Chapter 1: Betrayal

IVARA 

What had just happened? One second, I was waiting for Adrian in the park, the next? I was here, half-conscious in some confinement.

Confinement? A fvcking confinement! My eyes widened. What?

I dragged myself up, my legs wobbling as the room spun around.

“No, no.” I whispered, I couldn't possibly be kidnapped, right?

I needed someone to tell me this was a dream.

It wasn't the kidnap that I feared but the fact that no one would come for me.

Although father could find me with a snap of his fingers… I was sure he wouldn't even try.

I looked around. I didn't feel any sense of familiarity. The only thing sitting there was a single, almost worn out candle, illuminating the features of the room. No windows. No furniture. Just me.

Where was I? Why me of all people? I literally had nothing that could entice my captors. Why would anyone take me? I thought everyone despised me. I guess, If anyone was ever to be crowned the unluckiest... that'd be me.

I couldn't do much as I felt really weak, so I staggered to the wall then leaned back against it, my breathing ragged.

My breath caught in my throat the moment I heard the jingling of keys from the other end of the door.

Goosebumps crawled up my skin and my pulse raced that I began shaking. My captors were here!

“Are you sure she's awake?” I heard an almost too familiar voice ask.

“We’ll see.” Another replied.

The door was flung open, and a manly figure stepped in. 

At first, I couldn't see clearly because of the darkness, but then the figure stepped closer.

“Adrian?” I blurted before I could stop myself. 

I knew that figure, that scent. It had to be him.

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding and began staggering towards him.

“Rian, you…”

“Hands off him, b!tch!” Another figure barked, pushing me off Adrian.

I fell to the ground.

Beads of sweat formed on my face instantly. My fingers wouldn't stop trembling, and I quickly crawled backwards at the sound of that voice… that voice that always sounded like punishment to me.

Dahlia! I couldn't mistake it for anything… not when she was that close.

“Wh…what are you doing here? No. No, what are we doing here?” I stuttered, my lips quavering.

My gaze moved between the two, as I wondered why we were all here together. Coupled with the fact that both of them had never met each other.

“I see my men were kind. Not a single scratch on you,” Adrian simply responded, lighting himself a cigarette.

“They had to. She's useless already, hurting her would add to it,” Dahlia sneered, clinging onto Adrian's arm.

My expression faltered. “Adrian, what's going on, what do you mean?” I whispered.

“What's going on, huh?” Adrian curled his lips.

I swallowed hard while my heart thudded loudly. 

There was something new about Adrian, perhaps the malicious glint in his eyes or the dark energy he gave. 

I found myself crawling backwards even without intending to as he stepped closer. My spine met the cold wall, signaling that I had no means of escape.

Adrian crouched to my level, one knee lower than the other, before placing his index finger under my chin and forcing my head up.

“You’re getting auctioned at the Dark Hell baby,” he puffed the smoke from his mouth on my face.

I blanked out for a millisecond. I didn't mind the smoke, the only thing that registered in my mind was the word ‘Dark Hell’. 

I stilled. 

Was this a prank? 

But as I searched through Adrian's eyes, it didn't look like he was joking.

“Stop with your silly jokes, Rian. You sound too real,” I muttered, refusing to believe what I had just heard.

“The only thing that is a joke here is you,” Dahlia huffed. “This is reality, sister, and Adrian is right. We just came here to announce that. I thought it'd be nice to watch your reaction to it,” she shrugged.

“You're…”

“Let me make this clear!” Adrian cut me off.

“I only got with you because of your father. I mean, the almighty Gamma? Who wouldn't want to date his daughter even if she's illegitimate and wolfless? You were the easiest, the one without love.” He chuckled, standing to his feet.

My throat tightened, not with tears, but with that heavy, hollow numbness. The kind you get when the world stops making sense.

“I said, Okay, why don't I sprinkle some of my love, but it wasn't easy.” He ruffled his hair. “The fact that you're more human disgusts me, so the plan was to fvck around with you, but yeah, I got with the self-righteous sister that wants to wait till marriage…”

“Adrian!” I yelled as each word slashed through my heart. 

“Keep my name out of your mouth! I was forced to endure you from the beginning! Thankfully, the moon goddess pitied me, then gave me the legitimate daughter, the smart, strong and beautiful one I could be proud of.” He pulled Dahlia by the waist.

Moon what? Tears brimmed in my eyes as I clutched my aching chest.

I finally realized. My sister was mated to my boyfriend! The only person that I thought had come to love me despite my flaws.

Why? Why? Why me every fvcking time? I thought I had found love, happiness. Why did it have to be a lie?

I didn't know which was worse. Whether the fact I was getting auctioned or the fact that my sister's mate was my boyfriend.

I saw my entire world break and crash to the ground… everything I revolved around. 

I couldn't take any of this, my heart was too fragile for this. Not now that everything was starting to make sense in my life, now that I was beginning to think positive.

“Don't worry, we're making you useful by auctioning you. The money that'll come from it will be more than enough to sort out our wedding and take back every dime mum…”

“Are you crazy, Dahlia? We're family for goodness’ sake? How could you? As soon as father finds out what you're trying to do, you're in deep sh!t!” I yelled, trying to convince myself that father might care this time… this was serious. 

Dahlia burst into laughter. “Me?”

She pulled out a paper from her purse, then threw it at me. “Guess who signed you up for the auction and took responsibility? I'm not a parent, you know.”

I couldn't breathe, couldn't even speak as my body trembled hard. Pa and Ma’s signature was clearly on that form. 

Wh…what? Wasn't the constant abuse since I was a kid enough?

They hadn’t just sold me, they had confirmed something I’d been terrified of believing my whole life.

I was never meant to belong anywhere, not even in the family I kept breaking myself to serve.

My life was over.

I'd been given away to be sold at the Dark Hell; a place where Omegas were sold as property. Slaves. Breeders. Even sex slaves for the highest bidder.

Just stepping inside could destroy your life not to talk of being the omega to be sold.