CHAPTER THIRTEEN
1652 Words
CALHOUN
I lean down and whisper into Valerie's ear.
“Don't accept anything from anyone without my approval,” I say quietly. “Give me a nod if you understand. And find somewhere to stay until the auction starts.”
She nods immediately.
Satisfied, I straighten and walk toward the bar.
The place is packed to the brim with shifters and humans, witches and creatures I probably don't even recognize. Jude handles all the invitations for the gala, and judging by the crowd tonight, he has done an excellent job.
Everyone is dressed beautifully.
The women sparkle beneath the warm lights, draped in expensive fabrics and jewelry and the men carry themselves with confidence, dressed in tailored suits worth more than some people's houses.
Yet beneath all the glamour, I can feel it.
Aura and power as the entire hall practically vibrates with it.
The air is thick with supernatural energy, blending together into a constant hum that never truly fades.
Then I catch it again, that scent, the same scent I noticed back in Vegas.
It drifts toward me once more, faint but unmistakable.
Interesting.
Whoever carries it must be nearby, I settle onto a stool by the bar and wait.
“Hello, sir.”
A voice interrupts my thoughts and I glance sideways and find a young man standing beside me.
“I don't remember an appointment being booked with my assistant,” I say, barely looking up from my drink.
“I'm sorry, sir. I've been trying to secure an appointment, but your schedule seemed to be full.”
“That answers your question then.” I take another sip. “I won't be discussing business tonight, so do yourself a favor and enjoy the evening.”
I dismiss him without another glance then the scent reaches me again, stronger this time, I study the man from the corner of my eye.
Interesting, the fragrance is on him, but only faintly, like someone who has recently been around the true owner, I file the observation away without pressing further.
“I see you've met my son-in-law.”
Another voice joins the conversation and this time, I raise my head.
Mr. Hayden.
Of course.
He is probably here to pester me about the drugs and merge but I'm not interested
I am only permitting his presence because of his family ties to ours as he used to be close to dad and that's where I am planning to leave that relationship
Dad and him attended the same school all thier lives and they practically lived as neighbours all thier lives while they were living amongst humans but then I am not pushing that relationship further than that
I look between the two men, humans have a word for situations like this.
Ambush.
I simply nod.
“Sir, I heard you would like to have the merger here,” Mr. Hayden says.
“Book a time with my assistant,” I reply calmly as I rise to my feet. “I'd like to enjoy tonight.”
Without waiting for a response, I begin walking away, I can feel their eyes following me, then it happens, a surge of aura so strong and aggressive and most likely deliberate.
I stop.
The pressure rolls through the room, an Alpha's aura which is a challenge and a warning in my world
A pathetic attempt to establish dominance.
Among werewolves, releasing aura like this is a way of declaring power. It is meant to intimidate and remind everyone present of your position.
Unfortunately for him, that trick doesn't work on me so I slowly turn around then I walk back toward them.
“I forgot my manners.”
I extend my hand toward the younger man as his face lights up instantly as if he has won something.
“I'm Aaron, sir,” he says eagerly, shaking my hand. “Nice to meet you, Alpha Castello.”
The name Castello has weight, fear, respect and power and that's for good reason.
I tighten my grip around his hand then I release the smallest fraction of my aura just enough and the effect is immediate.
His smile falters, his body stiffens and a wince flashes across his face but I keep smiling, the room gradually falls silent as those with supernatural senses feel it instantly, the pressure and dominance, warning hidden beneath my control.
Sweat begins forming on Aaron's forehead, his breathing grows uneven yet I don't let go.
Not yet.
His confidence crumbles second by second.
Good.
Maybe next time he'll think twice before attempting such a childish display.
“Hello, Alpha. It's been a minute.”
A familiar feminine voice interrupts the moment and I don't need to look cause I already know who it is.
Elara.
My wolf settles immediately watching Aaron struggle has already satisfied him enough and after another moment, I release the man's hand, air rushes into his lungs and relief floods his face but I don't spare him another glance.
Instead, I walk away.
