Sold To The Lycan King Who Ruined Me.

Noah~

"I reject you. I, Adrian Laurent, reject this you as my mate and request to the goddess that the mate bond be destroyed."

A crushing pain engulfed my chest and sweat poured down my back as everyone else stared at me with pure mockery in their eyes. I could hear their words,

"Flithy."

"Cursed blood."

"Male omega."

I pressed my hands against my eye to stop the fucking tears that kept threatening to come up but deep down, I knew this was my fate and I deserved far worse because I was born this way and every single member of the Ashvale pack never let me forget it.

FEW HOURS EARLIER

I had barely gotten a chance to settle down when someone walked right in and I didn't have to turn when she sat behind me.

"You heard, right?" Tyrene, my best and only friend in Ashvale pack said, her voice carrying that usual excitement she never bothered to hide and I didn't look up immediately. I already knew that tone.

It meant trouble.

"Hmm?" I responded anyway, flipping the page in my hand even though I wasn't really reading. She leaned closer, nudging my shoulder lightly.

"The Lycan King is coming to the neighbouring pack. They said it's for a mate selection."

That made me pause for a second and I continued staring at the book because it was far easier than engaging her in whatever this conversation was going to lead to.

"Okay," I said simply.

"Okay?" she repeated, clearly unimpressed. "That's all you have to say?"

I shrugged slightly.

"What do you want me to say?"

Tyrene stared at me like I had just offended every single omega in the universe. She was going to start yapping in three, two, one...

"Everyone is talking about it, Noah!!! Everyone. Packs are already preparing. People are going just to catch a glimpse of him."

"And?" I asked, finally closing the book and turning to look at her. "What does that have to do with us?"

"With us?" she echoed, then grinned. "Everything."

I already didn't like where this was going.

"We're going," she added.

I blinked once and stared at her pointedly as if she was crazy and started laughing.

"No."

She frowned immediately.

"What do you mean no?"

"I mean no," I repeated, still shaking my head slightly. "That kind of gathering isn't for people like me."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at me over, like she was trying to figure out if I was being serious.

"You're joking."

"I'm not."

"There'll be Alphas. Betas. Important people. Strong wolves," I continued calmly. "If I go with you, it'll just attract unnecessary attention."

Tyrene scoffed, folding her arms as she leaned back slightly.

"Unnecessary attention?" she repeated. "Look at you and say that again."

I frowned faintly.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

She gestured toward me like I was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You're acting like you look terrifying or something," she said. "You're literally the opposite."

I didn't respond and she took that as her cue to not stop.

"You're not even tall enough to intimidate anyone," she added casually. "What are you, five-seven?"

I exhaled slowly.

"That's not the point."

"And your face doesn't help your case either," she continued, completely ignoring me now. "Soft black hair, those grey eyes... you look like you'd apologize for bumping into someone even if it was their fault."

I stared at her, "Are you done?"

"No," she said immediately. "You've got that whole 'gentle and quiet' thing going on too. No one is going to look at you and think you're a problem."

"That's not reassuring."

"It is to me," she shrugged. "You'll blend in just fine."

I shook my head slightly, looking away.

"That's exactly why I shouldn't go."

Tyrene rolled her eyes.

"You're overthinking it."

"I'm not."

"You are," she insisted. "It's just a gathering, Noah."

"It's not just a gathering," I corrected quietly. "It's the Lycan King. That alone is going to make so many people who hate me in this pack, there."

She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she studied my face like she was trying to figure out what exactly I was thinking. Then she waved it off.

"Bad attention, good attention... who cares?" she said. "You act like your presence is some kind of curse."

I didn't answer that because it wasn't entirely wrong. I was an eyesore and should have never been born but Tyrene was definitely going to argue with me again if I said the truth and last time, it was of no help. Tyrene nudged me again, softer this time.

"I want you there," she said, her tone more straightforward now. "I'd love to have you with me."

I glanced at her and there was no teasing in her expression this time. She switched to those huge puppy dog eyes that made it harder to refuse. I let out a small breath, looking away again.

"...Fine."

Her eyes lit up instantly.

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Before I could say anything else, she grinned, leaning back slightly like she had just won something.

"Good," she said. "Who knows-"

I already didn't like that tone again. She tilted her head, her grin widening just a little.

"You might even have a chance."

I raised a brow.

"A chance at what?"

She shrugged, completely unbothered as she said, "At being noticed. You are an omega too."

"Yeah," I muttered. "Right."

"You're coming with me," Tyrene said, grabbing my wrist before I could even react, her grip firm as she started pulling me along. This was why I should have said no and now, I am regretting it.

