"Bring her in!"
Gemma's Anthony's voice roared at the back stage of an old building made of brics
As Raine was dragged inside, she was with a tiny smile for all her struggling, her weeping and her wailing when she was abducted few hours ago ended the moment she was told that it was her father that had sent for her.
She stared innocently at the white bearded man. Wondering if she looked more like him or her mother..
She looked closely for that warmth, that smile that nod and assurance that would certainly prove to her that he cares. And that all those years he was just really so busy to visit his own daughter like her mother claimed.
To Raine, as long as she's loved by her father or atleast her existence is acknowledged by him, even though no one else ever loves her . Even if the moon- goddess also denied her a mate. She was fine with just her father's love
She knows she was not going to live that long anyways. Not with her constant sickness and weak wolf.
"Papa." she finally get to say the words she had practiced all her life.
Seeing her father meant that she was saved or will soon be saved.
The rope that tied her hands to the back didn't bother her anymore. She ignored the men that brought her and ran to embrace her father.
Honestly she understood that he had no smile seeing her or tears of guilt..
She understood right until the hands she had hoped to wrap around her in an embrace pushed her heavily to the cold floor and grabbed her hair painfully to look up at him.
"Don't be delusional little girl! I Gemma Anthony, have always disowned you as my daughter. I have no use for you and trust me baby, it's time to discard you. Don't be too sad"
Raine's brows drew together in confusion. She wasn't believing what her father just said.
"Papa" she said.
"Would you stop using that word on me? Gosh you frustrate me so much! You've been dead to me all along and you should have never been born!"
Lord Anthony retorted with a wrinkled nose.
She looked at her mother who was holding back her tears with two hefty men at each side of her arms gripping her forcefully.
She searched for an explanation.
He had not time to visit her and she had come to him herself.
Why does he look upset?
But her mother's expression made her more confused.
" Your daughter just wants to be loved like every other child. Please don't do this Lord Anthony, if I tell the Valdoria about you, no one would want you as their Gemma anymore even your rouge pack where you are an alpha would abandon you. "
"Go ahead and say what you want Katherine. It won't change a thing, I have a lot of children from my mate and I don't need an extra who's even a weakling. A useless dusk? Gosh you are kidding me. Go on, tell them she's the Gemma's illegitimate daughter? Who would believe you? "
"Just let her be then.. I promise not to bring her up to you anymore. Or threaten you with her existence. We just needed money. Raine deserves quality education and training like other kids."
"It's too late Katherine. You brought this upon your own child"
Raine immediately fell on her knees with her tears soaking her Papa's shoe.
This wasn't the kind of get-together she was expecting.
She opened her mouth to plead for a chance but words just wouldn't come out of it. Tears welled in her eyes as she vigorously shook her head, her whole body trembling. Hearing those conversations broke her so heavily that she felt her heart being reaped out of her chest.
What's so wrong with wanting your father to recognize you as worthy? To Love you and acknowledge your existence even though he does the opposite in public? All Raine needed from her father was a hug of acceptance.
But she still haven't understood how much wicked the Gemma is. And how much greed he has harboured secretly in his heart while pretending the honer the values of Zephyros Isles
He crouched in his feet and forceful raised Raine's jaw.
" I told you, there's absolutely no need to be sad about this girl, What would you have me do? Keep a time ticking bomb in my bloodline? I have other children and I need money badly, selling one of my old stock isn't a crime. Besides, I'm not sure about you being my biological kid! You are cursed don't you know that? Your mother didn't hint you about that? Being born during the eclipse it's a very big curse that whoever associates with you is doomed. Don't worry, I will keep it a secret from your new owner "
"Old stock? Anthony! She's just a child" Katherine cried.
Lord Anthony scoffed and threw his daughter's jaw out of his grip " An eighteen years old is a child? Well I won't argue with you since she doesn't even have the slightest capability of an adult werewolf"
He walked slowly away from Raine and stood impermissible close to Katherine while staring at her huge boobs and kissable lips. He tried to kiss it but Katherine threw her face away.
" Right, you wouldn't let me have you again" he said and withdrew a little.