“That could have gone fatal,” I tell Elara once we're on the opposite side of the room. “Learn to read the room.”
“I'm sorry, my lord,” she says with a grin. “I saw a familiar face and thought I'd say hello.”
I narrow my eyes, she's impossible.
My Beta had better be somewhere nearby because spending too much time around Elara is hazardous to my peace of mind as she enjoys provoking me far too much.
Unfortunately, she's family.
“I know you're looking around for Joshua,” she says.
I remain silent.
“You've probably already mind-linked him, but don't worry. I only came to remind you to bring your fiancée to the baby shower next week.”
I stare at her and she begins backing away.
“It was nice catching up with you, though.”
Before I can respond, she disappears into the crowd.
Convenient.
“Please gather inside the room,” the announcer says from the podium. “The auction is about to begin.”
Immediately, the warmth leaves me as business mode takes over.
The crowd begins moving, guests file toward the enclosed auction chamber and Valerie appears beside me once and together, we enter the room.
Unlike the ballroom, this space is designed specifically for security, no powers or manipulation or supernatural interference as the walls themselves are reinforced against magic.
More importantly, the air is saturated with Anta, a rare substance capable of suppressing supernatural abilities and the moment someone enters, their powers are significantly weakened.
Years ago, valuable artifacts vanished during auctions because people used spells, mind control, and supernatural influence to gain unfair advantages.
Not anymore as now I attend every major auction personally and control matters and knowing where dangerous objects end up matters.
If someone acquires something powerful, I want to know exactly who possesses it, it keeps problems manageable and the supernatural world hidden.
Most importantly, it allows me to trace responsibility when things inevitably go wrong, the room darkens and the spotlight illuminates the stage.
The host appears carrying a velvet-covered display case.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announces. “Our first item tonight is an artifact dating back over four thousand years.”
The room immediately quiets, interest spikes and excitement spreads and the host opens the display, gasps ripple through the audience and inside rests a brilliant gem.
Ancient all beautiful but also dangerous, even weakened by the Anta, I can feel the lingering power trapped inside it.
“This artifact possesses the ability to bind even the strongest individuals beneath an incredibly powerful spell,” the host continues. “Bidding begins at one billion dollars.”
A few murmurs spread through the room, we're starting with the heavy hitters tonight.
Interesting.
“One point one billion.”
A paddle rises instantly, the game begins.
“One point two billion.”
“One point three.”
“One point four.”
The numbers climb rapidly as there hesitation or caution, every bidder in this room understands exactly what they're fighting over.
Power, influence, prestige and possession, money means little when compared to supernatural advantages, a billionaire can always earn another billion but artifacts like this are irreplaceable, the bidding war intensifies, voices overlap and paddles continue rising, the host barely keeps pace.
I remain in the shadows, observing, watching and listening, that is where true value lies not in the artifact itself but in discovering who wants it badly enough to pay for it.
The final bid lands at two billion dollars, the gavel falls.
Sold.
Applause echoes throughout the chamber, the artifact is removed and another item is prepared then another and another.
Hours could disappear inside a room like this and each object has a story, each buyer has an agenda some seeking power while others seek protection and some simply collect rare pieces because they can but I continue monitoring the crowd from thier faces expressions to their body language as everything matters in my world
Then something change, a scent cuts through the room sharp and metallic, distinctive scent of blood and my body instantly tenses, the smell is strong that my gaze lowers.
Valerie.
She's crouched beside me, her face has gone pale, her shoulders shake violently and she's coughing hard.
My heart drops.
Without hesitation, I manipulate the shadows around us, deepening the darkness and shielding us from immediate attention.
Then I crouch beside her, her hand is pressed tightly against her stomach and her breathing is uneven.
Pain flashes across her face.
“What the f**k did you eat?” I hiss quietly into her ear.
But she can't answer, she's clutching her abdomen and her entire body trembles, blood fills my senses and then rage follows immediately after.
Someone did this.
Someone had the audacity to poison my bride right under my nose.
- Writer
