CHAPTER 2: CRUEL FATE

Asher yanked the dagger out with a swift motion, and I crumpled to the floor, my body shaking uncontrollably. My nightgown was drenched in blood, and I struggled to catch my breath. The dagger had been laced with wolf bane, which meant I couldn’t heal. My wolf retreated into hibernation, unable to withstand the sting of rejection.

Asher stepped back, a triumphant grin spreading across her face as she gazed at the bloody dagger in her hand. I summoned the last bit of strength I had to meet their eyes. "You won’t get away with the evil you’ve done," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Oh, poor you. No one will ever see you or hear a word about you again. Nathan and I will get married and rule the pack without you in the picture. Tsk! What should we do with her?" Asher asked, finally dropping the dagger, which hit the ground with a heavy thud that echoed in the room.

"Take her to the dungeon and hand her over to Oberon. Let him kill her and feed her flesh to the Dark Beast. There shouldn’t be a trace of her left," Nathan ordered coldly as he strode out of the room with his followers.

I watched helplessly as the first guard approached. Painful whimpers escaped my throat—soft yet filled with despair.

I couldn’t believe that the man I had given my heart to was a traitor. My mother-in-law was just like him, and the worst part was Ashley, the one person I had trusted. I couldn’t fathom that I had been stabbed in the back by those I considered family, just a pawn in their twisted game for power. The thought made my heart ache even more.

I shut my eyes, tears streaming down my face. I was slipping into darkness, my strength fading fast. My breathing grew labored, and I knew my condition would only worsen if I didn’t do something about the wound Asher had inflicted.

"An order from Alpha Nathan. She is to be executed, and her body should be fed to the Dark Beast," the first guard announced to Oberon, who was in charge of the dungeon.

Oberon’s gaze fell on my lifeless form, and a wave of pity surged through him.

He couldn't quite figure out what had happened, but deep down, he knew i was a good person who didn’t deserve such a fate.

He could still remember the day i saved him, but he felt he hadn’t been able to repay my kindness.

"Tell the Alpha that the job will be done before dusk," he assured as he gathered Aria from their grasp.

OBERON POV

I rushed home and carefully laid Aria on a nearby mat. I couldn’t shake the feeling of confusion about how she ended up in this situation; it was still a mystery to me.

Gina, my wife, approached me, her face a mix of concern and confusion. "What happened to her?" she asked, pouring a vial of liquid onto Aria's wound. “This will stop the bleeding.” Gina, being the pack doctor, knew exactly how to help Aria.

She forced another vial to Aria's lips, making her drink. The potion took effect quickly, causing Aria to cough and wake up, her eyes darting around the room until they landed on me, looking uneasy. Just then, a knock at the door startled us.

"Ser Oberon. A message from Alpha Nathan asking if the body has been discarded?"

I glanced at Aria, not wasting a moment before standing up. "I can’t keep you here for long. Alpha Nathan is after you, and hiding you here puts my family at risk. I only saved your life because you did the same for me. I’m sorry, but you can’t stay here much longer," I said firmly.

Aria looked like she wanted to plead, but I could see in her weary eyes that she understood. If she stayed here any longer, it would endanger my family.

ARIA POV

I managed to stand, a low grunt escaping my lips as I walked, each step filled with pain.

Exhausted? No, that word didn’t even begin to describe how I felt.

Every bit of strength seemed to have been drained from me. My bones felt heavy, and my eyes were drooping as I stumbled through the dark forest.

Sweat trickled down my face, and hot breaths escaped my mouth. The green blur of trees rushed past me as I ran, knowing my life depended on outpacing my pursuers. My heart raced, pounding fiercely in my chest.

The Rouges were after me, and I knew I couldn't run for much longer. My breath came in ragged gasps, and with every step, my legs felt weaker. Hot breath escaped my nostrils as painful tears streamed down my cheeks.

I can't! I can't keep up with their chase!

But luck wasn’t on my side. Another tall figure suddenly blocked my path, pressing a small cloth over my nose and mouth.

