The Beta Who Bought Me

Chapter 8 - Creep

Laurel continued to stand there, trying her hardest to be as still as a statue and attract as little attention as possible. She felt like cattle being sold at auction as the men kept looking over her and then heading to a table at the side of the room where Luna Grace stood taking the bids. Alpha Abel stood close by the table, keeping a careful tab on who was bidding and how high the prices were going. Every once in a while, the blond man with turquoise eyes would head back to the table and scribble a new price on a piece of paper. Though it seemed like Abel and the man had been friendly earlier, Laurel couldn’t help but notice that Abel became increasingly agitated each time the blond man came back.

Just as he was walking up to the table for the third time, two huge men rushed over to Abel. They were both dressed casually, in all black clothes with black combat boots. Both had full sleeves of tattoos over their enormous arm muscles, and one even had them up his neck. They spoke softly so no one could hear, but the concerned looks on their faces made it obvious something was wrong.

Abel growled harshly and his eyes glazed over. He was mind-linking someone. As soon as his eyes returned to normal, he left swiftly with the two other men. The Luna looked surprised at his departure, but soon more men were lining up to place bids, and she went back about her work dutifully.

After what felt like an eternity, Luna Grace returned to the stage to officially close the bidding. Laurel noted that she didn’t see Alpha Abel or the blond man any longer. Luna Grace took the microphone and addressed the crowd, “Thank you for your generous bids! This is the most we have ever earned at an Appraisal! Over 10 million dollars!”

Laurel and Wendy looked at each other with mouths in perfect “O” shapes. They had been bought for a collective $10 million?! Who would have that kind of money?!

Luna Grace continued her speech as the girls tried to hide their shock, “Your contributions are well-noted and will do wonders to help our pack! Winners of the bids have been personally notified and will be able to retrieve their purchase after the ball. For now, everyone, please go and enjoy your evening! Thank you all!” She waved the crowd away while Mary quickly gathered the girls from the stage and took them back to the black and grey room.

Wendy sat down on one of the plush loveseats with tears welling up in her eyes again. Laurel moved to sit beside her, simply holding her hand and not knowing what to say. They knew they had just been sold to some men for a hefty price, but who they were and what would happen to them next was unknown.

Mary entered the room again with a few glasses of champagne in her hands. “Here, drink up!” She handed a flute to each of the girls. They both just looked at her with sadness in their eyes.

“Chin up, ladies! You should celebrate!” she said brightly. “You’ve both got bright futures now! Plus, the wine will take the edge off your nerves,” she added before taking a sip of her own champagne.

They hesitantly took the glasses offered to them. As soon as Laurel brought the wine to her lips, she could tell this was not ordinary champagne. It was laced with something stronger, a wine made especially for werewolves, since normal alcohol did not affect them much if at all. She was certainly going to need some liquid courage if she was going to make it through the night.

"Bottoms up!” Mary clinked her glass to theirs to urge them on. Laurel tipped her glass up and swallowed the golden liquid in one go. Wendy looked at her in awe but took a much more tepid sip of her drink.

Knock, knock, knock.

Three hits on the door in rapid succession brought everyone’s eyes up to see who would enter. In came Luna Grace, followed by a handsome, tall man. He was likely in his early-to-mid thirties, lean but clearly muscular. His sharp brown eyes and chiseled features with masterfully styled dark brown hair oozed s****l charm. Luna Grace strode over to Wendy, taking her hand gently and leading her over to the mystery man.

Her eyes were wide in alarm as he took her hand in his and gracefully placed a featherlight kiss upon her knuckles. “Charles, this is Wendy. I am sure that you will be quite pleased with her.” Luna Grace introduced the pair.

“I am sure that I already am,” he said seductively, eyeing her as if he was undressing her right then and there. Laurel shivered at the man’s behavior. No matter how handsome he was, that came off as creepy to her. Whoever her buyer was, he hopefully had more tact than that kind of schmoozing behavior.

“Shall we?” He held his elbow out to Wendy with a flirty wink, and seemingly without giving it a second thought, she linked her arm with his. Laurel was shocked that she went with him so easily, but she sent one last worried glance over her shoulder at her friend before she was led away by the man who had purchased her.

With Wendy gone now, and Laurel wondered who would be coming in next to claim her as his “prize” that night. She twiddled her thumbs and fidgeted with the hem of her dress as she waited impatiently.

“Laurel,” Luna Grace returned to address the girl who was still left. “Will you come with me, please?”

“Where are we going?” Laurel brazenly asked her.

“That was not a request nor an opportunity for you to ask questions,” she snapped back at her. “Now, let’s go, shall we?”