Chapter 4

Ezra's POV

"$100 000."

I feel like my heart fell from a tall building. For a second I felt a subtle pain in my chest. 

I darted my eyes straight at him. 

The man behind him, which I suppose is his Beta, first bid for $100 000. The crowd went silent after that as if they do not believe the amount that was raised. 

Who would? The bidding started from $100 and now I am being sold for $100 000!

The man... I mean, my mate repeated the amount. This time, he was the one who raised a hand.

"$100 000."

My lips quivered and my jaw drop.

'D-Does this means he wants me?'

He is my mate. An Alpha!

Before I get my hopes up, I immediately reminded myself about the what-ifs running in my mind.

What if he just pity me?

What if he doesn't really want to buy me but the mate bond is giving him a hard time? For all we know, mate bonds are the hardest bond to break.

It may be good news to me that my mate is an Alpha, but I couldn't imagine that behind his sophisticated look and strong physique, his mate is a rogue slave. I can already understand how he feels right now. 

He probably hates me now. Maybe he is already cursing me on his mind on why I was even born. Having me as a mate would be embarrassing. 

"A-Alright! An 18-year-old female is sold for $100 000. Around of applause, people! So far, it is the highest bid of the night," the announcer hesitatingly announced. 

Unconsciously, my eyes landed on the left side of the podium. Behind the curtain is the soldier who sold me to this organization. I saw them shaking hands with the man in a suite. The soldiers felt my stares. One of them looks in my direction. 

I am not even surprised when I see no remorse or pity in his eyes. Instead, he smirked.

The crowd cheered. Their applause echoed in the whole dark room. 

"Congratulations, Mr. Adair!" The announcer said. 

My thoughts earlier were supported when I saw my man, whose name is Adair, motioned his finger to the man beside him. His Beta leaned forward as he whispered something. The Beta nods before standing in his seat and started walking towards me. 

I bite my lower lip.

I knew it. 

My chest tightens and my whole body became heavy. I felt the pain in both of my knees. They were already hurting earlier, but the pain right now became unbearable. 

I lowered my head and glued my eyes to the floor. Tears started forming on the sides of my eyes. Unlike what I usually do and if I can, I always try to stop them from crawling down my cheeks. However, this time, I feel like my lungs are running out of air if I won't let them out.

I watch as my tears drop on the floor. A pair of black shoes stopped right in front of me. I lift my eyes with a blurry sight. I blink the tears away to have a clear sight of who's in front of me. 

When I see him, my heart ached. 

I know I shouldn't make this a big deal since the moment he stands from his seat, I already know that he was the one who will take me.

He lends a hand to me. "The Alpha is waiting for you. Let's go," said the Beta. 

I still do not know his name, so I'll call him Beta. 

He reaches for my arm which is still tied from the back and helps me to stand. 

From the hours of being dragged by the soldiers, harassed by the guards, and kneeling in front of a hurled crowd, I couldn't stand and walk properly anymore. 

Fortunately, his Beta is kind enough to support my body while walking. 

Unlike other slaves that were bought, my chain was never untied. 

I look at the man in front of me. My body started shivering in fear when my gaze locked into his. 

His Beta made me stand in front of him. He stares at me coldly. He did not even flinch or say 'hi' to me. Instead, he looked at me from head to toe. Afterward, he avoided his gaze and darted his eyes back in front where another slave is being sold. 

Tears once again formed in my lower lids, attempting to fall.

 ‘If he doesn’t want me, then why did he buy me?’

“You can sit here…”

I look at the Beta who offered his seat to me. His hands are pointing at the chair behind Adair which I suppose is his seat.

I look around and my eyes landed on the fat man who wanted to buy me earlier. There are three slaves surrounding him. One is sitting on his lap and the other two are on the floor behind his feet.

My eyes darted back to the Beta. I shake my head and lowered my eyes. Slowly, I sit next to his left foot.  

I did not bother lifting my head, but I can sense him looking back at me.

Around of applause was heard from the crowd when another slave was bought.

