Page 4 of Moonlit Choosing Ritual

“Three million dollars,” a deep, dark voice came from the balcony right in front of me.

I gasped as an icy block of dread dropped in my belly. Who would bid that much for me? And what was he going to make me do? Would he rape and kill me? What kind of kink was he into?

“Please don’t!” I shouted.

Brute immediately slapped his hand over my mouth as he growled. “Shut the fuck up, bitch!”

Madam Nella chortled. “That’s the highest bid I’ve ever received for any girl!” She glanced at me with a smile. “Is there anyone who’d like to bid higher?”

There were rustles and muffled murmurs, but no one had the nerve to raise their bid.

Madam Nella grinned. “Three million dollars, going once.” She scanned the balconies. “Three million dollars, going twice.” She paused, greedily hoping for more. “Three million dollars, sold!” she brought the hammer down on the podium. “Please collect your girl from the office.”

Chapter 2

Kimble

Brute chuckled as he gripped my neck and shoved me away. “I’ve never witnessed such an interesting auction here.”

I stumbled forward with anxiety swirling like a raging storm inside me. Who was my buyer? Was he going to cut me open to see my innards? There would be no one to save me.

A whimper escaped my lips as Brute forced me to walk to the office and pushed me into a room. “Stay here until the deal’s done!” he snarled. He handed me my shorts. “That’s your bonus for making us so much money.”

One by one, the girls started to leave until I was alone.

I had cried so much out of feelings of despair over the last few hours. I was left with nothing but numbness as I sat here thinking about the absurdity of my existence. Was this my fate?

The wrong sperm fertilized the egg in my mom’s womb.

Focusing intensely on why my mother couldn’t be like other mothers, my emotions burned so hard that they pushed me to the void, making me reflect on the nature of my suffering. My inner wound was shielded by layers of hardened shell.

And a layer just cut open, exposing me to the wolves. Waves of doubt crashed relentlessly against my mind. Was I born out of love?

“Kimble!” Brute’s gruff voice pulled me out of my reverie. “The money’s gone through. Madam Nella wants you in the office.” He threw a robe toward me. “The buyer wants you to wear this.”

With shaky hands, I took the robe and put it on. I followed Brute to where Madam Nella was waiting. “You did good,” she chuckled, leaning forward on her desk.

I nodded lightly and said, “My mother owed you a million dollars, but by selling me, you’ve covered that loss thrice over. Why don’t you set me free and keep everything you made tonight? I’ll disappear in the night and never come back.”

She raised an eyebrow to study me for a second, tipped her head back, and barked a laugh. She shook her head and wiped the tears from her eyes as if she was amused by my words. “If I set you free, those wolves will come after me. What will I give them instead? You know what—keep that stupid idea to yourself!” She jerked her chin toward the door. “Just get lost!”

Brute gripped my upper arm and pulled me to the door. He took me out of the building to a black SUV with tinted windows in the parking lot, where three tall ruthless-looking men were standing like they were ready to kill.

A beautiful man with warm brown eyes got out of the car and opened the passenger-side door for me. “Get in,” his voice rumbled. He addressed Brute. “Thanks Brute, I’ll take over from here.” When Brute saluted him with a grin and left, he smiled, revealing a dimple. His chestnut hair was shoulder length, only adding to his appeal. Tattoos snaked over his arms, disappearing under his sleeves. He truly was a beautiful man, and I felt like there was no other man who could be this attractive. Or warm.

His demeanor made me relax a bit. I tightened my robe and climbed into the passenger seat.

“Hi, I’m Kenzie Simmons.” He brought his hand forward for me to shake.

“Leash her with a collar,” the same dark and deep throaty voice that had bid for me barked from behind me, making me jump. I whipped my head back only to see a dark-tinted window separating us from the rear seat. Chills ran down my spine. I clenched my jaw as my eyes widened trying to see through the glass.

“Yes, Alpha,” Kenzie replied and retracted his hand.

I gulped as Kenzie picked up a leather collar from the dashboard and opened its buckle. “Are you insane?” I squeaked. “I won’t wear it!” Who in their right mind makes someone wear a collar?

“Do it!” the voice commanded.

Kenzie took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Kimble. You have to do what Alpha orders. He’s your owner now.”

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