01. Stunned

I clenched my fist as I waited for my turn to be sold. Hunger was making me weak even if I was not doing anything except to make myself presentable, at least in front of the crowd.

Getting traded at the auction house was never a big deal if it will only be the key to finding Sabrina, my younger sister who was missing five years ago. She was pulled out from the pack five years ago because of the stupid law given by the Lycan King to our pack. Every unmated female every five years should either be sold or killed.

“A little more waiting,” I told myself.

I waited for this to happen, and now it did.

But I couldn't help but feel afraid.  Uncertain about what will happen to me next.

In the background, I heard how the other slaves were sold one by one. A couple of moments and it will be my turn.

I did not know what was really happening in the surroundings. All I heard were voices and that dominant smell of the ocean mist scent which was always bugging my nose.

If only the curtain was not there, blocking my view from anyone, I would see who the owner of that scent was.

I hugged myself as I awaited what would happen next.

The slaves were sold one by one to the nobles and royals who wanted new slaves and playthings.

Every mating ceremony, I was silently pleading that my mate would never come out. If I found him, I will never be given the chance to be pulled out from the pack and look for Sabrina. Now was my chance.

"And the next item is from Howling Pack. A virgin. Unmated. Submissive. She is a beauty. Ladies and gentlemen, you will not regret buying her." Of course, everything was a lie except for one thing.

The curtain slowly parted and was face to face with the awaiting customers.

My knees trembled as I was out for display.

Selling slaves in this kingdom was considered legal.

Master Henderson, the one overseeing the auction house, glanced at me, then back to the nobles. "And another thing, milord and miladies. This woman here has the sweetest voice you can hear. Listening to her singing will make you sleep soundly in the night." Not totally a lie.

Master Henderson, asked us about our talents and abilities. The more talent a slave has, the more he would be easily sold.

The crowd smiled in satisfaction.

I gripped the metal bars tightly.

I started to get sick.

I wished this would be quick.

Being naked in front of their scrutinizing eyes made me want to run away from the people.

“All will be well,” I mumbled to myself.

All I had to do was endure everything. Especially this humiliation as my naked body was displayed in front of everyone.

You are the daughter of a pack doctor of Howling Pack. Do not lower your gaze and stand proudly.

I let out a shaky breath. Then, I lifted my chin, and let them see what I could offer. My breast stood proudly with me. The cold air kissed my bare skin.

This will pass, I mumbled to myself and silently wished this would end.

Being sold was an opportunity to get out of our pack and look for Sabrina.

Noblemen ogled me with lust, while the noble women envied my body.

Disgusting bastards.

They were not my target. But the Lycan King Elio. He could be the key to telling me of Sabrina's whereabouts. I must look pretty and strong or whatever he needed just to get his attention. Getting a man’s attention was one of the worst things I could experience.

"The bidding will start now."

My insides were churning. Look at me, Lycan King. You have to buy me. It is you I want and not these bastards. Look at me.

"Thirty pieces of gold."

"Thirty-nine pieces of gold."

"A hundred pieces of gold."

I backed away and continued listening to the auction.

Despite agreeing and expecting this to happen, they made me sick. Evil. Purely evil. Can't they see I also had an ounce of my humanity? How could they view someone as a piece of an object?

The nobles laughed while pointing their fingers at me. Their eyes told me they wanted to own me. But the highest bidder will be the one who will be declared the victor.

Where was the Lycan King? Buy me! You got to buy me!

I gritted my teeth.

The cold was starting to slip into my skin.

"Two hundred pieces of gold." I whipped my head in the direction of the husky voice. It was sexy and authoritative. "No. Make it three hundred pieces of gold. I want that woman."

The crowd gasped.

My eyes frantically looked for that person and came face to face with a man whose hair reminded me of the ashes after burning the wood.

His gray eyes bore into mine.

Lycan King Elio. My target. The man who was the reason of all these and the unfortunate things that happened in our family.

Fuck you! I want to kill you right now!

'Mine,' my wolf uttered.

I froze.

Double fuck. I did not come to look and met my mate. Everything was for Sabrina.

The Lycan King should not be my mate!

"Going once. Twice. Thrice. Sold!" Master Henderson was all smiles.  "The item goes to His Majesty King Elio. You will never regret it, Your Majesty. This slave is a good catch."

Everything was according to my plan. All I had to do was to look for my sister or ask him himself.

Being the Lycan King's mate was not part of my plan, but it will come in handy. That would mean there will be a high chance Elio will help me or I can use his emotions to my advantage. After all, we were mates.

If he will not reject you, the evil part of my mind said.

Rejection.

I stiffened. That could happen, but I won't allow it. Having the Lycan King by my side would be a plus. For Sabrina.

The crowd clapped for the Lycan King.

The guard unlocked my cage, not my cuff.  The cuff had some sort of spell that would hinder us from using any of our powers.

Using more force than intended, the guard dragged me out and gave me to Elio. After that, he gave the keys to him and left us.

We stared at each other while someone came to their side and asked the Lycan King to sign something. A document which signified he bought me in this auction house.

What a bastard.

He looked at my body as if he was expecting something. I did not see any lust which I always saw from the others.

My cheeks flamed.

Doesn’t he like my body? I felt…insulted.

The Lycan King never said anything.

The auction continued. But I was no longer interested in it. But of the man in front of me.

He looked at me with boredom, not the usual reaction whenever someone finds a mate.

I would never be shocked if he would reject me at this instant.

Funny how the one who should promise to protect me looked like he had nothing to do with me.

Mad King.

“Your Majesty. What will we do with her?” It was a woman in her twenties, I think. Not his concubine. But more like the Lycan King's attendant. Or his slave. Never his lover. They were not that close. I did not also think that this woman was his slut.  “Your Majesty?” the woman asked when the Lycan King did not answer her.

My eyes landed on the woman.

She looked…familiar.

No.

Wait!

My heart hammered against my chest.

I know this woman. She belonged to our pack! Five years ago, she was also chosen to be sold to an auction house. With my sister Sabrina!

Perhaps she knows something about my sister? She was with Sabrina at that time.

I tried to meet her eyes, but she did not meet mine.

I should not scare her away. I should do it slowly until she would relax around me.

Trampling down my excitement, I made my expression blank and waited for King Elio. Asking her could wait. I should never let the Lycan King I came for my sister.

“Bring her to the palace,” he answered.

He was still not acknowledging our bond even if I was certain he knew about it. That was why he was staring at me hard earlier, right?

Why?

“What about her cuff, Your Majesty?”

“Let it be. We cannot risk this woman getting away. I paid a lot for her. Prepare the carriage.”

And the next instant, the attendant left us.

Elio looked at me again from head to foot, but still there was no lust in his eyes. Instead, the way he looked at me seemed like he was observing a piece of trash in the garbage area.

My body was not that repulsive.  I made sure I had the perfect body that men would die to get a taste of this.

"You have a lot of questions. I can tell," he said.

"That is true, Your Majesty." Where did you bring Sabrina? Why did you pull out a decree selling all the unmated females to the auction house or kill them? Why? How could you be that cruel? Sabrina did not do anything to you. "But it can wait. I know," I said, instead, still having the strength to compose myself.

"Good." That was all he said. I thought he would turn his back on me. But he took off his cloak and wrapped it around me. "Cover yourself. Follow me."

I was stunned at his gesture. Was that really the Mad King after coming to the auction house, he was the only one who had done a good deed for me.