The acrid stench of sweat, dirt, and desperation clung to the air like an unwelcome guest, making it hard for Aria Vale to breathe. Her wrists ached where the coarse rope bit into her skin, her ankles chafed raw from the iron cuffs that jingled with every reluctant step she took. The murmur of the crowd outside the tent grew louder, a sinister hum of anticipation that made her stomach churn.

She wanted to run. No, she wanted to fight. But what could she do? Her stepfather had sold her to settle his debts, and now she was just another piece of merchandise waiting to be bartered for gold.

“Keep moving!” barked the overseer, a rotund man with cruel eyes. He shoved her forward, his meaty hand digging into her back. Aria stumbled but kept her footing, glaring over her shoulder.

“If you touch me again, I swear—”

“You’ll what?” He sneered, leaning in so close she could smell his rancid breath. “You’re not in a position to swear anything, girl.”

Aria’s hands twitched, aching for the freedom to claw at his smug face. But she bit her tongue. Survival first. Revenge later.

The flap of the tent opened, and she was thrust into the harsh sunlight. The marketplace stretched out before her, a sprawling chaos of shouting vendors, leering men, and curious onlookers. The auction block loomed ahead, a wooden stage where lives were sold to the highest bidder.

Aria’s pulse quickened as she was led to the block, her heart pounding like a war drum. She could feel the stares, the way the crowd assessed her as if she were no more than livestock.

“She’s a feisty one,” someone murmured.

“Look at those eyes—like a cornered wolf.”

“I’ll bet she doesn’t last a week.”

The overseer yanked her onto the platform, raising her bound hands for the crowd to see. “Ladies and gentlemen!” he bellowed, his voice booming over the din. “Feast your eyes on this rare treasure! A spirited beauty with fire in her veins! Strong, healthy, and unbroken—perfect for any master with a firm hand!”

Aria’s jaw clenched, her nails digging into her palms. She scanned the crowd, searching for a way out. There had to be a way out.

The bidding began, the overseer rattling off numbers while voices called out their offers. She barely heard them, her mind racing as panic clawed at her chest. And then she saw him.

At first, he was just another figure in the sea of faces. But as the crowd parted, his presence became undeniable. He stood taller than anyone else, his broad shoulders draped in a black cloak that seemed to absorb the sunlight. His dark hair fell in unruly waves around a face that was all sharp angles and piercing intensity.

But it was his eyes that made her freeze. Golden, like molten fire, they locked onto hers with a predatory focus that sent a shiver down her spine. He wasn’t just looking at her—he was dissecting her, peeling back her layers to see what lay beneath.

“Who…?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

The murmurs around her shifted, a ripple of unease spreading through the crowd.

“That’s the Alpha King,” someone hissed.

“The Shadowmoon Alpha.”

“Why would he be here?”

Aria’s blood ran cold. The Alpha King. She had heard the stories—everyone had. Darius Stormhaven, the most feared wolf shifter in the land. A ruler whose name was spoken in hushed tones, whose enemies vanished without a trace. And now, he was looking at her as if she were prey.

“Five hundred gold pieces,” Darius said, his voice a deep rumble that silenced the crowd.

The overseer’s jaw dropped. “F-five hundred?”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

“No, Your Majesty! Of course not!” The overseer’s face lit up with greed. “Five hundred gold! Going once, going twice—”

“Six hundred!”

The crowd gasped, heads swiveling toward the new bidder. A man in an ornate crimson coat stepped forward, his slick smile oozing arrogance.

Darius turned his head, his golden eyes narrowing. “You dare challenge me, Leon?”

The man—Leon—shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I didn’t realize the mighty Alpha King was in the market for… entertainment.” His gaze flicked to Aria, lingering in a way that made her skin crawl. “But now that you mention it, she does seem worth the price.”

Darius didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. The tension crackling in the air was palpable, and the crowd held its collective breath.

“Seven hundred,” Darius said, his tone as calm as ever.

“Eight,” Leon countered, smirking.

“Enough,” Darius growled, his voice low but deadly. The crowd instinctively stepped back, and even Leon’s smirk faltered.

“One thousand gold,” Darius said, his gaze never leaving Leon.

Leon's smirk came back making eye contact with Darius

"One thousand ? She must be something to you, makes me even more curious "

The overseer nearly choked. “Sold! To His Majesty, the Alpha King!”

Aria barely had time to process what had happened before she was dragged off the platform and thrust into Darius’ waiting hands. His grip was firm but not cruel, his touch radiating heat that made her pulse quicken.

“You’re coming with me,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Aria glared up at him, summoning every ounce of defiance she had left. “I’m not yours.”

A flicker of amusement crossed his face, so brief she almost missed it. “You were sold to me, little wolf. That makes you mine.”

He turned, pulling her along as he made his way through the crowd. People parted for him like shadows fleeing the sun, their fear palpable.

Aria stumbled behind him, her mind a whirlwind of anger, fear, and confusion. She didn’t know what awaited her at the Shadowmoon Palace, but one thing was certain.

She wouldn’t go quietly.

---------

The journey to the Shadowmoon Palace was a blur. Aria had expected to be thrown into a carriage or dragged along like a prisoner, but instead, Darius placed her on his massive black stallion, settling her in front of him. His arm wrapped around her waist, firm and unyielding, keeping her in place as the horse galloped through the dense forest.

