Two Alphas , One mate

Chapter 3: Up for Grabs Like a Yard Sale Bargain

I wake up in a basement that smells like mold and regret, my head pounding like I got hit by a truck. The wooden door creaked open and a bald head and dangerous wolf came in, fixed his creepy eyes on me like I am some disappointed burger. “I thought you are probably gone, maybe dead.” He says, and grabbed my hand and dragged me around like some luggage.

“Would’ve been useless.”

He chucks me at the feet of a woman who’s all leather and attitude, like she just walked out of a biker bar. Her face says she’s already over me. “Ava, here’s another one,” Baldy says.

Ava rolls her eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t fall out. “You keep bringing me trash,” she snaps, giving me a once-over like I’m a thrift store reject.

“Shut up and make her worth something,” Baldy growls, yanking a chain. I notice Ava’s got a chunky metal collar around her neck, a chain dangling from it. She’s trapped here, same as me. Awesome. We are so screwed right now.

“So, what is ya name?” Ava asks, sniffing me. I try to croak something, but my throat’s still raw from the smoke. “Oh, a mute human. Or, what, a wolf with no wolf?” She smirks. “You’re weak as hell, so I’m telling the boss you’re on dish duty. It’s your best shot at not dying. No offense.”

They shove me into a grimy bathroom, and Ava tosses me a black dress that’s more holes than fabric. The “boss” shows up—a sleazy guy who looks like he sells used cars for a living. He eyes me like I’m a dented can of soup. “Her hair’s a rat’s nest. Chop it,” he says.

I freak, waving my hands like *No, not my hair!* It’s the one thing I’ve got going for me—long, wavy, my only non-tragic feature. Ava pins me down. “Chill, Little Thing,” she says, scissors already snipping. “It’s this or worse.”

My hair hits the floor, and my heart sinks with it. I catch my reflection in a cracked mirror and wanna cry. I look like a scarecrow with a bad haircut, my scars and bruises screaming through the skimpy dress. I’m a walking “before” photo.

“She’s… not great,” the boss says, like I’m not standing right there. “Who’d want this?”

“I’ll take her as a pet,” Ava says, half-joking.

“Nah, she’s on dishes,” he decides, slapping a heavy collar on me, chain and all. It digs into my sore throat, and I’m already over it. “Don’t try to yank it off, Little Thing,” Ava warns. “And steer clear of the men. I’ll keep an eye out.” She heads to a stage in the distance, and I’m guessing her job’s as shitty as mine.

That night, I’m scrubbing dishes ‘til my hands are raw, no breaks, no mercy. The next day, they barely let me sleep, just shove me back to the sink. I’m so desperate I pocket a jagged piece of broken plate—my sad little escape plan. I’ve gotta get outta here, but I’m not exactly James Bond.

Ava swings by sometimes, checking on me. Both of my hands c***k, “Okay, here” she spoke and gave me some chocolate. It felt like chewing into heavenly feelings.

“Don’t get used to it, Little Thing. Just to keep you from passing out.”

The next day, she’s MIA, and nobody’s feeding me. I’m starving, so I make a dumb move and snag a scrap of bread from a plate. Big mistake. A guard catches me. “Hey, thief!” He screamed, grabbed my hands like I took his ride. My leg tripped and I hit the floor. He took me up and put me over his shoulder like a bag of rice.

He dumps me in front of two creepy guys—one’s a vampire with fangs that scream “I snack on people,” and the other’s in a purple suit, looking like a discount pimp. “This’ll do,” the vamp says.

“Do what?” Purple Suit sneers, eyeing me like I’m moldy bread. “She’s barely worth punishing.”

“Punish her, sell her, whatever,” the guard says, shrugging. “Your call.”

Purple Suit sighs. “Nobody’s paying for *this*, but let’s try.” He drags me to a room buzzing with shouts and howls. It’s an auction. I’m literally being sold like a knockoff purse. Ryan’s face flashes in my mind—he sold me out to these freaks. My mate, everybody. What a guy.

They shove me onto a stage, lights blinding me. Purple Suit’s the host, hyping me up like I’m a prize pig. “Here’s a young, uh, human!” he says, floundering. The crowd’s not impressed.

“Sell that?” someone yells.

“Give her away!” another cackles.

“She’s probably a virgin, easy to boss around,” the host says, trying to spin my lameness as a feature. My heart’s hammering so hard I’m sure it’s gonna burst.

“Virgin? Show us something!” a creep shouts. The host rips my dress top, leaving me in my ratty bra. Laughter erupts. I clutch my chest, humiliated, as he yanks my bra off. I cover myself, shaking, and hear a growl from the crowd that makes my skin prickle.

“Nice booty there by the way,” says the host, he flipped me onto the oak polish table. He chained my arms behind my back. And shift up my mini skirt which flashed my white underwear pants. I hitch.The crowd’s howling. He smacks my butt, and I’m ready to die of shame. “Let’s start at a hundred bucks! Pay more, and you can test the virgin thing yourself!”

“A hundred and five!” someone calls, a hand grazing my thigh. I flinch.

“She’s gotta be tight,” the host whispers, gross as hell.

“Two hundred!” another bids.

“Show us more!” a voice demands. The host’s fingers brush my underwear, and I’m about to lose it.

Then a voice booms, “Five thousand dollars, and get your filthy hands off her!”

The room goes dead quiet. I squint through the lights and see him—a massive guy with long, light-brown hair and a beard like he’s part lumberjack, part Viking. His eyes, pale and glowing, lock onto me, and I’m not sure if I’m saved or screwed.

“Sold to Big Alpha for five grand!” the host yells, thrilled he got actual money. He yanks my chain, and I clutch my torn dress, trembling. What’s this guy want with me? Am I his new toy?

“Touch her again, and I’ll rip your heart out,” Big Alpha growls. The host shoves me to the floor, and I groan, pain shooting through me.

“Come on,” Big Alpha says, reaching for me. I flinch, scrambling back, and he growls, low and scary. “She’s mine,” he snaps at the host, grabbing him by the throat. “No refunds, got it?”

Screams erupt, chaos breaks loose, and I’m stuck wondering if I just traded one cage for another.