CHAPTER THREE (Sold)

Selene

Two years later

“Who works on the day of their birthday?” 

"Yes, that is me at the moment. Funny, huh?" 

Today was my twentieth birthday, and here I am scrubbing the floor of this massive mansion.

"Oh, you thought my mate would accept me later on?"

"Haew, that is not the case," I mumbled, wiping away my sweat for the hundredth time.

"Be quick, lazy slave." The head of the maids yelled loudly.

"She is always that way," I continued to work.

I had finally finished all of my morning work when I ran into Imogen. "Hey," I said.

"Come with me, I have something for you." She said, pulling me towards the garden.

"Happy 20th birthday!" she said, and I could not help but notice the adorable little cake she was holding.

"Thank you," I said with a teary smile.

"Go ahead, make a wish." She beamed, and I closed my eyes, unsure of what to say but hoping for my freedom.

As dusk was falling, I completed my afternoon tasks and went to my room. Something in me hoped that my mate would wish me a happy birthday but it never came, I laughed at myself for being delusional.

The noise of thunder sounded simultaneously with the rumble of my stomach, that was when it clicked that I had barely eaten anything today.

"There should be something to eat in the kitchen; let me check," I reasoned, and made my way out of my room as quietly as possible.

A conversation caught my attention while I was listening to the muffled conversations of two individuals in the room where the Alpha hosts the majority of his guests.

“When do you intend on rejecting her? we are running out of time.” I moved closer to listen in after hearing a seductive voice.

I was shocked to hear the Alpha say, "Soon baby, she is of no use to me, do not worry," because he usually spoke in a harsh tone with me.

"And Alpha Damian, when will he come for her?" The sultry voice inquired. Suddenly it occurred to me that they were talking about me, and who does not know Alpha Damian, the vicious beast of the werewolf kingdom? The mere thought of it made me shudder.

Panic gripped my chest that I chose to flee as soon as I heard him say, "Tonight."

Trash!!!, I bumped into a flower vase and fell to the ground. As I struggled to get up, I heard hurried footsteps leading to the entrance, and what I saw knocked me back down.

"Imogen," I stammered as tears began to well up in my eyes.

“Whoa, talk about the devil.” My tears flowed freely as she folded her hand and smiled mischievously.

"How could you, and why?" I got to my feet and charged at her, but my mate gave me a hard slap, knocking me to the ground.

"Do not you dare even think about touching her," He yelled angrily.

"A reject is not worth the troubles, baby." My heart broke into a million pieces as she spoke in a seductive tone.

"I, Alpha Jasper of the Silver Crescent Pack, reject you, Selene, as my mate," I heard him say sharply, every word piercing my heart.

"I..I, Selene accepts your rejection," I stammered, trembling.

“Get ready, Alpha Damian’s men are on their way to escort you to their pack” He finally broke the camel’s back.

“W..why” 

"I sold you, and I must say it was quite a big one. A reject like you does not deserve to stay in this pack," he said with an evil laugh.

“Is this the freedom I wished for?” I thought as I felt two hands dragging me to my room and the Alpha ordering them to dress me up for my departure.

I sat in the far end of the bed, my tears were in alignment with the downpour of the rain. I was more shocked to see Imogen, my best friend together with my mate. I needed answers; I needed to know why she had been so good to me all along.

“Miss, your bath is ready” One of the maids informed dragging me out of my thoughts.

I wiped my tears and walked into the bathroom and after everything, I glanced at my reflection on the mirror. I was dressed elegantly, and for the first time, I admired my beauty, but loneliness lingered in my cyan eyes.

“Let's go”

They led me into the Alpha's waiting room, and the feeling of people's gaze caused me to raise my head. My ex-mate and best friend were seated together, with the visitor sitting opposite them.

“She is a beauty, we shall depart now. The alpha is waiting” The visitor, who I assumed was the Alpha's beta, informed them.

“Alright, farewell” I heard the Alpha say, he was very quick to discard me.

I felt his hand lightly on my shoulder “ Let's go” He smiled at me as his warmth engulfed me. I glanced back at Imogen before leaving with the visitor.

The ride to Crimson moon pack was a very silent one and I was tempted to ask what the Alpha was like.

We rode into a huge mansion “We are here” I heard him say as the door opened. I walked out and followed him inside, he led me into what looked like a waiting room. My eyes scanned around, admiring the place; the Alpha's house in my previous pack was nothing like this, it was so magnificent and luxurious.

The murmur of people behind me jolted me out of my admiration. "Is she the one?" I turned to face them after hearing a female voice whisper.

"This is my sister, Emery," Beta announced.

"You are very beautiful." She gushed “Me, beautiful” Although it made me cringe, I forced an external smile.

"Thank you, you are also very beautiful," I complimented; she appeared friendly, though.

Turning towards the beta “I didn't get your name” 

"Ohh, Adrian," he spoke fluently. “Nice name” I thought.

“Sit, the Alpha would be with you shortly” He motioned to a comfortable-looking sofa before heading to the door with his sister, who smiled at me.

“What is he like?” I finally asked.

"You will have to find out for yourself." I had this gut feeling that his words meant a lot.

I sat at the sofa and was basically counting every second that passed by. 

The door opened, the rhythm of my heart lept against my rib, I heard footstep and he was taking his time getting to me and for an unfamiliar reason I couldn't raise my head to look at him.

The rich aroma of honey and almonds danced through my nostrils as he approached. “Selene” The sound of my name on his lips were strangely intimate, I shut my eyes from the sensation I felt.

“Look at me” The sound of his voice intoxicated my senses, I glanced at him clumsily, he had the most beautiful grey-blue eyes I had ever seen, his jaw sculpted perfectly and the hair that had fallen over his face were tempting my hands to caress them. My wolf jumped excitedly.

“You moved on so quickly” I taunted her.

"A..Alpha," I stuttered, keeping my composure. His enormous form lingered over me for a long moment before approaching the chair with the throne-like carvings.

I felt his gaze settle on me for the longest “Welcome, a room has been arranged upon your arrival, I will send the doctor to check on you. Till then…” He trailed off abruptly, leaving me perplexed as to why I required medical attention.

I was tempted to ask why I needed a doctor but before I could muster the courage to do so, he passed me and headed to the door.

Before I could control myself, I blurted out, "Hey," and I sensed him stop walking.

I turned to him “Why was I sold to you?” I asked courageously.

He faced me, his brows formed a thin line that I desperately wanted to smooth, and he walked towards me. 

Standing in front of me, he bent slightly. "Do not be in a hurry to know, but you would be very useful to me." He replied huskily, his searing breath feathering my face. Tremor ran down my spine and spread slowly through my stomach.

I heard hurried footsteps as I was catching my breath.