything strange.

Athena poured Aiden’s tea with gentle hands, her fingers briefly brushing against his as she handed him the cup. His lips curled into a slight smirk, his gaze lingering on her for just a second too long.

I clenched my hands under the table, feeling an unbearable amount of pain settle in my chest.

Athena left the room, and I heaved a silent sigh of relief.

My father, oblivious to everything happening between us, smiled. "You two should go have fun tonight. Spend some time together."

  I forced a nod. 

The evening arrived faster than I had expected. I had no idea what kind of occasion Aiden was taking me to, nor did I particularly care. The only thing that mattered was maintaining the illusion of our happy marriage in front of my father.

  I dressed in a simple yet elegant gown, a deep shade of blue that complimented my pale complexion. I had no desire to impress Aiden or his peers, but at least I wouldn’t embarrass myself by standing next to him.

  Aiden, however, looked as if he was being dragged to his own execution. He barely glanced at me when I walked into the room, his sharp features carved in irritation.

  “Let’s go,” he said stiffly, extending his arm for appearances' sake as my father watched us from the side. I hesitated for only a moment before looping my arm through his, my fingers barely grazing his skin.

  As soon as we left the estate and stepped into the waiting carriage, Aiden pulled away from me as if I carried a disease.

  “Don’t embarrass me tonight,” he muttered, his golden eyes flashing with warning. “Just sit there and smile. Don’t speak unless spoken to.”

  I swallowed back the bitter taste of humiliation. “Understood.”

 When we arrived at the gathering, I immediately knew I didn’t belong. The venue was extravagant, a massive estate owned by one of Aiden’s fellow Alpha friends.

  Dominant werewolves filled the ballroom, their powerful auras suffocating. Women draped in the finest silk surrounded them, clinging onto their every word, desperate for their attention.

  I felt like an outsider.

  “Aiden, over here!” a voice called.

  Aiden’s lips curled into a smirk as he led me toward a group of werewolves, all of them alphas, their gazes flicking to me with vague disinterest.

 Among them, I recognized Joel, a particularly ruthless Alpha known for his love of gambling and his utter disregard for women.

  “Didn’t expect you to bring her,” Joel chuckled, eyeing me up and down like I was nothing more than an object. “Thought you’d leave her at home to knit or something.”

  A round of laughter followed his words.

  I stiffened, feeling my nails dig into my palm, but Aiden only smirked. “Had to bring her along. Her father’s around.”

  Joel grinned. “Right, right. Gotta keep up appearances.”

 The conversation shifted, and I stood there silently, forcing a polite expression while Aiden and his so-called friends talked about business, alliances, and their latest conquest

  It wasn’t until the drinks began to flow that the topic changed.

  Joel leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Let’s make things interesting tonight. A little wager, perhaps?”

  Aiden arched his brow. “What kind of wager?”

  Joel’s smirk widened. “A test of strength, of course. We each put something on the line and whoever wins the fight gets to claim the prize.”

  The alphas murmured in agreement, excitement flickering in their eyes.

  I paid little attention to their foolish games—until Joel’s next words made my blood run cold.

  Joel’s gaze slid toward me, and a slow smirk curved his lips. “Whoever wins gets to take her home for the night.”

  A chill ran down my spine.

  Laughter erupted around the room, deep and unbothered.

  I turned to Aiden, waiting for him to end this ridiculous conversation. To tell them I wasn’t a prize to be passed around like a bottle of expensive whiskey.

  But he didn’t.

  Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. Was he actually considering it?

 “What do I get if I win?” Aiden finally asked, curiosity filled his voice.

  Joel grinned. “A hundred acres of my land near the southern border.”

  The room filled with murmurs of approval. It was a generous offer. Any alpha would want to expand his territory.

  But the fact that Aiden was even entertaining this bet—willing to risk me for land shattered something inside me.

  He took a slow sip of his drink, then exhaled. “Fine. I accept.”

  The men cheered.

  “Aiden—” I started, but his sharp glare silenced me.

  “Sit there and be quiet.”

