A
Adan
I darted outside and down the stairs, and the guards on the porch closed the door for me. Douglas stood beside the limo with the back door open. “Good evening, Alpha Cole!”
“Don’t forget. Around the humans, it’s Don Cole or Adan,” I replied, giving him a small smile as I slipped into the back of the limo.
“Yes, sir.” Douglas closed my door, and we were on our way a moment later. “So, the Eastern Canyon Resort, sir?” He arched an eyebrow as his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.
I nodded, not saying a word as I looked out the window to watch the scenery pass, thinking. I had been the Alpha of the Moon Shadow Pack for a year now, and my time was running out to find a Mate.
My father had been killed in battle the year before, and I took over immediately. My first order of business was to slaughter the Alpha responsible. Others said I should have decimated the whole Pack in retaliation, but I didn’t believe in that. The Alpha was the one who had given the order, after all, so he was the one to pay. His men were just following orders.
At first, the Alphas of the Council had been understanding and told me they would give me a year to find a Mate to give me time to grieve and organize the Moon Shadow Pack. Now, their patience was wearing thin, but I refused to take just any woman. I would either claim my Mate or no one at all.
Soon, Douglas pulled down the long driveway of the Eastern Canyon Resort. Slowly, we waited for everyone to make their grand entrance. I hated the public displays of society, but it was essential to make appearances, remind people who was still in charge.
When it was our turn, Douglas stopped, and Mason opened my door. He and the other men followed me inside. I had no idea how they arrived before me, but it didn’t matter. They were here.
“Good evening, Don Cole!” one of the guards greeted me at the door as he handed me a paddle with a number. I looked at it, and it said sixty-nine. I chuckled at the irony. “Here you go! The auction is right up these stairs. Enjoy!” He pointed to a private, golden staircase with human guards at the base.
I headed toward them, and they stepped away, nodding, but held their hands up to Mason and my men. “Not you.”
I let out a deep breath. Fletcher had been tightening his security of late. There had been some trouble among the humans lately, and he wasn’t taking any chances. Frankly, I didn’t blame him.
“Mason, wait here with the men. I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, Boss.” From the expression on his face, he didn’t like it, but he knew better than to go against me, even though he was my Underboss.
“Adan!” Fletcher greeted me at the top of the stairs and offered me his hand. “It’s so good of you to come!”
I nodded, giving him a small smile. “I was persuaded.”
He chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you were.” A smile lit his lips as he looked down at the paddle I was holding. “I see you saw Stan.”
I nodded.
Fletcher placed his hand on my shoulder, guiding me into the room. In the center of the room were private booths, a round stage, and chairs around the edge.
“Adan, make yourself at home as my guest! I can introduce you around, if you like, or you can mingle.” He pointed to one of the private booths. “Or feel free to use one of the booths, if you’d prefer.”
I nodded, returning his smile. “Thank you. I think I might.”
He shook my hand as a broad smile spread across his face. “Well, I’m off to mingle!” He shrugged. “But you’re just in time. The show’s about to start.”
I nodded once. “Thanks, Fletcher. I’ll be fine.”
He said his last goodbyes and headed off to greet more guests.
I grabbed a glass of champagne off the tray of one of the waiters passing by and headed toward one of the private booths, when I caught a scent.
I looked around and didn’t see any other Alphas or wolf-shifters, other than my men, but they were downstairs. No, there was definitely a wolf here... and she was close. I followed the scent toward the back, but one of the guards held his hand up. “Sorry, sir, but no one is allowed in the back with the ladies.”
I nodded. “My mistake.”
Don’t tell me Fletcher kidnapped a wolf, or one of the men kidnapped her. If that were the case, wolf-shifters were about to storm the place at any moment. I headed toward an empty booth and took my seat. Just then, the lights went down, and everyone took their seats as silence fell over the room.
Suddenly, bright lights illuminated the stage as soft music started. “Everyone, thank you for coming tonight!” Fletcher said to the crowd, taking center stage. “We have a great show planned for you tonight with plenty of beautiful women… and men for you ladies!”
Everyone laughed.
“So, you know how the auction works. If you see someone you want, hold up your number, and the auctioneer will record your bid. Then the highest bid wins! Also, you’ll be expected to pay in full for your purchases at the end of the evening before you collect your merchandise. So, grab a drink, relax, and enjoy the show!” Fletcher handed the microphone to a man in a white dinner tuxedo, turned and waved to the small crowd, then headed toward his seat.
