Saat Janji Tinggal Janji, Aku Pilih Tuk Pergi

Verania

I was woken up by the feeling of a stick biting into my legs painfully.

I opened my eyes and saw Madame Freya standing above me, the stick she used to whip all of us whenever we wronged her or made a mistake in her hand.

"Up!" she barked. "Today is the day I'll finally get rid of you."

I didn't know what she meant but I had the feeling that it was something bad. For years, she was my guardian, calling me a burden and complaining about the time and money it took to feed me.

I wasn't like the other girls.

I didn't work in the brothel, pleasing the countless men who knocked on her door on a regular basis. Madame Freya's brothel was the most popular one in the city, mostly because she always had fresh girls to replace the old ones.

What happened to the old ones remained a mystery even to me. We never saw them again after they were declared unfit to satisfy men's desires.

For years, I wondered why she never trained me to be a part of them. I didn't have illusions—I knew she didn't care about me. Her intentions were wicked and far from pure.

And today, I'd find out exactly what her plans for me were this entire time.

The other girls sat up and looked at me. Their eyes were wide and curious—they were all younger than me. According to Madame Freya, I turned twenty-one a week ago.

"Pack your belongings. Make sure not to steal the pretty dresses or I'll have your hand cut out. You know the rules."

I sank to my knees on the cold hardwood floor and she stood over me, watching me as I folded what few articles of clothing I owned and filled a rucksack with them. When I was finished, she signaled for me to stand by hitting me with the stick, then ordered me to head downstairs.

Behind me, I heard a small, "Bye, Verania."

I turned around, raised a hand to wave at the other girls, but Madame Freya's stick hit my wrist. Pain exploded at the joint. "Walk! What do you think this is, a going-away party? MOVE!"

I left our small bedroom in the attic—a room that I called my own since I arrived here ten years ago.

It was right after the world as we knew it changed. The rogues took over and all the old alphas were slain—my father was one of them. I watched as they slit his throat right after killing my mother and older brother. I was only eleven years old but I understood everything.

They spared my life and brought me to Madame Freya. I became her personal slave—cooking and cleaning for her. Taking her beatings whenever I made a mistake. Watching as the other girls my age were raised to become prostitutes and playthings for all the pigs who came to her brothel.

Yet, I never joined them.

I remained her slave. Until now.

What to descend the long wooden stairs that led from the upstairs floor to the bottom, which was where the brothel operated. Fear made my heart beat faster. What was this about?

Was I going to join the others? Would I be forced to sell my body?

Madame Freya took one look at my face and laughed heartily. "Look at you. Trembling with fear, are you? Are you scared?"

I said nothing and simply stared back at her. Madame Freya narrowed her eyes at me and spat at my feet before wiping a hand across her mouth. The bartender along with everyone else standing around laughed. My cheeks became red with anger and humiliation.

"You were the worst slave I ever owned," she declared. "Never listened. Always made mistakes. I suspect you did it to challenge me. See how far I'd go with you. Isn't that right?"

"No, Madame Freya."

"Liar!" she hissed, stepping so close to me that I could smell the whiskey she liked to drink in the morning on her breath. "You disgust me. Insolent slave. We'll see how well you'll fare with one of the alphas. They'll rip you apart from the inside out. They'll break you beyond recognition."

My throat tightened and although I wished to maintain this air of confidence, I faltered and Madame Freya caught it right away.

"Hm. Finally, something that scared the little brat. You'll be sold in a few moments. The stage is being set up as we speak. Your virginity—one I ensured would be maintained—will give me a lot of money. Finally, you'll be worth something to me. But make no mistake, Verania, you're still nothing but garbage."

A man approached us. He wore a uniform I didn't recognize—all black with gold trimmings. "The stage is set up, Madame. Everyone is waiting."

"Perfect," she claimed before gripping my arm and dragging me across the main room of the brothel. Her fingernails were digging into my arm. I was sure her touch would leave bloody crescents behind. "Let's get going."

Panic made me fight against her by digging my heels onto the floor. She whipped her head in my direction and smiled, to my horror.

"Embarrass yourself all you want," Madame Freya claimed. "You'll only make your situation worse. They're not here for your attitude—they're here for your body."

"Where are you taking me?" I demanded angrily.

"To be sold. I already mentioned that, didn't I, you dumb slave? Now, move," she gritted out after giving my arm a sharp tug. "Let's get this done and over with."

Despite my efforts, Madame Freya managed to drag me all the way to the other side of the room, where she opened a door covered in a soft velvety red material, and we entered a dimly lit room with walls covered in mirrors.

The stage she mentioned was right across from us. The room was covered in men who were dressed in fashionable and expensive clothing, all seated and watching us with a morbid fascination.

It scared me.

I was filled to the brim with disgust.

"Hold her," Madame Freya muttered to one of the uniformed men. They immediately grabbed me, each taking one arm, and we followed her up the steps. I raised my feet, hoping they'd release me, but they never did.

I didn't want to be sold.

Over the years, I'd gotten used to her beatings and curses. But to be sold to a man for goddess-only-knew-what? An Alpha?

That was too much for me to bear.

Madame Freya tapped the mic and splayed her arms, showing them her charm while I fought the two men holding me. They stood perfectly still, my kicks not bothering them.

"Welcome, gentlemen. I thank you all for coming here. As you can see, the woman you'll be buying today is standing behind me. She just turned twenty-one some days ago, and she's perfectly healthy and clean. She's a virgin, beautiful, but I must warn you that I failed in making her perfectly obedient. That is why her starting price will be slightly lower than usual."

I heard murmurs. I got tired of fighting and stopped, breathing harshly, my head hanging. I raised my head and saw every man in the room watching me. Appraising me.

I wanted to spit and curse at them.

I wanted to tell them that I'd never belong to any of them.

But the words were caught in my throat, frozen by fear.

I couldn't utter a sound.

"I'm sure that with the right motivation, she'll be tame enough. Just show her the stick and she'll quiet down like a good little dog. She'll make a fine breeder—she has the hips for it. Well, shall we begin?"

Breeder. After hearing that word, my whole world fell silent.

The auction began. Hands went up all over the room as amounts were mentioned. I felt like I was going to pass out.

Could this really be happening?

"Sold!" Madame Freya suddenly yelled, pulling me from my thoughts. "Congratulations on your buy, Alpha Rasmon. I'm sure you won't regret it."

Alpha Rasmon? The Alpha Rasmon?

I looked up, making eye contact with the only man in the room who was standing.

And my heart nearly beat right out of my chest.