"Missed me, Kitten?"
Ezaar's voice rang in Evangeline's ears. Her lips parted, and the chains rattled slightly as her trembling arms instinctively reached toward the air. Her treacherous heart thudded—relieved, thrilled. The mate bond screamed in recognition, her chest glowing faintly, proving once again that the rejection hadn't worked. It never would…
Evangeline shook her head hard, trying to banish the fantasy. No! She would rather die than be saved by him. This murderer could never be her savior. And never her mate!
Graham was equally enraged to see Ezaar. He and his daughter shared one rare thing: they loathed this bastard with every fiber of their being. Every day, they wished to see him dead… to watch him get shot and thrown off the same cliff their beloved Sam had fallen from.
All heads turned from the disabled executioner, now being escorted out, to Ezaar Veyrin. He strode forward, and the crowd parted like the sea, instinctively clearing a path.
He didn't need an army. Ezaar was an army. Every inch of him—his towering frame, broad shoulders, the lethal chill in his silver eyes—screamed of a king who needed no reinforcements. Alone, he could dismantle half of the hall without breaking a sweat.
The elders of the Lunaris pack exchanged tense looks. Council members, who had only come to witness a smooth execution, scratched their brows in unease. And when they saw a woman at the entrance, her striking pitch black that sucked all the light from the room, they were scared even more.
It was Celestia Veyrin, Ezaar's elder sister. Both were infamous as the psycho siblings. And Hell was about to break loose.
Six years ago, when half their elders were poisoned and their parents slaughtered, everyone thought the Solamire Pack would collapse. But these siblings rose from the ashes. Ezaar took over as Alpha, and Celestia became his shadow, rebuilding the pack's economy until they weren't just powerful but became untouchable. They turned Solamire into a multi-million-dollar empire, drowning their rivals in jealousy and fear.
"Long time, Alpha Graham." Celestia greeted her family's murderer with a smile, something that surely grated his nerves.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Johan snarled, voice cracking. He stepped forward, rage boiling. They were so close to victory, but these maniacs had ruined everything.
"Oh, your pup's grown up, Beta Fredrick," Ezaar said instead, turning to Johan's father. Patting Johan's cheek, he smirked, "He's barking like a proper dog now."
Johan's face flushed. He heard the crowd snicker, but what burned him most was that damned smile on Ezaar's face.
If a devil had a face, it would surely smile like that.
"Get your hand off me, bastard!" Johan shoved him back and glared at both siblings.
Ezaar merely clicked his tongue at his rudeness. Glancing at Fredrick, he said, "Tsk. Seems like you were too busy building your harem and forgot to teach him some manners." His eyes flicked briefly to Jasmine, flashing gold. She stiffened.
With a smirk, he added, "It's fine. I'll teach him."
Gasps rang out as Ezaar lifted his pistol, aiming it squarely at Johan's forehead.
Graham lunged forward, along with the elders and Fredrick. The crowd scattered instinctively in fear. No one wanted to be his next prey.
"Put the gun down!" Graham roared but froze as Ezaar pressed the barrel tighter.
Johan tried to stay still, but sweat trickled down his brow, lips trembling. One wrong move, and this lunatic might actually blow his head off.
'Shoot him!' Evangeline thought from the stage. As if he heard her, Ezaar glanced up, raising a brow in amusement. She instantly looked away, cursing her heart for fluttering at a mere glance. This bond was freaking insane!
"Drop the gun, Alpha Ezaar," one of the council members finally stepped in. "He's the next Alpha of Lunaris. Killing him would lead to severe consequences."
"Tch. Can't even take a joke?" Ezaar scowled, then sighed. "You elders are no fun."
The moment he lowered the gun, Johan stumbled back, instantly hiding behind Fredrick. Graham moved to shield him. No, he couldn't lose another heir to his throne!
"What do you want?" another council member asked, far more cautious now.
Ezaar looked to the stage. At her. At the mate who was still avoiding him. Passing the pistol to his sister, he slipped one hand into his pocket.
"I'm here to take what's mine."
"Yours?" someone echoed, confused.
Johan followed Ezaar's gaze, then scoffed. "She rejected you two years ago, Alpha Ezaar. She's not your mate anymore. She doesn't belong to you." He pressed on every word.
Ezaar didn't even glance at him. His eyes were fixed on Evangeline. So she hadn't told anyone they'd been mated again? Perfect. Saved him the hassle of proving it to the council.
"Fifty million," Ezaar announced, his voice slicing through the hall.