“Sir, the man who bid for…” I heard the beta silently clearing his throat. “The man who bid for your mate did not bid again. Maybe he specifically prefers your mate,” he added in a whispering voice.

However, we are only inches apart from each other. I can clearly hear them whisper.

“Stop calling her my mate, Roman.”

The cold breeze of air shivers down my spine. Earlier when he did, his voice is somehow drowned by the crowd. This is the first time I hear his voice clearly. This is the first time I hear his voice clearly.

His voice is too deep and manly that I could not resist lifting my chin and looking at him.

He notices me staring at him. I thought I caught his attention but he only glance at me.

“What’s the name of the man?” he asked.

“I will look into it, sir. But he’s the father of one of the strongest packs here in our neighborhood. I’ll make sure to gather information about him and their pack—”

“No need,” he crosses his legs and rests his back comfortably on the chair. “I’m not curious. I just want to know if he’s that eager to buy the slave, I can hand it to him.”

I feel like I was stabbed in the chest when I heard what my mate said.

I glued my eyes on the floor and let the strands of my hair fall on the side of my face to cover my tearing eyes.

Why does everyone hate me? What did I do in my past life to deserve this?

“I’ll check, sir,” Roman replied.

My head stayed low the whole time. I did not bother getting a stiff neck. I just do not want anyone to see my face.

“Let’s go. I have no plans of hearing their closing remarks,” Adair answered.

“Okay, Alpha Ryler.”

My brows furrowed. Alpha Ryler? Is that his name? I thought it was Adair.

It took me a few seconds before it sinks into me.

Ryler…

My eyes widen. Don’t tell me, he’s the Ryler that every girl was talking about back then in the village? I once heard them talking about him. I even remember hearing one of them that they’ll surrender as long as Alpha Ryler will be their master.

I shake my head.

Ryler is the one that girls go crazy over.

Ryler is my mate. He’s an Alpha.

My mate is an Alpha.

My thoughts were interrupted when I felt a kick from behind.

I lost my balance and was about to fall face-first when the Beta, Roman, caught my arm. He quickly let me stand on my feet.

I look at him and bowed my head.

“T-Thanks,” I uttered.

I quietly look around to see who kicked me. My eyes darted to my mat—my master who is also looking back at me. As usual, his eyes are cold and dead.

“Why did you let her stand?” he asked.

I know the question is not for me but he did not remove his eyes from me.

“Uhh… I thought we will go now?” Roman asked. He is still holding my arms from behind as if I will fall right after he’ll let go of me.

“And?” Ryler asked while shooting one of his brows up.

Roman stayed silent for a second before saying his apologies.

“My apologies, sir,” he said.

Ryler advances toward me. I wasn’t told to look up to him so I remain my eyes on the floor.

“Kneel,” he ordered.

My eyes blinked uncontrollably, trying to wipe the tears away. I bite my lower lip, hoping it will stop me from shaking.

“I. Said. Kneel,” he repeated. This time, with emphasis.

“Alpha…” Roman tried to butt in. We are now getting the attention of some guests. Since I do not like it when people are starting to look at me, I did not wait for the commotion to grow. Instead, I kneel in front of him.

“Let’s go,” he ordered.

“Alpha, what about—”

“She’ll walk while kneeling. Don’t untie her chains.”

With that, he turn on his back and started walking away.

I was left dumbfounded. My lips parted in shock. I couldn’t believe he is asking me to walk with my knees.

“Miss, you need to move. Alpha doesn’t like waiting,” he explained.

I nod my head while tears are crawling down my cheeks. As much as I want to wipe them. I couldn’t since my hands are still tied behind my back.

I do what I was told. I walk on my knees. We caught other people’s attention. We are already nearing the door exit when suddenly, Ryler stopped.

I glance to know what is up when I saw the big fat man who wanted to buy me earlier. He is standing in front of Ryler, blocking our way. He then peeks to take a look at me. My eyes widen and I quickly lowered my head.

“I didn’t know you are this brutal. How could you make her walk on her knees? She might get injured.”

“As you can see, she’s already covered in bruises,” Roman replied. I can sense the annoyance in his tone but it is not my primary concern right now.

