PIPER POV

The lights hit my face as I stepped onto the stage, temporarily blinding me. My heart thudded so hard I thought it might burst through my chest. The murmurs of the crowd were deafening now, blending into one terrible chorus of greed and anticipation.

I couldn't see their faces clearly behind their masks, but I could feel their eyes devouring me ,cold, calculating, excited. I gripped the sides of my dress instinctively, wishing I could shrink into nothing.

The masked man guiding me gave me a harsh nudge. "Stand straight. Head up. Don't make this harder than it already is."

I obeyed, not because I wanted to, but because I was terrified of what would happen if I didn't.

The announcer's voice boomed across the room.

"First on our list tonight,an exotic beauty. Untouched. Rare lineage. Worth every silver in your pocket. Let's start the bidding at two hundred silver marks!"

My breath caught in my throat.

They're really doing this. I'm really being sold... like property.

Bids flew across the room.

"Two-fifty!"

"Three hundred!"

"Three-fifty!"

I turned my head, desperately scanning the crowd for Maverick. He wouldn't really do this to me... would he?

But then, there he was at the very back of the room, leaning against the wall with a goblet in hand, eyes cold and unreadable. His expression didn't change. No flicker of emotion. No hesitation. No remorse.

My knees nearly gave out. He was letting them sell me. He had planned this. And suddenly, the ache in my chest morphed into rage. The bond may have been broken but something deeper stirred in me. This wasn't just rejection. This was betrayal. Humiliation.

And I wouldn't forget it. Not ever. Not even if I escaped tonight.

*****

MAVERICK

She looked beautiful up there. And terrified. Exactly how I wanted her.

I kept my eyes on her as the numbers climbed. Her soft lips trembled. Her eyes were frantic, darting through the crowd. Looking for me, no doubt. I could easily see through her, even with the mask on her face.

Let her look, I told myself. Let her see exactly what her fate is.

She's the daughter of my enemy. The bond? That was just the Moon Goddess playing games. I don't care how much my wolf paces inside me. I don't care about the guilt trying to claw at the edges of my mind.

This was war. And she was my first move.

"Sold! For seven hundred silver marks!"

The gavel slammed down and the crowd erupted in scattered applause.

I took a final sip of my drink and turned to leave. But not before catching one last glimpse of Piper as she was escorted off the stage.

There were tears in her eyes. But also... fire.

That same fire I saw when she first stood up to me. Interesting.

But it didn't matter. She was gone now. Out of my hands. Out of my pack. Out of my life.

Or at least, that's what I told myself.

And yet... the nagging voice in the back of my head whispered:

"You just made your greatest mistake."

****

I felt so at peace as I made my way back to the study. I allowed Rowan to handle the rest. The only one that mattered to me had been sold off. This had finally come to an end. It's time for Ryker to pay for all he has done to other werewolves.

His most cherished daughter is now sold off. That too, to the most sickening alpha. Isn't this fun? I chuckled.

I took another sip of my alcohol. One cup turned into two, and then it kept going until I finished the bottle. I groaned when I realized that was the only bottle I had left in the fridge. I needed more alcohol.

Rowan walked in."Alpha, I came to let you know that the alpha who bought Piper is about to leave. Do you have anything to say to her?"

I glared at him."Why would you ask me such a question? I don't have anything to say to her. Now get out of my sight."

I was clearly pissed off. What is wrong with me? Isn't this what I wanted? Then why am I so angry right now? I don't know what has come over me, but this feeling needs to stop. Why do I feel so jealous, so angry?

"Oh, okay. I'll take my leave now," Rowan said, and he left immediately. My hand formed into a fist as I stared into space.

I slammed the empty glass onto the table so hard it cracked. My breathing had turned ragged, and I didn't even realize how tightly my jaw was clenched until my teeth ached.

She's gone. Good. That's what I wanted. That was the plan.

So why did it feel like I'd just ripped out a piece of my own soul?

I stood up abruptly, knocking the chair backward. My wolf was pacing again, snarling, furious.

"You fool."

