Chapter Four: Mate???

The hall reeked of sweat, fear, and desperation. It was wide and dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of unwashed bodies and dried blood. Chains rattled, ropes strained, and the cries of the unfortunate echoed against the cracked walls. Some captives sobbed quietly, their tears soaking their rags. Others screamed until their voices cracked, begging for mercy that would never come.

I was among them, tied harshly to a wooden pole that dug into my back. My wrists were bound so tightly with rough rope that it left deep grooves in my skin. My arms throbbed, and the sharp pain pulsed every time I shifted. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I wept, my chest aching from the despair clawing at my heart.

This was my fate. Elena, my own sister, had auctioned me like I was nothing more than property. I had been betrayed, stripped of everything I once knew, and now stood here, waiting to be bought by a stranger.

The crowd of buyers grew restless, their greedy voices rising over the cries of the captives. Boots scuffed against the dirt floor as men prowled back and forth, pointing, whispering, and bargaining. Their eyes scanned us as though we were livestock at a market.

Then a group of men approached where I was tied. Their presence alone was suffocating. They were tall, broad-shouldered, with dark expressions carved into their faces. One of them, clearly the leader, stepped forward and let his gaze sweep over me.

“For sale?” he asked, his voice cold and casual, as though he were inquiring about a horse.

“Yes,” Elena responded, standing proudly beside me. Her lips curled in a satisfied smile as though she had accomplished something grand.

“How much?” the man asked again, his tone sharper this time.

“Five thousand dollars,” Elena replied confidently.

The leader circled me slowly, his boots dragging against the floor as he studied every inch of me. My breath quickened when his gaze dropped to my hands where blood still dripped faintly from the wound Elena had inflicted earlier. He paused, narrowing his eyes.

“Is she spotless?” he demanded, his tone cold.

My heart slammed against my ribcage. Spotless? What did that mean? Why would it matter? A dark dread crept into me as horrible possibilities filled my mind. What if they were not just buyers but sacrificers? What if they wanted purity for some kind of ritual? Would I be used as an offering? Would I die tonight?

“There is an injury,” the man said, his voice dripping with disdain. “So I will deduct one thousand dollars.”

Elena’s eyes flared in irritation, but she forced a smile.

“Four thousand dollars,” he concluded firmly.

Right in front of me, they began counting and handed Elena a bundle of cash. My breath caught in my throat. I had just been sold. My value had been decided like I was nothing more than cattle.

Elena leaned close, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Goodbye, sister.”

Her words sliced through me as tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. The men untied me and dragged me forward like a rag doll. My legs stumbled against the dirt, but they pulled me without hesitation until we reached the outside.

Parked just outside the hall was a sleek black SUV with tinted windows. The sight of it made my stomach twist tighter.

“No, let go of me!” I screamed, my voice breaking as they shoved me into the backseat. My wrists still burned, my heart pounded with terror, and my body shook violently.

The ride was suffocating, every second stretching into eternity. My thoughts ran wild. Where were they taking me? Who had bought me? Would I ever come out alive?

At last, the SUV came to a stop. The door was yanked open, and rough hands pulled me out. I stumbled forward, my knees nearly giving way, but they tightened their grip and dragged me across the stone path.

Before me rose a massive mansion, its structure towering against the night sky. It was grand yet carried an ominous aura. High walls, dark windows, and a silence so heavy it pressed against my chest.

The large doors opened, and I was shoved into a wide, luxurious sitting room. The air inside was cooler, cleaner, yet it carried a chilling authority that made my skin crawl.

At the far end of the room stood a man with his back facing us. He was shirtless, his muscular frame tense as though carved from stone. Black ink decorated his body, twisting into intricate tattoos that seemed almost alive in the dim light. But my gaze froze when I spotted one marking that stood out among them all. Bold across his back, etched in dark ink, was a name.

Alpha Mich.

My breath caught. I had heard that name whispered in fear countless times. Alpha Mich of the Embermoon Pack. Ruthless. Powerful. Deadly. A man whose strength and supernatural powers made him a legend. If the rumors were true, he was a wolf no one dared to cross.

And now I was standing in his home.

“She is here, Alpha Mich,” one of the men announced with pride. “Spotless. Just one injury.”

Terror surged inside me, and I thrashed against their grip. “Let go of me! Please, let me go!” My voice trembled, but I kept screaming until my throat burned and tears blurred my vision.

“Get off her,” a deep voice commanded. The sound rolled through the room like thunder. It was firm, raw, and filled with an authority that silenced everyone instantly. “And get out.”

Without hesitation, the men released me and hurriedly left the sitting room. The heavy door shut behind them, leaving me alone with the man known as Alpha Mich.

The silence was suffocating. My heart pounded so hard I feared it would burst from my chest. Slowly, he turned. His head was lowered at first, hiding his expression. Then, with deliberate calmness, he raised his face.

His eyes met mine. Ocean blue, piercing, and powerful. In that instant, the world stopped spinning. My breath hitched, my legs felt weak, and then it struck me. That flicker. That bond. That undeniable pull surging through my veins like fire and ice combined.

Deep within me, Karina, my wolf, stirred violently. Her growl echoed through my soul as if she had just awoken from a long slumber.

“MATE!” she howled.