Chapter 3

VANESSA POV HARSH LANGUAGE 

We have been pricked, poked, and examined for two days. I can not get over how thorough they have been about my blood. It took them four checks to finally believe what I told them in the first place. But for the most part, the exams haven't bothered me......it's what these people are that bothers me. 

For one, they sell people. That is a given reason not to like them. But for two, they aren't normal humans. They are something else. They are strong. They are cold. And they are vampires! How do I know.......they didn't check my blood by using a machine; oh no, they checked it by pouring the samples down their nasty throats!

But at least they hold to their word. Mr. Leader had informed the exam people of my bargain, and everyone had agreed. They even became excited after my blood type was confirmed. Rosy was literally tied to my wrist after that.

About an hour ago, they stripped us of our remaining clothes, so I am assuming; however, they sell us...... it is about to happen. After stripping us, they had separated us. But there wasn't a noticeable characteristic as to how they chose our groups.

All different hair colors were placed together and all different heights. All of the girls here range from size 2 to probably about size 8. So there aren't considerable differences in our bodies. Some have bigger breasts, and some have very small, but again the groups weren't organized, but that factor either.

I am the tallest out of the girls here. The blonde Rosy and I are with is about 5'5". 

We have watched group after group of girls disappear up a small flight of stairs, and only one more group is in front of us. 

"Nessa, what do you think they will do with us," Rosy whispers for the tenth time. 

"I don't know, Rosy, but I think they will drink our blood. It seems to be something they are obsessed with. But I think they decided I am tastier," I say as a lame attempt to break the tension in the room. 

Rosy's eyes go wide, and I sigh. She has been like this since we got here. Panicky. She has asked me question after question as if I somehow know the answers. It has been frustrating, but at the same time, it hasn't. If I can provide her with some calm, then I am happy. Rosy has been my warm ball of sunshine for so many years, and it is only right that it is my turn to return the favor. 

"Rosalind, I don't know what happens next. But at least we are together," I say with a smile, and she links our fingers together in return. 

"I love you, Vanessa," Rosy whispers as we watch the girls in front of us disappear. 

"I love you too," I say with a hitch in my voice. 

When a man gestures for us to move forward, Rosy sinks into my side. I place a hard mask on my face. I don't want my terror on display for the filth we are about to see. What honorable man has to buy girls? Sick!

******

We are led onto a small stage. Many of the vampires who have been with us for the past 48hrs are on stage as well. They look like they are keeping notes. They are positioned behind us, and we are facing an intimidating crowd. The lights are low so that I can see the swine in front of us. And let me say, they are massive. 

More than half the men in front of us are huge. Bigger than anyone I have ever seen. They all look like they bodybuild for a living. The other thing they have in common is their facial expressions; they are excited. Bile clogs my throat at the looks on their faces. Some are even licking their lips while staring at me. 

As much as I want to, I don't shrink away from their gazes. I stare them down with as much disgust and hate as I can if this is my final stand. If, after this, I am drained of every drop of my blood, I want to go out fighting. 

"Aren't they beautiful? Let's begin with the single at $50,000," the nice dressed vampire with the microphone says. 

Men in the crowd slightly lift their hands over and over again before the blonde is led from the stage. The vampire with the mic says a Lord Duggins purchased her for $310,000, and my eyes almost pop out of their sockets. How do they have that much money to spend on people to drink? 

The vampire approaches us, and I hold Rosy tighter. He sends me a smirk before addressing the crowd again. 

"Now for the special prize tonight, we will begin at $100,000, and each bid will be $20,000. Let's begin, gentlemen," he calls, and hands begin to raise for us all over the room. 

I want to sneer at the use of the word gentlemen. These men are obviously anything but. They are sending each other glares and looking downright menacing. But none compare to the huge scary man on the right. He is eyeing me like I am a steak, and he hasn't eaten in fifty years. 

My eyes widen as he seems to grow with frustration. He and one other man are battling it out for us. And something tells me I do not want the hungry man to win us. He looks like the type to bathe in someone's blood after murdering them. He has tattoos everywhere. His hair is long and wild-looking, but it's his blazing eyes that scare me the most. They are shifting in color, and trust me, if looks could kill....... his opponent would be six feet under.

Much to my horror, he stands up and roars at the other bidding man. The whole room seems to cower back from his animalistic display, as do we. The vampire holding the mic trembles. As he gestures for us to be led away. 

