CHAPTER 003: Sold

★ RYKER

My fingers weaved carefully around the red piece of the coat's button, tightening the woven mold thread into the small hole.

“Your father awaits you in the carriage.” Blaise, my beta walked into the room, his eyes void yet cloaked with something I couldn't decipher.

“What?” I scoffed.

“Nothing.”

“Don't give me that attitude.”

He turned around, taking in the grey decor of my room as if he hadn't been here countless times.

“You're joining your father in the annual slave purchase?”

It wasn't a question. It was a statement, but I answered anyway. “Hmm.” I drew in a quiet, slow breath. “I know you don't like the idea, even I don't but believe me, I'm nothing like my father.”

Blaise didn't speak; instead, he brought out my body scent from the drawer and sprayed it over me, the fragrance embracing my skin like a veil.

"Look and smell good for a family practice."

"Blaise."

“Okay, okay, sorry," he uttered, holding his hands up in resignation.

.

.

As we arrived at the 'Red Den,’ my wolf, Karl, stirred.

“Karl, what is it?” I asked but he didn't respond. I could feel how restless he was. I let out a low growl. Steadying my butt carefully on the intricate, red chair, my eyes wandered.

Something wasn't right, or is Karl against this journey like I was?

Inside, the spacious hall was decorated in dark, red curtains with large portraits of naked women and men, hanging firmly against the wall. This den is said to be almost a hundred years old and its activities are an illegal but common practice amongst the strong people of different packs.

“Three…two…one… Sold!” The auctioneer screamed, and a young omega, red-haired, clad in a filthy robe, was sold. The conversation between Blaise and me surfaced in my head. My father, Alpha Rheagor, was known for not just being ruthless but also buying slaves annually, used for labor and, of course, pleasure.

He's called the 'pleasure monger, ' a name he takes pride in and I hate it that this year, I had to partake in his addiction. A recurring action he took a year after the death of my mother. Seated in this hall filled with greedy men, I couldn't help but feel unease.

Another werewolf omega was sold. Short, hair trimmed— almost bald, was bought by a young, chubby woman, probably an Alpha. As time passed, my stomach fluttered with nervousness.

Karl clawed at my inside the moment the next omega stepped in, an intoxicating scent hitting me. A mixture of cinnamon and vanilla wafted through like smoke, embedding into my nostrils like it was air. An alluring figure emerged from behind the curtain — white hair and striking eyes of the same colour, almost unusual, like a witch.

A low purr reverberated within me. I almost jumped from the seat.

“Are you okay?" My father turned to me briefly.

“Yes… yeah.” My voice cracked.

“She was banished from her pack because she killed her mother. She has beautiful features but then, she's a witch.” My father whispered, his head bent slightly toward my side. “I wonder who would spend a dime on a witch.” He laughed.

“They're people who will, you never can tell,” I answered truthfully and he nodded uninterested.

She was taken into a thick, metal cage where the others were being kept until they're bought.

Her eyes darted around the crowd, as if searching for her missing shoe.

It's even more intriguing as her snowy eyes took me in instantly. Those icy white orbs lingered on for an ample amount of time and Karl shifted again, more anxious than ever.

Did she feel it too? I mumbled inwardly. Her gaze shifted.

The man who had brought her in was different from the others. His eyes shone with bright mischievousness, head bent until they were inches from her ear. I watched as his lips moved up and down, and Karl flared, making my insides burn with feral rage.

“Damn it!”

“This, as you can see, is a rare breed. A virgin omega. Age 19. Very pleasing to the eyes and in bed,” the Auctioneer said. “Oh, you don't believe me?” he added.

The brown robe she was wearing was pulled from her body, and oh, Moon goddess, my breath stuck in my throat.

Her body was pale with her pinkish nipples protruding instinctively from the cold air. Her hands moved almost instantly to cover them but the chains restricted the movement.

I could see the falling and rising of her chest, my feet tapping on the hard floor, holding myself from the last thread of patience before I rushed forward and dragged her from there.

“No one should see what's mine,” Karl screamed. I almost gave in, my eyes narrowing into something dark, fighting with Karl as he tried to storm out until the auctioneer's voice snapped me out of the internal turmoil.

“The bidding starts at three hundred gold!...”

"Five hundred gold..."

"... One thousand gold.”

“She looks weird but then, I love weird things. Two thousand gold.” A pot-bellied man chuckled, and I imagined a hundred ways I would snap his head off his body.

Seeing that no one else spoke and the smug smile on the lips of the pot-bellied man made my jaw clench so tight it hurt, I broke the silent chaos. My voice echoed within the large hall.

"Six thousand gold.”

The hall fell silent, and my father snapped his head to my side, his eyes wide as a saucer. Even his mouth didn't hold back. “Are you crazy?!”

“Do I hear six thousand gold?”

“I'm sorry, but I would have to make you break your records. This time, don't buy any slaves and let me do it.” I smiled sheepishly.

“Last chance…”

“...Sold!”

“That's not it,” he thundered, pointing his finger at the stage. “She's a witch and I swear to the moon goddess, I will kill her before the break of the day.”

“Then you'll have to kill me first.” The words left my lips before I could stop them but then… that was it.

“He would have to get past me before he harmed our mate.” Karl spat.

My words were final.

I felt the gaze of the elites within the hall, their eyes undressing me, but worst, was my father's; dumbfounded, I would say.

I was ushered out quickly by one of the handlers who took me to a room. Red as the auction hall but warmer. Beside the spacious velvet sofa at the side of the room was a coal and short steel, burning in the intense furnace.

Shortly after, the door creaked open to reveal the witch Omega. Her eyes settled on me before moving to the corner, landing on the hot coal.

I felt her breath stop.