I frowned immediately, trying to pull back. "Tyrene-"

"Nope," she cut in quickly without even looking at me. "You agreed, and that means you don't get to back out now."

"I'm not backing out," I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could while resisting her pull, my feet dragging slightly against the ground. "I just don't see why I need to go through... whatever this is."

She glanced back at me then, already smirking like she had been waiting for that response. "I'm giving you a full makeover."

That was enough to make me stop walking completely as there mere horror I was about to be subjected to flashed in my head like a nightmare.

"No."

She didn't even pause, just tugged harder like she could physically drag me into agreeing. "Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

I planted my feet properly this time, forcing her to stop as I pulled my hand free with a small sigh. "I'm not doing anything extra," I said, my tone firmer now as I faced her. "I said I'd go with you. That's it."

Tyrene turned fully, her hands settling on her hips as she looked at me like I had just said the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard. "You're not showing up like this," she said, gesturing vaguely at me like I was the problem. "At least let me make you look presentable."

"I am presentable."

"You look like you're going to apologize for existing."

I stared at her for a second, letting that sink in before I exhaled slowly. "First off, that was hurtful as fuck, second, I'm not doing this."

She opened her mouth, clearly ready to argue again, but the words never came.

A voice came from behind us.

"Well, well... look who it is."

My shoulders tensed instantly and I didn't need to turn to see who was there as I already knew. Tyrene did too, and the shift in her expression was immediate, the irritation gone just as quickly as it had come. It was the group of betas in the pack.

"Just ignore them," she muttered under her breath, but it was already too late.

"Running errands now?" one of them said, his gaze dragging over me with open amusement. "I didn't think omegas were trusted with anything important. The disgusting things probably leak from their holes and can't be taken seriously."

Tyrene stepped slightly in front of me without hesitation. "Leave him alone."

That only made them laugh.

"Or what?" another one asked, tilting his head as he looked at her. "You'll protect him? The fragile thing who can't defend himself like a man?"

One of them stepped forward and shoved her to the side, "Stay out of it," he said.

My jaw tightened slightly, but I didn't react because there was no point. They were going to just hit her if I did.

"Look at him," someone else added, a scoff slipping into his voice. "He's not even going to say anything."

Before I could move, a hand grabbed my collar, yanking me forward so suddenly I didn't have time to brace myself.

"What's wrong?" the same voice continued, quieter now, closer, his grip tightening slightly. "Cat got your tongue?"

I met his gaze for a brief second and looked away. If he got tired, he'd leave but that was enough to irritate him.

The first hit came without warning, a sharp strike across my cheek that snapped my head to the side. The sound rang loud in my head as the sting spread across my face.

"What?" he mocked. "Nothing to say?"

Another hit followed, then another, each one landing without pause, the sound of it blending with the low laughter around us like it was all part of some joke I wasn't in on.

Tyrene stepped forward again. "Stop it!" she snapped. "Leave him alone!"

Someone shoved her back harder this time.

"Go," one of them said, his tone turning cold. "Unless you want to join him."

She stopped and I could see her confused expression. I didn't need my best friend getting hurt. I spit out the blood in my mouth and smiled as brightly as I could.

"Tyrene, please" I said quietly and her eyes shone with tears before she turned and ran away.

The next blow came from the side, catching me off balance completely as my footing gave way beneath me. I stumbled, trying to steady myself, but it didn't matter. I hit the ground without trying to stop it, the impact sending a dull shock through my body as dust rose slightly around me. The first kick landed against my side, forcing the air out of my lungs in a sharp, silent gasp.

They didn't stop.

They kept on hitting and laughing till the voices above me blurred together, laughter mixing with mockery until it all became a background noise. My eyes stayed open and unfocused, fixed on nothing in particular as the edges of everything around me began to dim.

It hurt so much.

Noah~

I opened my eyes to see Tyrene standing above me with tears in her eyes and the ugliest expression I had seen in a while.

"You have such an ugly cry face."

"Noahhhh!!" She said, wiping her snot filled face as she moved closer to me but I quickly put my hand in between us.

"Ty, I'm not in pain and you know it so why do you want to hug me with all of-" I made a circular motion with my fingers as I pointed at her face "that. Could you please wash your face and be less of a blubbering mess?"

She nodded and went to the bathroom. I quickly got up from the bed and checked if I had any scars from the beating. While that was unlikely to be because unlike the other wolves, I seemed to heal faster but that only gave those sick and twisted sons of bitches the urge to hit me more.

I heard a flushing sound and Tyrene walked out of the bathroom with her tear swollen eyes and I felt a wave of guilt for making her cry so much.

