CHAPTER TWO
HAZEL PRATT
Desperation clawed at me. When the house finally fell silent, I slipped out of my window. I had no idea where I was going, but I knew I had to run. I would rather die than be given to the Rogue King.
I ran blindly through the dark, my heart pounding in my chest. Eventually, I found myself heading toward the Beta's house.
Things had been awkward between the beta and I since he proposed his feelings to me. I didn't like him romantically so I didn't validate his feelings. But now I was in deep shit and he was the only person I could turn to.
I prayed the Moon Goddess would make him help me.
When I knocked on Sylvester’s door, he answered with a look of surprise. "Hazel? What a pleasant surprise.”
I forced a smile, “Hey Beta Sylvester.”
“What are you doing here?”
I glanced around me quickly in fear that I was being followed. “Please, may I come in? I will explain.”
He led me inside, concern etched on his face. "What brings you here at this hour?”
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I explained everything, my voice breaking. “Lucian plans to give me to the Rogue King to settle a debt. Please, Sylvester, you have to help me.”
His brows furrowed in confusion. “What? Why would he do that?”
I sniffled. “He probably thinks I'm not worthy enough. I don't know why he would do this now.”
Sylvester watched me with pity in his eyes. He offered me a handkerchief which I thankfully accepted and blew my nose.
“What sort of debt requires you to be paid as settlement?” He inquired but I was as clueless as he was. I had no idea what debt my stepfather couldn't pay back.
His eyes softened as he watched me and I was grateful he wasn't judgemental.
“I'm a mess, aren't I?” I asked.
“Puffy eyes, red face, asides that, you don't look bad. Just try to be at ease okay,” he said while squeezing my hand gently.
I chuckled lightly. “I can't. In no time they'll be looking for me and if they know I tried to escape, that's the end for me.”
“You don’t deserve that, Hazel. I’ll report this to the Alpha. We won’t let your position be exchanged.”
Relief washed over me, and I allowed myself to hope. “Thank you,” I whispered, my tears flowing freely.
He shrugged his shoulders. “It's nothing okay. Don't thank me too much.”
We sat in silence for a while and he comforted me till my sobs seized. “If you want, you can pass the night at mine.”
“I'd be grateful.”
He offered me a drink, his voice gentle. “Here, this will calm your nerves.”
I drank gratefully, recognising the taste– cinnamon. I placed the rest of the content and stared at the Beta. We talked for a while and I could feel myself slipping away slowly. I was sure I couldn't hear most of the things anymore and I pinched my skin hard so as to stay awake.
My vision blurred, and I slipped into unconsciousness.
***
When I awoke, I found myself in an unfamiliar place. The harsh lights and murmurs of a crowd told me I was in an auction house. Panic gripped me. Where was I? Where was the Beta?
Had he tricked me? Was this how he wanted to help me?
It wasn't long until I realised I wasn’t being taken to the Rogue King. But that would be okay. Someone better would buy me; there's no one as cruel as the Rogue King.
I sat there, staring at the other girls. “Move to room thirty five to get your dress, the auction will start in the next thirty minutes!” a fat woman shouted.
I followed the crowd, observing the small, old room.
They handed me a dress, ushering me out as quickly as I came in. The dress was a long sleeveless white dress, it fell to my ankle, making it hard for me to walk. As I took a step, I felt my bone snap and I stopped.
Something was happening to me. I was in pain. My head ached. My fingers hurt and I stared at them and almost jumped in fright when I saw claws appearing. “No,” I whispered and clenched my fists tightly.
“Hazel,”
It was a faint whisper and I raised my head to see who it was that had called my name. But it was a girl that was glaring daggers at me as though we weren't in a similar position.
“Move, will you?” She snapped at me.
“I'm sorry,” I whispered and took a step forward.
I opened my hand to stare at my fingers. They had returned back to normal. I was trying to figure out what had happened when I heard the voice again. It was soft. “I'm isis. Your wolf.”
***
I could hear the rumbling crowd as I stood in line, waiting to be bought.
What if the person I'm sold to is also cruel? I thought. My hands are free and although the dress is tight, my legs are also free.
A man came in from the left side of the room, he left the door opened and sunlight streamed in from the gap.
I slowly pulled my dress up to my thighs and observed the faces of everyone there, no one was watching me. My throat tightened.
We were given numbers that were fastened to our clothes like a brooch and we were asked to stand properly. “Smile,” One of the women said to me. “Don't you want to be bought? Isn't that why you're here?”
The auctioneer began, his voice booming around as he began to auction items. It hurt watching but I couldn't care right now. I never pictured my fate as this but I guess this was the way it was meant to be.
People filed in more and put down their prices. If the amount was too low, some rich man would jiggle a bag of coins and place his price and of course, the rich won.