"The final prize goes to Alpha Gunnar for $780,000. That concludes our sale this evening. Please feel free to mingle and enjoy the refreshments," the vampire says while trying to find his voice. 

My eyebrows furrow at the titles these men have. What is the difference between a Lord and an Alpha? Whatever the difference is, I think I would have wanted a lord to buy us. 

Rosy is shaking as we stumble down the steps. And I am seconds away from breaking down myself. What happens now? 

GUNNAR POV

My body shakes as the bastard finally realizes she is going to be mine, no matter what. Kraven is clutching his seat in fear as he stares at me, which doesn't surprise me. I haven't had to use my full Alpha power in years, but tonight, it was needed. The old vampire had wanted my mate. He had wanted to feed from her defiant slender neck that should only ever have my teeth in it. 

I shake the thought from my head and close my eyes. I can not think of marking her. She would never be strong enough to be a wolf. And I need a wolf as my Luna. And the only way for her to be a wolf would be to go through the change. I would have to mark her while releasing the werewolf disease. She would be a changed wolf, not natural, forever less.. BECAUSE SHE IS HUMAN. 

I take deep breathes as I retract my overwhelming dominance from the room. If Kraven didn't have suspensions before, he does now. I just dropped a considerable amount of money on a human, a species he knows I detest. 

"Forgive me, Alpha Gunnar, what are your instructions for your female purchases this evening," a small voice asks, and I open my eyes. 

A small vampire is bowed in front of me, visibly shaking. 

"Have a car drive all my purchases and my Beta to my hotel. I will need to see my purchase's papers immediately," I say, and the vampire bows deeper before scurrying away. 

"What the fuck was that," Kraven whispers, finally standing to his feet. 

"That human........ that trash, is my mate," I growl so low that even Kraven leans in. 

His eyes widen as he takes in my words. Never in our history has a human been a nature-given mate. Weak wolves have mated and left pack life for a human, but it is rare. Most of the time, they are the wolves like me. They are almost thirty and desperate. 

"No. There is no way, brother. No human has ever been a true mate. Are you sure," Kraven frantically whispers, and I growl. 

The only way to confirm what my body already knows is to touch her. To feel the tingles, the bond, for the first time. Every instinct in my body is craving it, but my mind is holding myself in check. She can't be the Luna of my pack. My wolves would never stand for it, and neither will I. 

I turn and walk away, leaving my brother standing there with his mouth open. I need her file. I need to see how this is possible. 

I slam open the door to the records room, and all but one head bows. Lord Hugh meets my cold stare with one of his own, and a growl rumbles in my chest. I hate this particular Lord with a passion. He likes the taste of wolf blood as well as humans. 

"Alpha Gunnar, how may I assist you," he asks, folding his hard hands. 

"I want the files on my purchases immediately," I order in a deep voice that conveys my intentions if my demand is not met. 

"Of course. I was surprised you purchased my slaves, you know," the lord says as he waves his hand for the information. 

My brain actually takes a moment to remember the male vampires that I was excited about purchasing. 

"Why were you tired of them," I ask, recomposing myself. 

I shouldn't be allowing the human to affect me so much. This vampire can smell weakness a mile away. That's all the little human is a weakness. 

"They both disobeyed direct orders. I do not tolerate insubordinate servants. They are lucky all I did was sell them," he states while being handed six files. 

"Anything I need to be concerned with," I ask, mildly concerned for what I had purchased. 

"Not likely. You won't become angry if they feed on your humans, will you," he asks, handing me the requested documents. 

My eyebrows furrow. I will need to get them their own feeder slaves. Why did that thought not cross my mind? But they will be able to drain anyone they want on a battlefield. 

"How often does you kind feed. I might have overlooked their diets when I made the purchase," I admit to the snobby Lord. 

His booming laugh fills the room, and I growl loudly. He raises his palms in the air, and I calm slightly. 

"The more blood, the stronger the vampire. Those particular slaves fed once every three days. If you want them strong, they need blood daily. Not an entire human mind you. Just a glass or two," he says, looking sinister and smug about my ignorance. 

"I will keep that in mind," I mumble before briskly walking out of the stuffy room. 

They can keep prisoners from war. They will not feed on the maids—time to find out about my mate.