“Exactly. That is why you shouldn’t make her kneel.” I can feel his hands reaching out to me. I shut my eyes close hoping I won’t feel his hand on me.

Fortunately, it did not happen.

“She’s Alpha Ryler’s property. No one can touch her aside from him.”

When I open my eyes, I saw Roman holding the fat man’s wrist.

He harshly pull his hand away and pointed his finger at him. “Who are you to tell me what to do? And who are you to touch me—Aww!”

I lift my head up. My eyes widen when I saw Ryler, twisting the man’s arm behind his back.

“I do not like my members getting disrespected in front of me, Mr. Bruce…” he said in a cold and low voice. “So, if you may help us… kindly step aside,” he added. He then effortlessly pushes the man away, making him almost lose his balance. Good for him, his guards are on the side, ready to catch him.

“You imprudent brat!” He pointed his finger at him and yelled.

However, Ryler only looks over his shoulder. “Roman, let’s go…”

Roman followed him, so I also did.

We managed to exit the hall and walk towards the lobby.

Wait here, sir. I’m going to get the car.” Roman quickly ran towards the parking lot. I saw one of the cars lit up. Roman hop on it and vanished from my sight.

I shift my position and lift my left knee a little to rest for a second. I put it back and do it to my other knee.

My knees are now red. It is too noticeable since I have a fair complexion. Also, I feel like my wrists are now marked in red. I stop moving them earlier since it only worsens my bruises.

A black sedan car stopped in front of us. Roman stepped out of the vehicle and quickly opened the passenger’s door. Ryler, who was standing beside me walk towards it.

I bite my lip. There are stairs in front of me. Around three steps down to walk towards the door.

I am already weak. I did not have a proper rest for the past few days. We’ve been hiding and running, and now I am held captive. I do not remember eating properly.

“Sir Ryler said you can now stand.”

I lift my chin and look at Roman with a surprised expression.

Did he mean it?

I crane my neck to try to take a peek behind Roman’s figure, but the fully tinted window is already rolled down.

“You don’t want to keep him waiting,” Roman added.

I kind of panicked. I tried to stand on my own, but I am losing my balance.

Roman sighed and carefully grab me by my arm. He help me stand on my feet.

Out of a sudden, I feel like my world is spinning. I could not feel my legs, but I can feel my body getting heavy.

“Let’s go,” Roman said in an almost inaudible voice.

When I tried to take a step forward, the world around me spin and the next thing I knew, all I see is black.

***

A cold splash of water made me take back into real-time. I opened my eyes and travel my eyes around.

My eyes widen when I saw a girl wearing a black skirt and a red off-shoulder top. She’s holding a small pail which I guess she used to splash water on me.

I tried to move my body and get up. I realize my hands aren’t tied anymore. I found myself on a wooden bed with a single blanket and pillow. I am all wet now, including my bed.

“Great, you’re now awake!” the girl said.

She carefully places the pail back on the floor without removing her chinky eyes from me.

I look at her overall face.

Her hair is curled and in a half ponytail. She has fair skin and her face is full of makeup. Her lips are red and she’s also wearing a subtle pink eyeshadow and eyeliner.

If she did not splash water while I am sleeping, I’ll say she’s beautiful.

“W-who are—ehem—” I tried to speak but I notice that my throat is dry. I silently clear my throat to speak properly.

“Where am I? And who are you?” I asked.

The girl crosses her arms over her chest. She then tilts her head and looks at me from head to toe.

“My name is Laura. You are in our house, and I am your future Queen…” she lends a hand to me. I was about to reach it when she quickly withdraw her arms and hide it behind her back. “Oopsie, I forgot that this hand shouldn’t get touched by lowlife people.”

I blink my eyes uncontrollably. I notice that there are bars behind her. When I roam my eyes once again, it sinks into me that I am in a cell. There’s a single sink and a small door which I suppose, is a bathroom.

“Since you are already awake… thanks, god,” she murmured. “Ryler told me to get you dressed—No, scratch that. I heard the Ryler bought a slave and I heard him asking one of the servants to get you to change clothes. Since I am the future Queen and I have a good heart, I volunteered!” she cheerfully says.