A smell hit me, and as I recognized it, I tried to hold my breath, but it was too late.

The little that slipped into my system scrambled my senses.

One of the Rouges slapped me brutally. I crumpled to the floor, my lips split, desperately trying to crawl away.

"Quite the feisty one, aren’t you?" he sneered, stepping closer and hitting my face. For a moment, I thought I saw stars until the drug took hold... My vision blurred.

¤¤¤¤♡¤¤¤¤

“Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to today’s exclusive…”

A voice cut through the fog of unconsciousness as I slowly emerged from the darkness. My head throbbed, and I blinked against the bright lights above me.

The voice continued, “It’s a pleasure to have you all here…”

As my vision cleared, I saw a crowd surrounding me, dressed in extravagant outfits, all eyes locked onto me. Many of the men looked at me with lustful gazes.

Where am I?

My eyes widened in horror as I tried to move, only to realize I was chained to a metal chair. Panic surged through me, my chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.

A hand settled on my shoulder. “Easy, easy,” the voice mocked, and I looked up to see a stranger giving me a condescending squeeze.

What was happening? Were they going to kill me in front of all these people?

“Tonight’s auction is a special one. Our item here is so beautiful and sexy,” he said, running his fingers across my face, which felt irritating.

An auction!

Right. How did I end up here?

My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage like a caged animal. Why was this happening? I was supposed to be the next ruler of the BLOOD MOON pack, and now I was about to...

"This is disgusting… this is truly disgusting!" I spat out, my anger boiling over.

“Let me go!” I fought against the chains, glaring at the man who just smirked back at me. “Let me go, you bastard, or I’ll end you!”

He laughed, his voice dripping with mockery. “End me? Oh, please,” he said, grabbing my hair and yanking my head back. I yelped as pain shot through my scalp.

His eyes blazed with fury. “You’re nothing now—just an exiled wolf without a title,” he taunted.

"That's not true!" I shouted, but he ignored me, turning to the audience. “She’s special and will have many uses.”

The way he emphasized “many uses” sent a chill down my spine. A wave of nausea washed over me, and tears began to well up in my eyes.

“Please, let me go,” I whispered, my voice cracking. My wound throbbed, reminding me of how Amber, my wolf, had gone into hibernation after Nathan's cruel Rejection. That memory reignited my anger. I would make them pay.

All of them.

“Let’s see what’s underneath!” one of the men in the crowd suddenly shouted, and my eyes widened in horror, nearly popping out of their sockets.

The crowd erupted in cheers, and I darted my eyes around the room, frantic. Are they insane?!

As the demand hung in the air, the host stepped forward, positioning himself right in front of me.

“Please…” I shook my head, my voice trembling. The chains felt like they were tightening around me, cutting into my skin. “Don’t… don’t do this… please.”

The host smirked, reaching for the hem of my dress. “Shush now, sweetheart. Let’s see what you look like underneath,” he sneered, and with a sudden jerk, he ripped my dress open, exposing me.

“You can’t do this!” I screamed, my face burning with shame and rage. As if that wasn’t enough, he tore it further down to my abdomen, then deliberately brushed his finger along my cleavage.

“You’ll pay for this! All of you!” I roared, struggling against the chains. Laughter echoed through the hall, and I lowered my head, unable to bear the humiliation.

My anger surged, and my cries were barely a whisper.

“Do you like what you see?” The host’s voice thundered, and the crowd erupted in cheers once more. “Let’s kick off the bidding at five million,” he declared, and instantly, hands shot up all around me.

I knew these people were trouble—high society, rogues, outcasts. I could even sense vampires lurking among them.

“Six million.”

“Six and a half.”

“Seven million.”

The numbers kept climbing, and I watched in horror as these cunning men and women placed their bids. It felt like a nightmare I couldn’t escape.

“Thirty million!” A voice rang out, and my eyes widened in disbelief. I lifted my head and spotted an old man who seemed to have just won the bid... As our eyes met, irritation washed over me. I was sold, trapped in a fate I could never escape.

My life now belonged to someone else.