But I suddenly had a visceral sense of déjà vu. I’d had this exact argument with myself before entering the alpha market. My pride meant nothing if Amos lived in a gutter, unsafe and without a future. To know he was safe and fed and educated was worth every second of inhumanity I’d faced here. I knew that I would do this for him all over again in a heartbeat.
Pride meant nothing if I was dead.
I inhaled a deep breath, then let it out slowly though my nostrils.
Sebastian was staring coolly at me. His body language didn’t suggest a hurry, unlike the guards surrounding him, who looked ready to beat me to a pulp if I didn’t get my ass in gear. But thankfully they didn’t dare step a toe out of line again. Time seemed to slow down in the room as Sebastian stood as still and dangerous as the snake he reminded me of.
What an insult to the snake.
In his hand, the diamonds on the collar glittered. They were big, fat stones, overly extravagant and opulent. A show of excess that he alone could afford.
And he meant to slap it over my neck.
I didn’t know why he wanted me specifically and not any other alpha. Maybe it was because I hadn’t kissed his ass. Maybe it was just my shitty luck.
Sebastian blinked calmly. His thick lashes brushed against his cheek before lifting to reveal those odd storm-colored eyes. He was still waiting patiently.
There was no point in drawing this out any longer. Sebastian had the upper hand, and I had nothing but my last shred of pride.
I kneeled.
Sebastian’s boots clicked against the cold tile floor as he approached. He was careful not to brush his fingers against my skin as he placed the collar around my neck. It was heavy with diamonds.
As Sebastian’s hands drew away, he murmured, “Good boy.”
A shiver of pure hatred ran down my spine.
9
Sebastian
The act of purchasing my new alpha was less dramatic than I anticipated. In my fantasy, he fought back and attacked a few guards before being thrown to the floor and pinned as I put the collar around him myself. But alas, he’d decided to play along. For now. Perhaps he was smarter than I’d given him credit for.
And so, I left the alpha market with Rourke on the other end of the leash.
The crowded lower quarter gave us a wide berth, which was needed even more now since Rourke and his large frame were with me. He trailed behind nicely. He didn’t lag so much that the leash went taut and I was left tugging him along but wasn’t forging ahead either. Most importantly he wasn’t walking right beside me, which would have implied equality—which was, obviously, laughable. He was an alpha purchased from the market and I was the prince and future King of Lacehaven.
The gasps and muffled comments didn’t begin until we reached the middle quarter. There, people had a bit more of an understanding and appreciation of my rank. To see me with an alpha—a collared and leashed alpha, no less—was a bigger deal. Still, they parted like the sea upon our approach and we made our way to the elevator to the upper quarter without difficulty.
I noticed that Rourke was more animated in the middle quarter, raising his head to scan the area as if looking for something. I paused and watched him. When he noticed my gaze, he frowned.
“What?” he said.
I let his rude manner go. We would have plenty of time to fix that later.
“I’m observing your behavior,” I told him. “On the lookout for escape routes, perhaps?”
The brief flash of confusion on his face made it clear that wasn’t the case. “No.”
“Do tell, then.”
Rourke’s mouth tightened. He didn’t want to tell me. That was too bad. I relaxed my posture, making it obvious I had all the time in the world.
“I’m very patient, you know,” I said.
Letting out a short huff, Rourke muttered, “I’m looking for a school.”
That wasn’t the answer I’d expected. “You plan on attending?”