The speed of their travel matched the chaos in her mind. Every time she shifted to create space between them, his grip tightened, pulling her back against him. His warmth seeped into her, contrasting sharply with the icy dread swirling in her chest.

“Stop squirming,” he ordered, his voice close to her ear. “You’ll fall and break your neck.”

She stiffened, biting back a retort. Talking to him felt like poking a sleeping beast—dangerous and utterly foolish. Instead, she focused on the scenery flashing past them. Towering trees, their branches like skeletal fingers, cast long shadows in the fading sunlight. The forest was eerily silent, as if even nature feared the Alpha King.

“Why did you buy me?” she asked, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to sound strong.

Darius didn’t answer right away. She could feel his breath against her neck, steady and calm, as if he were considering whether to respond at all.

“I had my reasons,” he finally said, his tone giving nothing away.

“That’s not an answer,” she snapped, frustration overriding caution.

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

Aria gritted her teeth, hating the smug finality in his voice. He acted as if her life was his to control, as if she had no say in what came next.

She glanced at the dagger strapped to his thigh, just within reach. A reckless plan formed in her mind, but before she could act on it, Darius leaned closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

“Don’t even think about it,” he murmured.

She froze, her heart hammering in her chest. How had he known?

“I can hear your heartbeat,” he explained, his voice laced with amusement. “And your scent changes when you’re scheming. It’s… sharp. Like fear and defiance mixed together.”

Her cheeks burned, humiliation mingling with fury. “I’m not afraid of you,” she lied.

He chuckled, low and dark. “You should be.”

The rest of the ride passed in tense silence. By the time they reached the gates of the Shadowmoon Palace, night had fallen, and the towering structure loomed ahead like a specter. Its black stone walls glistened under the moonlight, and sharp spires pierced the sky. The palace looked more like a fortress than a home, and Aria’s stomach churned at the thought of what awaited her inside.

The gates creaked open, revealing a courtyard bustling with activity. Guards in dark armor saluted as Darius dismounted, pulling Aria down with him. She stumbled but quickly straightened, refusing to show weakness in front of her captor.

“Bring her to my chambers,” Darius commanded, addressing a tall, wiry man who stepped forward.

The man, who seemed to be a steward, hesitated. “Your Majesty, is that… wise? Given the circumstances—”

“Do you dare question me, Alric?” Darius interrupted, his tone icy enough to freeze the air.

Alric lowered his head. “Of course not, Your Majesty. Forgive me.”

“Good. See that she’s cleaned and fed. I’ll deal with her myself.”

Aria’s heart sank. Deal with her? What did that mean? She wanted to protest, to demand answers, but the sharp look Darius gave her silenced any words before they could form.

Alric motioned for her to follow, and she reluctantly obeyed, her chains clinking with each step. She cast one last glance at Darius, who watched her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

---

The room Aria was taken to was lavish, but it felt more like a gilded cage than a sanctuary. The bed was enormous, draped in silken sheets, and the fireplace cast a warm glow across the marble floor. A steaming bath awaited her in the adjoining chamber, along with a table laden with food.

Alric stood at the door, his expression unreadable. “You’d best do as he says,” he advised, his voice low. “The Alpha King doesn’t tolerate disobedience.”

Aria crossed her arms. “And what happens if I refuse?”

Alric sighed, his gaze softening slightly. “Then you’ll learn why he’s feared.”

He left before she could respond, the heavy door closing with a decisive thud. She stood there for a moment, staring at her surroundings. Despite the luxury, she felt no comfort. She was still a prisoner, no matter how soft the bed or how warm the bath.

But she wasn’t going to let this break her.

Aria approached the bath, dipping her fingers into the water. It was tempting—she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt clean—but she hesitated. Was this a trap? A way to make her lower her guard?

Her stomach growled, drawing her attention to the food. Roasted meat, fresh bread, and ripe fruit filled the table. Her mouth watered, but she forced herself to turn away. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her accept his hospitality so easily.

Instead, she moved to the window, her fingers brushing the heavy curtains aside. The view took her breath away. The palace was perched atop a cliff, overlooking a sprawling forest bathed in silver moonlight. It was beautiful and terrifying all at once, a reminder of how isolated she was from everything she had known.

A knock at the door startled her. She spun around as it creaked open, revealing Darius. He had shed his cloak, his dark shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the taut muscles of his chest.

“You didn’t eat,” he observed, his eyes scanning the untouched table.

“I wasn’t hungry,” she lied.

His gaze shifted to her, sharp and unyielding. “Do you think refusing food will change your situation?”

“I think it’s the only choice I have left,” she shot back.

Darius stepped closer, his presence dominating the room. “You have more choices than you realize, Aria. But defiance won’t help you. It’ll only make things harder.”

“I don’t care,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I’m not afraid of you.”

He tilted his head, a faint smirk playing at his lips. “Liar.”

Before she could respond, he turned and walked toward the door. “Eat. Rest. You’ll need your strength.”

“For what?” she demanded.

He paused, his hand on the doorframe. “For what comes next.”

With that, he left, leaving her alone in the suffocating silence of the room.