Rin's expression darkened the moment the first cage was wheeled onto the stage. The dim light caught on the bars, throwing jagged shadows across the hall. Inside, a male beta knelt, his wrists shackled and chained to the floor of the cage. He wore nothing but a sheer, see-through shirt that clung loosely to his body, exposing more than it concealed.
The man's head lolled to one side, his lips parted slightly as if he couldn't even summon the strength to close them. His eyes were glazed, dazed, and unfocused—drugged beyond reason.
Rin's brows furrowed. His fists tightened in his lap. He had known the Ash Fangs trafficked in omegas. He had prepared for the cruelty of it, braced himself for the inevitable sight of one stripped of dignity and paraded like merchandise. But this…
They were auctioning off betas now?
The realization twisted in his gut. If the Ash Fangs were expanding their reach to betas, too, it meant something far worse than he had calculated. Their hunger for profit and control was spreading wider, gnawing at every vulnerable class they could sink their claws into.
The host, dressed in a crisp suit that gleamed under the stage lights, smiled with false charm. "Our first item of the evening," he announced, voice slick as oil. "A strong and capable beta. Fresh, untouched. He'll make a fine servant or plaything. The bidding starts at fifty thousand."
Hands rose instantly, voices murmured across the room, numbers growing higher, sharper. The sound of wealth exchanging for flesh echoed against the dimly lit walls.
Rin's jaw clenched as he watched. The beta's head barely lifted, his body swaying as if the floor might swallow him whole. A few more shouts, a decisive call, and the hammer came down. Sold.
Another cage rolled in. Another beta—this time a woman. She was trembling, her hair plastered to her damp forehead, eyes wild though unfocused. The host's voice rang out again, the crowd answering with greedy enthusiasm. She, too, disappeared into a purchased fate.
One after another, the pattern repeated. Men, women, young, older. All betas. All sold.
By the time the last cage was wheeled off, Rin's frown had deepened into a shadow that clung to his features. His heartbeat was steady, but only because he forced it to be. Each transaction only fueled the simmering fire in his chest.
A faint crackle in his earpiece drew his attention. Tobi's voice, low and urgent, cut through the noise of the auction.
"They're here," Tobi said. "The omegas just got brought backstage. Caught them on the feed."
Rin's eyes immediately sought Kael's. The Wolf Mark leader was already watching him, his expression unreadable but his sharp gaze carrying an unspoken acknowledgment. Rin gave the faintest of nods. Kael mirrored the motion.
On stage, the host spread his arms wide, theatrically drawing the crowd's focus back. "Now, esteemed guests," he purred, "we come to tonight's most prized offerings." His grin widened, teeth glinting in the dim light. "Our special items."
The air shifted. The murmur of voices hushed into anticipation. All eyes turned as a line of guards escorted the next arrivals onto the stage.
Ten. No—fifteen.
Omegas.
Their hands were bound, their steps clumsy and uneven as if they'd been shoved forward until they collapsed in line. Thick collars gleamed dully around their necks, metal biting into fragile flesh. They were naked, every inch of them displayed under the harsh glare of the spotlights.
Rin's face went pale, his grip tightening on the armrest of his seat until his knuckles ached.
They weren't just collared.
They were in heat.
The scent hit him like a strike to the lungs. Heavy, intoxicating, cloying with its sickly-sweet intensity. The pheromones flooded the room the moment the omegas were marched into view, saturating the air with desperate want.
Rin sucked in a sharp breath, trying to steady himself, but his body betrayed him. He was already in heat. Already walking the fine line between restraint and collapse. Now, surrounded by this suffocating wave of pheromones, it felt as though his chest might cave in.
The omegas themselves looked barely conscious. Their dazed expressions, flushed cheeks, and trembling legs screamed of tampering. Their pupils were blown wide, their movements sluggish, uncoordinated. The Ash Fangs had drugged them, amplified their condition for the show.
Rin inhaled deeply, forcing air into his lungs. He swallowed hard, grounding himself with sheer willpower. Slowly, agonizingly, he steadied his breathing.
On stage, the host let the crowd bask in the sight before fanning the fire even further. "As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, these omegas are already primed. Their pheromones are in full bloom. And among them—" He paused dramatically, letting the suspense thicken. "—we have two male omegas tonight."
The hall erupted.
Shouts, gasps, the rush of pheromones released from the audience themselves. Excitement surged like a fever. Male omegas were rare. Priceless. To own one was not just indulgence—it was power, prestige, dominance.
Omegas themselves were rare, but male omegas were rarer. It's a one-in-a-million chance that a male omega is born. Yet here, in this auction, not one but two male omegas stood on stage. The revelation sent a shiver of excitement through the hall, the audience electrified, their thrill palpable as they leaned forward with hungry eyes.
The sudden flood of pheromones pouring from every corner of the room made Rin's condition worse. His nails dug crescents into his palm, his throat tightening as if the air had turned into smoke. His head spun, his skin clammy. Every breath felt like drowning.
The host raised his hand, commanding silence once more. "Control yourselves," he chided, though his smile betrayed his delight at the chaos. "We're not done. Tonight, we have something even more special to present."
From the side of the stage, another man stepped forward. He carried a small velvet-lined tray, upon which sat a tiny vial filled with translucent liquid. He lifted it with care, tilting it so the lights caught the shimmering contents.
The host's grin widened. "Behold—our very own creation. The heat-inducing drug."
A ripple of shock and fascination spread through the hall.
"This vial," the host continued smoothly, "contains the very substance used on our lovely omegas tonight. Just a drop, and they bloom into heat instantly. A rare and limited commodity. But tonight, for you, our honored guests, we offer a chance to claim it."
It's time to take action.
Rin's gaze snapped toward Kael.
Kael met his eyes, and he gave a firm nod.
Rin exhaled sharply, then pressed his fingers against the edge of his earpiece. A subtle signal. Lucas would understand.
At the same time, Kael's hand moved almost imperceptibly, a quick adjustment that sent his own signal to Jax and Rowan.
The pieces slid into motion.