Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 33 - Unleashed

"Next up for auction is 'Dragon in Leash' by the talented Sigrun Skogr," Argen announced, capturing the attention of everyone present. All eyes turned towards the young artist, who stood proudly beside her creation. The dragon statue appeared to hover over her, its gaze fixed on the crowd, seemingly fiercely protecting its maker from the masses.

Bids poured in for Sigrun's masterpiece, but she maintained a neutral expression, revealing nothing of her emotions. However, as time went on, the bids became increasingly hesitant, and Chloe couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. The highest bid, placed by a well-dressed man in his mid thirties, didn't come close to the amount offered for the Ice Queen.

Chloe turned to Iron, a sweet smile on her face. "Iron, you know what? I've changed my mind. I actually prefer this dragon."

Iron smiled back but shook his head. " I've already purchased the Ice Queen. One piece is enough."

She gazed at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Do you think it's wise to have all these men watching my every curve for hours? It's a bit overwhelming, don't you think?"

He shrugged, a wry smile on his face. "Let them look all they want. They won't have you. I've promised to protect you, remember? Besides, I want everyone to see the beauty of the future leading lady of the North. And I can't let Theo down. He already thinks he's won the competition."

Chloe felt a tinge of nervousness as she realized her plan might fail. "But you are friends! People might think there's a conflict of interest."

Iron chuckled. "Chloe, I don't care what people think. And I thought you didn't either?"

"How disappointing…” she pouted. “I really, really love that dragon."

Cassiopeia couldn't resist taunting her and sneered, "Why don't you just buy it yourself? It's not like you come from a disadvantaged family or anything."

Chloe continued to feign innocence, playing along. "Oh, but for significant sums like this, I must consult my parents… But perhaps the same goes for you?" She directed her question back at Iron.

Iron scoffed in reply. "Of course not. I can do whatever I want."

As Argen raised his voice, repeating the highest bid, Chloe realized she had to act quickly. She had two options: either bid for the dragon herself, despite the ridiculous cost, or convince Iron to do it for her. However, Iron seemed less eager than she had hoped. Maybe she would have to pay for it herself… After all, it was for a good cause. A win-win situation! Sigrun would receive the full sum, which she seemed to need more than Theo, and Chloe wouldn't have to endure the embarrassment of the nude version of herself on display all evening.

Just as she had made up her mind to bid for the dragon herself, Iron leaned down and whispered in her ear, catching her off guard. "You know what… The bids for this one aren't that high. If it's truly what you want... If this is what it takes for you to forgive me…"

Chloe smiled widely. “Consider yourself forgiven,” she said, placing her hand on his cheek and letting it trail down to his chest while giving him a mischievous wink. “If you let me place the bid.”

He grinned, unable to resist her charm. "Go ahead. Let's get it over with."

"Going once, going twice..." Argen's voice resonated from behind them.

"I'll place a bid!" Chloe exclaimed. Without hesitation, she named her bid, ensuring it surpassed the amount offered for the Ice Queen. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as all eyes turned to her, and Iron's gaze widened in disbelief, a quiet growl escaping his chest.

"Chloe, what are you doing?" Freya whispered anxiously. "That's an astronomical sum, and where will you even keep it?”

"It’s for Iron," Chloe grinned, delighted to witness the shocked expression on Sigrun's face upon hearing the bid for her dragon.

"Going once, going twice, and sold! The highest bid goes to Chloe Hendricks and Iron Praetor. Congratulations!” Argen announced, his eyes glinting with a cold stare directed at her. He was not pleased. Neither was Cato, who stood nearby with his arms crossed over his chest, however, his gaze was directed at Iron instead.

“Fu.ck, Chloe, why did you…” Iron groaned, his voice laced with frustration.

Chloe's heart sank with guilt, momentarily feeling bad for what she had done. Without second thought, she impulsively wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close, and crashed her lips onto his, turning his groan into an electrifying growl of surprise.

However, as their kiss escalated far beyond her wildest expectations, blazing with a raw and untamed passion, her senses sent her into a whirlwind. Her mind began spinning at the wild and intense desire it awoke in her, wanting more. A lot more! The thunderous applause from the onlookers snapped her back to reality, and she reluctantly pulled away, gasping for air.

"Sorry," she whispered, her voice barely reaching his ear.

Iron's eyes, gleaming with desire, locked onto hers. "Never mind," he murmured, his words tinged with mischief. "It was worth it."

“And this winning couple's bid just made Sigrun Skogr the winner of this year's competition!” Thora declared cheerfully, thumping her staff on the ground. ”She will receive the honor, the full prize sum, and will be an honorary guest at the Alpha table during the Winter's Ball festivities. Congratulations!” Thora's wrinkled face beamed, however, she didn’t look at Sigrun. Instead, she locked eyes with Chloe.

“Well played, my child," Thora mindlinked her with a knowing smile, her words laced with a mixture of pride and amusement. "I believe the true Crassus blood runs through your veins more deeply than you wish to acknowledge."

Her wolf chimed in, its voice echoing in her thoughts. "Busted!"

Uncomfortable and squirming with unease, Chloe couldn't deny the truth resonating within her. Her own hypocrisy stared back at her, an unwelcome mirror reflecting her actions. She had preached against judgment and dishonesty, placing herself on a pedestal with her high standards and declarations of openness, only to find herself deceiving Iron and those around her right under their noses.

"Yes, you did surprise me," her wolf chuckled mischievously. "But I must say, I rather enjoy it. I’m not so sure Marcus did, though…"

Oh goddess, Marcus!

Panic surged through her as the realization struck that not only had she deceived Iron, but she had also shared that passionate kiss with Iron right in front of Marcus. She frantically scanned the area, her eyes desperately searching for any sign of him. Where did he go? It seemed as though he had vanished into thin air. There were Freya and Arnulf, lost in their own world of affection, while Theo offered congratulations to Sigrun. But Marcus was gone… And so was Cassiopeia.

Chloe was just about to go in search of Marcus when Iron pulled her back, his grip firm and possessive. "Not so fast," he rumbled. "You can't just give me a kiss like that and then run away." He secured her in his arms, his hungry eyes exploring her face, lingering on her lips. "Woman," he breathed, his voice thick with desire. "I've had a lot of many women, but none have driven me as crazy as you do."

Chloe quirked up an eyebrow, unimpressed by his statement. Yet, despite her lack of enthusiasm, she didn't pull away from his embrace.

Iron flashed her a grin. "Jealous?" he murmured playfully, leaning in to nibble her earlobe.

"Not really," she replied, surprising both him and herself as she firmly gripped his jaw, forcing him to meet her gaze with newfound assertiveness. With their eyes locked, the lingering tension from their previous kiss surged back, and she felt a daring desire to crash her lips onto his once more.

"What has come over you?" her wolf chuckled, its voice filled with intrigue. "It's as if you've undergone a transformation overnight!"

Chloe couldn't fully explain it herself. Being in this place, with this man, evoked a different side of her - an intoxicating feeling of being bold and adventurous, a dangerous allure that drew her in. It was exhilarating, and she was tempted to embrace it wholeheartedly, letting go of control. She didn't know why, but there was something about Iron that awakened her feral side and simply made her want to indulge in reckless behavior... She found it rather amusing that while the northerners prided themselves on suppressing their wolves, her time here had only intensified her impulsiveness and inclination to follow her instincts and unleash hers.

"Well, now that you've tasted the thrill of power and manipulation, there's no turning back," her wolf purred inside her mind, its satisfaction palpable. "This is who we truly are."