“Sold,” the auctioneer said loudly and I glanced at the girl who was beside me as she went to stand at the forefront. She was bought for a cheap amount after too many negotiations and it seemed that the auctioneer was desperate to get rid of her.
He eyed the bag of gold coins greedily and counted the money to ensure it was complete before handing her over to a man who could barely carry herself.
People were items too and they had a price tag. If they weren't needed anymore, they were auctioned in the hope that they could be bought. And at that point it wouldn't matter who was buying you. All you wanted was to leave.
That was exactly what I was.
“Fifty two,” the auctioneer said loudly and my heart missed a beat. I almost thought it was me. But it wasn't. It was the girl before me. I was twenty five.
Fear was visible in her eyes as she stood at the forefront and was asked to spin. I could see the humiliation and the silent tears as they dropped down her cheek and it caused my insides to churn.
“She's perfect and without flaws. She isn't cheap,” The auctioneer said. “Which means, she is expensive.”
“I'll take her for fifty,” someone proposed.
“Sixty!” Said another.
“Hundred,” another man said. He had soup in his beards.
The auctioneer growled but there was nothing he could do. No one was willing to pay higher for such a beautiful girl. “Sold,” he said and removed the brooch then pushed her forward to meet her owner.
I observed the strategy here. It was a market. It was like placing a teddy no one wanted on the shelf of a store. It will grow old with time and not look as pleasant and it may be archaic at that time. When finally someone comes for it, they wouldn't want to pay the regular price for it because it was old and not as pleasing to the eyes. But for teddy, he was glad that it had been taken and had somewhere to go even if he wouldn't be given fair treatment.
The auctioneer’s voice droned on, but no one seemed interested in me. I resigned myself to the fate of being a slave, clinging to the hope of eventual freedom.
Slowly and slowly everything on the stage was clearing up. I began to feel awkward. Even bicycles have owners. Wasn't I worth more than a bicycle and a wooden bucket?
The auction was nearly over, and I turned away in despair when suddenly, a voice rang out, raising an absurd amount of money.
My heart stopped. It couldn’t be me, could it?
“Her. I want her and her alone,” the voice demanded.
I turned to see who had placed such an amount of money on my head. No one had been willing to spend more than twenty and yet someone was placing a thousand.
A stench filled my nose. It was foreign but sweet like the spices my mom used to have in the kitchen. It was a combination of sweet things and it was intoxicating. It invaded my senses, my being and it made me excited.
My nose twitched as I tried to pick out the scent, my eyes scanning the crowd. My eyes connected with the cruel Rogue King himself. My heart sank and I shook my head vigorously as I felt the magnetic pull. His demeanor, the way he kept a straight face sent a chill down my spine while my legs wobble. I became scared that they would betray me while I stared at the most beautiful man I had ever m
et.
And what made the whole thing suffocating was that, this beautiful man standing right in the crowd was...
He was my mate.
CHAPTER THREEKING DARIUSThe moment I strode into the auction hall, walking majestically toward a seat, the noisy people's attention was suddenly drawn to me and the hall immediately became dead silent. There were whispers and murmurs and while I walked, the men scurried from my path, which I didn't give much attention to. "It's the rogue King"It's him" "What is he doing here?"I could hear their hushed whispers but kept my brow furrowed and my jaw tightened while I scanned the room, searching for her. Still wondering if she had been bought, I walked to the front row, still looking for her. And at the sight of me, a man scurried away from his seat, leaving me to it. With a sigh of frustration after not seeing what seemed like her, I occupied the seat, relaxing my back to the chair and my hands on my lap before nodding at the auctioneer who was gaping at me to continue. And the music picked up immediately. I ignored the piercing gazes and scanned the room, my eyes narrowing when I
CHAPTER FOUR “Ten thousand,” I said and added more gold coins. “Ten thousand for her. She's mine. I must have her."“Sold!” the auctioneer declared, slamming the hammer down. And before I could stop myself, I heaved a heavy sigh of relief. And it occured to me that was how bad I wanted her. There was anger in the man's eyes and he looked at me with disdain. “Don't you think it's ridiculous to spend that amount of money on a mere woman? Besides, most of them auctioned here are whores” he said nonchalantly, making me stop on my track. I swiftly took a few strides toward him, grabbed his throat firmly and pushed him to the wall while he struggled with his breath, wiggling his feet in the air. My claws sprouted and pierced his throat while drops of blood slid down his neck. "Did you call my mate... a whore?!" My eyes darkened and my grip held on tightly to his throat, he appeared as if his eyes would pop out any second. The men around began to murmur and move away from the scene. How
