CHAPTER FOUR

EMMELINE

I was locked up in the back of the van on it’s way to the slave house. Tears streamed down my cheeks as my new reality dawned on me. It was over for me. What could possibly become of my life once I started living in the slave house? That was, if such a life could be considered living.

I wanted to scream my lungs out in desperation. The guards had made sure I had no means of escape by binding both my arms and legs tightly so that it was impossible to even move. Tears of frustration formed in my eyes again as I trembled in the back of the van. Things were by no means perfect, but at least I'd had some sense of stability. A job, a roof over my head, and plans to relocate as soon as possible.

There were just a few months left. And now everything had been turned upside down. All my plans had crumbled into one meaningless blob of nothing. Perhaps I was cursed. Maybe happiness just wasn't something meant for me. Every time it seemed within reach, something happened that would bring me back to square one. I brushed off a tear that slipped down my chin.

All the horrible things I'd heard about the slave house came rushing back to me. It was a horrible place, and most people sold off and bundled there, lived a life worse than death. I shuddered to think of what would become of me. My imagination conjured up the worst possible scenarios, bringing me to the verge of tears.

"Yes, this slave trade is going to be massive. I can already tell. Did you see the list of all the Alphas who are attending today?" I heard one of the security men say to his partner.

"It's looking promising, I tell you," The second man chipped in. "These are wealthy, powerful Alphas. We are going to hit it big today," he laughed. "We are lucky to have gotten our hands on this one, eh?"

"Yes, she is very beautiful. I'm confident we can sell her for twice our normal price."

They both chuckled while I lay there frozen in shock. I couldn't believe they were talking about me as though I were some petty commodity and not a person. Their words were also very disappointing. I had hoped to get a chance to slip away since the event looked to be a huge one. But from what I was hearing now, I would be sold immediately.

Cold fear creeped up my skin as I shuddered once again. Soon, the van came to a halt. I could already hear that there was a large crowd before the men pulled me out of the van.

"Come on!" They pulled me forward as they led me into the thick of the marketplace. We arrived at a stall that seemed to belong to the chief trader. They tossed me to him, and I felt bile rise in my throat as the man eye raped me, his lips curving into a smile.

Without warning, he reached out to touch my breasts. But my reflexes were quick enough that I stepped away from him in time. This seemed to amuse him because he chuckled darkly. Then, he grabbed me by the hair and pulled me forward roughly.

"Don't bother fighting, girl. Soon, your body will belong to one of the many men present here today."

My blood ran cold, but I kept a strong expression, unwilling to let my fear show. The chief trader pushed me away before turning to my captors.

"Let's talk business. I'll give you 30o pounds for the girl. She's quite attractive, which is why I am offering this much."

The men grunted. "300 won't cut it. Take a look at her. She is more beautiful than every other girl on display here, and you know it. 1000 pounds and we have a deal."

"1000?! That's outrageous. I'll give you 350."

Petrified and humiliated, I watched as the men bargained for me. When, finally, they settled on 500 pounds, my heart shattered. This was getting real. I had just been sold.

The chief trader paid the security guards the money and then beckoned to some women. "Take the girl inside and make her look presentable. Clean her up and give her some fresh clothes. I can't put her on display looking like that."

The chief trader exited the room soon after and the women got to work. I couldn't even protest as they surrounded me and began to clean me up. Someone began to put makeup on my face while two others worked on my hair. The others prepared my outfit which turned out to be a very revealing dress.

Tears filled my eyes, but I was determined to hold them in. They forced me into the dress and continued to work on me. I had a sudden fear that they might discover I was a Lycan. But luckily, that didn't happen.

Once they finished, a bag was put over my head and I was led to another part of this godforsaken place. I couldn't see a thing, but I could hear some people bargaining in the distance.

"200 pounds!" Someone yelled.

"250!" Another countered.

"250 pounds going once, twice…"

"300!"

I could tell that the girls were being sold, and my stomach churned at the realization that it would soon be my turn. The whole thing was sickening. Most of the girls sold here were used for sexual pleasure by sick, twisted men. Some of them would be turned to breeders or made to serve as sex toys for multiple men until their bodies gave way and they died a painful death.

Tears filled my eyes at the thought of such a despicable existence. It was unfair and cruel. As I stood there, I said a silent prayer to the moon goddess to be bought as a maid or servant. Only a handful of girls were lucky enough to be bought as maids.

I can clean, cook, wash…anything but this torture. Please, moon goddess, save me. You have abandoned me this whole time…help me this once…

I had barely finished my prayers when I felt myself being shoved to the stage. In the next second, the bag was yanked from my head and I was hit with the blinding lights in the room. I blinked a few times before my eyes grew accustomed to the room.

I nearly staggered to the floor when I saw the number of people present in the room. Holy moon goddess. It was like a festival.

My heart raced with fear as I stood there helplessly, waiting. Most of the men had dirty looks on their faces, their eyes raking over me as they licked their lips and whispered amongst themselves. It didn't take much to know what they were going to use me for if I was unlucky enough to fall into their hands. Their lustful gaze was enough indication of whatever they had in store for me.

I gulped, trying to steady myself to no avail. My breathing felt more labored, and my head was spinning. I was having a panic attack. I was unsure how I was able to keep myself from collapsing on stage.

"Gentlemen!" The trader began. "As you can see, I have a beautiful girl right here. Very good looking, very sexy. And she is very petite too. You know what that means gentlemen? You can bend her into any position you wish!"

The men burst into primal laughter and grunts of approval.

"She will definitely satisfy any man lucky enough to buy her. Feast your eyes on this beauty, gentlemen. The bidding starts at 2000 pounds."

He then stepped away.

A hand shot up immediately. "2300!"

"2500 pounds!" An older man countered. I shuddered at this. This man had been staring at me with so much lust in his eyes."

"5000!" Someone yelled. "She's mine!"

"6000!"

"7500!"

"10,000 pounds!" The older man said again.

The trader looked shocked. "Woah! I have never seen anything like this. This is surely the most heated bid we've ever witnessed! Alright, gentlemen. 10,000 pounds going once, twice…"

I was shivering on the stage. The old man had bid 10,000. I prayed desperately that I wouldn't be sold to him. It was clear what he wanted to use me for. I already knew that my body would be used tirelessly if I was unfortunate enough to be sold to him.

Just before the trader announced the sale, I saw a hand rise slowly. All eyes turned to face the man and I was confused when whispers broke out in the hall. I stared at the man in shock. I hadn't noticed him before now.

He was staring at me intensely, his dark eyes seeming to pierce right through me and into my soul and drawing me in. Unlike the other men, his expression was closed off. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. There was something about him…

"15,000 pounds," he bid calmly.

Gasps broke out from everyone present. I could see the old man glaring at him angrily.

The trader couldn't hide his shock either. "15,000 pounds going once, twice…and sold to Alpha Darius!"