The Alpha King Has Arrived

Vera's eyes locked onto the woman who had pushed her food. Her gaze was calm, but her voice carried a hint of steel.

"I heard you. But I'm sitting here anyway."

The woman's face reddened, and she stood up, towering over Vera.

"You think you're tough? You think you can just waltz in here and take our spot?"

Vera didn't flinch, her eyes never leaving the woman's.

"I'm not looking for trouble. I just want to eat."

The woman sneered, but Vera noticed a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes which she chose to ignore.

Vera was hungry, she had gotten used to the timely meal that now her head hurt due to lack of food. Also, the babies in her womb didn't care that she was in a slave's establishment, and they kept crying, demanding food. Boldly, she leaned forward to take the woman's plate who had childishly pushed her food to the ground. Thankfully, this time before the woman pushed the plate again, she slid it to the side which the woman missed.

“If you had controlled your terrible temper, none of these would have happened. So, it's only right that I have your food for pushing mine,” Vera said, taking a bite from the stale bread.

A man then spoke from behind, “It seems our newcomer doesn't take no for an answer,” he cheered playfully.

“Is that why you are creating a scene? To gain some attention, bitch?” The woman was younger than her and prettier compared to the other slaves, and when she looked from the corner of her eye, she noticed that the guard was not bothered by her behavior. It wasn't something she didn't know. She had lived in this place for months before escaping, and it made her fears larger because she knew what goes on at night in the slave's cells.

“I think you are gaining more attention than I am,” Vera replied to the lady and took another bite from the bread. The lady looked humiliated, and she stood up, ready to hit Vera.

“That's enough, Nigma. We'll deal with her later,” Her companion friend said and dragged her away from the dining arena

The woman who had spoken to her earlier when she entered, waved at her and took the empty spot which Nigma and her friend stood up from. The woman looked impressed with her, and a smile was plastered on her face.

Vera's bold move had earned her an ally and an enemy.

The woman, whose name was Sarah, sat beside Vera.

"Welcome to the establishment," Sarah said with a warm smile. "I must say, you're quite fearless. It's almost like you've been here before.”

Vera shrugged, taking another bite of the bread. "Hunger makes you do crazy things."

Sarah chuckled. "I guess you are right. I'm Sarah. What's your name?"

"Vera," she replied, eyeing the surrounding slaves. Vera had no plan to make friends, she didn't want to be attached to anyone, and she didn't want anyone to think she owed them. But seeing how the slaves were ganging up against her, she decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to have an ally.

Nigma's glare lingered, but Vera ignored it.

Sarah leaned in. "Be careful around Nigma. She's the wardkeeper's favorite."

Vera's eyes narrowed. "Huh! That explains a lot."

Sarah's expression turned serious. “I mean it. You have to be careful, these people don't forgive. They are always eager for a pound of flesh!”

Vera smiled broadly at Sarah, “Thanks for the advice, Miss Sarah. I will be sure to remember it,” she said as she took the last bite from her bread.

Sarah was surprised at her formal response. “No need to be formal around me. We all have the same date anyway, just call me Sarah.”

Vera nodded, “Okay then, Sarah. Thanks for your company, I will leave first,” she replied and stood up to leave, but later wished she hadn't.

A guard grabbed her by her hand and dragged her out of the arena. She couldn't complain or yell, because of the strong hand covering her mouth. She was taken to a strange room, where she was given better clothes to wear. Not the fancy type that wealthy women wore, but it was better when compared to what the slaves wore. Like many others, she was bound by hands and feet, pulled by the guards of the establishment who were put into the dark carriage. The ride was a long one, and when they finally reached wherever they intended to go, all the slaves who were dressed well were roughly dragged out of the carriage, with no hint of gentleness, as the slaves didn't deserve it.

It didn't take much time for Vera to know where she was being taken with the rest of them. They were going to auction them in the slave market. At first, she had found hope of finding help in the crowd. Unfortunately, she couldn't do much as her mouth was covered with a thick mask to prevent her from unnecessary talking.

“Move it, everyone, don't slack!” one of the guards pushed the slaves one by one into the tent.

Vera landed on her butt when she was pushed into the tent, and before she could react to it, her eyes were covered with a cloth, blocking her vision. She sighed, and suddenly the fear she had been trying to suppress came back at her. She began to worry about who would buy her, how she would be treated, and the fate her unborn children would experience.

After waiting for what seemed like hours, one of the guards took Vera out of the tent. The roaring and cheering became louder, and she needn't be told that it was time to be sold out.

Vera wondered if she should create a scene and escape, but she couldn't, because her legs were tied, stopping her from moving.

Wincing in pain, she managed to take another step forward before pausing.

"Keep moving!" The dealer's whip lashed against her back, and she nearly broke down.

Although she was caught from sight because of her blindfold, she could still feel the warm sunshine and the gentle breeze as it caressed her body.

The continuous shouts and yells around her led her to guess that they were probably in a town hall. The crowd was in high spirits, their yelling unrelenting.

Vera was positioned behind a pole and listened as the other girls were auctioned off one by one. She buried my face in her palms, facing the direction of the floor.

After a while, she guessed all the others had been sold because she was brought forward.

The metallic chains around her feet and hands weighed heavily, and all she could feel was an unbearable pain. With her eyes already bound, she closed them tighter, recalling the last events before she was sold. She imagined the strange man's hand on her thighs, and she shuddered, trying to distract herself from impure thoughts.

“Oh, if only I had not left the hotel. I should have just stayed there,” Vera lamented in her mind.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed when the irritating noise around her dwindled and the crowd became more orderly. Her breath quickened with nervousness, and she wondered why the noise had suddenly died down, not realizing that a powerful and familiar Alpha had just entered. But her nose caught his perfume smell, although it was faint.