Chapter 1: The fate of a slave
"Y'all, line up!" Slave master Raphael, dressed in a black jacket, spoke sternly, "When we enter the auction area, none of you will say a word, and all of you will remain quiet. Is that understood?"
The slaves nodded their heads in agreement, and no one dared to say another word. I stood in the middle of the group, silently awaiting my fate.
My name is Aray, and I was once the daughter of Beta from the Crescent Pack. My father was a wonderful warrior of the pack, and with his warm smile and steady gaze, he always encouraged me to believe that I could be as brave as him.
However, the relentless hand of fate caused me to fall from heaven to hell. My father had been set up to take part in the mutiny, and the entire tribe had been deceived by false officials. In a merciless trial, many innocent people were sentenced to death, including my father.
I couldn't forget the moment when my heart ached to its core as I watched my father's life fade away. I hate this cruel world, these hypocrites, and I would rather die than suffer like this again.
Fate, however, had not finished with me yet. I am the last living member of the pack, forced into slavery. I was once a free and strong girl, but now I am nothing but a helpless orphan who has lost everything.
One by one, the slaves were led into the auction room, and the line before me grew thinner. It would soon be my turn. I clutched the hem of my dress uncomfortably, and the thin fabric threatened to crumple up.
"You, get in there!" Raphael thrust me unceremoniously into the auction chamber, which was more brilliantly lit than the gallery. I involuntarily bowed my head to avoid the glare, but Raphael, the slave master, caught me by the hair and forced me to look up.
I saw Alphas from various packs sitting in the stands in the auction chamber. One of the grey-haired men at the head of the group was scanning my entire body, with a lecherous look in his eyes, staring between my legs.
Instantly, I tightened my legs in shame, feeling as if the man's eyes were sharp hooks tearing away the thin garment from me. I felt exposed and humiliated.
"Slaves from Crescent Pack are up for auction," Rafael paused deliberately for a few seconds, as if intent on whetting the purchaser's appetite.
"A virgin," he said aloud.
Alphas' eyes cut into my skin like blades, threatening to strip away my last remnants of dignity.
I was once a free, strong girl, but now I am only a slave, displaying my most vulnerable aspects for all to see. My heart pounded wildly, as if it would burst from my chest. I couldn't bring myself to meet those eyes, for they were not fixed on me but rather lusting after a plaything to possess.
I was afraid, afraid of their lust for me, afraid of their cruelty and indifference. I didn't want to be their object, but I was powerless to free myself from this cruel fate. All I could do was suffer in silence and watch my life become more absurd and helpless.
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, but I fought them back. I couldn't show my weakness in the presence of these cruel people, or it would only fuel their gloating. I had to be strong, even though I was falling apart inside. I gritted my teeth and faced this never-ending torture.
The sound of the auction rang in my ears, and Raphael's shouts became a shrill hum. My whole body ached as if I had been pricked with a thousand needles.
High bids continued throughout the auction, and all I could do was stand there helplessly, allowing them to bid on me. I felt like a lamb on a leash, being dragged around and at the mercy of others.
My heart screamed in agony, longing for it to be over, to be back home where I once possessed dignity and freedom. But reality pushed me relentlessly into another abyss.
My mind raced with mixed emotions, and I tried to escape from the horrifying scene, but there was nowhere to go. It dawned on me that I was a weak being in this world, with no choice.
Closing my eyes, I tried to control my emotions, letting the tears flow once again. I didn't know what the future held for me, but I knew I had to be strong, both as a slave and as someone who had once been free. I couldn't allow these callous people to destroy the little dignity and hope remaining within me.
After the first round of bidding, only two buyers remained. One was an old white-haired man sitting in front of me. The other was a mysterious man, hidden behind a screen. I couldn't see his face. I guess he was a powerful Alpha. Each time it was his turn to bid for me, he remained silent as a statue.
When the final round of bidding began, the older gray-haired man didn't hesitate to make a staggering offer, and everyone in the room looked surprised as he held up the sign.
"One hundred thousand!" Raphael exclaimed.
I looked at the confident, haughty face of the white-haired man, and a little fear crept over me. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, as if sending me a message.
Then the Beta at the side of the mysterious man who stepped up, lifting the sign displaying the number three.
"Three hundred thousand!" the voice proclaimed
The white-haired man frowned, but he raised his hand, determined to win.
"Three hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Four hundred thousand!" the Beta followed.
The room became tense, and everyone knew it was becoming a bargain. I could feel my body tensing up, my heart suffering.
The white-haired man was silent for a moment, then, gritting his teeth, he called out the higher figure himself instead of using the sign.
"Five hundred thousand!"
I felt suffocated, the price tag seemed astronomical to me. I wondered if they would raise the price again, but part of me just wanted the ordeal to be over.
"Seven hundred thousand!" A deep and commanding voice resonated from behind the screen, the very voice of the enigmatic man bidding.
The crowd was aghast. That's a hefty price to pay, after all. Yet the voice of the man behind the screen did not waver, like an impenetrable wall blocking out other bidders.
The white-haired man turned and stared intently at the man behind the screen, seemingly contemplating whether to raise the price further.
Then the mysterious Alpha's voice rang out again, cold and resolute. " One million!"
His words carried unwavering determination. I felt an invisible force emanating from him, drawing me in despite myself.
The white-haired man looked resigned, realizing that raising the price any further would be futile. Finally, he dropped his sign and withdrew from the bidding.
The unknown Alpha remained silent behind the screen, his face hidden from my view, but his voice echoed in my ears. I sensed his firmness and coldness. Perhaps he was a callous man, but he was also my only means of escaping my fate.
Finally, Raphael announced, "One million for Alpha Devon. This slave will be delivered to your pack in three days!"
I had been purchased by Alpha Devon, and my life now felt like an eternal sentence of servitude. However, I also knew that it was a destiny from which I could not escape. Alpha Devon had become my master, and I could do nothing but silently accept this cruel arrangement and continue living under his control.
A sudden chill ran through me, causing a shudder, and I casually glanced toward the screen where the man had been seated, only to find that he had vanished. My heart felt hollow, and uncertainty filled my thoughts about what the future held. All I could do was strive to survive.