Can The Caged Bird Sing?

Chapter 23 Watching It All

---Quinton's POV---

Once we are all dressed and ready to go, looking better than ever, which is more than I expected after such a last minute notice.. Even for our warrior Evan.. But he is just as ready as we are, going undercover.. I feel almost like some sort of secret agent and it's a badass feeling I can tell you that much.

I print off our tickets and giving Shane his for him and Celine. Evan is joining me as my plus one, after being brought up to date on everything that has happened and why we are doing this. He has completely agreed to help us out which is great of him. I couldn't be more greatful.

We are driving to the mansion now because it's taken a couple hours to get there.. but luckily for us we are almost there.

"There it is." Celine states for all of us to hear. Even with it being night time the whole place is lit up. There is not much around at all that we can see, so I'm sure that's how they are able to do all this without bothering anyone.

There is a line of vehicles trailing out of the place as we just line up waiting for our turn.

"There's this many people that show up for trafficking other people?" Evan asks out of as much shock as we are in, but haven't said outright. "Yes, I have never seen the place empty the multiple times I have been involved." She answers pretty quickly as I watch Shane put his hand onto her leg to try to comfort her.

"Thanks for coming with me Celine.. I know this must be hard for you but you don't know how much I appriciate your help in my time of need especially since you don't even know me." I say to her as I lean forward and lightly pat her shoulder since she is in the front passenger seat.

"It's ok Quinton, I have been there and I know all to well the torment they put people through and how scary all of it is.. So I want to help anyone I can in this situation.. I just hope we can figure something out to get her out of there.. the whole place is like a caged up fortress.. it will be tough.. we will just have to wait and see what happens.. I just hope she gets bought." She says to me as I feel my eye brows furrow, meeting in the middle.

"Why? What happens if she doesn't get bought?" I ask the one question I probably don't want to actually know the answer to.

"She would become the Traders officially.. and I have heard stories from the girls who were not bid on and none of the stories are nice to talk about.. we will just say that." She replies sadly but without hesitation.

"We have to get her out of there.. she needs us and we need her.. no one else deserves her smile especially if they are going to buy her like this." Tyberious states to me as I internally nod.. I'm suprised he took to her and her wolf so fast. He has always imagined a life with our goddess given mate and the fact that he has actually picked someone who is not our goddess given mate is something crazy to understand for sure.

"She is just a special being.. don't think too much into it.. besides it been 8 years and nothing has happened with our actual mate.. why not be with someone who can make us smile and laugh.. and obviously needs us." Tyberious explains to me as I just smile and nod knowing exactly what he means.

"Ok Ty.. I was just suprised that's all.. you don't have to get defensive.. but thank you for your help too.. you could have easily turned her down and you didn't.. You don't know what that means to me." I reply back to him as he huffs then states.

"I just want you to be happy Q.. and I think this lady could do it for both of us.. She didn't just have you smiling all night she had me doing it too." I humm in response as I look forward feeling our vehicle come to a complete stop.

We are almost to the entrance, just inching forward until a huge man walks straight to the driver's side of the window and looking into the vehicle.

"I see your one ticket here sir but you need a second if all of you want to join and not just wait outside." He sternly explains as I lean forward handing him the copy of my ticket as well. He nods scanning both and waving us to continue in.

Shane slowly drives past the massive walls that surround the mansion making it almost look like prison walls with the barbed wire over the top of them. We just keep following the line of other cars since we don't know what else to do. The cars are pulled off to the side letting everyone out as the valet takes the cars elsewhere.

"Well, us getting out in an instant will be hard, since they are taking our car.. so we can't run out of this place we already know that. So don't cause a riot or were trapped." Shane states to me as I just nod in understanding.

Our car comes to a stop as we start to scramble grabbing anything and everything we would need from the vehicle before they drive it off.

The men standing at the front waiting for the cars to pull up, open the passenger door and my door in the back to let us out.

As we step out the man sees Celine as he gives her a curious look.. that is until Shane in all of his huge glory walks up, putting his arm out and she takes it without saying a word. Shane hands him the keys as the man nods at them then looks at us as we pass.

We sent him a small smile as I jokingly put out my arm for Evan. He scoffs at that, hitting my arm away making us laugh as we follow my brother in.

