Chapter 4

Irene's POV 

I felt a tear prick the corners of my eyes, but I didn't let it fall. I had to be strong.

"Do you understand me, girl?" Rose asked, her brown eyes searching mine 

I swallowed hard as I nodded. 

She smiled. "That's it, girl. I've watched you for these past few weeks. You are stronger than you think you are, so you shouldn't let them bring you down."

She was right. I had been through a lot worse. I was left alone to pick up the remains of my father. I couldn't let Silas see, so I sent him on an errand while I had our living room cleaned up.

I still remembered what it felt like. The pain I felt as I gathered up Dad's body parts. I picked up his hands, his legs, and then his torso. But what hurt more was picking up his head. It had been clawed off of his body.

I raised my head, holding back the tears that tried to fall. "You are strong, Irene, don't let them see your weak side. You can't let them think you are weak," I muttered to myself.

"That's the spirit," Rose said. "Now remember, keep your shoulders straight, your head held high, no slouching, and knock them off with a smile. Got it?" She instructed.

"Yes Ma'am," I nodded.

Just then, the Auction Master, Luke, walked into the room. As always, he didn't bother to knock.

"Are you done?" He asked.

Rose laughed as she spun me so I could face him. "Yes, she is, and she is ready to find her Mate."

Luke looked at me from head to toe, definitely intrigued by how I looked. But he shook it off and looked away.

"Well, you better pray to the Moon Goddess to help you out. This is your last day here, and you can either walk out alone or side by side with your new Mate."

Rose squeezed my arm as she gave me a reassuring look. She didn't need to speak for me to know what she had to say. "Don't let him sway your confidence with his words, girl. You've got what it takes, just go out there and prove them wrong."

With a smile on my face, I nodded.

I followed Luke out of the dressing room. I replayed Rose's instructions in my head, making sure to keep to every single one of them as I was led to the stage. But when I stepped on the podium, the confidence I had built dissipated.

The Auction room was completely empty.

"I don't... I don't understand... Where is everyone?" I asked as I turned to Luke.

"Umm, well, hopefully they'll come," He replied in a calm tone as he walked down the stage stairs.

My mouth went agape. "What do you mean by 'hopefully?! Why would you bring me here if no one was here to see—" 

"—Listen little girl! You might have gotten your wolf and had once had a Mate, but you are still as clueless as ever!" He yelled as he turned to me, cutting me off. "What makes you think anyone was and would be interested in you?! The only reason those men showed up was to stare at your pretty body and pretty face. Just like your ex-mate, no one wants to be involved with the family of a traitor."

As he walked away, my legs went wobbly, and I fell to the ground, ripping my dress.

Tears spilled onto my cheeks. I tried to hold them in longer, but I couldn't. I couldn't at all. 

Nothing was going the right way. Nothing was working out for me. 

So many thoughts ran through my head. Would I be able to see Silas again? Where exactly was he? Who was taking care of me? I missed him so much!

I couldn't help but blame myself for everything. Dad had told me that I didn't have to work and that he could take care of Silas and me, but I refused to listen. I still went on to get a job far from the cottage. 

I should have been there when the Alpha's guards attacked. I was strong enough, so I would've been able to put up a fight. Dad would have been safe, and none of this would've been happening.

Minutes on the floor and in tears turned to hours. There was nothing I could do but cry. 

All of a sudden someone tapped me. I looked up to find Luke staring at me. "Go get yourself cleaned up, you have an offer."

***

In my new dress, I walked towards the backstage. Luke had to prepare the documents, so he asked me to go on my own. 

I couldn't help but think who the Male wolf who wanted me was. 

I felt fear creeping in. 

Why would he want to have anything to do with the daughter of a traitor?

But I shook off the feeling. At least I had a chance to see Silas. I would go home with anyone just so I could see him.

When I got backstage, I frowned. 

Alpha Lucian was there, leaning against a wall. When he saw me, he straightened up.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "You know, Alpha Lucian, I didn't think you would bother yourself with such things," I said.

He raised a brow at me, but he didn't say a word.

"Are you here to make sure I don't run off after being sold for just a few bucks?" I teased, a smile playing at the corners of my lips.

I tried to touch his chest, but he held my hand and pushed it away. 

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Why are you trying to act like a man of integrity," I said to him, my tone hardening. "After framing and killing someone innocent."

His face finally reflected something. He looked confused. "What are you talking about?" He asked.

Now we were on to something. "You think I don't know what you did to my Dad? I overheard you and your Beta talking about it. You had your dogs rip him apart when you knew he was innocent!"

His eyes widened at first, then his indifferent expression crept in back. He leaned back on the wall, not affected by what I said.

"Don't conclude when you don't have the full details of what happened," He said as he folded his arms in front of him and closed his eyes. "You are just a kid, so you won't understand anything."

His words tore through me like a sword. How could he say it that way?! How could he not feel remorseful for killing someone who didn't do anything wrong and was also a member of his Pack? 

I couldn't take it anymore. I looked around, searching for something to use and end him. Then I found it, the perfect weapon—a sharp hairpin lying in a corner. 

I picked it up.

I was going to make him pay for hurting my family.

Just as I was about to head towards him, Luke's voice made me stop in my tracks. 

"It seems things are going well here," He said as he walked towards Alpha Lucian.

The Alpha straightened up, his stoic look still in place. 

Luke handed him a document.

"Thanks for taking the Traitor's daughter," He said and looked at me. "Off my hands.”