Page 28 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

“Listen,” Cassius continued, swirling the wine in the red Bordeaux glass. “If you leave her here, they’ll find her again. The slavers have tracking magic. They use it to keep tabs on runaway slaves so they can reclaim their ‘merchandise’ if it gets too far from the buyer. They’ll be alerted if she’s beyond a certain distance.”

Cassius was always so smart, so analytical, and acted like everything was tit for tat. And Articus knew he was right. She could only survive if he took her over the mountains.

Articus clenched his jaw, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him. He had hoped for a simpler resolution, but the reality was stark and unforgiving. Cassius’s pragmatic approach was a reminder of the cruel world they lived in.

“So you think taking her over the mountain is the best option?” Articus asked.

Cassius nodded. “It’s the safest choice, at least.”

Articus ran his fingers through his hair, the magnitude of the entire situation falling on his shoulder. He had never imagined his marriage would be one that came with formality and huge responsibilities.

He had married Wren out of sheer goodwill and convenience to save her from a terrible fate, and now he had to deal with the consequences.

And I still haven’t gotten a THANK YOU! Perhaps I should’ve left the pest to suffer.

“Fine,” Articus said, his voice resigned. “We’ll go over the mountains tomorrow. Hopefully, she’ll be in a better mood after some sleep,” his words hung in the air, bitter and frustrated.

Articus paused, frustration clear in his voice, but then something shifted in his expression. His anger, while justified, began to waver under the weight of a deeper concern.

He turned to Cassius, his voice lower, more measured. “But you know, it’s not just about her. This whole situation is messed up, Cassius. Rogue wolves being kidnapped like this... it’s unacceptable. There are others out there—wolves who are being snatched up, treated like property. It’s wrong.”

Cassius looked at Articus, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he listened.

“This needs to stop. Cassius, talk to the other Alphas. We need to make a plan,” Articus continued.

“We can’t just let this keep happening. We should be protecting all wolves, not just those in packs. The rogues—especially those who are rogues by birth, not by choice—deserve a chance. They didn’t do anything wrong; they’re just... victims of circumstance.”

Cassius leaned forward, his attention fully captured. “You’re right. The Dark Side has always been a tough place, but we’ve been neglecting our own kind for too long. We should be paying more attention to wolf-kind in general, not just our packs. It’s time we set up communities for the wolves who are rogues by birth. They shouldn’t have to live in fear, constantly on the run or at risk of being taken.”

Articus nodded, his earlier frustration giving way to determination. “We need to put procedures in place, something to prevent these snatchings. If we can’t protect our own, what kind of Alphas are we?”

“I’ll talk to the others,” Cassius agreed. “It won’t be easy, but you’re right. The ways of the past and my father and his father before him were too focused on the packs and our own problems. It’s time we started thinking about the bigger picture. We’ll figure out a way to bring them into the fold, to give them the protection they deserve.”

Articus let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “Good. Because I don’t want to see another wolf go through what she’s been through. It’s not fair to any of them.”

Cassius gave a solemn nod, understanding the weight of what Articus was asking. "It’s the right thing to do; I will do mybest to make it work with the other Alphas on this side. Any help we can get on your side will also be appreciated.”

"You only have to ask," Articus said, his anger cooling into a quiet resolve. “I just hope it’s enough.”

Cassius sighed, a sound of quiet exasperation, and clasped Articus’ shoulder as they made their way out of the room. “Get some rest. You have a long way to go tomorrow,” he said, shutting the door.

Articus went back to the guest room Abigail had shown him after his meal, still thinking about Cassius’ suggestion to take Wren to his pack. And once she’s over there, Juniper might be able to remove the enchantment.

It’s not the worst idea.

As he settled on a chair, he decided to make a call to Rowan, hoping for some clarity. Reaching for his phone, he dialed his best friend’s number. Without the high-tech phone Rowan had custom-made for them, he doubted a call from the Dark Side would be possible.

The elders had gotten the message of the death of Cassius’ father through one of their ancient means. He made a mental note to leave a phone for Cassius when he was leaving.

The connection crackled before Rowan’s familiar voice came through. “Articus? What’s going on?”

“I need your help,” Articus began, his voice weary. “I’ve run into a situation here. I may or may not have gotten married.”

Rowan’s surprise was distinct. “Gotten married? What? I’m your best friend, and you didn’t invite me? What the hell is going on?”

“No, no,” Articus rushed to clarify. “It’s not like that. Iboughta wife.”

There was a pause on the other end. Rowan’s voice, when he spoke, was tinged with a mixture of confusion and disapproval. “You went for a simple transference ritual, and you decided tobuya wife? Articus, I’m sorry, but I don’t condone slavery. What exactly do you mean by that?”

---