Chapter 201
Dylan
I arrived at the auction house thirty minutes early, my senses immediately picking up the complex blend of alpha and beta scents that filled the air.
I positioned myself near the main entrance, my nose twitching slightly as I caught familiar scents among the crowd. Where was Freya?
"Dylan." Jason's voice cut through my concentration as he approached, adjusting his silver cufflinks. "Any sign of Freya yet?"
I kept my eyes scanning the growing crowd. "She'll be here. She needs Watson's assets to solidify Morgan's position." My voice carried the certainty I felt deep in my bones. Freya Welch wasn't the type to back down from a fight, especially not when her pack's territory was at stake.
Jason chuckled, the sound holding an edge of anticipation. "You seem awfully confident about reading her moves."
Just as I finished speaking, the main entrance doors opened. Freya Welch walked in alongside Sean, and I felt the shift in the room's energy immediately.
Conversations died down as heads turned toward the entrance. There she was - Freya Welch, wrapped in a blood-red velvet dress that hugged her curves and fell to just below her knees. The color was bold, almost aggressive, a statement piece that screamed power and confidence.
She wasn't alone. Sean walked beside her.
The whispers started almost immediately.
"Is that really her? The one who left Sterling?"
"I heard she manipulated Lucas Morgan into giving her control of the company."
"She's supposed to have some kind of gift, right? That moon blessing thing?"
Sean guided Freya to a table near the wall, creating a buffer between them and the crowd.
I signaled to one of the servers. "Take this to the woman in red." I handed him a crystal glass filled with fruit juice.
The server navigated through the crowd efficiently. I watched as he approached Freya's table, noting how Sean's posture immediately shifted to protective. But Freya accepted the glass with a slight nod, her lips forming a silent "thank you" in my direction.
Sean leaned close to her, whispering something that made her eyes flash golden for just an instant.
At ten-thirty, the auction officially began. The auctioneer, a distinguished silver-haired omega, stepped to the podium.
He said, "Tonight, we'll be auctioning off the prime assets of Watson Corporation. While the company has recently filed for bankruptcy, its portfolio of well-known brands and valuable technology patents offers a golden opportunity for businesses looking to expand strategically."
I'd done my research. Watson Corporation's forty-five percent controlling stake was tonight's prize. The company's technology patents made it a strategic asset worth far more than its current valuation.
My gaze was sharp as I ignored the earlier lots, waiting patiently for Watson's shares to come up. Freya was doing the same, sitting calmly in her chair without so much as glancing in my direction.
Finally, the auctioneer announced, "Next we have Watson Industries' forty-five percent controlling stake, starting at one hundred million, with minimum increments of five million. Bidding is now open."
Voices began calling out bids immediately. I expected Freya to jump in early, but she remained perfectly still, not raising her paddle.
Two hundred million—still no movement from her.
Three hundred million—she didn't budge.
Only when the bidding reached four hundred million and the field had narrowed to two or three serious contenders did she finally raise her paddle.
She was far more composed than I'd given her credit for.
She focused entirely on the auctioneer, raising her paddle with calculated precision. The bidding quickly escalated past four hundred thirty million.
Jason, who'd been sitting beside me throughout, couldn't contain himself. He leaned close to whisper: "Where did Freya get this kind of money? I thought they were cash-poor. Sean's research facility cost them significantly, plus their recent partnerships required major capital investments. Cash flow recovery should take months."
This puzzled me as well. I'd clearly underestimated Freya.
As we spoke, the bidding reached six hundred million. The crowd began to stir restlessly. No one had expected Watson's shares to command such astronomical prices.
The bidding continued its relentless climb. Now it was a test of psychological endurance, but Freya didn't even blink. She sat there calmly, continuing to raise her paddle with steady determination.
I'd researched Freya's financial limits beforehand—she shouldn't have more than six hundred million at her disposal. Without that intelligence, I might have been fooled by her confident demeanor.
Of course, Freya was well aware I'd investigated her recent activities. She knew I had a clear picture of her resources.
As I prepared to increase my bid again, Freya glanced down at a server beside her table. The man immediately understood and walked over to me, bending to whisper in my ear.
After hearing his message, my expression darkened slightly as I looked toward Freya with newfound wariness.
She smiled back at me, her expression serene and unreadable.
For a moment, I was stunned. Then, despite myself, I almost laughed. She was truly something else—calculating enough to turn the tables on me.
I felt a surge of irritation and tugged at my tie impatiently. Just as my bidding agent raised his paddle to continue, I couldn't sit still any longer. I pulled out my phone and typed a brief message: [That's enough. Stop bidding.]
My agent glanced at his phone with a confused expression but didn't dare question the order.
Freya raised her paddle for six hundred thirty million—the absolute limit of her accessible funds. Even if I'd conceded, I'd forced her to drain every last drop of her resources.
Since I'd stopped bidding, the auctioneer began his countdown. The gavel fell with finality.
Everyone applauded Freya's victory, but she turned to look at me instead, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
I smiled back while clapping, showing no sign of defeat. In that moment, she seemed to understand something. Had I deliberately let her win?
After the auction ended, Freya went with the staff to handle the share transfer paperwork. As she passed through the main hall, she caught sight of my departing figure.
I could sense her coming to a halt behind me, her gaze resting upon my back. I knew, even from just the glimpse of my silhouette, it would be enough for her to feel the commanding presence of an Alpha.
Suddenly, I heard her voice calling out: "Alpha Dylan."
I stopped almost immediately, as if I'd been expecting her to call out to me.
I asked, "What can I do for you?"
"Thank you." Her gratitude was sincere.
"For what?" I raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance.
Freya couldn't help but smile. "You deliberately held back. Isn't that right?"
I smiled back, finally speaking with honest relief. "I hope we'll have opportunities to cooperate in the future."
Then I hesitated before adding, "Though there's something I should mention."
Freya looked at me with curious eyes.
I asked, "Aren't you curious why I would target Morgan Group?"
She truly didn't understand. She'd probably assumed Wayne was behind it, but Chandler Corporation wasn't the type to be manipulated by others. Why would we necessarily follow Sterling's lead?
Seeing her furrowed brow, I couldn't help but smile.
I remarked, "My mate ran off with another man recently. The bond has been officially severed."
I felt Freya's shock.
"Hugo?" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
I cast one final penetrating glance before turning away in silence. Yet, my reticence spoke volumes.