Page 23 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

A girl in a dirty, tattered gown and heavy chains on her feet and hand was led out by a handler. She could barely walk.

Will they auction Wren, too?!

The bid went by quickly. Three more supernatural beings were auctioned and won. Just as he was about to lose his cool. A handler came on the stage, leading her.

Wren.

She was wearing a short, tattered white gown. Unlike the others, she was not chained. On her left cheek, there was an angry red handprint. Her lips were bruised, and her left eye was getting swollen.

Someone had slapped her hard. Articus's heart ached to see her injury. He silently swore to do worse to whoever did it to her if he ever found out who they were.

Even with her injury and outfit, she was beautiful. Her hazel eyes shone with fury. Articus suddenly wished there was no war to watch out for. He would have enjoyed busting some heads.

Whosoever is the head of this organization is a sick fuck!

"And lastly, we have our virgin bride. A beautiful rogue werewolf that can come in handy in your bed and with household chores." The host's voice was laced with honey.

Virgin bride? They are selling her off as a bride?!!

Articus was so shocked that his eyes glowed in anger. Cassius noticed this and whispered in his ears, "You know we cannot fight here, Articus. Try something else," he pleaded.

Mind in shambles, Articus turned to face her. She stood tall, face rid of emotions, eyes skillfully gazing around the room, her hands fisted at both sides. She growled at the handler, who moved her to the stage center.

Suddenly, his respect for the girl grew. When he looked into her eyes, he saw defiance. He could tell in his gut that if shebroke free, she would kill every living soul in the room. Articus felt pride and an alarming desire for her.

"We start the bid at 5 million dollars," Linus announced.

Several hands went up. They made their bid known. But Articus waited. The bidding went on till the amount was raised to 70 million dollars.

Articus smirked. "200 million dollars for her. I want her." His voice was both amused and condescending.

Linus' face lit up in excitement at the same time the girl locked eyes with Articus. He felt dirty for resorting to this, but it was his best bet at the moment.

Articus was confident that no other person would take the bid higher. And he was right.

Cassius gave him a look and chuckled. “150 million could have done it, anyway; remember my interest,” he whispered.

"200 million dollars, going…going…" Linus paused for a bit. His eyes gazed around the room, but no hand came up. "And sold!" he screeched.

"Congratulations, Sir," he directed at Articus.

Articus growled at him and turned his face. He was getting irritated with himself by the second.

"Unlike the other wins. You, Sir, will have to claim yours up on the stage. You won yourself a bride. This means you get to marry her here in our presence." Linus smiled

What?! Marry her? This wasn't part of the plan!

Articus gave nothing away as he asked in annoyance, "Do I?"

"Yes," Linus replied quickly, a glint in his eye.

“It seems you have to,” Cassius added. “Let’s just play along.”

He climbed the stage and stood a few feet away from the girl. She was no longer holding her fury back, and it was directed at him.

A priest appeared out of nowhere. He blessed the union and named husband and wife. The audience clapped and cheered. The handler expertly led the girl down the stage, and Articus turned to follow. But Linus stopped him.

He smiled at him again. "You know, this isn't over. You have to bite her as soon as possible to bond her to you because any misbehavior she exhibits once you leave here with her is no longer our responsibility."

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