Chapter 2 Alpha's gaze

VALERIE

None of us had seen the Alpha. His name was one that was tossed around constantly, almost like a fictional character from a fairytale, or a celebrity always causing waves.

The Aunts spoke about him often—but their stories and gossip about the Alpha were flung around for the sake of entertainment and nothing more. No one ever seriously expected to meet him.

They said he was young. They said he was smart and handsome. They said that he would be mated this year. Last I’d heard them speak of the Alpha, the aunts mentioned that he was betrothed to the princess of the northern Eclipse pack.

Thinking about it, their engagement should have been just on the horizon.

The Alpha wasn’t only a celebrity to the Aunts, but also a tool they used to keep us in line. “You should be happy to live such comfortable lives,” they would remind us. “Be grateful to the Alpha for his generosity.”

It was a silly thing, to be grateful for the lives we had been fated with. But the aunts had a point; the Alpha was far more benevolent than his predecessor.

Two years ago, he took the throne from his father and made a decree that changed the way slave shops operated. Slaves were given meat and milk every week, physical abuse from our shop masters was prohibited, and female slaves were separated by males and managed strictly by she-wolves.

It was grim to think of life before the new Alpha. I couldn’t imagine what slaves went through before the decree. Some slaves thought of the new Alpha as a hero, but it was difficult to tell if his decisions were made out of mercy or convenience. After all, the turnover rate had improved. It was a huge improvement to his economy.

Occasionally, slaves also spoke of the Alpha, but we knew only what we had been told. Gossip between us was mostly imaginative. He had become known as a savior to some—foolish girls who dreamed silly little fantasies about a white-knighted Alpha king stealing them away.

Ashley craned forward, her long blonde hair sweeping her crossed knees. “Did you hear them?” she asked, her whispers elevated in excitement. “It’s the Alpha!”

Too loud. She was too loud.

I grimaced as a shout came from the back, “You two! Keep your head down!”

I dropped my head before Ashley did. I didn’t care about the Alphas. I didn’t care about the fantasies of romantic, loving masters. I had no place imagining myself like that.

I wouldn’t be bought by anyone.

I focused on my reflection in the glass, reminding myself of my strange indigo eyes, of the dark birthmark staining my neck.

The chatter from the front door wrenched me out of my thoughts. The Alpha had stepped inside, followed by three male wolves, large and muscled and attentive.

The Alpha’s footsteps were like thunder, striking the ground. One loud, heavy step and then another. It sounded the way I imagined monsters walked—with powerful, labored steps.

I couldn’t help but look.

I glanced over my shoulder, watching him stride, his black boots embroidered with the mark of the Silver Moon pack. He was a large figure, passing through a shop filled with much smaller beings.

I supposed that was why his footsteps sounded so heavy.

The aunts had not over-exaggerated when they gossiped about how handsome he was. I almost understood the slaves’ fascination with him. He was tall and muscled, young and sharp. His eyes swept the room with calculation and control.

He was very attractive.

I suppressed a shiver and turned my eyes away, forcing a smile at a stranger passing by. They paid me no mind and shuffled along with their head low.

I couldn’t grasp their conversation until they’d entered the room. Then the words became much more clear.

“Business has been…a bit slow,” one of the aunts was saying.

“I see,” replied the Alpha. His voice was coarse and smoky—but smooth. The voice of a man who knew his power. “Fortunately for you, that seems to be the general consensus around the market. But I haven’t come here to talk business. I’m investigating the incident that took place in the trade district yesterday evening.”

I glanced to Ashley, who met my eyes with a look of excitement and curiosity. He had come to investigate the attack.

“Oh,” replied a second aunt. “Well, that’s a good walk from here. We only heard word of that late last night. Terrible situation though, isn’t it?”

The Alpha hummed, a deep low sound from his chest. “I understand. Please keep an eye out for any…unusual guest activity.”

“Of course, my Alpha,” replied several of the aunts at once.

One complimented him on his health, then another congratulated him on his upcoming engagement to the Northern Princess.

Then he passed behind us.

I listened to his footsteps, one after another, floating past me like a ghost. Then…suddenly, they stopped.

I glanced up to the glass, catching his silhouette in the reflection. He was standing behind me, staring in my direction.

I swallowed, my heartbeat steadily elevating in my chest as he began to move again, coming closer. Closer. Suddenly, I was watching his boots sweep in front of me. I felt his eyes on me, pressing in on me with a curious gaze. He didn’t say a word. Didn’t utter a sound. Just stood there. But I could sense the strange emotion ebbing off of him, maybe a sudden flux of irritation or bloodlust at the sight of me.

I didn’t understand why he kept looking at me.

I kept my eyes on the floorboards, gripping the sides of my seat, too fearful to look up.

We were supposed to smile at all guests, but how was I to work up a grin with the great Alpha glowering at me from inches away?

My heart stammered.

Did I annoy him? Was it because I was too ugly and strange for the display box?

My breath quivered. I wanted to cry.

One of the aunts spoke up, “Oh, are you interested in a slave, my Alpha? I can assure you, we have a very nice selection of virgins.”