When Graham looked at their direction, brows furrowed, Celestia clarified, "That's the price we offer to take her with us." She was against this madness, but couldn't defy her Alpha's wish.
Gasps and murmurs filled the room again. Everyone looked at Evangeline and then back at Ezaar. Fifty million? She was not worth even a penny.
Even Evangeline froze. She would rather die than be sold to this bastard.
Luckily, her father shared the same sentiment. "I am not selling her to you." Alpha Graham declared, loud and clear. "Now leave." He added, gesturing towards the door.
Lunaris elders tried to argue—tempted by the offer—but Graham shut them down with a glare.
"Five hundred million."
Even Celestia snapped her head toward Ezaar, stunned. She opened her mouth to protest—but seeing the fire in his eyes, she exhaled. He was hellbent on taking his mate, whether he liked her or not.
Graham's eyes widened. That kind of money could clear all their debt. Free them from council control.
"This man is crazy," someone whispered—and the crowd agreed. Why would anyone spend so much on a useless woman? One with a broken heart, and a worse reputation?
Because they didn't know what Ezaar knew. About her powers. About her wolf she hid from the world.
"Alpha, please. Let's talk," one of the elders said before Graham could reject him again.
Graham stared at Ezaar. What the hell was he planning? Reluctantly, he followed the elders to a corner, Fredrick and Jasmine slinking in behind. Letting Evangeline live felt like signing their death warrants.
Evangeline's heart pounded as she watched them whisper among themselves. Her father would never hand her over. Not to him. Not to the man who might use her like a pawn. He hated her too much to let her live and become a burden again.
"You're going to get me killed," Celestia muttered. Ezaar just smiled, making her groan. Their elders would chew her alive hearing this absurd auction.
The crowd waited with anticipation. They had come for a small play but were being served a full-blown drama. Ezaar's offer was a plot twist they'd imagined even in their wildest dreams.
After a few minutes, the group broke apart. Fredrick and Jasmine returned, trying to hide their defeat. The elders dragged Graham forward, smiling too widely.
"He didn't agree… right?" Vallienne whispered. Her mother's silence made her stomach twist. Johan looked at his father, who gave a stiff shake of his head.
Evangeline blinked as soldiers approached her. They unlocked her chains and pushed her off the stage.
"We're ready to sign the deal," one elder declared, glancing at the council. "Let's finalize it now, with you here as the main witnesses."
"Great." Ezaar beamed in delight, but Evangeline's voice dulled it.
"No! I won't go with him!"
Evangeline shoved the soldiers and stumbled toward her father. "You… you can't do this!"
Graham didn't even look at her.
"I know I'm responsible for Sam's death. I should've never helped him escape that night. But…" her eyes flared with hate as she turned to Ezaar. "He murdered him, Dad! He killed Samuel!
Fighting tears, she choked out, "You can't sell me to him!"
"Oh, such an absurd accusation," Ezaar sighed, pressing a hand to his chest dramatically. When Evangeline glared, he pouted. "Do you have any proof, sweetheart?"
Evangeline's fists clenched. Her blood boiled. This was why she hated him more! This freaking attitude!
Celestia watched Graham shift uncomfortably—not out of guilt for his daughter, but at Ezaar's mocking tone. Years ago, they'd accused him of poisoning their parents in front of the council. But this loser asked them for proof. So, just like him, Ezaar killed his son in return and left no proof.
"Stop fussing!" Graham barked. He shoved her toward Ezaar. "Be grateful I'm letting you live."
"No! I don't want to live!" Evangeline screamed, tears spilling freely. "Just kill me!" She grabbed his arm, sobbing.
Something burned behind Ezaar's eyes. Was he… about to cry? He frowned, blinking fast as they lightly moistened.
"Kill me, Dad! Just kill me now!" Evangeline cried harder, her screams tearing through the air. Something twisted in Ezaar's chest like a blade stabbing right in his heart.
"Alright, goodbye time's over!" he snapped, trying to escape before it could worsen.
"Come on, darling. Time to go home," Ezaar said with mock sweetness, reaching for her wrist. Evangeline slapped his hand away, eyes blazing.
"You like it rough, huh?" Ezaar smirked.
"Noted."
And before she could react, he grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
"Clear the money," he told Celestia, and without another word, strode out of the hall.
"Leave me!" Evangeline cried, kicking and thrashing, but Ezaar's grip only tightened. She turned her head, glaring at his back. So, this was his wish? Fine! She would make sure he regretted it every damn day!