Page 15 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

Articus chuckled, nodding. “Of course. I’ll make sure it’s worth your while.”

Wren sighed, unable to help the small smile that crept onto her face. “Fine, but only because Mara said so.”

They moved to a corner booth, away from the few patrons who had trickled in. Articus held her chair out for her, a gesture that caught Wren off guard.

Who is this guy?

She wondered as she sat down while he took the seat opposite her.

“So, you really aren’t from around here?” she asked, studying him.

“Yeah,” he replied, leaning back in his chair. “I’m from very far away. Had to fly here.”

Wren’s curiosity piqued. “Wow. What did you come here for?”

“Just some business,” Articus said vaguely, though there was a hint of something deeper in his tone.

Business.

Wren repeated in her mind. A lot of people do come to this area for business. Sometimes it’s to find information, orto hire someone to get information. She glanced at him again, noting his strong build and confident demeanor.

He looks like he can handle himself in the rough parts of town. Maybe he’s the type who gets paid to find things out. But then, darker thoughts crossed her mind.

Some people come here for other reasons… to hire assassins, or to buy slaves. A cold shiver ran down her spine at the thought. Wren hated anyone involved in the slave trade, despised the idea of people being bought and sold like property. But something told her Articus wasn’t that type of man.

At least, I hope he isn’t.

They continued to chat, the conversation flowing more easily than Wren had expected. Articus was surprisingly easy to talk to, and she found herself enjoying his company more than she wanted to admit.

There was a connection between them that she couldn’t quite explain—a pull, almost like her wolf was delighted to be near his. She noticed the way his eyes would soften when he looked at her, and the way his presence made her feel oddly safe, despite the short time they’d known each other.

Her wolf stirred within her, sensing the same connection, a bond that felt natural and strong.

Why am I feeling this way?

She was confused by the intensity of her emotions. But she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the man sitting across from her.

Just as the conversation was getting more comfortable, Mara called out to Wren from behind the bar. “Sorry, Wren, but could you grab something from the back for me? I can’t find Bruno.”

Wren sighed but stood up, giving Articus an apologetic look. “No problem. I’ll be right back.”

Articus nodded, his expression neutral, though Wren noticed a flicker in his eyes. She brushed it off, heading toward the backroom.

I won’t be gone long. He can wait.

As she got to the storage area behind the bar, she found the box Mara had mentioned and began to lift it.

What now?

The silence of the alley was interrupted by the distant hum of a vehicle engine, growing louder by the second. Wren’s steps slowed as she glanced around, her senses suddenly on high alert.

The van appeared out of nowhere, its headlights cutting through the darkness like a knife. Panic surged through her, and she froze as the vehicle screeched to a halt beside her.

The stories she’d heard about kidnappings and rogue attacks flashed through her mind, each one more horrifying than the last. Tales of people vanishing without a trace, snatched off the streets, never to be seen again.

Before Wren could react, the van’s door slid open, and two figures jumped out, moving with a speed and precision that sent a chill down her spine. She stumbled back, her heart pounding in her chest.

I have to run. I have to get out of here.

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