2.

I pried my eyes open with much difficulty to a dimly lit room. A terrible headache, a dull ache on my forehead, and a stuffy, smelly, and too cold room.

It took me a moment of trying to finally pry my eyes fully open and see the reason why the place felt stuffy.

There were at least a dozen women stuffed into the room. It took no time to figure out there was no window, and only a single door. But this didn't look like a room, more like a cage.

I tried to move, but my hands were tied together behind me, my legs too. No matter how many times I tried to figure out where I was or how I got here, nothing came to me.

‘Ashina? What happened? Where are we? I need help!’

Silence. Empty soulless silence.

‘Ashina?’ I called again, starting to panic. Yet, no response.

The shock that hit me nearly knocked me down, and if I wasn't already sitting, leaning against a smelly woman, then I’d have definitely fallen when I reached for Ashina and felt…nothing.

Then everything came rushing back. The portion I took from the witch. Running away from the castle. Someone hit me in the face. The arranged marriage. Everything came flooding back as though waiting for an escape.

While trying to run, to get my freedom, I ended up here. But what if it was Abbati’s doing? What if he had found out about my absence earlier than I expected?

But could he really be this cruel? Could my father really do this?

I mean, he could. If he was already willing to marry me off to a ruthless person like Alpha Turk, then surely, he could keep me here as punishment.

Damn!

“You are shaking,” a soft voice spoke beside me.

I turned, wincing at the pain that shot through my skull and faced her. Her features were obstructed by the lack of light, so I couldn't make out what she looked like.

“Where are we? Who are you?”

The lady scoffed. “You are where no woman has ever escaped from. Romero’s cage.”

“Romero? Who is Romero?”

I could feel her gaze on me before she answered. “Are you perhaps a new person? Did you just arrive in the city? Because everyone knows who Romero the Trafficker is.”

“Romero the…” the words trailed off as the implication of what she had just said hit me. A trafficker? A human trafficker? Oh my God! Oh no! Oh no!.

“I…”

“Listen to me. Just remain calm. Don't show any emotions, that way, you'd hardly be noticed. It is how I have been able to survive these past few months. Every time we are taken to the auction ground, no one hardly spares me a glance. So I would suggest you do the same. Keep a low profile, no matter what happens.”

Auction ground? Trafficking? What had I gotten myself into?

“Au…auc…” I cleared my throat, but when I tried again, I couldn't even speak. After a while, I tried again. “What day is it?”

“Monday afternoon if I am not mistaken. You were brought in last night alongside the others. Based on the sounds coming from outside, it is almost time for the next auction, so, I would say it is late afternoon.”

I still had more than twenty hours before Ashina returned to me.

My eyes were already stinging with unshed tears, my throat was tight, and I wasn't sure I was capable of doing all this girl had said.

Somehow, I had run from a cage and got trapped in another. Probably worse than where I was before. Because I wasn't tied up before, nor was I in a cramped space with people I didn't know. I had maids. I was catered to daily, even if it was because Abbati wanted to use me as a bargaining chip.

It was still better than this.

The rattling of the door broke my near panicking, and I squinted my eyes as light flashed through, almost blinding me.

“Bring the new ones out first,” a booming voice called from the door.

There was shuffling around, groans, and screaming as the men walked in, grabbing women and pushing them through the door.

“Out of my way, you old bloody hag!” A large man snarled, kicking the frail woman in front of me before he yanked me by the hair and I let out a tortured whimper.

Damn! So much for cutting the hair short.

I clamped my mouth shut as the man dragged me, causing me to stumble and fall over and over due to my legs being tied. But the man didn't stop, nor did he help me. He simply dragged me on the floor by the arm, until I was discarded outside alongside the rest of the women dragged out.

I kept my head down, hoping to adhere to the woman's advice.

“Just them?” The voice from before spoke.

“Yes, Sir. Not much merchandise today.”

Market. We women were now merchandise.

“Raise your heads!” The voice snapped, and I did my best to resist doing so, despite the fear that gripped me.

“I said RAISE YOUR HEADS!” He thundered this time, as one man yanked me by the hair, raising my head up.

That was painful.

My eyes landed on a tall, broody man with a scowl on his face. Clad in tight jeans and a top, a large scar on his left brow, and a long whip on his right hand.

His eyes danced around, scanning us, and when they landed on mine, I quickly ducked my head down, but the man holding my hair yanked it back.

The broody man stared at me for a moment, then took small steps towards me. I was shaking, desperate for an escape, but there was none.

The man kneeled in front of me, tipped my head up and smiled.

“Well, look what we have here. Something new,” his fingers danced across my birthmark, and he frowned. “Is there a way we can get rid of this mark?”

“Perhaps with makeup?” A voice answered.

“Or we scrap it up. If she doesn't attract any attention during the auction because of the mark, we get rid of it.”

“Yes, Sir.”

He must be Romero. The trafficking lord.

“Get them ready.”

The next hours were blurry as we were dragged to another room. A man ripped off my jeans and top, while a woman washed me before I was dressed in a knee length, spaghetti strap white gown. My hair is packed into a bun in the middle of my head. Thankfully, they didn't apply any makeup on my face.

Then finally, we were ushered into another room. The lights were sharp, a clear contrast from the rooms we left. And there were at least a dozen men scattered around, chatting.

We stood in a line, and once again, I kept my head down.

A bell rang, and everywhere quieted down.

“Welcome to gold and diamond auction night, gentlemen. It is always a pleasure to be at your service,” the booming voice, which I am sure belonged to Romero filled the room. “Today, we have new merchandise, and hopefully, you all will find something that suits your taste. Let the bidding start!”

With my head kept low, I couldn't see what was going on, but I heard it. Millions of nairas being called and women being purchased. By the time I pushed towards the elevated surface, my legs were shaking and I struggled to remain standing.

“This merchandise is a little bit unique if you look at the bright side. Frail and small, skinny as well. Might look better with a bit of more meat and curves, but otherwise, beautiful,” Romero introduced me. “And I think she will be easy to bend in different angles enough to your satisfaction, gentlemen.”

Chuckles filled the room before someone called.

“Let's see her face, Romero.”

This time, I didn't wait for my hair to be yanked due to the pounding headache. I slowly lifted my head up, and my eyes locked with a pair of brown eyes staring right at me.

But I knew those eyes. I recognized them instantly. Because this was the same man I had run away to avoid marrying. And now, I was right here in front of him.

Alpha Turk.