CHAPTER 4.

Claimed by the mortuary attendant.

The stench of decayed smell suddenly hit my nostrils. It was just so much to ignore. As I tried to open my eyes, I felt a direct sharp pain directly at the back of my head.

Just then, the dawn of realization hit me.

"Where am I?" I mumbled in weakness.

As I opened my eyes, I saw masked men with swords, standing in front of me. With the sense of urgency bubbling up inside of me, I realized that I was bounded in chains.

"She's awake..." One of the guards whispered to the other, and they immediately walked out of the room, leaving me all to my own ocean of thoughts.

How did I get here?

Who were they?

Where was I?

Looking through the entire room, I realized that it was more like a warehouse, which was built with similar patterns. The room was painted all black, with ancient inscriptions drawn on the walls.

Thanks to the light from the hallway, if not, I'd have been in total darkness.

Just then, I heard some thick footsteps walking towards my direction, and without giving me any time to process what was happening, they lifted me up, and placed me on their shoulders like a piece of luggage.

They were about eight masked men.

"Let me go!" I cried in sheer horror, as I watched these strange men carry me to an unknown destination. Just as we got to the hallway, I was immediately blindfolded with a black sack, and I passed out.

*****

"Is she werewolf?" A female voice asked.

"A hybrid, I think..." The man with the thick baritone voice responded. "However, we need to run a test on the lab to confirm."

They paused for a while.

Subconsciously, I could hear their conversations. As I opened my eyes, I noticed that I was in a well lit up room, which screamed absolute luxury. Immediately, I closed back my eyes in pretence.

"Do you think she shall bring the boss great profit?" The man asked.

"I perceive an unfamiliar scent from her. I doubt she's a full wolf."

With that, the entire room fell silent, and just as I opened my eyes in inquisitiveness to know what might've happened, I met their evil gazes staring deeply into my soul.

"Take her away... Now!" The female commanded him, and just as he walked towards my direction, I fell back asleep.

As he dragged me into the room, I could hear the weak growls of exhausted wolves, tired witches, vampires, dragons and other supernatural beings, which had been caged and subdued by this evil entity.

"No... No... Don't push me into this place..." I cried out in confusion.

Alas, he pushed me inside, and locked the gates.

Now, I had to deal with the violent radiation from the witch standing at my left hand side.

Suddenly, the gates to our prison was forcefully opened, and the soldiers began to troop in in numbers, dragging each of us out.

THE AUCTION CENTER.

The journey to the auction center was brief and quite short. I got to know about where we were heading to from the conversations of the soldiers.

As we got to the center, I realized that even though it was luxurious, its walls had similar inscriptions to the first underground prison that I had been kidnapped at.

Like prisoners, we were all pushed out of the van, as the dragged us into the auction center. As we walked into the venue, the deep feeling of tension and uncertainty hit me like an iceberg.

I realized that I was about to be sold in a strange land.

Maybe, it was the destiny which the moon goddess had designed for me.

The hall was filled to the brim with alphas and pack leaders of the highest caliber. I felt disgusted with the way they stared at us like perverts.

"The one on cotton linen!" The voice of an alpha sitting at the middle row echoed through the hall, as he pointed at me.

"You can't have me. I'm not a merchandise." I yelled back at him, but I was silenced with a grave punch to my mouth.

I fell on my stomach, as the smell of blood hit my nostrils. I remained that way in tears, as I wondered what I had done wrong to deserve this kind of life.

"We all know why we are here..." The voice of the MC, began. "These goods are the best you've ever seen. As part of our diversity campaign, we brought diverse beings for you to choose from. Lupines, hybrids, werewolves, witches, vampires... Just name it..."

The energy in the hall disgusted me. I felt sad that I had to go through all of this. If not for Shane's ruthless rejection, I wouldn't have been paraded here, as an incomplete wolf.

"Officially, I declare this auction open!" The MC announced, and those shameless men cheered in excitement. "So, we'd start from this one." He pointed at me, and some guards proceeded to drag me to the front.

Even as I hesitated, it was all in vain, as they were just too powerful for me to contend with.

"Leave me alone..." I fought in weakness, as I spat on the face of the guard.

In anger, he raised his right hand to strike me with a punch.

"Don't!" The MC commanded him.

"She..." He pointed towards my direction. "She's a virgin hybrid, who holds the key to the sacred. She is also the last remaining lupine of her kind. Claiming her as yours guarantees beautiful offsprings, accessing the magical, and a free showcase of endless magic..."

