Page 28 of Dark Revolution

Chapter 9

Jaxxon

The air isthick with tension. Every breath is filled with anger, hostility, and testosterone. So far, only betas have been presented on the block, each one prettier than the last. Perhaps I got it all wrong. Everything about the mystery woman screamed omega, but there was something about her. It’s not just the fact that she smelled so similar to Annalise.

There’s something else about her, something enticing, something that demands I rain down my wrath to make her mine. It’s the foolhardiest thing I’ve felt since first seeing Annalise in the High Sanctum. My balls ache with unspent need. Every time I thought of stroking myself to completion, I thought of how much better it would be to come inside of her.

Langston knows who she is but isn’t telling. No matter. From what I can tell, he has no desire to claim her. He’s not even here at the auction house. Though it feels fruitless, I’ve been here night after night, not daring to miss the chance at possessing her. For a moment, the crowd goes silent as another woman is brought to the stage. It’s her.

I don’t even have to see the face that’s hidden by a mass of black curls, so similar, too similar. No. Her scent has changed, morphed. She’s pure omega now. The beast inside roars as the High Echelon Alphas flank her, their red cloaks brushing against her skin, as if they have any right to even be in her presence.

I’m transported back to that night one hundred years ago - the night that still haunts my dreams until I wake up drenched in sweat, screaming for a mate that will never be mine again. But this unknown omega can be - no - will be mine. My lips curl up in a snarl as they expose her body to the crowd. A deathly hush descends as we all stare in horror at the marks littering her pale skin.

“Presenting our last girl up for auction. An omega. Before bidding, know that she has masked her dynamic for an unknown amount of time, rendering it impossible to know if she’ll go into heat or not. But I assure you, heat or no, her cunt is still open for your use. The marks you see on her are purely procedural, procuring blood with which to test her until her blood turned from polluted beta to pure omega.”

Rage fills my core as I stare at the helpless, defenseless omega strapped to the cot. The fear rolls off of her, filling my lungs with both the scent of terror and agony. Her eyes roam over the crowd as if looking for someone. No doubt she’s trying to find an ally amongst the lascivious lot here to bid on her. She’ll find no such friend.

I move forward, hand palming my hidden blade. The fact that these monsters dare look upon someone so pure is revolting. Static fills my ears as the High Echelon Alpha spreads her cunt lips for everyone to look deep inside. My cock fills with blood despite the rise in fear from her tiny body. Pristine. Just like Annalise.

Though I had already claimed her in my mind, my heart is now fully on board. No one here could even come close to giving her the care and love she needs. They will probably go into a rut the first time slick gathers along her folds. She needs someone like me, someone who can put their baser urges on hold until she’s ready to go along for the ride.

Several Alphas walk closer, noses tipped in the air, scenting my mate. Red tinges my vision as they slide their palms against her legs, desperate for even a touch. They know they can’t afford her. They know they can’t claim her, so they take every little opportunity they can to touch what’s mine.

My fingers find the handle of my knife, and I drag it forward, prepared to slice the balls off of all these men when a large set of hands pull me back, forcing me out of the haze threatening to overtake me.

“You have to bid on her fair and square. You will never be allowed to keep her if you take her by force. Think with your head and not your baser urges.” Langston’s voice reverberates into my brain, startling me. My hand reaches for his neck, prepared to deal with the threat, but I stop as his face comes into focus. I hate him for intervening, but he’s right. I didn’t drag my credits in here for nothing.

Even if I end up penniless, it will all be worth it once I have Annalise back in my arms. I shake my head as if to dispel the vision of my dead mate as it superimposes itself onto the frail omega. I don’t know her name, but she will know mine and scream it to the heavens when I grant her her first orgasm.

Numbers ring out, with some of the lesser Alphas and a few betas throwing around credits like they were made of money. I study them, watching their faces, and for some, monitoring their scent. Many had tells that they probably weren’t even aware of. Too stupid and prideful to mask how little they actually owned.

None of the amounts come even close to a fourth of what I have. I sit back and let them battle it out, ignoring the rising stink of testosterone as the voices rise to shouting. One by one, they drop off, leaving just a handful of Alphas. As it dwindles down to the last one, that’s when I put in my bid.

“Two thousand credits.”

A deafening hush falls upon the hall. The last bid was a thousand, and I want to ensure they know I am serious. Heads turn in my direction, brows furrowed in confusion. No one here knows me, and that’s just fine. They don’t need to for my money to be good.

“A secret bidder puts up three thousand credits.”

My muscles clench as I fight down the anger simmering in my veins. This should have worked. I’ve seen enough auctions to know when to bid. Not once was there any indication there would be a secret bidder.

“Four thousand.”

“Bidder bids five.”

“Six thousand.” The omega quivers as the numbers keep going up. Her eyes are wide, wild as she looks about. The terror from her body rises as we battle it out. Does she know who the secret bidder is? Is that who she's terrified of? I need to nip this in the bud and take control. The sooner I win, the sooner I can drag her to my side and start the healing process.

Until that moment, I will show no fear. No concern. Shrugging off Langston’s smothering grip, I make my way forward, pushing past the other Alphas until I’m directly in front of her. The stench of her fear intermingled with the lack of proper care slams into me, but I push past the rage and fury to be a rock for her.

Pulling from deep within me, I let loose my strongest purr, watching intently as it washes over her. “Ten thousand.” Her eyes roll in the back of her head as I slide my hands across her calves, brushing off the touch of those who tried to take her from me. From this moment on, she will only know my touch.

“Bidder bids thirty thousand.”

Pausing, I mentally thumb through the money I have. Knowing that I’m back in my old house, if needed, I can always get more and exchange it, but hopefully, it won’t come to that. Langston shuffles up behind me, sliding a piece of paper into my hands. I glance down at it, noting the amount he’s willing to help back me with. Between the two of us, there should be no issue claiming her. I take a calculated risk.

“Half a million.” The room is silent save the omega’s painful whimpers. Despite my purring, she’s still trembling, still quaking from fear and pain. My fingers again itch to grab the knife, to slaughter everyone standing between me and my prize. “Soon, my mate. It will all be over soon.”

A door slams open behind us, and the Alpha from a few days ago tears out, face red and mottled in his rage. “I demand a new bidder. There’s no way he has that type of coin on him. Scan him. Now.” No one moves. Shocked, they stand there as he screams profanities at the other Alphas. “I demand to see his credits!”