Despite the faint shadow of confusion in her eyes, like she doesn’t entirely know how she ended up here, she knows what this is and what this could mean for her.
Before I can second-guess it, I move, drawing closer to the crowd, consequences be damned.
Maybe I should be considering what this might mean in relation to Hayes, the packs, and the fragile balance we’re trying to maintain…but right now, none of that seems to matter.
Positioning myself to have a clear line of sight, I watch as the auctioneer gestures toward her. “She’ll make a fine addition to any collection,” he continues. “We’ll start the bidding at—”
“Five hundred thousand.”
My voice cuts through the room without hesitation, and the silence that follows is near deafening. Then, the murmursripple around me, and interest spikes. Of course it does, given how valuable Wraith Peak wolves can be, especially to those who might take immense pleasure in seeing one suffer, regardless of what that might entail.
And with Hayes as their new Alpha, if anyone makes the connection of who she is, her value skyrockets.
When Naia’s eyes find me, something flickers across her features. I can’t tell if she can even see me through the lights, but I can only assume the notion of being bid on isn’t a comfortable one.
“Well…an eager bidder,” the auctioneer says after a brief recovery. He grins. “Do I hear six?”
“Six hundred,” someone calls from the left side of the room.
“Eight hundred.”
As the numbers climb quickly, it’s like an electric current is running through me, more on edge than I ever have been, and that’s saying something.
But even as I hold myself back just enough to see how it all progresses, ready to outbid them at any moment, I catch on to the fact that these people aren’t afraid to throw down big sums of money. They have wealth and power, and they want her.
With every bid, something bordering on desperation coils up tighter in my chest, and I can feel those eyes on me each time I counter with a higher number.
I know they’re assessing and calculating, and likely trying to figure out who the hell I am, but I keep my expression neutral and as unbothered as I can make it. I hold it all down like I’m not ready to burn this entire operation to the ground if things go sideways.
I had no intentions of bidding on anyone tonight, but I can’t let Naia fall into the hands of just anyone. I don’t trust these people.
“One million,” I say, not ignorant of the way the room goes quiet again.
“Do I hear higher?”
Given the auctioneer’s expression, he’s having a field day with this.
“One point two,” someone throws out.
My face hardens, knowing I’m pushing far higher than I should be, but I can’t bring myself to care.
“Two million.”
As a collective murmur spreads through the crowd, a bit more interested in me than Naia now, I know I have their attention.
When the other man hesitates, I’m banking on him pushing higher, but after a beat, only silence follows.
“Sold!”
The word echoes in my ears, sounding almost surreal after how hard I was determined to win this.
Just like that, she’s mine...well, not mine, but safe for now, at least.
With a slow exhale, the tension gradually lessens, and I urge my heart to calm. Even if I managed to secure her after all, that doesn’t mean my work is anywhere near done.
As Naia stands there on stage, fighting between defiance and sheer disbelief, I brace myself for what comes next.
This isn’t over. Not even close.