"There, there. I don't even know why you wasted those tears anyway. I'm all fine and ready to go with you to the mate thing."

"Really?!"

"On the condition that there are absolutely zero makeovers. Please, no one is going to look at a male omega twice. It's disgust–"

"Don't even." Tyrene said with a warning glare and I kept shut. The last thing I needed to do was anger her.

The walk to the neighbouring pack was quieter than I expected. Tyrene kept glancing at me every few seconds like she thought I might suddenly change my mind and run away. However, I simply ignored her, keeping my hands tucked into my sleeves as we got closer to the crowd gathered ahead.

When we finally stepped into view, it was exactly what I had expected. Different packs, stronger wolves, people who actually had a reason to be here.

I didn't.

"See? Not so bad," Tyrene said, nudging me lightly.

I gave a small hum, neither agreeing nor arguing, because there was no point doing either. I had already come and I needed to get out the moment I had a chance.

We moved through the outer part of the crowd, and for a moment, things were fine. No one paid attention to us but however, that didn't last.

"Well, if it isn't my daughter."

Tyrene stiffened beside me and I already knew who it was before I turned. Her father stood a few steps away as his gaze moved from her to me, and whatever neutrality had been there disappeared almost immediately.

"What is he doing here?" he asked, his tone filled with disapproval.

"He came with me," Tyrene replied quickly.

"That was not the question."

The silence that followed was uncomfortable. His eyes settled on me fully now, and I didn't need to guess what he was thinking. The disgust written plainly across his face.

"You will stay out of sight," he said, his voice lowering slightly. "There has never been a case of an abomination like you attending something like this."

Tyrene stepped forward. "Dad-"

"Enough." He didn't even look at her this time. "Do not let him disgrace this pack."

I lowered my gaze slightly, not because I was ashamed, but because there was nothing to gain from picking up a fight with him. "Understood," I said quietly.

That seemed to be enough for him. He turned away immediately, already dismissing me as if I had never been worth the attention in the first place.

Tyrene grabbed my arm the moment he left. "Don't listen to him," she said, her voice tight. "He's just-"

"It's fine," I cut in gently, giving her a small smile to stop whatever she was about to say next. "I'll stay back."

She didn't look convinced, but she nodded anyway. I stepped away from her after that, moving toward the far edge of the gathering where fewer people stood.

For a while, nothing happened. I simply stood there, watching till all of a sudden, something happened. The noisy hall became very quiet, movements slowed, and people began to turn toward the same direction as if something had drawn their attention all at once.

Mine followed without thinking and then I saw him.

The Lycan King.

Adrian Laurent. Even from where I stood, he was impossible to miss. He stood taller than everyone around him, easily reaching above the rest. His dark brown hair framed his face neatly, and his features were sharp in a way that made it difficult to look away once you started.

But it was his eyes that held me. They were an enchanting deep blue that made me want to get lost in just them or have his attention on me alone. People moved aside without being told. I swallowed slowly, something tightening in my chest without warning.

It was a weird sensation and it spread quickly, warm and made me feel queasy but in a very good way. Pulling at something deep inside me in a way I didn't understand but couldn't ignore.

My fingers curled slightly as my breathing shifted.

"No..." I muttered under my breath, already shaking my head like that alone could stop it.

It couldn't fucking be. This had to be a joke from the goddess herself.

The pull grew and before I could think it through, my body had already reacted.

I stepped forward and again. The crowd blurred around me as I moved, the noise fading into something distant as that pull dragged me closer and by the time I realized where I was, I had already reached the front.

"My mate... mine."

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Silence followed immediately as every head seemed to turn at once. Adrian stopped walking and turned to stare at me.

For a moment, everything felt still, the pull I felt got stronger and his scent was all over the room. I only had to look at him and I knew he felt it too. His eyes narrowed slightly as confusion flickered across his face and soon ended, it was replaced by an expression I knew all too well.

Disgust

For a second... I thought-

He moved away as if my mere presence was an eyesore and immediately said, "No. I reject you."

Noah~

PRESENT

I ran.

I could hear their laughter and see their mocking stares as they said all sorts of cruel things about me.

"How dare he call the Lycan King his mate?"

"The abomination thought he had a chance."

"Talk about audacity."

I got to the entrance of the hall where the ceremony was held and I found Tyrene there. She looked shocked till she saw me and she turned to me with a very strange expression.

"Ty, I–I need to go."

She didn't reply and if anything, she shifted back a bit and I stared at her but it was as if that expression was no longer there. She smiled and quickly held me.

What was that?

Her arms wrapped around me tightly, almost too tightly, like she was trying to hold me in place rather than comfort me. I could feel her breathing against my shoulder, uneven, and for a moment, I just stood there, confused, my hands hovering slightly before I slowly let them rest at my sides.

