The cage door squeaked open.
As a result of instinct, 01911 recoiled, her thin shoulder colliding with the chilly metal. She bit her lip to suppress any noise. In the silence, the shopkeeper's keys clattered like amusement.
He yelled, "Come on, girl; don't keep her waiting."
Her?
The vendor seldom used feminine pronouns. The majority of the purchasers were men. The items they could break that they wanted the most.
Not risking to stand, 01911 crawled out. The only time she got up was when the salesperson pulled her up by the elbow. Half of her legs were shivering from hunger, and the other half was numb.
The elfwoman was standing by the counter.
She had hair that resembled woven silver and long, spotless robes the color of crushed sapphire. Her ears were long and beautiful, with rings of blue crystal adorning them. Even if the store wasn't warm, she had a lace fan in one hand.
She didn't glance at 01911 as she got closer.
As requested, "Lot 01911," the salesman said with a slick bow. "It's quiet and unassuming, and she won't humiliate you in public."
"I shouldn't hope so," the elfwoman replied coldly. Like a blade that has never been sharpened, her tone was clear and flawless. "She's a gift, not a pet. I need her presentable."
She kept her gaze lowered in 01911. Even if she could feel the weight of the elfwoman's stare, she didn't dare look at her.
"You are to serve Lord Fenris," the elfwoman stated, more to herself than to the girl. "Alpha of the Northern Reaches. He appreciates the unusual products that come from the south. You will bow your head, take a bath, and get dressed. Do you follow?
01911 gave a rapid nod.
"Speak," the elfwoman said, her keen gaze narrowing.
"Indeed, my lady."
"See? Almost completely housebroken," the seller exclaimed with a smile.
The elf simply gave over a bag full of money. It sounds like gold. Enough to buy three dozen people.
"Have her stuff delivered to the property," she stated.
The seller said, "She doesn't have any, my lady."
"After that, she will come as she is. pathetic, quiet, and pale. The ideal representation of goodwill. Her smile didn't extend to her eyes.
There was a coach waiting outside. 01911 paused for only a second before getting in, her ribs pressing hard against the thin shift she was wearing. It was marked with the crescent sigil of House Virelen and was beautiful and elegant. She didn't ask anything. She didn't sob.
She had mastered the art of vanishing without moving.
She took a deep breath as the door closed behind her, blocking out the noise of the city—the wailing from the cages, the pounding of hooves, the growls of inebriated soldiers. One only.
She was exiting the store.
She wasn't at liberty because of it.
The automobile began to rock. The elfwoman across from her was scrutinizing her as if she were looking for fractures in a glass vase.
"When presented, you will kneel, and you will say nothing in the Alpha's presence unless spoken to," she stated. Only when it is appropriate will you grin. Never, ever will you humiliate my home.
"My lady, yes," 01911 repeated in a low voice.
The elfwoman's face barely changed at all. "Good girl. Obedience is the only value your kind still has."
Too worn out to even feel the pain of the words, 01911 just nodded once more.
It started to snow outdoors. The whiter the environment grew as they moved farther north. Despite the chill seeping in through the window's borders, 01911 continued to sit upright, with her eyes fixed on the distance and her hands clasped in her lap.
She had no idea what fate awaited her in the Alpha werewolf's court.
However, she was wise enough to keep her head down. She's always possessed it.
Lot 01911 was her. a present. A gift.
Also, offerings were not intended to communicate anything.