Chapter 2 Mate!!!
Morning came faster than Alberto wanted.
His heart hammered against his chest, threatening to rip out of his rib cage.
It was the auction day.
The guards opened the cage, let them out, and chained them to each other.
There was no way he could try to run even if he wanted.
He kept his head down, letting his overgrown hair shieid his face as he avoided the gaze of some of the slaves who looked at him with pity.
Everyone already knows his end.
A soft gasp escaped his lips at the justling and pulling of the soldiers towards the entrance of the main hall where the auction would be happening.
He was used to everything, every method was familiar to him.
It was all the same roughing and justling.
"Walk faster, dumbass!" The wolf from last night breathed in his neck, kicking Alberto in the calf.
Alberto fell before he could right him, pulling a few of the other slaves to the floor with him..
He blinked rapidly, gathered himself up, and did a little bow to apologize.
"Cute." The wolf snarled in his ear, "but if you don't move it fast, I'm going to break your legs."
Alberto groaned inwardly and tried to walk as fast as he could whilst silently cursing at the guards that put him together with the wolf.
The sound of the iron bar gates echoed through the pit, direct sunlight flooding in as they were led across to the back of the hall.
The chatter of the slaves grew louder, some with excitement, some with dread. The whips from the guards were even worse as they beat anyone who showed any signs of disobedience or those they decided they didn't like, to pulp.
It was another reason Alberto had his hair down.
The line moved more slowly as they clattered out, the wolf behind Alberto was silent, either fascinated or nervous.
Alberto ignored the cold bite of the chains on his wrists, ankles , and neck along with the morning chilly wind and instead focused on how he was going to survive the day.
They arrived at the hall, and unlike the underground dens, the hall was magnificent draped with the finest materials. He'd never seen one like this.
Even the podium where the pit master currently stood on was spectacular. The hall could easily pass for a ballroom in a palace.
The chairs were filled with dignitaries, rich men, and Alphas.
The aura of the Alphas together in one room was overwhelming.
"Line up and order!!" One of the guards yelled, arranging them like objects for display.
They were indeed on display, under the watchful eyes of even other slave masters who'd want to buy and resell slaves at an even higher price.
"A beautiful morning to my noble guests." The pit master boomed,
"I welcome you all to our weekly market auction where you get to pick from our finest collection of slaves to your tasting at an affordable price and ready to use at your convenience"
"First off" he continued, pointing to a female slave, "Once cleaned up, she can also serve as a concubine and warm your bed. Starting bid is a hundred silver coins. Who's going to be our winner?"
Alberto’s eyes widened, that was outrageous, and yet he called it affordable?!
It was even more crazy that the female was sold at two hundred silver coins.
"Please, if anyone piques your interest, let me know ," the pit master said in a loud voice.
Alberto was among the row of slaves on the first line, his head drooped.
Maybe if he didn't raise his head up and no one recognized him, he'd be bought and avoided being killed.
Still, he'd lived this scenario plenty of times to know the end.
"Try not to miss us," one of the slaves elbowed.
"Once he's dead, he'll be forgotten instantly." Another piped in.
"Take the world in while you still can. It's your last day, after all." Someone snickered.
As expected, even though he was on the front row, he was auctioned off last. Every other slave was chosen and bought.
The entire hall was silent as Alberto was pushed up the podium by a guard.
He stumbled on his feet, dropping to the floor with a loud thud.
The guards whip hit his back before he could stand, pain jolted through his body. He bit down on his lips to stop himself from crying out.
He'd be putting on a show for them that way, and he'd be made mockery of.
"Get up, scum!" The pit master snarled through the corner of his lips
Alberto forced himself to stand on his trembling feet, praying his knees didn't buckle under him.
"Who's that?" Someone whispered, "how did he enter the slave market when it's obvious he should be in the slums."
"I wonder who he had to bribe!" Another whispered, "Pathetic!"
"Not even worth a plate of my dog's food."
"The last slave we have is a dumb one. He can't speak, but I trust he can be put to good use. Because he is a defective slave, his starting bid is ten."
Despite himself, Alberto felt his cheek red with embarrassment. Ten pieces of silver was awfully low."
The hall was silent, no one raised their hands.
"Anyone?" The pit master pressed, "Seven pieces?"
There were hushed murmurs but no one was bidding for Alberto.
"Five pieces?" The pit master pressed, frustration in his voice, "three?"