"It's fine," she murmured, her voice softer than I expected. "Let's just go home."

Home.

Right.

I nodded, even though something about the way she said it didn't sit well with me. Still, I didn't question it. There was nothing left for me here anyway. Whatever had just happened... I didn't even want to think about it.

The walk back was quiet. Tyrene stayed close, but she didn't speak, and neither did I. The noise from the gathering faded behind us, but the words followed, echoing in my head like they had settled there permanently

As if they were a, fucking broken record.

Rejected.

Abomination.

I exhaled slowly, my chest tightening slightly, but I kept walking. When we got back to Ashvale, Tyrene didn't stop with me like she usually did. She didn't say anything either. The moment we reached my door, she let go of my arm.

"I'll see you later," she said quickly.

Before I could respond, she turned and walked away., I frowned slightly as I watched her leave, that strange feeling from earlier creeping back in, but I shook it off and stepped into my room.

I didn't even get the chance to sit before the door burst open and two guards stepped in, their expressions cold and already decided.

"Come with us."

They didn't give me time to think either. One of them grabbed my arm, pulling me forward roughly as they dragged me out of the room and down the hall.

By the time we reached the holding cells, I had already stopped trying to process it. The metal door opened with a harsh sound before I was shoved inside, my body stumbling slightly before I caught myself.

The door slammed shut behind me and just like that, it began. For the next few days blurred together in a way that made it hard to keep track of time. Food came less often than it used to, and when it did, it wasn't enough. Work replaced whatever little rest I had, tasks piling on top of each other like they were trying to break something out of me.

By the time I was summoned to the council, I already knew it wasn't going to be anything good.

I stood in the center of the room, my hands clenched slightly at my sides as the elders looked down at me like I wasn't even worth the effort of pretending.

"You have brought disgrace to this pack," one of them began, his tone flat.

I didn't speak.

"There are consequences for such actions."

Another voice joined in. "Ashvale is in debt. Severe debt."

That made my brows furrow slightly. I hadn't expected that and what had it got to do with me?

"The pack requires a solution," the first elder continued. "And you... will serve as that solution."

A cold feeling settled in my chest.

"No," I said before I could stop myself, my voice coming out quieter than I intended. "No, you can't-"

"You will be sold."

The words cut through everything. For a moment, I just stood there, staring at them like I hadn't heard it properly.

"Please," I said, stepping forward slightly despite myself. "I didn't mean to- I didn't-"

"You have no say in this."

The finality in his tone shut everything down before I could even try again. My gaze moved across the room, searching for something, anything but it stopped when it landed on her.

Tyrene stood to the side, watching. And for the first time... I didn't recognize her.

There was no concern in her eyes, no hesitation, nothing that even resembled the person I thought I knew. What stared back at me instead was something darker, something colder, something that made my chest tighten without warning.

Hatred.

It was clear, unmistakable, sitting right there in her gaze like it had always belonged there and I had just been too blind to see it. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe, my thoughts stalling as I tried to make sense of it, trying to convince myself I was seeing it wrong.

I shook my head slightly, like that alone could fix it, like it would make whatever I was seeing disappear.

It didn't.

She held my gaze without flinching, without looking away, and the worst part was that she didn't even try to hide it.

"Take him."

Hands grabbed me before I could react, pulling me back as I struggled slightly, the desperation finally breaking through.

"Tyrene-"

She didn't move or even react to me calling her name. The doors closed behind me not long after, the sound echoing louder than it should have as I was dragged back down to the cells. Chains were added around my wrists, tighter than before and restricting any movement as they locked me in place before leaving me there alone.

I don't know how much time had passed before the door opened again. I didn't bother looking up immediately. There weren't many people who would come here for me anyway.

But her scent gave her away before anything else could. Tyrene stepped inside slowly, the door closing behind her with a soft click. For a moment, she didn't say anything, and neither did I. The silence stretched between us, until she finally moved closer.

"I hate you," she said quietly.

"Ty–"

"I hate you so fucking much," she continued, her voice shaking slightly, but not with sadness, it was rage. "You had to be born an omega, be prettier than me and now you want to take the Lycan King too?"

My chest tightened, something twisting painfully beneath my ribs as I tried to say something, anything. "Ty-"

"I wish you were dead."

The words barely settled before something sharp drove into my side.

My breath hitched violently as the pain spread instantly. My body jerked against the chains, metal clinking harshly as my hands clenched instinctively, a broken gasp tearing from my throat before I could stop it.

My own best friend, who I had trusted more than anyone in the world, had stabbed me.