Their Dark Beginning

The Meeting

Anastasia was left after Giovanni deemed their dance over, and she was.. shocked to say the least. Her father hadn’t prepared her for being surrounded by so many Alpha’s, and she was in a delicious, almost drunken haze from the scent and intensity.

Her reverie was broken as her Father walked into the room, and with a booming voice, he said; “Revered guests, the entertainment will continue after the meeting of the Figureheads. Kings, Queens, and Alphas, please see your way to the Red room in 5 minutes. That is all.” He walked back through the door, leaving it open behind himself as the Alphas, male and female, trailed after him.

The startling thought that even an Alpha female could be her claiming Mate came across her mind, but the thought of anyone bidding for her hand was frightening. Would she have no say at all? What if-

“I see you are no longer with the mutt. Perhaps I could have the honor of escorting you?” There he was again, Stefan Kardos. He gave her an odd feeling as well, not as strong as Giovanni, but along the same feeling of attraction. He was handsome, with dirty blonde hair and crystal blue eyes with maroon rings, foretelling of his Alpha status. He was rugged yet perfect, and the scent of him was clean musk with a hint of cologne and something else that she couldn’t quite place. He was an older gentlemen, as most the True Alphas here were, but that wasn’t what bothered her. Ana didn’t know what bothered her about him, but it wasn’t enough to deny him.

“Yes, of course, Alpha.” She looped her arm through his, placing her other hand within the crook of his elbow. They would appear quite cozy even though the motion in itself was harmless. Her father would normally escort her, but he was otherwise indisposed. It was innocent enough to allow his business partner to escort her; he was a familiar Pureblood afterall. A Pureblood wouldnt harm another Pureblood, without reason afterall..

As she called him an Alpha, Stefan smirked, obviously pleased, before he led her towards the Red room. He guided her to sit at his side, near the head of the table where her Father sat. Stefan pulled out her chair and she sat, smiling up towards him. Stefan, on the outside, appeared as a perfect gentleman. Giovanni, on the other side of the table, was glaring, obviously displeased that he hadn’t thought to escort her himself.

Augustine, from the head of the table, was amused at the antics of the Alphas vying for his daughter’s attention. Anastasia, however young she was, was still enjoying the attention of the possessive males who surrounded her. There were various females as well. Many of the men and women in the room were unmated, almost the entirely of them being True Alphas, as many figureheads and leaders of the packs were. It was customary for the strongest to be the leaders of the lessers, and the leaders were in the room now.

After all had been seated, Augustine stood at the head of the table and began to speak; “Tonight, we must speak of many things. Drawing new territory lines, and a checkup of how your kingdoms are doing.. We must continue to aid and strengthen one another, and in saying that, it would strengthen us to have my daughter be arranged to marry.. one of you. I figured we could start with the bidding, though it is not a guarantee until she accepts one of you. The bidding is only a step in the door, ladies and gentleman. You may begin, but keep it clean! There will be no fights tonight, am I clear?”

His voice was clear, and no resistance was offered by any other in the room.

“I would like to bid for her. 100,000.” Giovanni was the first to speak, eying Anastasia with a smile as he did. She looked towards him intently, but did not smile.. The amount seemed low, and she was slightly disappointed. Kardos, at her side, seemed to sense this and grinned slightly towards Giovanni, almost as if he had won something in her disappointment. His hand disappeared beneath the table, caressing Ana’s knee, and her gorgeous golden gaze was turned towards Stefan.

Naive child. Said Giovanni’s wolf as she allowed Stefan to fawn over her.

The Elder Pureblood, Stefan, ran a finger up her knee, closer to her thigh, and Anna shivered audibly, yet quietly. It was a whisper of a gasp, and her heat spiked from the attention. Every Alpha in the room could smell her interest, and every other emotion. Her smell was an aphrodisiac, growing stronger despite the suppressants. There was audible deep inhales, and soft chuckles as they sensed Anastasia was growing out of control with her tiny bursts of lust. The elders were used to nervous Omegas, so they thought nothing of it. Her father even laughed, which just made her even more embarrassed.

Suddenly, her sweet voice called out, making all heads turn towards her with amusement and interest. “Only one bid? I thought more of the most wealthy figureheads in the country would atleast want a chance at having a rare Omega at their side.”

A few of them scoffed and laughed at the child speaking her mind, and Augustine barked a laugh. “You heard the Omega. Bid!” His voice was laced with a command, and Stefan responded just as he raised his other hand to tug Anastasia’s chin to make her look up at him. “1 million for Anastasia. She will make a fine addition to the Kardos.”

“Alpha..” She was disbelieving he would spent that much, she hadn’t realized he would bid that high for her. Maybe Kardos was more of a man that’s Giovanni.

As Stefan manhandled her, albeit with gentle touches, she looked towards Giovanni with a challenge.

Maybe she wasn’t as much of a shy wallflower as he first thought.