The heavy velvet curtains dropped with a thud, cutting me off from the roaring crowd.
I staggered backward, unable to breathe for a second. My knees felt weak. I could still feel his eyes on me even though I couldn't see him anymore.
The reality of what just happened suddenly dawned on me. Someone just bought me.
For five million dollars.
The number repeated in my head like a broken spell. I didn't know if I was supposed to feel relieved or terrified. Maybe both. Maybe neither. Five million dollars.
I barely heard the other girls at first, just murmurs, whispers over my pounding heartbeat.
"Goddess, I was so scared he'd raise his hand,"
The voice startled me. I turned slightly to see one of the other omega girls huddled near the dressing station, her voice low and shaken.
"Alpha Hunter doesn't come to auctions," another whispered. "He doesn't even entertain the idea of buying an omega, let alone… bidding."
"Did you see him? He didn't blink. Like he wanted her."
I froze.
Alpha Hunter. The name rolled through my head like thunder. I pressed my lips together and straightened my shoulders. I could hear the fear in their voices, the joy that he didn't bid on them.
I swallowed hard, my palms suddenly sweaty. Was I doomed? Did I just sell myself to the devil for money?
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the thoughts. That's enough, Ava. It's just sex. One night. I survive this and walk away with my money.
That's all it is. All it has to be.
I looked at the wall clock, and my eyes widened when I saw the time. Shit. Visiting hours were over twenty minutes ago. How would I say goodnight to Reagan if I didn't make it to the hospital now?
I scrambled about, grabbing my discarded clothes and quickly pulled them over my body clumsily. As soon as I was done dressing, I rushed out of the room to find the supervisor woman.
The room outside was fully packed with other wolves, mainly omegas and betas. My eyes flickered about, but I didn't see the woman. Instead, I found the man at the auction and quickly made my way towards him. He was surrounded by other omegas and a glass of champagne in their midst.
I could just imagine the jackpot he hit tonight with the money he got from the auction. I cleared my throat to make my presence known, but I was ignored.
I stepped even closer to him. "Sir, I need my payment now."
The manager paused for a second to look at me, irritation flashing in his eyes. "It doesn't work that way. You have to please your Alpha first, and then it will be settled."
No, no, no, no. I didn't have the time to do that now.
I decided to try again. If he could just have mercy and help me out. "I just need the deposit. I have someone in the hospital, please—"
"I said no." His voice hardened.
I looked around, all eyes were already on me and the scene being created. I couldn't back down, though. I needed this more than anything. Reagan didn't have time.
"I just—" My voice broke. "I don't need all of it. Just enough to put a down payment on the surgery—"
"I said no." He growled, and in an instant, he was on his feet, grabbing my arm roughly. I gasped as pain shot up my arm, his fingers crushing into my skin.
"You little bitch," he snarled, slamming me to the floor. The carpet burned my palms.
"You really think you're special now?" he sneered, grabbing my jaw in his other hand. "You're nothing but a cunt with a price tag. That's it."
Pain flared where his fingers pressed into my skin. My eyes burned, but I didn't cry. I wouldn't cry. Not for him.
The man straightened up and cleared his throat. "Get out of my sight. You'll get your payment when you get it." He spat out.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and scrambled out of the room, my heart racing in my chest as I rushed back into the room I had just left. I glanced at the wall clock again. I had just five minutes left, and even though I knew I couldn't make it, I still wanted to try. I hurriedly grabbed my bag, ready to leave, but just as I turned, I halted in my steps.
A man I'd never seen stood before me, dressed sharply, his brown eyes on me. "You're omega 7. Alpha Hunter wants to see you."
I froze.
My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag, heart hammering like a drum. The man standing in front of me was calm…too calm. Dressed in a crisp black suit, his expression unreadable.
"Alpha Hunter wants to see you," he repeated, like it was the simplest request in the world. Like it didn't make the blood in my veins run cold.
I nodded silently, my throat too tight to speak. My legs moved on instinct as I followed him through the hallway. My body ached, bruised from the fall, but it was the burn on my arm that throbbed hardest now.
We turned a corner, and suddenly everything was quiet. The music, the laughter, the chaos of the auction. It all faded into silence.
He pushed open a door, and I stopped breathing.
Hunter stood by the window.
The moonlight spilled over his broad shoulders, catching the sharp cut of his jaw and the way his dark hair glimmered. He didn't turn, not right away. Just stood there like a shadow come to life. Like something carved from power and silence.
"Come in," he said, finally. His voice was the same. It was smooth, deep, and commanding. The kind that coiled around your spine and didn't let go. The kind that made you want to please.
I stepped in, and the door shut behind me with a soft click.
He turned.
Goddess.
The man was breathtaking. His eyes settled on me with that same intensity from before. I swallowed hard, every nerve in my body lighting up like fireworks. He looked at me like he already owned me. Like I was a puzzle he'd already solved.
His gaze traveled down slowly, my neck, shoulders, hips, and then he froze, his gaze stuck on something.
My arm.
I realized too late that my sleeve had ridden up, revealing the angry red mark the manager left.
Hunter moved. He stopped right in front of me, so close I had to tilt my head to look up at him.
"Who did this to you?" he asked, his voice a low, deadly whisper.
I should lie. I should protect myself, but something in his eyes told me not to.
I swallowed hard, trembling internally. "T-the auction manager," I whispered. "I asked for a portion of the money. He said no, and then… he grabbed me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause trouble. I will cover it up so it doesn't disturb your—"
Hunter's eyes darkened. He turned, without another word, and stormed out of the room.
"Wait—!" I called out, stumbling forward, already panicking. Was he that angry over the bruise? Would he ask for his money back? Oh, goddess. Am I done for?
The beta grabbed my arm gently. "You should stay here," he said quickly, eyes wide. "He's going to handle it."
Handle it? Oh, goddess, I am truly done for. He's getting a refund.
My legs moved before my brain caught up.
I ran past the beta, out into the hallway, chasing after the man, desperate for a second chance.
He was halfway across the grand hall, shoulders broad and spine rigid with fury, parting the crowd. I opened my mouth, about to call out to him, but—
"Manager," he growled. The sound cut through the air sharply, and the crowd stilled. The chatter died.
The manager, who had been laughing moments ago, jumped to attention. He stumbled forward with a greasy smile, hands half-raised in an attempt to look useful, obedient. "Alpha Hunter, sir. I didn't expect—"
It happened too quickly. Hunter moved so fast I almost missed it.
One second, the manager was reaching out to greet him, the next, a wet, sickening sound filled the space. His hand fell to the floor.
Blood gushed out, spraying across the white marble floor. The manager collapsed to his knees, howling in agony, clutching at the bloody stump where his right hand used to be.
The same hand that had touched me.
I was frozen. Breath gone. Ears ringing.
It was like watching a nightmare unfold in slow motion. I should run. I should scream. But I couldn't move. I couldn't look away.
Hunter wiped the blood from his clawed hand with a perfectly white handkerchief, slowly and calmly, as if he hadn't just mutilated someone in front of a full room of witnesses.
"Nobody touches what's mine," he said, his voice quiet and low.
And in that moment… I knew.
I knew exactly who he was.
This wasn't just some rich, dangerous alpha. This was Alpha Hunter Draven of the Bloodmoon Pack. The largest, most powerful, most feared pack in the country.
A pack that answered to no one.
And I'd just been bought by its Alpha.