rowded together while buyers shouted over one another. Instead, the building was large, clean, and strangely calm. Tall doors opened into a polis

lothes made Lena feel even more out of place, and that

hreatened anyone. They simply sat, watched, and waited, as though

approached Lena with a s

am

en

ge

nty-

an

on

. "Wolf?" Lena s

te it down. "

nd the woman closed th

other women stood quietly. Some stared at the fl

hat they were willing to pay, and the highest offer was accepted. She was then taken through a side door, and the ne

nt leaned toward his compa

on the platform, looking her over befor

ng to meet their eyes. D

ath her bed. The faded blue ribbon inside it. The key hidden beneath her

woman in the dark dress stood

he stepped onto the platform, doze

ation in front of him. "Twenty-two y

he room, and Lena stared

hey called it when her family gave her away, the word sitting he

aised his hand.

the amounts climbing steadily. Lena refused to look at the people

d an amount no one else was willing to matc

s returned and guided her from the platform, and Len

ighting the urge to look at anyone around her. She had known she would be sold.

ack of the auction house open

ed entirely in black. His dark hair was neatly kept, and his expression was contro

r straightene

ing on Lena. Heat rose into her cheeks. She lowered her gaz

d his head. "Alpha

not know why he was there or what he wanted. She only knew