Page 33 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

"Ready?" Articus asked, his hand on the door handle.

Wren nodded. "Ready."

Chapter 12 - Articus

The air in the room felt tense, a heavy silence settling as Articus stood by the large window, his sharp eyes staring out at the endless expanse of his territory. The White Moon pack’s lands were vast and beautiful, stretching far beyond the mountains.

He had called Rowan and his wife here out of necessity, and despite his confidence in Juniper’s powers, it did little to quell the anxiety gnawing at him. Wren was upstairs, resting, her fragile state weighing heavily on his mind.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawn of Articus's estate as a sleek black SUV pulled up the driveway. Articus stepped out to the front steps, his white hair glinting in the fading light.

As the car doors opened, his heart momentarily lightened when he saw his best friend. Rowan Zev, towering, broad-shouldered, and exuding an aura of effortless confidence, stepped out first. Behind him, his wife Juniper followed, her presence as ethereal as ever. She moved with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders.

Articus descended the steps to greet them, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Rowan, Juniper. Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Rowan grinned, pulling Articus into a brief but firm embrace. "What are best friends for? Besides, I couldn't pass up the chance to see the great Articus White in his new role as a married man."

Articus rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind the gesture. "I'm not really married, you idiot."

"Ah, but you will be soon enough," Rowan teased, his golden eyes twinkling with mischief. "Who would have thought? The last lone wolf, buying a wife at auction. It's like something out of a bad romance novel."

"Shut up," Articus growled, but there was no heat in his words. This was their dynamic; Rowan’s light-heartedness was something he had always appreciated, especially in moments like these.

Rowan laughed, a deep, hearty sound that echoed through the room. “I’m just saying, it’s not every day someone gets married on an auction stage. You’ve really outdone yourself this time.”

Articus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

If only it were that simple.

Juniper stepped forward, her black eyes serious despite the small smile on her lips. "It's good to see you, Articus.”

“And you, Juniper,” he replied, inclining his head in respect. “Thank you for coming.”

“I hope I can be of help today," she said softly. Her voice was smooth, almost musical.

Articus nodded, his expression sobering. "I hope so too, Juniper. Your expertise has been invaluable to us in the past."

She nodded, her expression unreadable. Articus knew that behind those calm eyes lay a mind constantly at work, assessing, calculating. Juniper was powerful, more so than any other witch he’d encountered, and if anyone could help Wren, it would be her.

As they made their way into the house, Rowan's gaze swept the opulent entryway. "So, where's the girl? I'm dying tomeet the woman who managed to catch the eye of the most eligible bachelor in the werewolf world."

Articus's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Her name is Wren, and she's upstairs. I'll go get her."

As he climbed the stairs, Articus's mind raced. How would Wren react to meeting Rowan and Juniper? Would she be scared? Angry? He found himself hoping she would be comfortable, a realization that surprised him.

Why do I care so much about her comfort?

There was something about Wren that had gotten under his skin, something that made him want to protect her. He knocked gently on her door. "Wren? Our guests are here. Are you ready to come down?"

There was a moment of silence before her soft voice replied, "Yes, I'll be right there."

When she emerged, Articus was struck once again by her beauty. Her light brown hair fell in soft waves around her face, and her hazel eyes, though wary, held a determination that he admired.

Wren’s lithe frame was silhouetted against the morning sun that filtered in through the hall windows. She had a natural athleticism, with toned muscles and a slender waist that hinted at her active lifestyle.

"You look nice," he said, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

A faint blush colored her cheeks. "Thank you," she murmured, her eyes darting away from his intense gaze.

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