“I’ll be fine,” I announced, straightening my shoulders, and strutted up the ramp leading to the fluttering curtains that allowed flashes of light to peek out.
After all, I needed to find a Pack to sate my heat.
Chapter 14
From this vantage point, slants of mirrors reflected me washed in yellow-toned lighting. All I could see was myself, unlike I’d been able to standing on the other side. Through the windowpane, the platform had seemed small, but now that I stood here, I realized I hadn’t understood the gravity of the size. Oddly enough, only being able to see myself was a comfort.
“Go in the middle,” Marge whispered. I turned back to find her peeking around the curtain. I wiggled my fingers at her. She smacked her face, and I turned away from her, striding to the middle of the platform.
After meeting Demi, I doubted Pack Greymont would purchase me for my time, so I best put on a show for the rest of these Alphas. Hopefully a good-looking Pack would make the purchase.
I grinned at my reflection and shook my hair out. My cleavage popped in the lacy bra, and the sheer skirt fluttered around my legs, caressing my skin with each step.
“Walk the stage,” Marge’s hiss floated to my ear. That’s right. I was to show myself off.
A show. I could give a show; I’d done them before for my father’s friends. The tips of my hair tickled my arms and my back, covering my scars.
The horrid circular burns across my shoulder blades were scattered, but contained to the area.
The first burn Father gave me was when I was thirteen and refused to go to dinner with him and his weird friends that liked sniffing me to see if I was ‘ready’. My stomach churned at the disgusting memory I’d done everything to stifle. There was no point in dwelling.
A thud echoed from one of the glass panes. Turning to it, I cocked my head.
I stared at myself, my brown eyes glassy. Were my Scent Matches behind this one? A small evil smile reflected back at me. I approached with my hips swaying with each step, stopping shy of the ten-foot fall to the dark wood floor. Staring down into the mirror, I ran my fingertip along the swell of my breast.
A memory for my Alphas. To know they allowed their Scent Match to be paraded in front of other Packs would destroy them. Especially in such an obscene manner. But I didn’t care, not after what I’d heard. The bastards had purchased me only to gain access to this fucking decrepit hole, and all for another woman.
Only for that would I want them to know. Only if I knew I could successfully escape them.
Another thud echoed on the glass, and this time, I could see the surface move. A starburst cracked across the glass. Swirling in my stomach settled the barest amount, but so slowly, it morphed until it burned.
Wracking pain, so sudden it took my breath, twisted through my veins. I dropped to all fours, my hair falling forward to shield my face.
The lights went out. Footsteps thudded across the platform, nearing me.
“Are you okay?” Marge whispered, and she gripped my arm, tugging me to my feet. All I could do was follow after her, my eyes blinded by tears. “One of the guards ordered me to get you back . . . “ Her voice faded, and I groaned, agony twisting my gut.
“Where are you taking me?” I heaved and yanked my arm. She stumbled, but quickly had me back at her pace through the curtains and down a pitch-black hallway. I was at her mercy, not knowing where I was going.
“Where is she?!” Dorian’s roar reached my ears. Shouts and screams were nearing, not getting further. Marge was taking me toward the shouting. Curtains brushed my arms, and it stung.
I flinched, yelping and stumbling.
“Baby.” Cade’s voice shook, and he curved his arm around my waist, sweeping me against his chest. I groaned into his chest, breathing him in. His large hand pinched my jaw and forced my face up. “Her pupils are blown.”
“What did she take?!” Dorian roared. I couldn’t answer because I was shivering so much. The Repressitol was so fucking pure it’d made me high.
“She was with the Betas. They’re not allowed to be on anything,” Elias bit out. Alpha pheromones coated the room, and it was making my stomach cramp even more.
“What the fuck is on her back?” Rafe’s gruff voice reached through the cobwebs of my rioting thoughts. A touch brushed against my spine. “So many scars.”
Why did he sound horrified . . . and more importantly,hurt?
I grunted and wiggled my shoulders, trying to dislodge Rafe’s touch from my scars.
“Let’s go.” Cade’s chest vibrated against my ear, the deep thrum sending a shiver down my spine. Oddly enough, his touch didn’t hurt. It seemed to soothe the fire blazing on my skin.
“Go? You offered her heat for auction!” Elias’ voice boomed across the room. “My Pack will purchase the time with her.”