No one said anything. It was like his existence was forgotten, and he was invisible.
Alberto risked a glance at the audience and found a pair of blue eyes focused on him.
He averted his gaze instantly, his heart beating fast.
Even though it was only for the briefest of second, Alberto felt something stir within him.
"I'll take him." A loud voice rung out, followed by the shuffling of feet.
The entire hall fell silent.
"A....Alpha Fernando?" The pit master stuttered.
Alpha Fernando walked down the stairs to the podium, each step exuding power and fear.
He was one of, —if not, the most revered Alpha.
The sound of his name instills fear in the listener, everyone knew to fear him.
Those who didn't were simply regarded as fools who had no regard for their lives.
Alpha Fernando gained his reputation as one of the most ruthless Alpha in the western region, also known for his strict ruling and his lethal behavior in business.
Mercy isn't a word his accustomed to.
Fernando stopped a few feet opposite Alberto, easily towering over him.
"A.. Alpha Fernando.." the pit master repeated as if he couldn't quite believe his eyes, "What are you doing here? I-I mean, what an honor! We weren't expecting you. If you had told us you'd be here, we would have prepared the best slaves for you."
The corner of Fernando’s lips curled up. The silent slave before him was exactly what he wanted.
The slave seemed calm and collected, which is perfect for the transportation of weapons. It was a good thing he visited the auction, although it was a last-minute thing.
None of the slaves piqued his interest as much as this one.
"I'll take him." Fernando repeated.
"A‐ Alpha, I must refuse," the pit master said in a low voice, quivering on his feet. "Our best slaves have been sold. I can't have you take a defective. Please give me two days to gather the finest slaves for you."
"Are you going against my order?" Fernando asked coldly, his gaze pinning the pit master to the spot.
The pit master, afraid to get on Fernando’s bad side, bowed completely, "Please forgive me, I just wanted to give you the best."
Alberto glanced up, curious to see who was interested in him and had the pit master trembling.
It was the same blue eyes peering down at him.
Alberto gasped, the feeling was back, and the world seemed to fade into nothingness as he couldn't tear his gaze of the stranger, –the Alpha.
His lips parted, a word slipping out in the silence.
"Mate."
It came out in the softest of tone, but it was clear.
His voice sounded foreign to him, like an out of body experience.
A collective gasp rose from the audience, immediately followed by loud murmurs. Everyone seemed to be talking at once.
"Did he just–"
"That's impossible!"
"Is he insulting the Alpha?"
"I understand he's worthless, but how can he be fearless at the same time?!"
"He has no regard for the Alpha."
The Alpha didn't say a word, neither did he react, but his eyes never left Alberto's.
"Blasphemy!" The pit master yelled, kicking Alberto, "That's treason, you scum. Go on your knees and beg for a quick death!”
Alberto paled,
Why did he think the word is going to get him into more trouble than save him?
"Is that some new strategy to get the Alpha to buy you?" Someone asked in a louder voice.
Alberto’s heart thundered in his chest, he couldn't quite believe what he had just said himself.
"Cut his tongue out!" Another yelled.
Fernando tilted his head, "Don't make me repeat myself."
"B...ut A...lpha.." the pit master stammered.
Fernando fixed him an icy stare.
"Ah... yes, Alpha. If that's what you wish." The pit master added. "What price are you willing to‐"
"Name your price." Fernando ordered.
The pit master glanced at Alberto and then back at Fernando. Maybe he can get the Alpha to leave the defective.
"One thousand gold coins."
Fernando returned his gaze to Alberto, "Okay. Set him free."
The pit master blinked, not believing his ears.
The highest amount he ever sold a slave was five hundred silver coins, and now the Alpha was buying a defective for one thousand gold coins?
He'd only mentioned that outrageous price to discourage the Alpha. Never did he imagine the Alpha would—
"What are you still waiting for?" Fernando snapped, "Unlock his chains."
"Ah.. yes yes." The pit master boomed, "Sold to Alpha Fernando!"
Alberto sighed as the chains fell with a clatter. For the first time in three years, he's off the market.
Fernando stared at Alberto after the chains were off, turned on his heels and left without another word.
"Why are you still waiting!?" The pit master whisper yelled, afraid to incur the wrath of the Alpha, "Follow him! He's your new master."
Alberto went after the Alpha, ignoring the stares drilling holes into his back