Chapter 4

Lorien's POV.

The stench of sweat and blood fills my nostrils as I survey the dimly lit room. Growls and murmurs echo off the stone walls, grating on my heightened senses. I stand tall in the shadows, watching the crowd closely through the eye holes of my mask.

At the back of the dimly lit stage, I see a line of hunched figures in chains. Fellow shifters, their clothing torn and matted with dirt, fear rolling off them in waves. Some have shifted, some are in human form. My wolf bellows at the sight - proud creatures reduced to this.

A massive brown bear shifter hunches over, trying to make himself small. His fur is dull and tangled, claws cracked and overgrown. Beside him, a sleek panther shifter hangs her head in shame, green eyes darting nervously beneath a curtain of filthy black hair.

A timber wolf, ribs protruding beneath his grimy pelt, whimpers softly. His ears are folded back, tail tucked between his legs. My heart aches for my kind brought so low. What cruel hands dragged them here to be sold like livestock to the highest bidder?

I must do something.

According to our laws, it was permissible for shifters to be sold to work off debts though – but never humans.

Jasper leans in and says, "Rolf told us there's a human girl being auctioned off tonight. What do we do when we find her?”

“We cannot interfere. We are undercover to gather intel only. Our large army will rescue her later if it is proved that she is truly human."

Jasper nodded solemnly, his mask not hiding the determination in his eyes.

I couldn't care less what happened to the human. All I want to do was prevent criminals from operating in my territory. I said what I did to appease Jasper's kind soul.

He is sensitive like that.

"Keep alert, Jasper," I murmur under my breath. "She could be brought out any moment now."

As if on cue, the energy in the room shifts. A hush falls over the crowd and all eyes turn to the stage as two hulking men drag out a bound young woman. Her auburn hair is matted and dirty, framing a delicate face, her struggles only seeming to amuse her cruel captors.

"Scarlett Collins," the auctioneer announces. My heart lurched as her terror-filled, emerald-green eyes darted around the room. Her fair complexion seemed even more ethereal amidst the grim surroundings.

"Is this the one?" Jasper asks.

I inhale deeply, catching the faintest traces of flowers and fear. "It's her alright," I reply grimly. The human female has no idea what awaits her here.

Jasper says, “I wish we could do something. Poor thing looks scared to death!"

Around me the room erupts in furious whispers at the sight of the human. Although I am deaf to the chaos, an inexplicable pull draws me toward the stage, urging me closer to the woman. My wolf rises from his place in my mind, sniffing the air. I mentally shake myself - I cannot afford distractions now.

“It is a disgusting practice, but it is not our place, Jasper.” My resolve to do nothing hardens. The woman will fall prey to the monsters gathered here. No one will show up to rescue her tonight.

"Let the bidding commence!" the auctioneer bellows, slamming his gavel down. The crowd erupts into a frenzy of shouting and raised hands. But my focus remains fixed on the human, her frightened eyes meeting mine across the smoky room. Dimly, my wolf howls, asking me to intervene.

I ignore him as a man with a mask, which is a fusion of organic and mechanical elements, steps forward, raising a huge age-spotted hand. "One million dollars!" he declares, leering at the woman as if she were a prized possession.

There were many shouts of surprise from the crowd. That's enough to buy a nice villa.

My wolf growls within me, reacting to the man's predatory gaze. I tighten my grip on the railing that blocks the bidders from the stage. It is all I can do to not rip the man apart for daring to look at her that way.

With a few deep breaths, I calm myself and my wolf down. Violence will only jeopardize my mission.

"One million and one hundred thousand!" another voice calls out, pulling my attention back to the bidding war.

"One million and two hundred thousand!"

"One million and three hundred thousand!"

"One million and four hundred thousand!"

As the bids climb higher, I struggle to contain the turmoil inside me. What is it about this human woman that stirs such a reaction in me and my wolf. I have never felt anything like it before.

Irritation and annoyance cloud my vision as I gaze at the masked man. Avery, and his twin brother Rowan, they are from an old Lycan family, but not one as old as my own. Still, he has power in some circles, and it would cause a disturbance in our ranks if I were to cross him.

Am I thinking of doing so?

"Two million!" Rowan shouts, a bead of sweat trickling down his greasy forehead. His piggy eyes never leave the human who continues to struggle against her bonds, her face a picture of defiance.

My hands curl into fists, nails biting into my palms. Beneath my mask, fangs push against my gums, aching to sink into flesh. "Fine," I mutter under my breath, unable to suppress the protective instincts surging through me. I raise my hand, determined to end this madness once and for all.

"Twenty million!" I bark, the words echoing throughout the crowded room. All eyes turn to me, and for a moment, the bidding ceases.

"Damn it, Alpha," Jasper whispers urgently, "don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. We are supposed to be observers only."

"Twenty million!" The auctioneer smiles, “Going once! Going...”

