Chapter 5: Auction

A

Adan

I darted outside and down the stairs, and the guards on the porch closed the door for me. Douglas stood beside the limo with the back door open. “Good evening, Alpha Cole!”

“Don’t forget. Around the humans, it’s Don Cole or Adan,” I replied, giving him a small smile as I slipped into the back of the limo.

“Yes, sir.” Douglas closed my door, and we were on our way a moment later. “So, the Eastern Canyon Resort, sir?” He arched an eyebrow as his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.

I nodded, not saying a word as I looked out the window to watch the scenery pass, thinking. I had been the Alpha of the Moon Shadow Pack for a year now, and my time was running out to find a Mate.

My father had been killed in battle the year before, and I took over immediately. My first order of business was to slaughter the Alpha responsible. Others said I should have decimated the whole Pack in retaliation, but I didn’t believe in that. The Alpha was the one who had given the order, after all, so he was the one to pay. His men were just following orders.

At first, the Alphas of the Council had been understanding and told me they would give me a year to find a Mate to give me time to grieve and organize the Moon Shadow Pack. Now, their patience was wearing thin, but I refused to take just any woman. I would either claim my Mate or no one at all.

Soon, Douglas pulled down the long driveway of the Eastern Canyon Resort. Slowly, we waited for everyone to make their grand entrance. I hated the public displays of society, but it was essential to make appearances, remind people who was still in charge.

When it was our turn, Douglas stopped, and Mason opened my door. He and the other men followed me inside. I had no idea how they arrived before me, but it didn’t matter. They were here.

“Good evening, Don Cole!” one of the guards greeted me at the door as he handed me a paddle with a number. I looked at it, and it said sixty-nine. I chuckled at the irony. “Here you go! The auction is right up these stairs. Enjoy!”  He pointed to a private, golden staircase with human guards at the base.

I headed toward them, and they stepped away, nodding, but held their hands up to Mason and my men. “Not you.”

I let out a deep breath. Fletcher had been tightening his security of late. There had been some trouble among the humans lately, and he wasn’t taking any chances. Frankly, I didn’t blame him.

“Mason, wait here with the men. I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, Boss.” From the expression on his face, he didn’t like it, but he knew better than to go against me, even though he was my Underboss. 

“Adan!” Fletcher greeted me at the top of the stairs and offered me his hand. “It’s so good of you to come!”

I nodded, giving him a small smile. “I was persuaded.”

He chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you were.” A smile lit his lips as he looked down at the paddle I was holding. “I see you saw Stan.”

I nodded.

Fletcher placed his hand on my shoulder, guiding me into the room. In the center of the room were private booths, a round stage, and chairs around the edge.

“Adan, make yourself at home as my guest! I can introduce you around, if you like, or you can mingle.” He pointed to one of the private booths. “Or feel free to use one of the booths, if you’d prefer.”

I nodded, returning his smile. “Thank you. I think I might.”

He shook my hand as a broad smile spread across his face. “Well, I’m off to mingle!” He shrugged. “But you’re just in time. The show’s about to start.”

I nodded once. “Thanks, Fletcher. I’ll be fine.” 

He said his last goodbyes and headed off to greet more guests. 

I grabbed a glass of champagne off the tray of one of the waiters passing by and headed toward one of the private booths, when I caught a scent.

I looked around and didn’t see any other Alphas or wolf-shifters, other than my men, but they were downstairs. No, there was definitely a wolf here... and she was close. I followed the scent toward the back, but one of the guards held his hand up. “Sorry, sir, but no one is allowed in the back with the ladies.”

I nodded. “My mistake.”

Don’t tell me Fletcher kidnapped a wolf, or one of the men kidnapped her. If that were the case, wolf-shifters were about to storm the place at any moment. I headed toward an empty booth and took my seat. Just then, the lights went down, and everyone took their seats as silence fell over the room.

Suddenly, bright lights illuminated the stage as soft music started. “Everyone, thank you for coming tonight!” Fletcher said to the crowd, taking center stage. “We have a great show planned for you tonight with plenty of beautiful women… and men for you ladies!”

Everyone laughed.

“So, you know how the auction works. If you see someone you want, hold up your number, and the auctioneer will record your bid. Then the highest bid wins! Also, you’ll be expected to pay in full for your purchases at the end of the evening before you collect your merchandise. So, grab a drink, relax, and enjoy the show!” Fletcher handed the microphone to a man in a white dinner tuxedo, turned and waved to the small crowd, then headed toward his seat.

The more the night wore on, the more women were brought out. But none was the wolf I had scented. My blood boiled at the thought of a wolf being subjected to such humiliation.

When they were brought out, the women were dressed in negligees and paraded across the stage. Most of the women looked scared out of their wits. Others stood defiant. I made a mental note to speak with Fletcher later about stopping these. When the sex club opens up in town, there will be no need to hold these auctions.

“Now, the piece of resistance,” the announcer said, capturing everyone’s attention. “Tonight, we have a special treat for you! She’s a brunette goddess! Her beauty will not be rivaled by any woman here tonight!”

A murmur resonated throughout the crowd.

“But I warn you, gentlemen....” The announcer smiled broadly. “She may be gorgeous, but she has a tempter to match!”

Everyone laughed.

“She’s also been deemed pure.”

The crowd “oohed” and “ahhed.”

“So, without further ado, I give you... Brenna!”

A gorgeous young brunette woman dressed in a harem costume was dragged out onto the stage in gold handcuffs and chains. There was also a bright silver bracelet around her wrist, embedded into her skin. I growled, knowing precisely what that was. It was a silver magical artifact that kept shifters from morphing. Whoever gave her to the humans knew she was a wolf.

“Let go of me! You just wait! When my people find out what you did to me, you’ll all be sorry!” Someone put a blue silk gag in her mouth that matched her outfit, causing my blood to boil.

But when she turned to face me, my heart stopped. For it was her, the woman I’d been waiting for my entire life... my Mate.