Her

CHAPTER 4

SEBASTIAN’S POV

I never participated in the Omega slave auction. I was more of a observer than a bidder. I never even fancied the idea of coming to begin with, but it was compulsory for all Alpha kings, so I had to drag myself to this underground hall every year to sit and observe beautiful but battered, naked female omegas get sold.

When I saw her cower into the stage like a frightened kitten, I was restless and immediately drawn to her. I couldn’t help but place the opening bid, sending the crowd gasping in shock. They found it hard to believe I was finally participating after all these years of dormancy.

Although her body was strewn with bruises and scars, I still found her beauty undeniable with her misty blonde hair, delicate features, and her slim, curvy figure. Her undeniable beauty wasn’t all that drew me to her. When the auctioneer raised her chin, I looked right into her swollen red eyes and noticed a damsel in distress. They smouldered with pain too heavy for a person to carry. Who knew how long she’d been like that or what they'd done for her to be like this? That was when I knew I needed to make a move and save her before she fell into the wrong hands.

There were a few competitors but I scaled through, glad I secured her. With the crook of a finger, I signalled my guards to get her a blanket and take her to the SUV parked at the front of the castle while I made the transfer payment.

My impatience got the best of me as I stepped out, not wanting to stay till the entire auction finished. I walked down the underground hallway and ascended the stairs to the main part of the castle, only to see one of my guards coming my way.

“Why aren’t you with her? You know she’s frightened, what if she escapes.” I exclaimed tartly.

“No master, she’s with Khan and the driver,” he said and I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Let’s get moving,” I hurried to the frontage, my whole being aching with an uncontrollable restlessness. I needed to see her again.

We got to the car and I wasn’t so surprised to see her downcast, her head on the window. The glass was wound down and she sat straight but trying to hide her shiver. I tried talking to her but she was finding it hard to respond.

“Hello…” Before I could finish, I noticed how she clutched hard on the blanket, her whole being tensed up.

I saw fear flash raw before her eyes and it got me wondering what sort of dehumanizing treatment she and the rest of those Omegas were subjected to. I was never in support of the auction, but it was considered tradition, and tradition was held at high standard in the whole of the werewolf kingdoms.

“It’s okay,” I tried calming her . “I’m not going to hurt you. Whatever they did to you is all in the past now, it’s all over. No one will hurt ever again. That I promise you.”

I needed to clear whatever doubt that clouded her mind. To make her feel safe. To make her loosen up at least a bit. But it all landed in the mud. She was silent, her fear, stark and vivid still glittering in her features.

I huffed out a worrying breath and decided to leave it all for later. I’ll organize a small dinner just for the two of us, to get to know her better and hopefully, she’ll loosen up before then.

The hone blared as we got to my castle, just in time for my wife and some of the servants to step out to the frontage. We got down and the servants received us warmly.

“Take her to an unoccupied chamber,” I ordered as they helped walk her into the castle.

I expected a warm embrace from my dear wife but was instead disappointed with a glare and a flounce. My brows squished together in confusion. She only acted that way whenever she was pissed and obviously, she was. I followed her to our bedroom upstairs.

The door was left ajar and I pushed it open to see her backing me, her arms crossed against her chest in annoyance. She turned to face me once she heard the door squeak close.

“How could you bring that slave girl when you know perfectly well we’re already choked up with the maids we have?” She threw her words at me like stones.

Oh! Her?” I let out an incredulous scoff.

I walked to her and tried gathering her in my arms but she crossed her arms tighter and refused bluntly, cornering to the other side of the room.

“For goodness sake, you never liked that auction.”

“Of course I don’t.”

“Then why did you buy her?”

“Believe me,” I said convincingly. “It was never intended. She was suffering greatly… her eyes were all red and swollen and…her body full of bruises. She needed saving Catherine.” I lied a little white lie. I bought her mostly because I was attracted to her like never before, even in her gloomy state. What I felt for Catherine when I first met her was nothing compared to what I felt at that hall. But that wasn’t all. I also bought her because I wanted to save her from falling into the wrong hands of my fellow Alpha Kings.

“This isn’t a clear explanation?” Her gaze widened. “All those slaves suffer greatly and she’s no different from them.”

“So it’s a crime to feel pity for someone?” I blurted.

“If you felt so much pity then why didn’t you buy all of them?”

“Keep it down Catherine,” I almost roared, growing impatient with her squabble. “I’m your husband and the Alpha king of this kingdom. And you or anyone else don’t have the rights whatsoever to question my actions and decisions.”

She shifted her glance away from me, her lips pressed together in anger.

“She’s staying and that’s final!” I cut to the chase, glad I did and knowing I won’t regret it.

Catherine tried opening her mouth but only groaned and went into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. I slashed out an almost satisfying breath. That was probably the best thing for her to do and the best place for her to be at the moment. Part of me wanted to lock the door from the outside, trapping her inside. But I didn’t. I’ll be having a small dinner with the girl and the last thing I wanted was her drama. But I had better plans. I’ll host the dinner in a more secluded area of the castle.

I descended the stairs and made my way to the kitchen to see the cooks making dinner. They all stopped what they were doing and bowed to pay their homage. I acknowledged, hiding my fume.

“Has she been settled?” I asked the maid in particular who had helped her inside when we arrived.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Very well then. Send the blue gown I kept inside a box in the storeroom to her and tell her to prepare to have dinner with me immediately.”