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.

he held her there, forcing her

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

reverberated through her skull, commanding her to listen, willing her body to fold. She defied

on me,” she hissed quieth, pushing the glass

I can’t enjoy

a fist to the face, “I thought you hated

Lita asked suddenly, aware that she was just as likely to get an answer as Cole Sights. Though I admit when 1

for? I have a problem with ignoring his birthright,” Maxim snarled fencely. “Its his inclination to make that his job, to train lovely 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 Lita nearly jumping out of her skin. The man was petrifying in how quickly he could turn

pits were

they re something I 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 get out alive and I’m certainly wolf enough to say it. There’s no shame in nearly being bested by my own son. I raised him well. Raised him to

we had a weakness until we came to kill you. It’s almost comical that you were nearly killed by the thing you inspired, isn’t

on that, you ll have to bring Chris back from the dead and ask.”

the women. And the man beside Ben who was leading the silent auction. Men around the table used their glasses 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

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

figured it out yet? Maxim whispered entirely too close to her ear. Enough to make her snap her neck away and give herself whiplash. She rubbed

think you have little pup. Or you’d being

What the fuck does

of shaking and tears. Lita almost emptied the sandwich shed eaten all over the table. The winning Alpha pushed away from the table like a prized

this evening, gentlemen.” He grabbed her roughly and led her through a doorway as the auctioning

man beside Lita asked Maxim, his eyes like icicles as they

Carlisle. I take

we say, simply means more for

chest. But she had to be patient. Play the part of the weak, little wolf Pretend to be broken until she

pointing his fork to her salad, “I hear you haven’t eaten for a week

you want from your women. Pig. You can shove this salad straight up your Lita screamed out as a sharp,

Auctions

hardly moved at all and yet Lita hid six inch gold steak knife sticking out of her thigh.

“Make the Laily. Do behave. Or you’ll test my patience.” Lita couldn’t think straight. Not with the agony in her veins or Nyx’s

I’m certainly capable of handling a flustered pup, Maxim. And I’ll ask you to refrain from damaging my property!” Property… they kept talking about her like she was

‘She’s still mine until