Auctioned off To The Ice Hockey King

Serena Vale. “After the celebration party tonight, everything will change.” I read the message my mate—Kaden Varkov, prince of the The Varkov Dominion Pack—sends me and a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Finally, after two years of dating secretly, he will reveal me to the entire world as his fated mate and… future Luna. “Serena!” My editor's voice echoes through the courtyard. “Would you get moving? The party has already started minutes ago and you're still here instead of being inside the hall already to cover the events.” “I'm coming, Ivy,” I scream back and quickly push my phone into the back pocket of my jeans. I pull my coat tightly around my small frame; the winter is getting the best of me tonight. Holding my microphone tightly and the iPad, I run down the yard to join the rest of the team and the cameramen. Inside, the grand hall is lavishly decorated with neon lights pulsing through the room like a heartbeat. Elite wolves—Alphas, Betas, Gammas and ice hockey team members—stand in their finest attire in groups, drinking, chatting and laughing. Others sway energetically to the loud music. Everyone looks like tonight is more than just a celebration party. I wish I were here too. Like really here, dressed in a beautiful silk dress and standing beside my mate and not dressed in this hideous polo and jeans while being here for work. “We have to wait for the royal family to appear,” Ivy says loudly just so I can hear her through the music. “You will focus more on the prince since he usually gives you more attention than the other reporters.” I nod slowly and smile faintly. If only she knew the reason he gives me attention is because we are together. Minutes later, the side door suddenly pushes open and when I look to the side, I see Kate Varkov stepping in wearing the most beautiful burgundy ball dress I have ever seen in my entire life. “The princess is here!” the reporters say, running forward and trying to get an interview with her. Even Mia, my colleague and work rival who has been assigned to interview the princess, runs forward, her shoulder brushing against me in the process. I almost stumble but with every bit of strength I have, I force myself to remain steady because I know how much humiliation I'd face if I fell at this high-end event. I grit my teeth. That b***h. She definitely does this on purpose. She has always hated the fact that Ivy adores me and that is because of the many exclusive interviews I have managed to secure with the royal family over the years. As the reporters gather around Kate, she ignores the several questions they ask her and then a path is created for her. When her eyes land on me, she frowns and before I know what is happening, she stomps toward me, her heels hitting the floor sharply. She stops in front of me, pouting sadly. All eyes are on us now. “You are so beautiful, Princess Kate,” I say, my voice teasing. “Don't you even try to play coy with me,” she snaps. “I told you to dress up nicely and attend the event for once but you ignored me. Really? How dare you disobey your Princess's orders?” She looks so serious and angry. At first, I try to hold in my laughter but I just can't. I slap my hand over my mouth and burst into laughter. “Why are you trying to act like you're a female Alpha? Come on…. Being serious doesn't suit you.” Soon enough, she also bursts into laughter but then quickly frowns again. “But honestly, you should have dressed up nicely.” “I know.” I pull my best friend into an embrace. “I love interviewing Kaden. You know if I don't, he won't pay the other reporters any attention at all.” She wraps her arms around me tightly. “I know right, but still… you should have worn a dress.” A dress would be uncomfortable though. Then her voice drops to a low whisper. “I saw Kaden earlier with a diamond ring. I think he might want to propose to you.” My eyes widen. “A proposal?” I never think of that. “I thought he was just going to reveal our relationship to the public.” “No, I think he is proposing. I'm a hundred percent sure.” I manage a smile at her as we pull back, unease curling inside me. Everything is happening so fast. Not that I am complaining, but then, I would have preferred if he discussed marriage with me first. And now… I regret not wearing a dress. “Don't act like you don't know. Congratulations in advance.” “Thank you,” I murmur, watching as she walks away and then starts her interview. It goes on for some minutes but mentally, I am not even in the room. I am trying to look presentable at least for the thousands of articles they will push out before sunrise tomorrow. I let my messy ponytail down and reapply my red lipstick. Thank Goddess my fingers are manicured with nude acrylic nails. Just then, the door slams open again and his scent of cedarwood, smoke and ice fills my nostrils even before the guests cheer and the reporters announce him and rush toward him. I rush forward too and when his eyes find mine, a small smile tugs at his lips. His hazel eyes are fixed on me like I am the only thing that makes sense in the room. I blush shyly. My love looks so handsome tonight in his dark chocolate suit that clings to his body like a second skin. As usual, the rest of the journalists step aside and now I step closer to him, feeling more nervous than I have been in the past two years of being his personal interviewer. I guess it is because he is proposing tonight. I take in a deep breath, then switch into my professional mode. The sound of camera shutters echoes through the hall. Gently, I step closer to him, his body heat brushing against me as I clip the small microphone to his breast pocket. “Hi, Prince Kaden,” I say, my voice steadier than expected. “Hi, Miss Serena Vale,” he responds smoothly. “How do you feel tonight after winning the championship and becoming the new face of the NHL?” “I feel so excited. It has always been my dream to join the NHL and I'm so happy that I was able to achieve it.” “Your fans expect a lot from you… do you feel pressured by that?” “My fans have been my biggest supporters and honestly, I do not feel pressured by them. Instead, I feel motivated to do better because I do not want to let them down.” I smile faintly and nod. “How would you describe hockey in one word?” “Fulfilling,” he answers. “Thank you so much. Those are all the questions I have. I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your night.” “Thank you.” I unclip the microphone but I notice something at that moment… he avoids my gaze. That is so unlike him and I wonder if something is wrong. As I step aside, letting out a breath I do not realize I have been holding while mentally preparing myself for the proposal, other reporters step forward and start throwing questions at him, many of which go unanswered. Until… a petite reporter with ginger hair asks, “According to my findings, your team members have rumored that there has been relationship speculation between you and Miss Serena. Is there any truth to this?” I snap my head up at him, and the practiced smile on his face vanishes instantly, replaced by a coldness that sends shivers down my spine. Then he looks away, followed by a long tense silence while everyone's attention shifts to us. “No,” he says. “There is nothing between us.” The words hit harder than a physical blow. They do not just hurt; it feels like his claws have reached into my chest and pulled out my heart. I feel the cameras on me, focusing on my reaction but somehow—I don't even know how I do it—but I manage to remain calm. My fingers only tighten around the microphone like a lifeline. He continues smoothly like two years of my love, loyalty and support for him mean nothing at all. “She is just my sister's best friend. Nothing more.” My body becomes completely numb. Numb to the extent that I just stand frozen and speechless as murmurs swirl around me. “Actually…” he reaches into his pocket and retrieves a small velvet ring box. “I'm proposing to someone tonight.”