The Twin Alphas’ Fated Mate

Book 1: Chapter 3

~Mercury~

It's hard to tell time in this cell but based on how often the guards change shifts, I think I've been here for 3 days since I woke up. The blonde girl, who won't tell me her name because she says it's not good to get attached in here, says I was passed out for roughly a day before I woke. Which means I've been gone for 4 days. The guards only bring one meal a day. It's always just one slice of plain bread and a water bottle. We have a bucket in the corner to do our business, but that's it. I have been waiting for something to happen but nothing. I guess that's a good thing. But I can't be sure.

I'm lost in thought with my eyes closed when I hear a loud bang on my cell door. I jump and open my eyes to see none other than Ivan standing at my cell. He's smirking at me and it makes me feel uneasy. If I had met Ivan in a normal situation, I might've thought him to be handsome. He has very sharp features with smooth, pale skin and very well-groomed hair. He's clean-shaven and his all-black dress pants and button-up shirt fit him very nicely. He's not what I imagined a s*x trafficker to look like.

"Rise and shine, sweetheart. Today's your lucky day."

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"It means you are going to the auction being held today." Ivan smiles like he enjoys the reaction he gets from telling me this. I'm terrified. I don't want to be auctioned off and sold to some creep. "Get up and face the wall."

I remember what the blonde girl said about not fighting because it's easier. Even if I did want to fight, I'm too weak from barely eating to even try. I slowly stand and do what he says. Ivan unlocked the cell and comes in. He stands right up against my back and smells my dark hair.

"It's a shame you are pure. I could've had a lot of fun with you. But I'm sure we'll get a lot of money for you, so that makes it worth not screwing you right here while you scream." Ivan whispers into my ear. A tear slips down my cheek as I hold in the sobs fighting to escape. It's just awful that the only reason I haven't been raped is because they want to sell me for a higher price. I feel sorry for the blonde girl. Ivan grabs a hold of my arm and pulls me towards the cell door. "Come now, sweetheart. It's time to doll you up for the buyers."

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After what feels like hours and the most invasive cleanup process I have ever been through, I'm standing with about 8 other girls. We are all standing in cheap lingerie and makeup with a tag similar to our cells on a string around our necks. Most of the girls have yellow, while me and another younger girl, who can't be more than 15, have white. None of the girls here have black. They must not get much money for the girls who have had babies if these 'buyers' are looking for virgins.

An older woman who looks to be in her 40s walks over to us. "Okay girls. It's almost time. When I wave to you, you will go out onto the stage, one by one. We are starting with the yellow tags, so you girls line up first."

The girls with yellow tags shuffle into line. The other white tag girl and I go to the back of the line and we all wait. It makes me sick that this woman is helping this organization. She should be helping us. As a woman, she should know how scared we all are. I have a feeling she's getting paid a lot. She doesn't look like she's a prisoner. She's dressed very nicely and looks well taken care of. She moves around like she has no hesitation around the men here.

The woman looks at us and waves to the first girl and she goes. I can hear a man call out large numbers. He finally sells 'SOLD!" and the amount he says is close to $200,000. This goes on until it's just the young girl and I left. The woman waves to the young girl and I hear her sobbing while she walks very shakily to the curtain that leads to the stage. She walks out and I can hear the crowd getting excited. It must be the white tag they're excited about. They're all pigs.

I start getting really nervous and I start hyperventilating. I can't do this. I can't go out there and be sold to some creepy old man looking for a virgin s*x slave. I need to run. I need to get out of here. If there was ever a time for me to be able to use magic, this would be it.

The woman looks to me and waves. "It's your turn."

No. I'm not going out there. My breathing increases and I start to back away. Suddenly, I feel a large hand on my back.

"Where do you think you're going sweetheart?" I hear Ivan's voice and he starts to push me toward the curtain. I plant my feet as my breathing gets more shallow. I try to pull away from Ivan but he has a strong grip on my arm now. He's pulling me.

"No, I wont go! I wont do it!" I scream at Ivan. I try to fight him off as tears run down my cheeks. My body feels warm and the tips of my fingers feel like little sparks. Then I hear a tiny voice in my head telling me to release. to release this pent-up anger from being kidnapped. from Ivan telling me he wanted to rape me. From this woman trying to make me go on this stage to be sold to the highest bidder. So I just let go.

I don't even realize I'm screaming until the ringing in my ears stops. I don't remember closing my eyes but I open them and Ivan is on the ground, unconscious. So is the woman and everyone else who was around. I don't even give myself time to think about what I just did. I need to run.

I'm franticly trying to find an exit. I pass by a cart that those gray sweatpants and shirts from before and I grab some off the top, not caring about the size. I just need something to cover up since I'm practically naked. I quickly throw them on and they fit. I'm barefoot but I can't waste any more time. I don't know how long they'll out for. I see a door that is marked by an exit sign and I run as fast as I can. I burst through the door and it's dark and quiet. It's the middle of the night. I have no idea where I am or how to get anywhere but that doesn't matter to me right now. I just need to put some distance between me and this building. I feel bad for those other girls, but maybe I can send the police here after I find out where I am.

I see a forest on the other side of this huge parking lot and I run. When I make it to the tree line, I hear a door slam and I hide behind the nearest tree. I peek out and I see Ivan and two other bigger guys come out looking very dazed. I can't hear them but they obviously know I escaped. I start to walk as quickly and as quietly as I can into the forest. The ground hurts my feet from all the rocks and fallen twigs and the dark makes it hard to see, but I push through. At least it's the end of June so the night air is warm.

I keep walking until the sun starts to rise. It's been hours and I haven't heard anyone following me. I need to stop so I can sleep. I won't be able to keep going like this. I decide the only way for me to sleep is to hide in a tree. I'll find a tree I can sit in without falling and sleep for a little bit.

I see a tree with Y-shape branches up high that are covered with leaves and I start to climb. I position myself in between the branches and lean forward so that my front is flush with the branch. It's a little uncomfortable with my breasts since I don't have a bra, but it will have to do.