CHAPTER FIVE KING DARIUS “I'm pregnant, Darius.” Melissa's words rang in my head. It took me a minute to regain myself. “You're pregnant?” I asked. “Yes.” She said more firmly. I noticed the maids eavesdropping on our conversation. “Let's talk somewhere private.” I said to Melissa. “You.” I pointed at the maid who was cleaning the fireplace. “Yes, your majesty.” She rushed to me, her voice quivering with fear as she spoke. “Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?” I asked, my voice dripping with venom. “I wouldn't dare to, your majesty.” She said in an almost whisper, her head hung low. I would have ordered she be beheaded or thrown in the dungeon, but I don't want my mate to think bad of me or fear me, so I decided to let it pass. “Take this woman to the room close to mine and make sure she is settled in. If she complains about even an ounce of discomfort, you are dead meat, do you understand?” I questioned. “Yes, your majesty.” She said and bowed slightly befo
CHAPTER SIX HAZEL “This is your room, do you need anything, ma'am?” The lady that led me in asked. I shook my head sideways while still trying to take in the environment. Then I turned to look at her with a sad smile “I don't need anything, thank you.” She bowed slightly before exiting the room. I took in my surroundings. The room was so spacious that it could fit the living room at Lucian's house. It has a queen sized bed in the middle, a big lamp on the bedstand, the dressing table was aligned with different types of make up. I walked to the center of the room relishing on how soft the fluffy center rug felt under my barefoot.Then I walked to the walk-in closet. There were few clothes inside, mostly t-shirts and jeans. Well, I don't have to bother about clothes then since I had none with me. As I walked out, my eyes caught my reflection in the mirror, I looked miserable. I decided to go take a shower. A gasp escaped my lips as I walked into the bathroom. I had no
CHAPTER SEVEN KING DARIUS It's been five days since Hazel started living in the mansion. I haven't catch a single glimpse of her in those five days. She had kept herself confined in her room. I've always ordered that her food be taken up to her room when she doesn't come down for food. I didn't want to go to her room because I figured she would need some space to adjust, but my patience started thinning out on the sixth day. “She still hasn't stepped out of her room?” I asked the maid that was standing at a corner, with her head bowed.“No, your majesty.” She responded, eyes fixed to the ground. I sighed getting agitated already. “Leave.” I said and she scrambled off almost immediately. I sat down on the bed and rubbed my chin thoughtfully. I have to find a way to talk to her. I haven't even gotten to know her yet not to talk of marking her. The only thing I know about her is her name and about her stepfather and step sister. And my wolf has been growing impatient with ea
CHAPTER EIGHT HAZEL I sat on the bench and gently tapped my feet on the ground as I watched the kids playing a few meters away from me. Darius sat few meters away from me, too. I momentarily steal glances at him and in all occasions catch him staring at me. The sight of his eyes peering and boring into me makes me flinch and I couldn't help it but clench my fists against my laps. “Are you sure this is where you want to come?” His voice startled me from my thought, his eyes darting around in horror. I could bet that he has never been in this kind of gathering before in his life. He looked so uncomfortable and was drawing the attention of people passing by. “Yes.” I said gently. After what transpired between us in the car, he asked me where I wanted to go. I got a bit bold and told him I wanted to go to an amusement park. The look on his face was so hilarious that I had to bit my lip to refrain my laughter. From his facial expressions in the car, I figured I was serious
CHAPTER NINEHAZEL The drive back to the mansion was awkward as neither of us wanted to break the uncomfortable silence. I could sense the tension emanating from Darius as he sped towards the mansion. I silently prayed nothing serious happened to Melissa or her unborn child. Darius might be cruel and seldom show his soft side but I can see that he cares so much for his unborn child. We got to the mansion in a few minutes. Darius bolted out of the car and threw the keys at the valet. I got down and followed him hurriedly, but I couldn't keep up with his long strides. We rushed to Melissa's room.She was laying on the bed with maids surrounding her. A man whom I assumed to be the pack doctor was examining her. They all bowed as we walked in. “Darius.” She cried out as soon as she saw us, opening her eyes and quickly stand up to meet him. “They said you were unconscious.” Darius said, a hint of irritation visible in his voice.“I fell down the stairs and fainted.” She said. Darius q
CHAPTER 10KING DARIUS Spite and jealousy dominated in my veins with my nostrils flaring as I approached Hazel and Xander. I wanted to push Xander away from my mate, for daring to go close to her and even kissing her knuckles in my very present. I had ordered that dinner be brought to the rooftop. I wanted to give her another date since our date at the park was cut short. I sent a maid to call her. I was getting impatient when they were taking too long and decided to go see what was going on. The scene I met made my heart race in pure rage. “Your Majesty.” Xander said, his voice laced with surprise. "I didn't... I didn't know you were around..." he stopped and bowed his head, his voice laced with surprise.“Mine. She is mine.” I growled at him. Xander's eyes darted between Hazel and I. His face dawned with realization and he quickly took a few steps back. “I'm sorry, your majesty. I had no idea.” He said and hung his head low, remorse visible on his face. I wanted to lash out mo