Chapter 1

Talia POV

"Stop! No! What are you doing?!"

Two men shoved me into a dark room and tied me up.

Suddenly, a blinding spotlight flashed, shining directly on me. It was then I realized I was trapped inside a glass enclosure, spinning like a rotating music box.

Seated around me was a group of men. I couldn't tell if they were werewolves or ordinary humans—perhaps both. But regardless of their race, they were all looking at me with lewd, predatory gazes.

I stared at them in terror, understanding all too well what was about to happen. Despair spread through my heart.

"Pregnant women really do have a unique allure. Look at her chest, it's huge," One of the men said, his voice dripping with vulgarity as he ogled at me, resting his chin on his hand.

I glanced down at me. My thin white dress barely covered my voluptuous breasts. I wanted to cover myself, but my bound hands left me defenseless.

"Shameless. That belly is huge, and she's still out here selling herself. How desperate must she be?"

"I can smell her from between her legs already."

"Her face is beautiful, but she's just a fragile human. Probably won’t last long being played with."

...

I never imagined that, at four months pregnant, I would become an item to be auctioned off.

Tears stung my eyes, humiliation and helplessness overwhelming me.

But the men continued their vulgar remarks, unaffected by my fear and tears.

That woman, Kelly, had assured me this was just a maternity photoshoot. So, how did I end up in this mess?

The rotating table under me spun slowly, making me dizzy and my vision blur.

But before I could zone out completely, a familiar scent—a mix of musk and smoke—hit my senses. And through the haze, I saw a striking, cold face.

"Damon?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

I must be dreaming again. There was no way he could be here.

As I mocked myself, the table stopped spinning, and Damon’s icy voice cut through the room.

"Whose bastard is it?"

"Damon, is that really you?" I reached for him like a drowning person, grasping for a lifeline, only to be yanked back by the chain around my neck.

"I'll ask you one more time. Whose bastard are you carrying?" He roared.

"How could you say that? This is your child, Damon!" I cried through my choked neck.

"Mine?"

Damon's eyes turned red—a sign of an impending werewolf frenzy.

He held up a paternity test in front of me. It showed that the baby I was carrying was not his but that of Carson.

Carson was my college classmate who had once pursued me. But by then, I was already Damon’s mate.

"No, that can’t be true.” I stammered. “This must be a mistake! This is your child! Carson and I are just friends. ,.

Before Damon could respond, a man beside him spoke, "Alpha Damon, the auction is about to start. If you have anything to say, you can do so after the auction."

Auction?

Kelly had clearly told me this was just a photoshoot.

"Where’s Kelly? I want to see her. I was tricked!"

I struggled desperately, the ropes biting into my wrists until they bled.

"Talia, you’re already selling yourself. Why bother pretending?" Damon sneered.

"What are you talking about?!" I shouted.

"Hmph. You signed the contract yourself. Deny it all you want! But Abby was right. You’re nothing but a lowly gold digger."

"I never signed any contract!" I protested loudly.

Abby, Damon’s Beta, stood by his side, looking at me with disdain. She was one of the rare female werewolf warriors and his most trusted confidante.

"Alpha Damon..." The auctioneer intervened again.

Damon nodded and walked to the VIP seat opposite me.

"Starting bid: 200,000. Each increase by at least 100,000. Begin."

The auctioneer’s announcement ignited the crowd.

"200,000..."

"300,000..."

"1 million..."

...

"3 million..."

The bid climbed quickly, each increasing number cutting deeper into my soul.

As the auctioneer called out, "3 million once, 3 million twice...a bald man with a round belly and greasy face raised his hand.

"5 million..."

Nausea surged in me, and I dry-heaved.

The room fell silent, but just then, Damon’s voice suddenly echoed.

I looked at him with a glimmer of hope. We had once been mates. Surely, he couldn’t bear to hurt me.

But his next words plunged me back into despair.

"6 million. I’ll buy her... and let everyone here have their turn."