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 me a smug look.
“Two hundred and fifty thousand,” a human man said, holding up his sign.
“We have a bid of two hundred and fifty thousand,” the MC announced. “Do I hear three hundred thousand?”
“Five hundred thousand,” I replied, holding up my sign. I wanted her, and I wasn’t playing around.
Blaze leaned forward in his seat, his eyes never leaving mine. “One million dollars.”
“Five million dollars,” I replied.
Blaze narrowed his eyes at me, a low guttural growl erupting from deep within his chest, inaudible to human ears.
“Well!” The MC looked nervously between the three of us. “We have a bid of five million dollars. Do I hear six?”
The human man shook his head, lowering his number.
“Six million,” Blaze announced across the room, staring daggers through me.
Brenna tried to yell at us through the gag, but we ignored her. However, another man walked up to help the first man restrain her.
Just hold on, Baby Girl, I thought silently, thankful she couldn’t phase now. If she did, she would kill herself from the gold collar around her neck. The humans had no idea what they had.
“Ten million dollars,” I said, rising to my feet, staring down Blaze.
Blaze rose to his feet as one corner of his lips lifted into a snarl. But then he turned around and walked out.
The MC let out a sigh of relief. “Well! We have a bid of ten million dollars on the table, the highest of the night! Do I hear eleven million?”
Silence.
“Do I hear ten million, five hundred thousand?”
Silence.
“Ten million going once, twice, sold to number sixty-nine in the booth!” he announced as everyone cheered. “And that concludes our bidding for tonight! Thank you all for coming!”
I walked straight over to Brenna, my eyes never leaving hers. She leaped at me, but the men holding her restraints pulled her back. She panted, seething to kill me. “Do you know who I am?”
But I had only one response for her. “You. Are. Mine.”
Brenna gasped, knowing instantly what that meant. Even though we couldn’t say it in front of the humans, I had just claimed her as my Mate. She lifted her chin, gathering herself as she came back to her senses. “I’ll see you in Hell first!”
I grabbed a handful of her beautiful brown wavy hair and yanked her head back. My wolf was eager to claim her right then and there, in front of everyone. But I held my cool, revealing nothing to her or anyone else in the room. “That could be arranged.”
She glared at me, pulling against her restraints.
“I’m going to pay for her....” I announced.
“You son of a—”
“While I’m gone, take off her restraints and get rid of that silver bracelet. Then find her an appropriate dress and heels.” I stepped closer, one corner of my lips curling into a smile as I looked down at her. “I want her to look every inch a Queen before I return.”
The two men looked at each other, their faces blank, and then quickly nodded. “Yes, Don Cole.”
I turned on my heel and went to the private booth to pay my debt.
“Congratulations, Don Cole!” Fletcher said, a broad smile spreading across his lips. “I never knew you to bid before!”
“Because I haven’t.” I handed him my credit card, and he scanned it. “We have to talk.”
He narrowed his eyes as he returned my card. “What about?”
I let out a deep breath. “This.”
He nodded. Fletcher and I had mutual respect, even though we didn’t always see eye to eye. But we were always able to talk things out like gentlemen. “Yeah, now’s not the time. But could we meet tomorrow?”
“I’ll come to you. What time is good?”
He bit his lower lip and released it, thinking. “Meet me downstairs at noon, and we’ll have lunch. Will that work for you?” Obviously, he wanted to meet with me in a public place.
I let out a deep breath. “I’ll see you then.” I started to walk away, but he stopped me.
“Adan?”
I looked over my shoulder, raising an eyebrow.
One corner of his lips curled into a devilish smile. “Good luck with your hellcat.”
I smirked as I walked away. Little did he know, he wasn’t too far off the mark.
“Get off me!” I heard Brenna before I saw her, then she stumbled out from the back, wearing a silver gown with a slit up the side that shimmered when she walked. She wore matching silver stilettos… and the bracelet was gone.
There was a witch somewhere nearby. The witch who had applied it was the only one who could remove it. Obviously, Fletcher knew more about my world than he let on. I couldn’t believe this was going on under his nose without his knowledge.
I looked her over carefully, and my breath caught. She was absolutely gorgeous.
“Ma’am, I’m only doing my job—”
He grabbed her arm, and she raised her hand to slap him, but I caught it in midair before she landed the blow. “Let’s go.”
She tried to pull away, but I held her firmly as she struggled to get away. “I’m not going anywhere with you!”
I smirked, enjoying her fighting spirit a bit too much. “Oh, yes. You are.” I grabbed her arm firmly and led her just ahead of me, pushing her toward the door.
“Let go of me!” she yelled as I led her through the room. People stood back, giving us a wide berth as we passed. “You have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of!”
I flipped her quickly around and pushed her against the wall, my mouth a breath away from hers. My heart pounded as I took in her ruby red lips and the natural pink of her cheeks, but I held firm.
“I know exactly what you are,” I growled, my voice low. “Do not make a scene before the humans. We’ll talk when we get outside.”
“I’m not—”
I grabbed her and pushed her against the wall again, never letting go of her arm as I stared into her eyes. “Do not push me,” I said, my voice low. “I’m pretty sure you know exactly what I’m capable of.”
We faced off, staring each other down, then she nodded once. “Okay. But this is not over. As soon as I’m outside, I’m running.”
“If you do, I will hunt you down.” I traced a finger lightly down her cheek as I gazed into her eyes. “And there will be nowhere you’ll be able to hide.”
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
Brenna “Why?” I looked down at the omelet Adan had slipped onto my plate. “You’ll forgive me, but I don’t want to be poked and prodded anymore.” “That’s fair.” He took a calming breath. “Magenta is the Pack Witch and our Healer. She’s only coming to check you out to make sure you’re not malnourished or in need of medical care.” He slipped an omelet onto his plate, too. “Magenta is kind and will see to your needs.” I picked at the omelet on my plate. “Thank you.” “Brenna….” He took my hand. “Did I force myself upon you in any way last night?” My head snapped up. “No! In fact, I was the one who pulled you to me. Remember?” He nodded, smiling. “Brenna, I just wanted to make sure. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m not the brute you may think me to be. Just give it time.” He looked longingly into my eyes. “Give me time.” Then he raised my hand to his lips, kissed it, and released it. He smiled as he motioned toward the table. “Come! Enjoy! Take what you like. Do not be shy.” I