Hailee's POV
The auctioneer's gavel slammed down with a sharp crack. "Sold. To Alpha Nathan."
The crowd erupted into murmurs, shock and envy rippling like fire through the hall. My knees buckled, my arms tightening desperately around Oscar and Ozzy as the guards shoved us forward.
But instead of dragging us back to the holding cell, they led us behind the stage, through a side door where the air reeked of smoke and oil. My stomach churned with dread.
Two guards forced us into a corner, chains still biting cruelly into my wrists. "Stay here," one sneered. "Your new master will come soon."
The word master sliced through me like broken glass. My boys pressed closer, their small bodies trembling. I forced myself to stroke their hair, whispering, "It's alright… it's alright," though my voice shook just as much as they did.
And then—Nathan appeared.
