Selene stood alone at the center of the room, barefoot against the cold marble floor.
The dress they had given her was gold—too tight, too revealing, and far too expensive for someone like her. It clung to her skin as if it were alive, marking her clearly for what she was meant to be tonight.
An Omega for sale.
The underground auction hall was packed with wolves, most of them Alphas. Their power saturated the air, thick with dominance and hunger. Selene felt it pressing down on her chest, making each breath harder than the last.
She kept her eyes lowered.
Looking at them only made it worse.
"Lot Thirty-One," the announcer called loudly. "Female Omega. Verified lineage. Untouched. One night only."
Her stomach twisted.
One night.
That was all they wanted.
That was all it would cost to save her father's life.
The bidding began instantly.
"Five hundred thousand."
"Seven hundred."
"One million."
Each number rang through her like a blow. Selene curled her fingers into her palms, grounding herself in the pain. She had agreed to this. She had walked into the Black Claw Pack's territory and signed the contract with her own hand.
Her father's debt would be erased.
Her father would live.
That had to be enough.
"Two million."
"Two point five."
The voices blurred together. The room felt too hot, too loud. Selene focused on slowing her breathing, remembering her mother's voice from long ago.
Survive first. Cry later.
Then, suddenly, the room went silent.
The shift was instant and terrifying.
The air changed, thickening as if a storm had just rolled in. Selene's wolf froze inside her, every instinct screaming at once.
Mate.
The word echoed through her bones.
Her head lifted before she could stop herself.
At the back of the hall stood a single Alpha, partially hidden in shadow. He was tall, broad, dressed in black, his presence dominating the space without him needing to move. A smooth black mask covered his face, but his eyes were fully visible.
Silver.
Cold.
Focused entirely on her.
Her knees nearly gave out.
The bond slammed into her, sudden and brutal. Heat flooded her body, racing through her veins, leaving her dizzy and weak. She grabbed onto the edge of the platform to steady herself.
No.
This couldn't be happening.
The Alpha raised one finger.
That was all.
"Sold," the announcer said quickly, his voice tight. "Lot Thirty-One goes to our final bidder."
The gavel struck.
The sound echoed through Selene's chest like a verdict.
Guards approached her, efficient and silent. A dark cloak was placed around her shoulders, hiding the gold dress from view. She barely felt it.
Her gaze stayed locked on the masked Alpha.
He turned and walked away without another glance.
"Come," one of the guards said softly.
Her legs felt numb as they guided her through a private corridor, away from the noise, away from the other bidders whose interest had now turned to resentment.
At the end of the hall, a door opened into a quiet, dimly lit suite.
The Alpha stood by the window, city lights glowing behind him. He didn't turn when the door closed.
"Leave us," he said.
The guards disappeared.
Selene was alone with him.
Slowly, he faced her.
Up close, his presence was overwhelming. Power rolled off him in waves, controlled but dangerous. The mask hid his face, but his eyes told her everything.
"You understand why you're here," he said.
She nodded, unable to trust her voice.
"You were not meant to be sold," he continued. "But the debt bound you."
Tears burned in her eyes. "I agreed to the terms."
"One night," he said quietly. "And then you leave."
Her heart clenched. "After that… I'm free?"
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
"For you," he said, "there is no after tonight."
Fear and longing crashed together inside her.
Selene didn't know yet that she would run before dawn.
That she would disappear without a trace.
Or that five years later, three small wolves would carry this Alpha's blood.
She only knew that fate had just closed its jaws around her.
And it would never let go.