I growled out loud, trying to shut him up. But he wouldn't stop. His anger was bleeding into me now, making my chest tight and my hands tremble. He didn't want her gone. He didn't want her hurt. He wanted her.

"But she's the enemy,"I reminded him.*"She's Ryker's daughter."

"And she's ours,"my wolf snapped back.

I pressed my fingers against my temples and stormed out of the room. I needed air.

The hallway outside was quiet, save for the faint noise of cars preparing to leave. One of those cars had her in it.

I should've walked away. But instead, my feet dragged me toward the courtyard. I stayed in the shadows, watching as the visiting Alpha Gregor stood by his black car, speaking with one of his guards. A pair of his warriors brought Piper out, her wrists now bound in front of her with silver-threaded rope.

My chest constricted. She didn't fight. She didn't cry. She held her head up, mask gone, fire still burning in her eyes even through the pain. She looked regal.

Gregor took her chin in his hand and examined her face, tilting it slightly."You'll do well in my collection," he muttered, loud enough for me to hear.

I froze. Collection?

He turned to his guard."Have the doctor examine her tonight. I want to make sure she's pure. If not... return her."

My blood turned to ice.What? Did he just say 'return her? Like some item from a store?

My wolf roared.I stepped forward instinctively, but a strong hand clamped onto my arm. Rowan.

"Alpha," he said, voice low. "Let her go."

"She was never meant to be with a monster like him," I growled.

Rowan's eyes widened."Then why the hell did you sell her to one?"

That single question hit me harder than any blow in battle. I didn't answer. Because I didn't have an answer.

Piper turned her head then. Her eyes locked onto mine across the distance. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she didn't look away.

And then she did something that cut deeper than any blade.

She smiled. A bitter, cold smile full of defiance.

It was as if she was saying, You did this. And one day, I'll make you regret it.

And I already did.

Because in that moment, as the car doors closed shut, I knew I hadn't just made a mistake. I'd started a war I might not survive.

"This can't be happening to me," I said to Rowan.

"I won't let you do this, Alpha. You shouldn't have sold her off if you knew you wanted her," he said to me.

"It's still not too late. I want her back with me," I said, as a matter of fact.

"Then what will happen when she's back?" Rowan asked.

"I don't know. Until she's here with us, then I'll decide."

Rowan wasn't liking this."You're about to start a fight you might not be able to finish, Alpha. I'll suggest you let her go. Please, for the sake of the pack members."

I glared at Rowan."If you don't want to do this, then I'll do it without your help."

****

PIPER

My heart was torn to pieces. He is happy he sold me. The look on his face said it all. He was glad. That was why I smiled at him, so he wouldn't think I was a weakling. But the truth was, I was dying inside. I wanted to scream so loud. I wanted to thrash and cuss him out, but I didn't.

Now I was sold to a monster who hasn't stopped touching me since we started the ride. I feel so disgusting. My heart was shattered. I couldn't stop the tears that fell down my cheeks.

"Will you stop crying, you ungrateful fool?" the alpha beside me said.

I tried to calm down, but it was difficult. Fear began to set in. What are they planning to do with me? Am I going to be a pet?

Then I felt him tug on my hair. I winced in pain."If you let out one more tear, then trust me, I'm going to tear you into pieces."

I nodded and tried to stay quiet.

Suddenly, our car stopped.

"What's going on?" the alpha asked the driver.

"Alpha, look," the driver pointed at a large wolf in front of the car.

Alpha Gregor glared hard at the creature. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked himself.

Soon enough, a fight broke out and Alpha Gregor had to get out to fight. I wonder who that black wolf is. Why does it feel so familiar? I have a feeling I know who it is. It's huge and looks menacing.

My heart was racing.

I had to stay in the car 'cause I didn't want to be killed. The soldiers in the other convoy were all wounded. It was now Alpha Gregor and the black wolf.

The fight was intense. Alpha Gregor had to run into the woods nearby out of fear. The black wolf was too strong. His strength is unmatched.

Who is he?

The black wolf approached my car and opened the car door for me. I took that as a sign to get out, which I did. For some reason, I wasn't scared.

I looked up at the black wolf with a smile on my face, then asked, "Who are you?"