  I clenched my fists, swallowing my pride. I had no power here. No one was listening to me.

  Athena leaned in close, her breath warm against my skin. “I hope Joel wins,” she purred. “At least he knows how to treat a woman properly.”

  I refused to react. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

  The game began.

  One by one, the alphas faced off, moving pieces with precision and calculation. I barely paid attention, my mind reeling. I should have known better than to expect anything from Aiden.

  Eventually, only two players remained.

  Not Aiden.

  Not Joel.

  But Klaus.

  I looked up at him, surprised.

  He was the quietest alpha in the room, rarely engaging in their arrogance. He had barely spoken to me before tonight, yet now, he sat at the chessboard, fingers resting lightly against the queen.

  Aiden leaned back, watching. Amused. Unconcerned.

  The final match was slow, deliberate. Each move was made with careful thought, every piece sacrificed with purpose.

  And then, after what felt like an eternity—

  Klaus said, “Checkmate.”

  Silence.

  Then, Joel exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Well, damn.”

  The others chuckled. Someone clapped Klaus on the back, congratulating him.

  My heart pounded.

  I turned to Aiden, expecting… something.

  Rage. Jealousy. A refusal to let this happen.

  But there was nothing.

  Aiden just poured himself another drink, utterly indifferent.

  Klaus stood, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves before glancing at me. His expression was unreadable, but there was no smugness in his gaze. No malice.

  “You’re coming with me,” he said, his tone gentle, almost careful.

  I hesitated.

  Aiden didn’t.

  He just waved a hand dismissively.

  “Take her.”

 My heart broke even more at his words.

  Take her.

  Like I was nothing. Like I wasn’t worth fighting for.

  I forced myself to stand, my movements stiff. The room felt colder to me now, emptier.

  Klaus offered his arm, but I ignored it. I wouldn’t pretend to be okay with this.

  He didn’t seem to mind.

  He led me outside, where the cool night air hit my skin. For a long moment, we stood in silence. Then, finally, he spoke.

  “I won’t hurt you.”

  His voice was softer than I expected. Steady.

  I didn’t answer.

  He sighed, opening the carriage door for me. “Get in.”

  I hesitated again. I wanted Aiden to stop me. To do something.

  But when I looked back at him through the window, he was already deep in conversation with the others. Like I’d never even been there.

  My throat tightened.

  So I got in.

The car ride was quiet.

I sat with my hands folded tightly in my lap, staring straight ahead. I was still in disbelief that Aiden would do such a thing.

Klaus didn’t speak. He didn’t try to make small talk or ask how I was. 

It wasn’t until he pulled into his building that I finally looked at him. 

“This is your place?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

He nodded once. “Yes.”

He parked, stepped out, and walked around to open my door. I was surprised at his gesture.

I hesitated a bit before stepping out.

Inside, the building was quiet. 

Klaus didn’t look at me until we reached the top floor.

“Do you live alone?” I asked quietly.

“Yes.” He walked ahead.

I stayed near the door, uncertain.

Then he turned to me. “You shouldn’t be here.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You shouldn’t have come with me.” He said coldly.

I folded my arms, suddenly cold. “You won. I didn’t have a say.”

He exhaled. “I didn’t expect Aiden to just—” He shook his head. “To give you away like that.”

His eyes snapped to mine.

I swallowed. “That’s who he is.”

Klaus stared at me for a long moment. “You deserve better.”

I laughed—dry, bitter. “Is there a reason you are saying this to me?”

“Nothing in particular,” he said, too quickly. “Maybe I just want to be kind. And maybe that’s more than most.”

For a moment, I just stood there, caught between wanting to run and wanting to collapse.

“Thank You,” I whispered.

“You are welcome.” His voice was soft.

Klaus stepped forward, but not too close.

“You can take the guest room,” he said. “You don’t owe me anything. And I won’t touch you unless you ask me to.”

I nodded stiffly.

He turned away without waiting for anything more. “There’s food in the kitchen. Clothes in the closet. Make yourself at home.”