Chapter 7: Running From My Fate

The red dress clung tightly to every curve of my body as I stood in front of the bedroom mirror.

It was beautiful. At least, it would have been on someone else, but on me, it only reminded me of every cruel word I'd ever heard.

I stared at my reflection through blurred eyes. In just a few hours… I would be sold. Some Alpha would raise his hand, offer the highest bid, and I would belong to him.

Whatever he wanted to do with me… I would have no choice but to endure it.

A fresh tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away before another could follow.

This was the price I had to pay. My parents had given me a home. They had raised me and kept me alive when I was sick. If this was how I repaid them… Then maybe this was simply my fate.

I was too tired to fight anymore.

A knock sounded before the bedroom door swung open..My mother stepped inside. Her eyes swept over me..Instead of approval, her face twisted with disappointment.

"Ugh." She clicked her tongue. "This dress doesn't even look good on you.".She walked over and tugged at the fabric around my waist. "It's too tight." She frowned, "It makes you look completely shapeless."

Then she poked my stomach with one finger. "I hope you didn't eat anything."

I quickly shook my head. "No."

Since agreeing to the auction yesterday, the only thing I'd been allowed to drink was a fruit shake my mother claimed would help "debloat" me. My stomach had been empty ever since.

"Good.".She nodded with satisfaction.

Then, almost casually, she said,."Who knows? Maybe your weight will keep you from getting used and passed around."

My breath caught..She said it so casually as though she weren't talking about my life. As though I wasn't standing right in front of her.

I felt my eyes sting again, but I forced myself not to cry..There was no point anymore.

Taking a shaky breath, I looked at her.

"Can I... see Isabella?" My voice was barely above a whisper. "I just want to say goodbye."

"No." The answer came instantly. "We don't have time for that." She picked up my small purse and shoved it into my hands. "The auction starts in thirty minutes."

Then she rolled her eyes. "And besides, you'll only upset her."

I blinked.."What?"

She looked almost amused. "Haven't you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"She's away with her mate.".A small smile appeared on her face.."People are saying he's planning to propose during their vacation."

I swallowed the lump in my throat..Of course. Isabella deserved happiness. I couldn't ruin that by dragging her into my nightmare.

I slowly lowered my head. "Okay."

Just then, a car horn echoed outside.

My mother glanced toward the window.."Your father's waiting."

Without another word, I followed her downstairs.

I didn't even get to say goodbye to Abigail. Maybe she didn't know what our parents were about to do. Or maybe… She did. Either way, it no longer mattered.

The ride to the auction was unbearably silent..Every passing minute felt like another step toward my execution.

I stared out the window, watching the city disappear behind us. My hands rested tightly in my lap, trembling so hard I couldn't stop them. I wanted to run. I wanted to disappear.

Anything was better than what waited for me tonight.

Suddenly, my mother's sharp gasp shattered the silence. "Oh my goodness!" She nearly dropped the tablet she was holding.

Dad glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "What?"

She stared at the screen with wide eyes.

"Alpha Hayes Denzel is attending tonight's auction."

The name alone sent a chill racing down my spine. My heartbeat stumbled. Hayes Denzel. Even I knew who he was. The ruthless Alpha of Arrowfang Pack. The billionaire every pack feared..The man whose name was whispered with equal parts admiration and terror.

Goosebumps spread across my arms..Then another thought entered my mind. He would never look at me. Not someone like me.

Relief mixed with disappointment before disappearing just as quickly.

My mother sighed dramatically. "If only you weren't so fat.".She shook her head. "We could've made a fortune if Alpha Hayes had chosen you."

I barely heard the rest of her words. A memory forced its way into my mind.

It was a dream. The same terrifying dream that had haunted me for years.

A pair of icy blue eyes. A cold, merciless Alpha. I'd always woken before seeing his face. But somehow… The thought of Hayes Denzel made that nightmare feel painfully real.

It couldn't be a coincidence. It just couldn't.

As the car rolled to a stop, my stomach twisted. This was my chance.

If I stayed… My life was over.

The moment my parents disappeared into the registration office, I ran. I gathered the skirt of my dress in my trembling hands and sprinted toward the gates.

I didn't know where I was going. I just knew I couldn't stay.

The cold night air burned my lungs as my feet pounded against the stone path.

Please… Please let me get away. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

I'd barely eaten in days, and every step felt heavier than the last. My legs burned, my chest ached, but I forced myself to keep running.

Freedom was so close. All I had to do was get out of here. Then I heard my father's voice behind me.

"Catch her before she gets away!"

My heart lurched.

No.No! I pushed myself harder, ignoring the pain shooting through my legs.

Behind me, my mother's furious scream echoed across the courtyard.

"Lillian, you fat, ungrateful bitch! You promised you'd do this for us! You'd better get back here right now!"

Tears blurred my vision. "I'm sorry," I whispered to myself as I ran. "I'm so sorry..."

A loud shout rang out ahead. "Hey! Stop!"

Another voice answered from my left. "Surround her!"

I gasped. Before I could change direction, my foot caught on a loose stone. "No!" I hit the pavement hard. A cry of agony tore from my throat. A sharp, searing pain shot through my ankle.

I looked down. My foot had twisted beneath me. Blood seeped from my broken toenail, staining the stone beneath me.

I tried to stand. My ankle buckled instantly. "No..." I crawled forward anyway. I couldn't stop. I couldn't...

Heavy footsteps closed in. Strong hands grabbed both my arms and yanked me violently to my feet. I cried out as pain exploded through my injured ankle.

Then a slap landed hard on my face. A burning sting spread across my cheek.

"You'll go nowhere, you fool!" one of the guards barked.

I broke down into helpless sobs. My father finally caught up, breathing heavily. He bent over slightly, trying to catch his breath. "How..." he panted. "How could you do this to us, Lillian?"

I couldn't stop crying. "I'm sorry," I sobbed. "I was scared."

My mother arrived a moment later, her face red with fury. She didn't look at my bleeding foot, or cared that I was badly injured with a broken ankle.

She simply waved a hand at the guards. "Take her inside."

The guards tightened their grip on my arms. I winced as they dragged me forward.

My father sighed, avoiding my eyes. "Don't worry, Lillian." His voice was strangely calm. "It'll all be over soon."

My tears fell silently onto the front of my dress. Somehow… I knew he was right.

The moment those doors closed behind me...

The life I'd known would be over forever.