Chapter 5- Roslyn's POV

The chains around my hands felt heavier than ever. Each step I took reminded me that I was still nothing more than a possession even after the auction.

Even as I stood here in the new estate, in the presence of the mysterious Alpha who bought me.

I was expecting nothing different but the whole surrounding was cold.

The corridor was silent. Too silent.

The guards that were with me didn't speak, didn't laugh nor did they mock me or look at me disgustingly the way the last ones did.

Their eyes were fixed, professionals. Their grip was firm but careful enough not to hurt me.

It was new to me. I would say almost considerate but I pushed the thought away.

I shouldn't be fooled. They were probably just being cautious. Their real character would show sooner or later.

I kept my head down, letting my long hair fall over my face.

I didn't want them to see the fear that was evident in my eyes.

My wolf, my instinct screamed at me to fight, run to resist. Anyhow I could, so I could rescue myself. But it was of no use because I had no where to go.

Suddenly, I could feed his presence. He had an undeniable force that came with his presence. It made me straighten my back slightly.

The corridor opened into a grand hall. I held my breath while I took in the size of the room.

The marble floors were polished enough to see a reflection of yourself. The reflected light from the massive chandelier above us.

The walls were painted in gold. It was beautiful, unbelievably so. But my eyes were drawn to the figure standing at the far end of the room.

Luciano Stark.

I remembered his name from the whispers at the auction. I had been scared to call his name,to look at him.

He was seated in a high-backed chair, his silver eyes scanning over me with a look that was impossible to read. 

He was calculative. Every move I made seemed to be measured by his gaze.

I had expected cruelty and threats of punishment. Instead, he just watched. And the more he watched, the silence was louder.

Roslyn,” he said finally, his voice low. His voice wasn’t commanding. But it carried weight. “Do you know why you’re here?”

I swallowed hard. My lips trembling. “I… I think so,” I whispered, barely audible. “Because I was… sold… to you.”

He leaned back slightly. “Correct,” he said. “But it is not just because you were sold. You were brought here for another reason.”

I swallowed again. “Another reason?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Yes,” he said, rising from his seat.

His movements were controlled and calculated. Every step he took towards me made the space between us smaller and thinner.

He stopped few feets away. He scanned my body. His eyes on the bruises on my body.

He tilted his head without saying a word.

“You’ve been treated poorly,” he said, quietly. “More than anyone should endure. And yet… you’ve survived.”

I blinked. Survived?I… I have no choice,” I whispered. “Everywhere I go, every Alpha… they only see me as weak, as property. That is all I am.”

His gaze remained on me, intense.

Property,” he repeated.“No. You are not property. You are not theirs to break or sell.”

Not theirs? I have never heard such words before.

I wanted to know what was going on. Before I had the chance to respond, he turned to his guards. I heard his voice.

Sharp and commanding.

“Remove her chains. Carefully. She is not to be harmed.”

I couldn't believe my eyes. It was all happening in front of me but I still couldn't believe. No one had ever spoken to me like that before.

Was this some kind of trick? Maybe a test?

The guards stepped foward. I stood examining the chain while the other stood by to assist. Each click was heard and indeed I didn't feel any pain.

Finally, the chains fell to the ground. I rubbed my wrists, they were red and sore.

I didn't want to feel like this but I felt a slight hope in me. But I couldn't trust them enough. This could be some kind of trick.

Luciano stepped closer, his silver eyes on mine.

 “Do you understand, Roslyn?” he asked softly. “You are no longer at the mercy of wolves who see you as weak. You are here… under my protection.”

My lips parted in a quest to speak out actual words but they were stuck.

I wanted to speak, to know what would happen next. Since I wasn't his slave. What was I doing here?

Good,” he said, nodding once. “Then listen carefully. You will follow my rules. You will obey the house. You will not try to escape, not because I demand it, but because it is the only way for you to survive.”

I nodded slowly still unable to utter any word.

“And now,” Luciano said, turning to the guards, “escort her to her quarters. Treat her well. Any harm to her, and you will answer to me.

No one will ever touch her again.”

The guards hesitated for a moment. They looked at him, then at me. I swallowed hard. 

One of them stepped foward and gestured for me to follow him. He guided me though the hall into the corridor.

I dared to lo

ok back at Luciano. He was still watching. His gaze was still on me.

Something wasn't right.