SOLD OFF

Audrey's POV

I woke up the following morning feeling sore all over but also pleased and eager at the same time. The maids cleaned me thoroughly, using diluted water to soothe my pain. 

Throughout the bath, I could only think of the sex we had last night. We didn't do much because of my pain, but he sank his teeth deep into my arm, which was slowly fading already.

I didn't know why because all books claimed mate marks could last some days, but his was already leaving, and it wasn't even up to a day yet. As I sat on the chair where they dressed me, a knock interrupted my thoughts, and a guard came into view,

"The crowned Alpha has sent for you." He said.

I rolled my eyes to my head, flickering to one of the maids through the mirror as she stopped what she was doing on my hair. 

"Take me to him." He nodded as we both made our way outside. I could only stroll because of the pain down there, taking my time while he walked insignificant steps, glancing back occasionally to check on me. He opened the door to the meeting room and bowed, stretching his hand for me to enter. 

My eyes came in contact with my stupid bastard brother at first before flickering towards the other person sitting on the table, Asher.

All my insides lit up, the moments of yesterday filling my head again. A small, knowing smile broke on my lips. He was sitting in his well-tailored, fine embroidered red royal shirt, some stones lined on it, and his black eyes sparkling at me with a slight smile. I could not see his pants because he was seated, but I knew he was a good dresser. 

The look on his face was different from the one he had on while fucking and touching every part of me last night. It was replaced with a gentle and calm one. 

I squinted my hair at the sight of his hair, it had looked longer than this while we were fucking last night, or was it another style they might have given to him this morning,

"If you're done gawking at your future master, you can fucking have a seat." The voice of my stupid bastard brother cut my opinion shut as I took my eyes off Asher and to him. 

I processed his words in my brain again, blinking rapidly before darting my eyes between them. My feet moved towards him in a rush, not minding the pain I felt as I stopped beforehim.

"What do you mean by my new master? Asher, here is my friend. He's m..." I flicked my gaze to him, not sure if to tell my brother he was even my mate,

"Thank the goddess you know him." 

"What do you mean he's my master? Are you–"

"You're getting sold off to him, Audrea."

"It's Audrey. I've told you that often, but your stupid bullshit won't make you remember something like that?"

He closed up to me briefly, gripping my throat hard and staring down angrily into my eyes.

"I've told you many times. I won't tolerate your stupid, bratty attitude. Your parents are dead! I'm the Alpha! And you would listen to me and do exactly as I have commanded, are we clear?" 

"Y–" I slapped his hand, trying to free myself from his grasp. "You… you..."

"Are we clear, Audrea?" I nodded feebly before he released me, throwing me backward as a series of coughs escaped my mouth.

"Pack all her things, the ones she'll need. Pick two of the best maids for her to go with her. Alpha Asher, she's a very good girl and still young and not yet to bloom. She'll do any of your biddings well." 

I watched him as he gave instructions, trying to stabilise my breathing. He turned to look at me and marched towards me, pulling me from the floor instantly,

"She's all yours, Alpha Asher." He said, bowing to Asher and bending my neck to bow down to him.

Asher finally stood up from where he was seated, allowing me to catch the black colour of the pants he was wearing. 

"Didn't you tell her beforehand?"

"What is it that you ain't telling me? What is going on? Don't I have a say in this?"

"You don't have a say in this, Audrea. Just keep the Fuck shut! Your stupid father was running the pack into ruins. I need to merge with the Nightshade pack, and the Alpha wants you in return for our collaboration. Who am I to deny his request?"

I processed his words one after the other. Asher wanted me. Asher, the Alpha I have been eyeing for all these years, wanted me. I thought of the time after my parents' death when I prayed for the moon goddess to come and help me, provide a mate that'll save me from my harsh predicament, and look up at Asher in front of me. Is this a way of the moon goddess claiming him to be my saviour?

He strides towards me as my stupid bastard brother steps away from me, giving space for Asher. He cupped my cheeks, and I could not help but feel that his hand was rough compared to how it felt last night. 

"Don't you want to go with me, Audrey?" He said. His hand on my breast, those lips pressed on mine, saying slutty words into my ears. Those were the only things I could think of as I stared at him, 

"I want to. Anything to get me from this demon." I whispered to him.

A smile broke on his lips, precisely the way I'd always seen it on him, but this smile was just for me. He patted my forehead and rubbed my head, returning to face my stupid bastard brother.

"Then we have a deal, Callus. We should be on our way now." He said.

He looked back at me, taking my hand in his and nodding at my stupid bastard brother while we walked out of the room. It felt like all the pain in my body was gone with him, and even my lower part arched for him to touch me more. 

My mind was not even with me again, but with him, staring at his handsome features and not caring where he led me through the walk. Everything happened in a blur. Asher was holding me out of the room, and soon we were in the carriage, seated beside him with his hand on my lap, going to his pack. 

I kept staring at him like a baby, seeing her favorite person, gawking at his features while he just stared straight as if there was nothing. Unexpectedly, he brought his hand and wrapped it around my neck. 

I inched closer, and he touched my cheeks, dropping my head on his shoulder. I smiled as I felt him patting my hair softly, many thoughts roaming my mind on what would happen between us next. 

Would he crown me as his Luna? I was already 18 and up to age to be his Luna, so nothing was holding us back. 

I glanced up at him from the corner of my eyes, smiling secretly and sheepishly. I was in love with this man even without him knowing. 

"How does your house look like? The castle and everything."

He glanced at me, his face carrying a bit of a smile. "it's wonderful. You would love it. I'm sure about that. I made sure they did it well." 

He kept quiet suddenly before starting again, "And I'm sorry for buying you off like that. Callus doesn't seem like he'll take good care of you. Your father would have never wanted that, so I'm taking responsibility for you. I'll make sure you get taken care of well, okay?"

I grinned hard at myself. Was he playing at something? Did he want this to be a game? 

"Don't you think we have to talk about something?" I started, clearing my throat after a while of comfortable silence.

His gaze flicked towards me, deep lines on his forehead as he stared down at me, "What's that? What do you want to talk about?"

"About…" I started, raising my head from his shoulder towards the small window, blinking shyly.

"About?" I heard his question back.

I bit my lower lip so hard blood spilt. Was he doing this? Acting like a brother after fucking me last night? Could he not see what I was hinting at? 

"Last night." I finally let out without looking at him. "We need to talk about last night." 

After hearing nothing for a second, I looked at him, only to find a gaze that seemed so innocent and lost, with the deep lines on his head deeper than before. His following words broke me, the things I've read in books coming to play right in front of me, 

"What happened last night?"