In the Alpha’s Arms

Auctions

The formal dining room left little to the imagination when it came to Maxim’s wealth. Greco–Roman style pillars lined the walls with large landscape. paintings of vineyards and biblical renditions of Judas and John the Baptist. Across the ceiling was a replica Lita recognized from the Sistine Chapel. For a moment, she couldn’t comprehend anything else other than the ceiling’s beauty. It made a statement, demanded appreciation and observation. And some part of her hated to compliment anything of his.

When she finally tore her eyes away from the striking artwork, Lita saw the floor. Calcutta marble with gold veining laid in such perfection she almost couldn’t see the edges. The lines of grout must have been paper thin because it felt like one continuous slab of flooring.

The table sat in the center of the room and was long enough to seat thirty two people, fifteen on each side and two heads, though one of the heads was empty. From the empty end of the table, one could clearly see the raised dais in the front of the room. Two giant chandeliers hung over the table and they were classically lit by faux candlelight. At the moment, the table was bare of food but the place settings were elaborate with crystal and gold trimmed goblets. Jugs of water sat alongside floral presentations of sprawling reds and blacks and green in wide set clear glass vases.

The whole room screamed money. Opulence. Influence. No, it was decandance. A festering beauty bred of too much money. Too much influence. And nothing of substance beneath it.

Whatever shed thought of Maxim at their first dinner together, was nothing compared to the size and grandeur of this room, Lita realized. He was beyond wealthy. And she now knew one of the many ways he made his fortune was by selling women. Human trafficking of some sort. Cole had mentioned it before. But now she knew some of what it meant. The slaves they kept were temporary, probably in some sort of rotation before they were auctioned, Just like she was set to be. But the ultimate purpose of the auctions were unclear.

Ren walked her across the empty room to take a seat on the right of the head and she tried to ignore the sound of her sandals clacking along the marble. No one else had arrived yet, not even Maxim, and Ren used the opportunity to squeeze a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Don’t do anything tput his hand said please. And though she nodded briefly, Lita knew she couldn’t make that promise. And Neither could Nyx.

A moment later a chime sounded and the doors opened as smartly dressed men in business suits meandered to the table. Ren disappeared like vapor. One minute he was there, the next she was alone. The men cast curious glances her way, all with wolfish smiles on their faces. She was, no doubt, expected to put on a show for them Perhaps present herself in the best light. But fuck that. Lita snorted and sneered in their faces as they took seats around the table. And yet none of them seemed shocked or offended. They all continued to talk and sip their cocktails as if she was amusing them.

What the hellbind of action is this? Nyx growled.

I’m araming the kind where they expect a little fight..

That’s disgusting. And now I’m pretty sure I’m going to bite someque

And I’m pretty sure I woulder stop you

Another chime sounded and the door near the middle of the room opened. Maxim emerged with a careful smile on his face, a whiskey in his hand, and one of the most annoyingly perfect black suits Lita had ever seen. She could already Imagine Nyx running her claws through it, reducing it to ribbons, and that calmed her nerves enough to hold his gaze as he rounded the table.

As he took a seat at the head of the table, servers began to move about the room, depositing hefty trays and bowls of food onto the table. He watched it all with precise intensity, looking at the other men, looking at the serving staff, casting amused glances at Lita herself. And on the last chime the room was emptied of serving staff as the room went quiet

“Welcome, gentlement” Maxim raised his glass in toast as the men followed his lead, equally careful smiles on their faces, “It is my pleasure to bring you another fine auction this evening. I hope you all have come prepared to thrill us with your bottomless bank accounts and bloodlust.” He snapped his fingers and Ren appeared alongside another man from a smaller door, “Bring in the first course

Bloodbat? First course? Th

There was already piles and piles of food on the table. What more could be brought? With a head nod, the man beside Ren disappeared and emerged with a woman… no several women… all bound with rope. All gagged and wild eyed as they were forced onto a raised dais at the front of the room. Litas stomach dropped, twisted, curdled as she looked at their trembling and the men’s responding wolfish grins. Before she could even think about it, she’d pushed up out of her chair when a strong hand came down on her forearm.

seat as he held her there, forcing her back into her seat with the

flash of his red eyes in waming Looking around, she saw other red and blue flashes around the table as they eyed the women. She was among strong Alphas and Betas. Far stronger than the ones she’d fought in the pits, she rightly assumed, Arst wait. We’ll wait for an opening Nyx cumed as Lita slid herself back into her seat. Maxim’s eyes were full of venom as he used his other hand to scoop salad onto her plate. Then he used the same hand to pour her a glass of wine, placing it gently before her

commanding her to listen, willing

me,” she hissed quieth, pushing the

now,” he died, “But it doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the discomfort on your

to the face, “I thought you hated

get an answer as Cole Sights. Though I admit when 1 Erst

common wolves and humans. To make those worthless things his pack! It’s beneath him and his pedigree. That’s have a problem with The way he spat the word pack had

pits were

added after that unfortunate run–in at the last tournament. I have to give it to Cole, his Eghters were nuthless. Did he tell you most of my men died? I was lucky to

I hadn’t realized we had a weakness until we came to kill you. It’s almost comical that you were nearly killed

an opinion on that, you ll have to bring Chris back from the dead

to denote a bid as they warred for the winning number. She listened closely to hear the amount… three thousand four… ten thousand. For one woman? Her stomach

money to burn and no reason not to burn it but they weren’t stupid. If the woman was worth ten thousand to these men who likely valued nothing short of money and power what was the value she offered them? Certainly not a wife. And there was far cheaper pussy to be had in their own packs, she

whispered entirely too close to her ear. Enough to make her

dont think you have little pup. Or you’d

the fuck

auctioneer congratulated, bringing the woman forward as a price to be claimed. Her whole body a wreck of shaking and tears. Lita almost emptied the sandwich shed eaten

“To be the first winner this evening, gentlemen.” He grabbed her roughly and led her through a

course this evening?” The man beside Lita asked Maxim, his eyes

Carlisle. I take it

shall we say, simply means more for the rest of us. And

snap her teeth at him, wanted to pull her claws of out of his chest. But she had to be patient. Play the part of the weak, little wolf Pretend to be broken until she saran opening, an advantage she could exploit. She had begun to sweat. Not only from the attention of their conversation but from the attention she gamered in the room. Her eyes kept flicking back to the door where

fork to her salad, “I hear you haven’t eaten for a week and I prefer my women

give a flying fuck what you want from your women. Pig. You can shove this

Auctions

and

you’ll test my patience.” Lita couldn’t think straight. Not with the agony in her veins or

I’ll ask you to refrain from damaging my property!” Property…

‘She’s still mine until