The more the night wore on, the more women were brought out. But none was the wolf I had scented. My blood boiled at the thought of a wolf being subjected to such humiliation.
When they were brought out, the women were dressed in negligees and paraded across the stage. Most of the women looked scared out of their wits. Others stood defiant. I made a mental note to speak with Fletcher later about stopping these. When the sex club opens up in town, there will be no need to hold these auctions.
“Now, the piece of resistance,” the announcer said, capturing everyone’s attention. “Tonight, we have a special treat for you! She’s a brunette goddess! Her beauty will not be rivaled by any woman here tonight!”
A murmur resonated throughout the crowd.
“But I warn you, gentlemen....” The announcer smiled broadly. “She may be gorgeous, but she has a tempter to match!”
Everyone laughed.
“She’s also been deemed pure.”
The crowd “oohed” and “ahhed.”
“So, without further ado, I give you... Brenna!”
A gorgeous young brunette woman dressed in a harem costume was dragged out onto the stage in gold handcuffs and chains. There was also a bright silver bracelet around her wrist, embedded into her skin. I growled, knowing precisely what that was. It was a silver magical artifact that kept shifters from morphing. Whoever gave her to the humans knew she was a wolf.
“Let go of me! You just wait! When my people find out what you did to me, you’ll all be sorry!” Someone put a blue silk gag in her mouth that matched her outfit, causing my blood to boil.
But when she turned to face me, my heart stopped. For it was her, the woman I’d been waiting for my entire life... my Mate.
Adan In an instant, my world shifted, and she was now the center of it... my reason for living. My inner wolf growled, choosing her as his Mate, too. “Well...” The gentleman wearing the white dinner jacket smiled at the crowd, looking around the room. “What do you say we start the bid at fifty thousand dollars?” I casually held up my number. Although I would pay any price to have her, I didn’t want anyone else in the room to know just yet. Fifty thousand was a joke for a woman like her, and everyone knew it. “We have fifty thousand from the gentleman in the booth.” The Master of Ceremonies smiled as he looked over the crowd. “Do I hear sixty thousand?” “Sixty thousand,” said another gentleman, holding up his sign across the room. My head snapped up, and I instantly recognized him. It was Blaze Marrow, Alpha of the Silver Star Pack. His eyes met mine, giving me a sinister smile. “One hundred thousand.” I arched an eyebrow, smiling back. “Two hundred thousand,” he replied, giving
Brenna Keeping a tight grip on my arm, Adan led me to his dark gray Maserati and opened the passenger door for me. At least he had style. “Get in.” “No.” As he said, I knew better than to run… but it didn’t keep me from trying. Even though I pretended not to, I knew exactly who he was. He was Adan Cole, the most ruthless Alpha of us all, in the flesh... and he had just claimed me as his Mate in front of the humans. Well, it wasn't official yet, but the intention was the same. For him to officially claim me as his Mate, he had to say the words and bite me during sex, and I had to do the same... which wasn't going to happen. Then a Pledging Ceremony was done to pledge Mates to each other before marriage publicly. When the Mated Pair was ready, a Mating Ceremony would bind their souls forever. I had no idea why I was thinking about this, but my wolf wanted him and was prepared to submit right then and there. But I’d never submit to anyone, especially not a cocky, self-absorbed Alpha
Brenna “There’s no one left.” Adan gave me a kind look. “What happened?” I glanced over at him, and his eyes were filled with concern. “My Pack was attacked, and my parents and my brother were killed, along with the rest of my Pack.” He nodded, understanding. “You were part of the High Claw Pack.” My head snapped up. “You know of my Pack?” He nodded. “I heard of the attack after the fact.” A crease formed between his eyes. “How did you survive?” I let out a deep breath. “I killed the Alpha’s Mate, and he was determined to see me degraded. Humiliated. And he knew I would fetch a high price on the Black Market, since I’m a Princess.” My eyes met his. “And I did.” “You killed his Mate?” I shrugged. “She attacked me first, and I didn’t know who she was.” My eyes met his. “I ripped out her spine.” He nodded once, staring out the front window. “Tell me what happened.” I didn’t want to talk about it. What good would it do? No one could help me now. No one could save them. It was to