Celine turns around to us quickly before saying, "Ok the auditorium is over to the right, but where he keeps the merchandise to get ready to sell is upstairs. But I don't think they would let us get up there." She warns me but I decide to try anyways.

I strut right up to the stairs as if I own the place but only taking a couple steps before I'm stopped by a bigger than me guard. "Sir I'm sorry you're going the wrong way... the auditorium is that way." He points me in the right direction and I just play pretend that I didn't know so they don't find me suspicious.

I walk back over to my little group as Celine says, "I told you.. they are very strict about everything and have this place on a total lock down.. we will have to figure another way to get her out of this place." I nod at that as we continue on into the auditorium. Once we get in we are handed paddles for bidding. I hold mine tight as I stare at in in my hands.

The place is pretty packed but there are still seats available in the back because I guess no one wants to be in the back when it comes to shows like this. There are men and women alike with the biggest smiles on their faces as if this is just the party of their life.. like this is normal and okay somehow.. It's strange, they look so normal.. I don't know what I expected to see here but it wasn't expecting a 90 year old lady in front of me or the sweet old couple hiding hands and flirting back and forth to the side of us.. This is just so shockingly strange for me at least.

We take a seat as my leg starts to bounce in anticipation. Until I see a man walking around with a tray of drinks I grab a couple off making sure I have something ro try to calm me down before I do something drastic. Everyone takes my lead and grabbing drinks and snacks as they pass. "Hey man it's going to be ok." Evan tries to reassure like the nice individual he is since he can obviously see my nervousness. I just nod but my leg won't stop. I notice the lights from all around dim completely leaving us in almost a complete dark.

The lights flash on starting to ping all around the room like a synchronized light show, until they come to a complete stop in the same spot right at a red velvet curtain.

Out comes the Trader with the biggest smile on his face before his voice projects. "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for taking the time to come here tonight especially with it being such last minute notice.. But we have something special for all of you tonight.. of course we have our stunningly beautiful women and men.. with of course our fun weapons to follow, as is tradition at this point.. you know I never let you down in that department.. but I also have a very special treat for you.. something rarer than any other prize I have had before.. but first, let's start this off with each of my beautiful ladies to sell then the men.. Then the big suprise right before the weapons we have to offer.. Most of you know the rules, but just to clarify it's just regular auction rules, we will keep out bidding each other until one backs down.. Just a reminder you do not get your prize until your payment has gone through.. make sure to get your money ready for the fun show I have planned... Enjoy and Let's get this party started."

I watch him step back behind a podium to open the walkway for, I'm assuming the merchandise to walk down. One by one men and women are escorted out on the catwalk to show off as people hoot and holler, then showing their paddles with their numbers on it. The Trader has something to say about each of them that's actually pretty demeaning, but I'm sure he doesn't care about how they feel in this moment in time.. just being honest with the buyers I guess.

This seems like it's taking forever as I feel a light pat on my hand, that's sitting on my leg. I look over to see it's Celine. She sends a small smile my way as she says, "It will be ok, she is ok." I just nod but I feel my leg bouncing faster and harder out of impatience.

"Now the next one is a treat.. she has been beat and enslaved her entire life so she is easy to give orders to and listens very well, she cooks and cleans and does the work of three individuals.. she is absolutely stunning along with the fact.. that she is a Female Alpha." I hear him state getting my attention as I sit up straight in attention, to look out at the stage. "This has got to be her." I say to them as they nod and look out at the stage with me.

I see the curtain open and out walks the most beautiful woman. It's her and I can't believe how amazing she looks right now.. The red sparkly dress they have her in leaves nothing to the imagination with how short it is and it doesn't really cover much at all just her unmentionables. Her hair is draped down and curled so it just bounces with each step she takes.

My heart starts to beat out of my chest at the sight if her. I watch a man help lead her down the walkway as she just struts out like she owns the place. Every person is yelling at her and man their lustful hoots are pissing me off. I feel myself growling just knowing one of these people will have bought her.

"Wow.. she is beautiful." Shane states as Celine elbows him. He jumps and explains quickly, "I'm sorry you know I think you're the most beautiful woman.. she is just beautiful too."

"She is stunning." Celine says to me as I nod. "She is more than stunning she is the most breathtaking sight I have ever seen." Tyberious states to me making me internally smile at his approval.