The Rogue King’s Purchased Wife

Staring at the water droplets on the glass window beside me, I noticed how dark the sky was. It’s barely even afternoon. The thick curtain that covered the side of the store was flapped open by the strong winds, allowing me to see through the glass window after so many months. Or… I don’t know. Maybe even years. I bit my lip and blew on my thighs, momentarily feeling the comfort of warmth from my breath before the chilling cold came back in. I have always felt cold. But these past few days—four days, to be exact—have been the coldest. Yesterday, with the muffled voice of the man on the radio outside the cage, I heard that there was a hurricane. A huge one that had the possibility to cause destruction to homes and establishments around the town. It could ruin anything with its wind capacity—that’s what the reporter said. ‘I hope they ruin this shop. I hope they ruin this cage. I want to be out of here,’ I couldn’t help wishing. A striking lightning followed by the crackling of a loud thunder caught my attention—everyone’s attention in the shop. And just like that, shouts and cries of fear and surprise erupted around the cages near mine. “Hey!” A familiar deep and growly shout echoed throughout the place. The big, burly man glared at every single one of us. I hugged my knees tighter to my chest, acting as if it could protect me. His eyes went to me and I curled harder, feeling my teeth chattering again. Not because of the cold this time, but of fear. Fear of another excruciating pain from another beating. I could still feel the pain from the wounds I got four days ago. I could still feel the bruises. Dried blood still visibly splattered on my thin nightgown. I could still hear the screams I did when the shop owner wouldn’t stop beating me up; torturing me until I fell unconscious just because I found a pair of pliers. He thought I would use it to destroy the lock on my cage to set myself free, which I would never even dare doing after many years of realization. The realization that I am stuck here. For as long as no one buys me. And even then, I still wouldn’t have a chance to escape. “Hey! SHUT UP!” Jose, the bulky man that was the shop owner’s assistant screamed, piercing those sharp eyes and scrunching his scarred face to the other people inside the cages besides mine. “SHUT UP! You crazy b—“ He started hitting the woman beside my cage. His curses were drowned out by her screams. I just closed my eyes and rocked myself, the soles of my feet cramping after another few moments but I didn’t care. It was a better feeling than hearing how painful it must be for the woman to get another beating just after the one she got this morning. “What the hell is happening?! The rain is irritating enough!” Suddenly came the voice of the shop owner, Horace. Horace is a tall lanky looking man with black balding head that was kept shiny with gel in the middle of his head. He always tucks his grey shirt in on his black slacks, held by a black belt that had a gold clasp in the middle of it. He was said to be one of the only survivors after the Great War of Vasillos. No one knows his history that much, but everyone who knew about black market, knew him. Because he is the owner of the biggest werewolf slave shop in town. That’s what made him rich after hitting rock bottom after the war. In front, this place looks like any normal shop that sells handy-work equipment. Nails, hammers, helmets, clippers—name it. Horace’s shop has it all. But behind that handyman’s shop, lies a hidden side that gets frequented by people that has nothing to do with construction nor any handyman work. They come here to purchase slaves. Werewolf slaves. Us. I grew up inside this metal, four feet tall cage. I never knew my parents, nor where I came from. Horace said he picked me up on the streets after the Great War 20 years ago. I was abandoned. I knew nothing but pain and fear. The mentality of being stuck in here grew inside my head, hopelessness seeping inside me because of everything that Horace fed my head with. And I hate him. But I could never afford to make him upset ever again. It would cost what little sanity that was left in me. All I do now is try to never get purchased. It was better to stay here than getting sold by another hideous creature; scared that the person might be more evil than the shop owner. The sound of tingling bells, indicating the door opening, suddenly made my head snap up. The fear inside my chest is growing bigger. There is a customer. For the construction materials or for the slaves, we still don’t know. I loosened my grip on my knees and slowly crawled over to the front of my cell, wanting to see if the customer was there for the handyman equipment or for us. But before I could see the face of the tall man that came inside, Jose was able to pull out the thick curtains that covered us from the sight of anyone. I blinked, unsure of what to do. But the man’s deep voice caught my attention, snapping me out of my reverie. ”…. not the store you are looking for. Try looking at the next street, kind sir.” was Horace’s fake gentle voice. I put my ear closer to the bars of my cage. “I know I am in the right place.” ”Well…” ”You wouldn’t want to close your doors to my master.” I suddenly heard gasps outside. Instinctively, I backed away from the metal bars, heart hammering on my chest. I know. I know that whoever that man was outside, was here to purchase slaves. Us. ”Of course! Please, choose your pick. I am honored to serve,” were the last words I heard before the curtain that hid us was opened up once again, momentarily blinding us from the fluorescent light. I blinked and saw two men in front of the cages. The one who first entered the shop had dirty blonde hair, and the other someone who looked taller than the rest of them. Jose was a big man, but the man beside him—dark haired, squared jaw, bright brown eyes. The burly man appeared small beside him. He occupied space—both literally and figuratively. There was something heavy in his presence that made me stare up at him, even when I’d usually curl and hide in the shadows by now. “What do you need, Master Elijah?” Those intense bright eyes suddenly went to me. That’s when my feet found the strength to move again. I stepped back and lowered my head. Cowering at the thought of getting the chance to be purchased as a s*x slave or a pet by a monstrous creature. I let the darkness cover me and hugged my knees close to my body. I let my hair fall down to my sides and front, wanting to think that it could protect me. That it could be my shield from the eyes of anyone who was willing to hurt me even further. I don’t want this. I don’t want to be here. ”Master?” I rocked back and forth on my feet, keeping my growing fear under control. I could sense them looking—choosing which slave they want to get. “Her.” The familiar sound of a cage opening rumbled against my ears. I looked up, my hair spilling around my face, just enough for me to see that the man was still looking at me. My heart sped up. ”Ah. Ella. One of the youngest ones we have here, Your Grace. She’s a pretty little one you could put your hands on. Pretty blue eyes and small face. Never had a lover. She’s pretty obedient as well, but a little fiesty at times, which could be exciting if that’s a thing of your interest.” Goosebumps crawled all over my skin with the way Horace described me. I could feel my eyes becoming hot. I could see my tears start to brim around my eyes as my vision started blurring. “Are you sure she’s pure? Unmated?” The man asked. His commanding voice made me cower on my corner even more. There was something more… horrifying in him. ”A hundred percent. I raised her here. She’s never seen anything else but this shop.” Horace said proudly. Both men looked at me. I could see the wonder and curiosity in their eyes. But the commanding man’s face appeared nonchalant again, his presence edging to hostile as he looked at Horace. “I’m taking her.” “Of course, Master Elijah.” The shop owner replied enthusiastically. “But may I ask what purpose you would give this young lady of mine in your mansion? I’ve never expected to have the rogue king himself to be one of my customers.” I gasped as my tears finally fell down my face. The rogue king… The greatest enemy of the kingdom of Vasillos. The type of man that even monsters would be afraid of. He glanced at me with those intense eyes as he said, ”she’s going to be my wife.” Horace and Jose gasped as well as I did. Rogues will never have the chance to be mated anymore… “Get her ready. I want her in my car in less than 10 minutes. She’s got a wedding to attend.”