Adan As I witnessed her straining under the weight of my Alpha timbre, standing her ground against me, I knew she was my Mate... my Queen. Only a woman of such strength could be mine. Yes, this was her, the woman I’d been waiting for all my life, yet she was refusing to submit to me, her Alpha. “Mark my words, Brenna. You will submit to me before the Blood Moon and become my Mate,” I growled as I yanked her hair back, now sitting in the seat next to me, wearing only my white Armani dress shirt. She had shredded her clothes with her foolish stunt, trying to run. I had just enough time to strip before morphing into my wolf and narrowly catching her. But I didn’t care if I had to chase her all night; she was coming with me. She was mine. “Like hell I will!” she growled, folding her arms across her chest. I was surprised that the humans were able to hold onto her. She was stronger than any other she-wolf I had ever encountered and much less willing to submit. But I like that in her. O
Adan Sitting in the car in front of the castle, I looked over at Brenna, one corner of my lips curling into a smile. “So, are you coming peacefully, or do I have to carry you?” Brenna scoffed. “Let me make one thing clear: I’m not sleeping in your room tonight.” “No, you’ll have your own private quarters, but you’re welcome in my room anytime you like.” I chuckled, enjoying teasing her a bit more than I should. “But until I can trust that you won’t run, you’ll be under lock and key.” “So, I’ll be your prisoner,” she said flatly, understanding. “No, you’re my Mate.” I let out a deep breath. “But until I can trust that you won’t run, then yes, you’ll be my prisoner. But the sooner you prove yourself, the sooner the locks will be removed.” “Oh, no! I’m no one’s prisoner!” Brenna tried to open her door, but it was locked... and I had the controls. I sighed, looking out the window. My guards were standing on the wide circular porch, waiting. “Brenna, we can do this the easy way or th
Brenna That man is so infuriating! Why does he think he can order me around? Keep me under lock and key? Sure, he paid for me, but that doesn’t mean that he owns me. Slavery has been outlawed in the United States for a long time. But then I realized that slavery still happens, or else the auction where he bought me wouldn’t have happened. As a wolf, I rarely grew tired, but I was mentally exhausted. So, maybe a shower wouldn’t be so bad. Then I would try and get some sleep. I had no desire to have dinner with the brute. I wanted nothing from him but my freedom. But as I stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower, I knew that was a lie. My wolf wanted to claim him, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to claim him, too. The pull was strong, even though I didn’t want it to be. I didn’t want to desire him, to claim him as mine. As the hot water rushed over me, I leaned against the shower wall, wanting it to wash away the memories, but they would never go away. Tears ra
Adan When I woke, Brenna was still sleeping. So, I slid out of bed and headed into my suite, then showered and dressed in a dress shirt and slacks, knowing there was a lot to do before she woke. When I was ready, I headed into the hallway, but no guards were posted outside Brenna’s door. Rage filled me as I headed back inside and pulled out my cell phone. “Alpha?” Mason answered on the first ring. “Post guards outside of Brenna’s door immediately.” I let out a deep breath. “And make sure she has two guards posted on her around the clock.” “Aye,” he replied. “Is there anything else?” “Yes, see that Brenna’s breakfast is sent to her room immediately, and I shall dine with her.” “Very well, Alpha!” Mason’s voice was much too cheerful to be my Underboss. “Let me just say, Adan, that I am so pleased you finally chose a Mate—” “Enough.” I didn’t have to answer to him, nor did I want to. “I’m glad you ended up going to the Auction, after all,” he continued without taking heed to my wo
Brenna As I splashed water on my face, I heard Adan speak with someone outside my door. I sighed, wondering what he was up to. But I couldn’t get the last night out of my head. He had come to me, comforting me in my time of need, but he had shown me a world I had never known was possible. It was strange. This morning I had been asleep, dreaming of when I was little, playing cars with my brother at the Compound. Then I felt Adan watching me. In my dream, I looked over at him, and he smiled, watching me as he leaned against the door frame between our rooms. But somehow, I knew it wasn’t a dream. Even though he said nothing, I felt his pull, as if he were calling to me, as if he needed me this time. When I pulled myself out of my dream, I turned over and there he was, watching me, smiling as he leaned against the doorframe of our adjoining rooms, just as he was in my dream. Pulling a fluffy towel off the rack, I dried my face, and ran a brush through my hair that was lying on the coun