"Katherine think about it, Your pain started the moment you decided to go against my wish and keep her , You are doomed because you are with her. She's a cursed child, you have suffered a whole eighteen years and I'm like that savior, extending my hand to grab you out of that pit of mystery. Even if you hesitate, I will still save you"
Katherine spat on his face.
his men tried to fight back but he lifted his hands, signalling to let her be
" You've become a monster, Anthony. But please don't hunt your daughter too. Do you even know her name?"
"Who cares, she's getting a new name anyways and I'm going to place her as a curse to one of those rivals of mine inside".
"Just let us go please We will run far away, I swear you wouldn't see us ever again"
Katherine pleaded, her heart was hurting her badly for she blamed herself for ever being a mistress to Her previous master; lord Anthony.
"Take care of her"
Anthony said to his men before he forcefully dragged Raine like a stubborn dog into the auction hall.
The entire crowd erupted in cheers at his presence.
Raine's stomach twisted as she glanced around, her heart hammering in her chest.
The faces before her were that of powerful Alphas, their Betas, and wealthy bidders.
They all gathered for the most anticipated event of the year.
The Werewolf Gathering Auction.
This was the third time such an event has ever been held in Aevaris drawing in some of the most ruthless and influential figures both Valdoria and the human world
Here, money held the absolute power, and there was nothing, absolutely nothing that couldn't be bought for the right price.
Sex slaves? Gold? Relics? Estates? Luxury cars? Weapons? Even the living, breathing creatures were bartered away like mere objects. Humans and werewolves alike were sold without hesitation.
Raine's blood ran cold as she processed what was happening.
Her father, the esteemed and merciless Gemma lord Anthony, stood proudly at the podium, his voice echoing through the vast hall with authority.
He had been the orchestra of these auctions for years, and he ensured that the most valuable commodity fetched the highest price.
Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought against the rising panic.
How could he do this? Humiliate and reject her like this? And without batting an eye, selling her off .
Raine swallowed hard, her pulse became erratic as she met the hungry gazes of the bidders, each of them assessing her like old perverts. She knows exactly that they would turn her into their sex slave.
"We have a special one today. You can call her Orange" Gemma Anthony had said after thinking of the perfect name for the only orange haired girl in the hall.
"600 dollars" someone declared.
" She's still breathing ! That price can't even get you any dead human !" He snapped without an ounce of guilt.
" She could die on me any minute. I'm offering so much because of how pretty she looks. And tender and her unique hair suites her. I could cut that and sell. I won't promise go easy down there though"
People laughed at his comments and he waited till everyone calmed before he continued
"I'd only promise to give her a grand burial "
The laughter continued until another familiar voice interrupted.
"60,000 dollars!" Lord Gabriel's voice echoed from behind and everywhere became still.
No one dares to gamble price with him because he will eventually gets exactly what he wants and he could make you pay so high that you will go bankrupt and later on, steal the prize from you.
Raine's heart pounded in her chest as she processed the number. 60,000 dollars
Was a dusk wolf really was worth that much?
Her father smirked in satisfaction, clapping his hands once.
"Well, well… looks like we have a winner," he snarled
"No one else dares to challenge Alpha Gabriel?"
The room remained still. No one would dare.
slamming his palm on the podium. "Sold," Gemma Anthony declared,
Raine's mind raced. She couldn't let this happen.
Her fate was already horrible in her father's hands what awaited her with a stranger could be even worse.
Her gaze darted to the guards flanking her, their attention momentarily focused on lord Gabriel as he stepped forward to claim his prize. Since she has been sold, the rope around her wrist was cut loose.
A sudden loud crash rang through the hall. The chandelier overhead swayed dangerously, glass shattering as it slammed into the ground, scattering debris and plunging part of the hall into darkness.
It was as if the moon goddess was smiling at her again. Raine didn't hesitate. She twisted her wrists, using the distraction to yank free from the loosened rope. Ignoring the sting of her skin.
Then she ran.
"Get her!" A furious voiced rashed out.
"Don't be in a hurry. She won't be able to leave this place anyways" The Gemma assured.