Chapter 3 Louisa's POV

"Wakey wakey, sleepy head."

Something cold touched my cheek. Not water this time. It was a rough masculine finger.

The Rogues.

"Time to make money."

I tried to move. My body ached really badly.

I opened my eyes quickly, but the light almost blinded me, causing me to shut them almost as fast as I opened them.

This wasn't my room or any place I was familiar with.

I looked down and realised that there were chains on my legs.

My wrists were tied as well, the ropes were so thick and tight that they were even hurting my wrists.

A man with scars across his face crouched in front of me.

"She's awake," he announced.

His hands grabbed my arms and hauled me up. I cried out in pain. Every part of my body was aching, but no one was listening to my cries cause they obviously didn't care. They dragged me outside.

The sun was too bright outside; it looked like it could burn down a forest.

"Where are you taking me?" I cried, exhausted.

They pushed me forward without an answer.

Soon, we arrived at a vast open spa, like a market. I could only see men there, dozens of them.

My stomach turned.

"Bring her here," the man at the centre shouted.

They tossed me roughly towards him, and he grabbed me by my hair.

"Gentlemen," he said loudly, spreading his arms. "We've got something special today."

The men cheered.

My chest tightened.

"This," he grabbed my chin and forced my face up, "is prime breeder material."

I shook my head hard. "No!"

He slapped me.

The sound echoed in the air. The tears I had been holding back suddenly began to fall without my permission.

"She's young," he continued as nothing happened. "Strong bloodline. Former Beta's daughter."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"She has no wolf," another man called out.

The bald man laughed. "Exactly. That's why I've brought you this sweet offer. She's easy to control, untouched by any man. And most importantly, no one would lift a finger if she dies."

I felt sick.

"She'll give you pups without fighting back," he said. "And if she does?" He shrugged. "Beat it out of her."

The men laughed once again, sounding like drunk fools.

The tears continued to roll down my face despite my efforts to hold them back.

"Let the bidding begin," the bald man announced.

"A hundred and fifty dollars."

My head snapped up. Really? Is that how worthless I am?

"Two hundred and fifty."

"Five Hundred."

I stared at the ground, too ashamed to look up.

"Five hundred dollars... going... going?" Any one

"One thousand dollars!"

The bald man grinned. "Ah. A serious buyer."

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Goddess... please.

"One thousand five hundred," another voice cut in.

The crowd turned.

The bald man's eyes gleamed. "One thousand five hundred dollars going once..."

"Two thousand dollars," another man barked.

"Going once... Going twice... Going thrice. Two thousand dollars? Going..."

The crowd kept silent. I wasn't worth more than $2,000 to them.

The bald man swallowed. "Sold!"

Just as I was drowning in my sorrows, I sensed a smell. That smell.

I looked up and noticed a new person, who was covered up in a way that one couldn't see his face.

The hooded man looked towards me. Those eyes. They looked too familiar, but my brain was too tired to process anything.

"I'll take her, name your price."

The bearded man who bid the highest suddenly lost his smile.

"She's mine," the bearded Alpha snapped, throwing cash onto the platform. "If you wanted her, you should have come before the bid ended."

The hooded man turned to meet him.

"I'll double whatever you paid. No, Triple."

"She's already bought," the $2,000 man growled. "Back off."

For a moment, I thought they might kill each other right there.

Then the hooded man stepped back.

"Very well," he said quietly.

My heart sank.

The strong hands of my buyer grabbed me and pulled me off the platform. I stumbled and nearly fell.

He shoved me into the trunk of his Hilux like an item purchased.

The engine roared to life.

As the door slammed shut, I caught one last glimpse of the hooded man.

He was staring intensely, and he remained that way till I could no longer see him.

I curled into myself as much as the chains allowed.

This is it, Louisa. This is how you end.

The road was rough. Every bump caused me serious pain. I could hear my buyer and his guards discussing how long I'd last.

"One pup should be enough to send her to her grave." One said loud enough for me to hear.

I stared at the floor of the trunk in disgust.

The car suddenly came to a stop.

I didn't know what was going on inside there, but it sounded brutal. Their screaming and growls filled the air like they were being attacked.

"You!" I heard one of the men say, followed by the shocked gasps of others.

"Please don't kill me!" Another cried.

Can this day get any worse? I cried as I began to shiver where I was lying. The fact that I barely knew what was happening back there left me more on edge.

The vehicle shook with fear and the sound of unanswered pleas. The struggle between the men back there and whoever attacked them.

Tears flowed freely from my eyes. My breathing was very heavy as I struggled to roll out of the trunk. Maybe just find an escape. The chains and everything made it so hard for me.

"Goddess, please!" I cried.

Soon, the car came to a stop; the struggle had come to an end.

Still, there was no peace in my heart. I soon heard the sound of boots approaching from the back.

I closed my eyes like it could shield me from whatever was to come.

I heard the sound of the trunk opening before I felt someone pull me towards the edge.

"Please, I'm not one of them," I cried. "I beg you, don't kill me."

I finally opened my eyes when I noticed that he was losing the ropes on my hands.

It was the hooded guy from earlier.

I sniffed back my tears, though my body was still shaking. "Who are you?" I asked.

He said nothing; instead, he went towards the front of the car. When he came back, he was with the key to the chains on my leg.

"Why are you so interested in me?"

He let down his hood.

I froze.

"Your majesty..." I muttered in shock.