"Twenty-five million!" Rowan countered, desperation seeping into his voice.

I meet the human's gaze and she stares back at me, her expression a mixture of fear and confusion. Like a kid giving into his craving for candy, I know I'm getting way over my head, but I can't stop myself.

“Thirty million!" I shoot back, my heart pounding in my chest. This woman – Scarlett – has awakened something inside me that I can't ignore.

The tension in the room becomes stifling as Rowan's determination grows evident. Sweat glistens on his forehead, and his jaw is set with resolve, his eyes glinting as he barks, "Fifty million."

Scarlett's eyes go wide at this bid, and she struggles wildly against her bonds. With a violent jerk, she wrenches one arm free, the momentum sending her toppling toward the stage's edge.

"Scarlett!" I cry out, heart seizing in my chest. It was almost all the power in my body that suddenly made me roar and rush out.

I lunge forward, ignoring Jasper's grasp at my arm. In an instant, I leap over the railing, catching Scarlett's body just before she crashes to the ground. She trembles in my grip, her heat seeping into me, stoking the fire that rages within. As Scarlett leans against me, trying to steady herself, I catch a whiff of her scent. It's heady and floral, a tantalizing, familiar mixture that sends a jolt of electricity through me. There is something unique about this woman, something that calls out to the very core of my being, defying logic and reason.

My wolf growls, Mine.

Instinctively I know he will destroy anyone who tries to take her from him. Including me.

I will have to reconcile that this human means something to him… perhaps even to me.

I'm not sure why. A human?

But now, in this place with shifters ready to rip my throat out if I don't play by the rules, it is not time to find out.

Jasper appears by my side, growling at the guards who approach too close. They back away, but they won't stay away for long.

Jasper leans in closer and says with a whisper, "Yes, she is a human, we get her. Caelan and Malin, the Lupercius twins, are selling humans!"

The Lupercius family, next to my line, is one of the oldest Lycan families in the land. They have wealth, power, prestige, and a cruel streak wider than the Grand Canyon.

As much as I despise humans, I can't let this one go. She is the proof we need to bring them to justice. Besides, underneath all that dirt and grime, there is...something about her. My wolf knows it, but I have no clue.

"She stinks of human flesh and old dirt, Alpha." Jasper says.

"Well, she has been captured, I imagine she would be a bit smelly."

"...heavenly...warm spring...scent..." Scarlett murmurs.

"She was scared silly?" Jasper utters a snorting laugh.

"I guess it is from the mate bond, or my wolf wouldn't be so excited." I say casually. Jasper’s eyes widen.

"Here," I say, motioning to Jasper about the female in my arms. "Put her back on stage."

"But Alpha."

"Do it, Jasper."

She clings to my neck like a tight scarf, her tiny nails digging into my flesh with the strength of her fear. "Let me go," she whispers, her voice shaking with a mix of fear and anger. "I won't be sold like some…some object. My father is ill and I need to help him. Please!"

I disentangle her from around me, walk up to the stage, and set her on it. Two burly guards drag her upright by the armpits and roughly shove her forward.

The auctioneer chuckles. “Haha! We have a live one! Let the auction continue, shall we?” He points his gavel at Rowan. “The last bid was 50 million to Mr. Giver Wolf.” The room laughs, and I clench my teeth.

"Damn him," I curse under his breath, feeling the anger surge within me like a tidal wave. I clench my fists, knuckles turning white as I fight the instinct to rip the bidder apart.

Scarlett trembles on stage, yet she stares defiantly at the crowd. Admiration for her courage surges within me.

"Eighty million!" Another voice chimes in, adding fuel to the fire.

"Scarlett..." I whisper, my heart aching at the sight of her distress. Her fear is a palpable force that threatens to overwhelm me. It's as if our souls are intertwined, bound by an invisible thread that grows stronger with each passing moment.

"Eighty-five million!" Rowan shouted, his voice dripping with malice.

The tension in the room becomes suffocating as I raise my hand and state with chilling authority, "One billion."

Chaos erupts - gasps and whispers of disbelief ripple through the crowd. Rowan splutters, his face purpling with rage.

Even the auctioneer looks shocked, eyes wide. "O-one billion?" he stammers, trying to regain composure. "Going once, going twice..."

I feel Scarlett's gaze on me as the moment stretches taut. Her heartbeat thunders, mirroring my own. What fate awaits her if I win this bid? I'm risking everything, but I cannot let her slip away.

"Sold!" The gavel slams down with finality.

Scarlett is mine now. As I climb the stage steps, her scent envelops me. Our eyes meet, and in their depths I see a flash of wonder amidst her fear. She may not understand why I've done this, but there's no time to explain.

As usual, there is always someone who has to complain.

Rowan's face twists in rage, beady eyes narrowing as he spits, "This is preposterous! You expect me to believe a mere human is worth such an absurd amount?"