My eyes drop to the cloth she is holding. “Uhmm, thanks, I guess,” I replied.

I reach for the cloth that she is holding, but she toss it on my bed.

I sigh and pick it up. I carefully seat on the edge of the bed and let my feet touch the cold floor. I was planning to go to the bathroom when Laura stop me by blocking her hand in front of me.

“Hep! Where are you going?” she asked.

I look at her hand and eyed the bathroom that is placed a few feet away from us.

“Who says you can use the bathroom?” she asked. One of her perfectly plucked eyebrow arch at me. “Change here… slave,” she said in a cold voice.

My brows furrowed and my eyes landed on the guard who is standing in front of my cell. I saw him gulp and blinked.

“B-But—”

Before I can continue what I was about to say, Laura stopped me.

“What, are you disobeying the Alpha’s order?” she asked in a sarcastic tone. She trace my line of sight and landed on the guard in front of my cell. She then scoffs. “You think he’s interested in seeing your body? No one cares about you. Don’t ever think that he, or any other man, will be interested in you. You’re just a slave. A nobody. I bet many already tasted you—”

“What did you say?” I lift my head.

This time, I could not stop myself but show some stiffness in my voice.

Laura tilt her head at me while looking shocked. She then smirked at me and pointed at herself. “Did you just cut me off?” she asked with disbelief.

She chuckled. Her voice echoed around the corners of my cell. She even clapped her hands in a slow manner.

I look at her, confused about her reaction.

When her laughter died down, she looked at me with her mocking eyes and lips grinning.

“How dare you question me with that stupid and dirty mouth of yours?” she asked in a low tone.

I stand from my seat. I notice her made step backward with a surprised expression written all over her face.

“And who are you to tell me that I have already been tasted of several men? Do you have proof of that?” I asked rhetorically.

I am too full of everything that is going on with my life. If she will kill me… If they would want me dead, then so be it. At least I managed to offend her at the last minute of my life.

Her palm landed on my left cheek. My face flew in the other direction. I still haven’t recovered when she did it on my left cheek.

I am still dizzy from what happened a few days before and I feel like her slap shook my mind. I look at her. Before I can say a word, she pushed me through my shoulders, making me sit back on the hard bed.

I look up at her while she is looking down at me. One side of her lips is rising upwards. She is smirking wide at me but without humor. I can sense the angriness in her, but she’s covering it behind her smirk.

“You are asking me if I have proof? Well, to be honest, I don’t have one…” She leans forward towards my ear. “But I don’t need it. If I don’t have one, I’ll make one,” she whispered.

Her last statement made my brows furrow and form thin horizontal lines on my forehead. I look at her with a confused expression, but her grin only grew wider.

She fixes her stance and places her hands on the sides of her waist.

“Guard!” she called without removing her eyes from me and displaying her grin.

The guard who is standing in front of my cell made a step forward.

“Yes, Ma’am Laura?”

“How many guards are there?” she asked, her eyes still on mine.

The guard peeked over his shoulder and started counting his comrades.

“Four, ma’am. Five, including me,” he answered.

She smirked. “Okay. Bring them all here inside.”

The guards quickly called her comrades. I watch him unlock my cell and they all stepped in. Just like what he said, they are five in total.

“This b*tch right here is questioning my credibility…”

What? Since when did I do that?

“She told me I do not have proof that she’s been tasted by several men.”

My jaw drops. Don’t tell me she’s planning to…

“Also, she refused to change her clothes, which was ordered by Alpha Ryler.”

No… No… No way she’s going to ask these men—

She looks at me. She probably sensed the confusion and frightened in my eyes that her smirk grew big

“I want you all to prove me right. And I want you to do what the Alpha ordered,” she said.

My eyes widen. When I look at the guards, they are all smiling at me. I shake my head and tried to crawl back on the bed without removing my eyes from them.

“This way, you will learn to behave, slave,” Laura said and turn on her back to walk out of the cell.