Fated to be Together

Chapter 2: The Auction

I round up the models, my eyes scanning each of them with a sharp, practiced gaze. Every detail must be perfect—every strand of hair in place, every gown sitting just right. But above all, the jewelry must be the highlight of the show. This auction is different from the others. Instead of beginning with bidding, the models will perform first, showcasing the masterpieces in motion before the auction begins. The anticipation in the air is electric.

Everything is under control—until I see Kyle.

He strides into the backstage area with Elena draped over his arm, moving like they own the place. My stomach tightens. She’s wearing a red slip dress, the fabric clinging to her like a second skin. Her golden hair cascades in soft waves down her back, the color striking against her pale complexion. The smoky eyeshadow she wears makes her ice-blue eyes even more piercing, and her lips are painted a deep, seductive red. Her cleavage spills over the plunging neckline, and the high slit of her dress showcases her long, bare legs, accentuated by matching red stilettos.

She looks stunning. And she knows it.

Kyle’s grip on her waist is possessive, his touch lingering as he leans in to whisper something in her ear. She smiles—smug, triumphant—before turning her gaze toward me.

“We’ve decided,” Kyle announces, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Elena will be wearing the statement necklace tonight.”

A cold rush of anger spreads through me, but I keep my face unreadable. The statement necklace. The piece I designed as the crowning jewel of this entire collection. The one meant to be worn by my lead model—a professional, someone trained to showcase its brilliance. Not Elena.

I lift my chin. “That wasn’t the plan.”

Kyle smirks, his dark eyes glinting with challenge. “Plans change.”

Elena steps forward, her delicate fingers tracing the bare column of her throat. “It only makes sense, Ivy,” she purrs. “What better way to showcase a piece this exquisite than on someone who knows how to command attention?”

I know exactly what this is. A calculated move. A power play.

I take a slow breath, forcing a serene smile to my lips. “Of course,” I say smoothly. “After all, we want the highest bids possible, don’t we?”

Little do they know—the statement necklace is already around my neck.

And it won’t be showcased in the show.

This piece wasn’t made for the masses, for those who only see jewelry as a flashy display of wealth. No, this was meant for a more discerning eye. Someone who understands the craftsmanship, the story woven into every delicate curve and setting. Someone who values more than just size and spectacle.

I turn back to Elena, who’s still preening, waiting for me to present her grand moment. Instead, I lift a different piece—a gold choker, intricate and refined. Diamonds and pearls are woven through the filigree like art, delicate yet commanding. I fasten it around her throat, adjusting it slightly so it sits just right.

She barely looks at it, too preoccupied with her own reflection. Good. That’s exactly what I expected.

Kyle glances at me, suspicion flickering in his gaze, but I meet it with a practiced ease. “This will be the highlight of the show,” I tell them, my voice smooth, confident. “Elena will walk last—the grand finale. Everyone will be waiting for this.”

And they will be. Because that’s what I’m making them believe.

Let them think the biggest, flashiest piece holds the most value. Let them parade it like a prize. Meanwhile, the real masterpiece remains exactly where it belongs—with me.

The music shifts, a subtle yet deliberate change in tempo. That’s my cue.

From the shadows of the backstage, my voice rings out, poised and commanding.

“Welcome, everyone, to this one-of-a-kind masquerade auction.”

The murmur of anticipation swells as I continue. “Tonight, our models will grace the ramp, offering you a first glimpse of the exquisite pieces up for auction. Each one is unique, crafted with precision, designed to be as timeless as the legacy it carries. Once the showcase is complete, the bidding will begin—so prepare to claim a masterpiece.”

I let the moment settle before delivering the final touch. “Every piece you see tonight has been carefully designed by Ivy Riorson, daughter of the late Alpha.” I pause, feeling the weight of my own name in the air. “For generations, the Riorson bloodline has been blessed by the Moon Goddess herself, entrusted with the creation of all royal jewelry. It is said that her gift runs through our veins, granting us not only artistry but the ability to forge solutions in times of need—shaping the very future of the werewolf world.”

My gaze sweeps across the unseen crowd. I can almost feel their intrigue, their hunger for something more than just wealth.

“So when you bid successfully tonight, you do not simply take home a piece of jewelry. You take with you a fragment of the Moon Goddess’s blessing—a creation fit for royalty.”

Silence lingers for half a breath before the applause begins, swelling like a wave.

And with that, the show begins.

As the models begin their walk down the ramp, I slip in at the very end, just behind Elena. The murmurs in the crowd grow louder, a ripple of excitement passing through the room as they take in the dazzling array of jewelry on display. Fingers point, hushed voices speculate, and I can feel the energy shifting—building.

Then, a sudden shiver runs down my spine.

Something—someone—is watching me.

My gaze sweeps across the masked faces in the audience until I find him.

Piercing grey eyes lock onto mine from across the room, unwavering, intense. Even through the veil of his mask, I can sense it—that sharp, knowing presence. He’s leaning back in his seat, completely at ease, yet his attention is focused solely on me. A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, as if he knows something I don’t.

Who is he?

The thought lingers, a quiet hum at the back of my mind, but I don’t have time to dwell on it. The show must go on.

I turn sharply on my heel, making my way back to the backstage, but the weight of his gaze follows me, lingering long after I’ve disappeared behind the curtains.

The moment I step backstage, Kyle is on me.

He yanks my arm hard, fingers digging into my skin like a vice. “What the f**k were you doing?” he snarls, his face twisted with rage. “Why did you walk down the ramp behind Elena? Who the f**k do you think you are?”

Pain shoots through my arm, sharp and insistent—I swear he’s close to snapping it in half. But I refuse to show weakness.

“Relax, Kyle. I needed to read the room.”

He doesn’t let go.

I exhale slowly, as if I’m explaining something painfully obvious. “There’s no way the focus shifts from Elena—you know she’s stunning. No one could take their eyes off her. I just needed to gauge the crowd’s reaction, see what pieces sparked the most interest. That way, I can start those bids at a higher value.”

His grip loosens slightly, but his jaw is still clenched, fury simmering beneath the surface.

I hold my ground. Let him think he’s still in control. Let him think I was only doing my job.

Kyle’s voice is low and sharp, dripping with warning. “You better know your place. Go out there and make me some money. You put one toe out of line, and there will be consequences.”

With a final, searing glare, he lets go of my arm, and I stagger back. Pain pulses where his fingers had gripped me, but I don’t react. Not here. Not now.

Instead, I take a deep breath, steadying myself. My mask is still in place. My posture is still poised. No one in the crowd will see the cracks beneath the surface.

I step onto the stage, my expression unreadable, my voice smooth as I lift the microphone.

“Our first piece of the night—Athena.”

The first model steps forward, bathed in golden light, her posture elegant as she displays the necklace resting against her collarbone. Gold leaves intertwine like delicate vines, emeralds sparkling between them, catching the glow of the chandeliers above. The design reminds me of something untamed yet regal—whimsical woods, ivy weaving through ancient trees.

“Athena is a testament to strength and beauty,” I announce. “A piece inspired by nature’s resilience and grace. The starting bid is $10,000.”

Immediately, hands shoot up.

“Twenty thousand.”

“Thirty.”

“Fifty.”

The numbers climb rapidly, excitement rippling through the room.

“Seventy-five.”

“Eighty.”

“Eighty-five thousand.”

“Sold.”

A satisfied murmur moves through the crowd as the first piece finds its new owner. This was just the beginning.

Nine more to go.