3: Shocking surprise

Lena.

True to his word, I couldn't remember how to find the auction house again. The driver took me home in silence, helped me to my apartment door, and vanished before I could even thank him. I stumbled inside, locked every lock, and collapsed on my bathroom floor, where I threw up until there was nothing left in my stomach.

Then I showered. And showered again. And again. Until the hot water ran out and my skin was raw from scrubbing.

I should call the police. That's what any rational person would do after being kidnapped and nearly sold at some kind of human auction. But what would I tell them? That men with glowing eyes were bidding on me? That I was rescued by someone called the "Alpha King" who could break steel chains with his bare hands?

They'd think I was crazy. Or on drugs. Maybe I was crazy. Maybe none of it had happened.

But the bruises on my wrists where the chains had cut into my skin told a different story. And I still had Kieran Volkov's jacket—black, custom-tailored, made of the softest wool I'd ever felt. Proof that he, at least, had been real.

I didn't go to classes the next day. Or the day after that. I called in sick, ignoring the concerned texts from Becky, my only real friend who noticed my absence. I couldn't face the world yet. Couldn't face the possibility of seeing Jake or Tyler. Couldn't bear the thought of anyone looking at me after what had happened.

On the third day, I forced myself to get out of bed. I had to keep going. Had to pretend everything was normal. I couldn't let them—any of them—win.

I avoided the library. Took different routes to my classes. Kept my head down. I jumped at shadows and flinched when people came too close. At night, I dreamed of glowing eyes and auction blocks, of chains and Kieran Volkov's silver gaze.

Life went on. Somehow.

Weeks passed. Then months. The bruises faded. The nightmares came less frequently. I still carried pepper spray and never went out after dark alone, but I was functioning again. Surviving.

And then my mother called with news that would change everything again.

"Lena? Honey? Are you sitting down? I have the most amazing news!"

My mom's voice bubbled with excitement through the phone. I smiled despite myself, picturing her bouncing on her toes the way she did when she was happy.

"What's up, Mom?" I asked, wedging the phone between my ear and shoulder as I stirred pasta for dinner.

"I've met someone! His name is Richard, and he's absolutely wonderful. Handsome, successful, totally swept me off my feet."

I blinked in surprise. My mom hadn't dated much since my dad left us when I was twelve. "Wow, that's... great, Mom. Where did you meet him?"

"At the gallery! He came in looking for artwork for his estate, and we just hit it off immediately. We've been seeing each other for a few weeks now."

"A few weeks? And you're just telling me now?"

She laughed, that girlish laugh I hadn't heard in years. "I wanted to be sure before I said anything. And honey... I'm sure. He's asked me to marry him!"

I nearly dropped the phone. "What? Mom, you've only known him for a few weeks!"

"When you know, you know," she said dismissively. "And wait until you hear the best part—he wants us both to move to his estate! It's this amazing property up in the mountains. He's sending his private jet for us this weekend!"

"Private jet?" My stomach twisted uneasily. "Mom, who is this guy? What do you actually know about him?"

"His name is Richard Volkov. He's in... investments, I think. International business. He's very private, but incredibly generous. You'll love him, Lena, I promise."

The name hit me like a physical blow. Volkov. It couldn't be... could it?

"What does he look like?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Oh, he's gorgeous. Tall, dark hair with a touch of silver at the temples, the most unusual gray eyes..."

My blood ran cold. Silver eyes. Volkov. It had to be him—the man who had saved me from the auction. The "Alpha King," whatever that meant.

"Mom," I said carefully, "I don't think this is a good idea. You barely know this man, and now you're moving in with him? Letting him fly us to some remote location?"

"Don't be so dramatic, Lena. Richard's wonderful. And he specifically said he can't wait to meet you. Isn't that sweet? Most men wouldn't care about their fiancée's adult daughter."

He wanted to meet me. But we'd already met, hadn't we? Did he know who I was? Was this all some bizarre coincidence, or something more sinister?

"Can I at least meet him before we go jetting off to his 'estate'?" I asked.

"There's no time, honey. The semester's almost over, and Richard wants us settled in before his business trip next month. Just pack for the weekend—casual but nice. His driver will pick you up Friday at noon."

"Mom—"

"I have to go, sweetie! So much to do before Friday. Love you!"

She hung up before I could argue further. I stood frozen in my tiny kitchen, the pasta now overcooked and mushy.

Volkov. Private jet. Mountain estate. None of this was a coincidence.

But why? Why would the man who saved me from a human auction suddenly be engaged to my mother? What did he want with us?

I had three days to figure it out. Three days before I'd be face-to-face with Kieran Volkov again—the mysterious "Alpha King" with the silver eyes who had haunted my nightmares for months.

And this time, I'd be walking willingly into his world.