Three

CINZIA

A hundred million drachma?!

Who would bid such an outrageous amount on me? I didn't know who had done so, but I was relieved when the hand gripping the strap of my gown released its hold.

The room fell into silence until a microphone dropped close to where I stood. I could sense the astonishment in everyone present, a feeling I shared. Nonetheless, I was grateful to step off the stage.

As soon as I entered the room, I met Rhea once more. I ran into her embrace and let out a sigh as my arms tightened around her.

"I'm so glad you're safe. I was worried about you," she said, her hand gently caressing my hair.

"I am safe," I affirmed.

"What happened?"

My mouth opened, but no words came out as Jerome barged into the room.

"You're really lucky, aren't you?!" He yelled, his hand shooting out to grab a fistful of my hair. He wrapped it around his hand and yanked.

I groaned, "What's your problem? Are you trying to pull my hair out?"

"I'd happily do that if I could," Jerome sneered, a wide grin on his face.

I nudged him with my elbow, and he growled. Our eyes narrowed at each other.

I noticed the women in the room had hurried to the corner, including Rhea. I had never fought with anyone before. In fact, I hadn't been in a fight with a human, let alone a werewolf, in all my years.

My curse hadn't been triggered since I needed to take a life, as per tradition, to bring out the beast in me. I would attain my wolf if I could defeat him. I wasn't confident, but I was willing to do anything to achieve it.

The door to the room creaked open, and two men dressed in charcoal grey suits stepped in. They were heavily built, donning square-shaped eyeglasses with dark lenses. Both were bald, and I couldn't tell them apart.

One swiftly grabbed Jerome, thrusting his hand into his chest and pulling out his heart. He was too fast, and I could barely keep up with his movement. Soon enough, Jerome lay lifeless on the floor.

I couldn't care less, though. If we had fought, perhaps I would've been in his position.

What I was curious about were the people in the room. Why did they beat Jerome? I assumed they were accomplices, but judging by the looks of it, I doubted they knew each other.

"100 million Drachma?" The man who had pulled out Jerome's heart said. He wiped his blood-stained hand and tossed the hanky onto Jerome's desiccating body.

"100 million Drachma?"

I knitted my brows as he asked again. I believed they were talking about me. I stepped forward, and the man assessed me. I held his gaze and refused to let him intimidate me, even though I was scared. I had thought Jason was the largest man I had ever seen, but compared to him, this man in front of me looked like a giant.

"It's you," he said.

"It is me," I affirmed.

"Pick whatever you think is necessary; we leave in thirty seconds."

"Wait, What?" I asked, but he had already stepped out of the room.

I creased my brows as I gazed at Rhea. "What does he mean by that? He can't just come up to me and say whatever he desires!"

"Listen, darling," Rhea said, gripping my shoulder. My eyes stayed on hers, and she sighed.

"I am going to miss you..."

"What are you talking about?" I glared at her. "What do you mean by you will miss me?!"

"You see what just happened?"

"Of course, some bunch of perverted men bid on me. So, what? Does that mean you are going to leave me now?!"

"I didn't say..."

"Oh goodness, I can't believe you'd do this to me. Such an ungrateful woman!"

"Hush, child!"

I scowled but didn't stop. I was upset with her. She had hidden the truth about what was going to happen from me, and now she was going to let me be on my own. Ever since I've known her, I never thought she could do something like this. Heck, I never imagined it until now.

"I am not leaving you, and listen to me!" Rhea snapped. That got to me, and I heaved a sigh. Rhea seldom snapped at me because she always got her point across without needing to force it on me.

But now, I believed the snapping was necessary. I had never lost my temper in public before. I was taught never to let anything get to me, but I didn't think I could abide by that any longer, considering all that has happened.

"Then explain what you meant by 'this is goodbye.'"

"Because I was bid on as well!" Rhea clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. "I was chosen to be an old maid for a child I know nothing of. The child might even be worse than you!"

"Or better," I mumbled. My eyes traveled down, and I shook my head. I stared at Rhea again to see her eyes pooled with tears.

I was selfish. I thought I was the only one going through pain, but everyone was feeling the same. Some might even have it worse. I've heard some horror tales about the guards sleeping with some of the captives. I could see it in each woman's eyes as I looked at them. Some were happy, while some had no expression on their faces. The happy ones were perhaps the ones who wished to get out of the warehouse as soon as they could, or perhaps they had suffered greatly and jumped at any offer to gain their freedom. While the unhappy ones, perhaps, didn't get anyone to bid on them.

But all gazed at me with envy. I wondered what there was to be envious of in me. I was being sold as well. I didn't know who my future master would be, and the thought of being with a monster frightened me.

"Listen, child, I don't want to leave your side, but I don't think I can do anything."

"I'm sorry, Rhea. I am really sorry." I wrapped my arms around her and let a few tears drop.

"I wish I could change all of this, but I have no power whatsoever. I'm not even a proper werewolf!"

"Hush, you are a proper werewolf. Not triggering your curse yet means nothing. The moon goddess will make it happen... when it is time."

"I hope so," I mumbled.

My hands clenched, and my eyes narrowed as a newfound determination swept through me. I was determined to make Rhea leave with me, no matter what. I didn't care who my bidder was. If he couldn't have both Rhea and me as his servants, I believed I was better off alone.