Before he could even finish speaking, the men were already bidding.

"Twenty million dollars!"

"Thirty million dollars!"

"Forty two million dollars!"

More and more kept coming, until something strange happened.

A mysterious Alpha who was dressed in complete mortuary attendant with white bloodstained gloves on his hands, walked into the venue.

Immediately he stepped in, the atmosphere changed. The room was engulfed with silence, and I felt an instant connection.

"Five virgin werewolf souls, a hybrid witch's extracted human heart, and two caged vampire souls!"

I gasped in shock.

Who was he?

"Yes... Yes... Alright, master..." The MC stuttered in fear. "You can have her..." He bowed his head towards this strange man.

With my blurry vision, I couldn't help but stare in shock.

"Sold to Alpha Kieran Candle Funeral." He announced, and I gasped.

Who was this strange man?

CHAPTER 5.

He killed her.

My body froze in shock, as I was suddenly being pulled away by some mighty hands. Swiftly, I was picked up like a piece of trash, and thrown into a large black van, which resembled an ambulance.

Then, the journey began.

As I sat behind that van in darkness, the wave of uncertainty suddenly hit me. I slowly realized that I was long lost in a far away land that no one even knew my whereabouts.

Aside from the exhaust sound of the van, I couldn't hear any other sound... Not even that of the guards, nor the supposed Alpha Kieran.

The journey continued until after about three long hours when the car came to a sudden halt. I was then pulled out of the car.

Standing in front of me was a black gigantic castle, which had a very bizarre sculpture at the front yard. Its surroundings looked scanty, like it was a ghost town.

It was surrounded by long fences which stood above ten feet long, and had a pool which was bloodstained. The stench from the left hand side of the castle hit my heavily, that I turned and saw what resembled an abattoir.

At the other end of the gigantic castle, just beneath the abattoir, I could see maids who were dressed in black clothes like funeral undertakers. They each scampered around with a firm and fearful gaze.

"Untie her, and take her in!" I jolted back to reality, as Alpha Kieran's voice echoed throughout the secluded castle.

Immediately, two young hybrids, who I supposed where in their early twenties, came running out. Coincidentally, they also wore black clothes.

They helped me rise up to my feet, as they both led me towards into the castle. Just as I stepped into the castle, I was mesmerized by the exquisite luxury and beauty which engulfed me.

The chairs were designed with gold, while the walls were painted with expensive natural crude.

"Who is she?" An evil looking elderly woman of about seventy five years, asked Alpha Kieran, as she looked at me with pure disgust and disdain.

However, he didn't respond immediately, as he first walked over to the golden couch, and sat down.

"I claimed her..." He mumbled.

"Nope...!" The woman screamed in fury. "You'd do no such thing."

"Well, I already did!"

Sitting on the ground while watching them yell at each other, was confusing to me.

Who was the woman to him?

Maybe, his mother, I think.

Why was she yelling at him.

"Kieran... You dare not talk to me in that way!" She kept yelling.

"I claimed her, she's mine, and there's nothing no one can do about it... Not even you..." He responded to her in a nonchalant tone.

Suddenly, the woman stood up from where she sat just opposite him, and immediately charged towards him in fury. In anger, she raised her hand to strike his face, but Alpha Kieran, caught her mid air.

"Don't!" He said to her sinisterly, but she didn't flinch. She ran back and picked up a knife to stab him, but Alpha Kieran, did the unthinkable.

He brought out a dagger from the back of his pocket, and instantly began to stab her neck, until he completely mashed it.

I think I lost count after the seventh one.

My body in sheer horror, as it was my first time of encountering such gruesome evil. I felt pale, like my stomach was about to rumple.

"I warned you..." He kept yelling at her dead body, which was down on the pool of her own blood. "I warned you..."

Alpha Kieran, continued to yell over and over again, like one who had been possessed by a strange spirit.

"Clean this mess up..." He said to none of the guards or maidens in particular. "Arrange her parts in the abattoir, while you refrigerate the rest."

With that, he proceeded to walk upstairs, but he turned back evilly, while piercing through my soul with his evil gaze.

"Take her to the virgin's room, and clean her." He mumbled, and turned his back.

I heaved a temporary sigh of relief. If this was the man who had purchased me, then, he'd not think twice before ending me.

*****

The new room which was assigned to me, was just an embodiment of perfection.

It was painted all white, and had all the designs that I had ever dreamed of. However, I was just there with a maiden, who had refused to say any word to me.

She was dressing my wounds, and oiling my body. After we were done with that, I went into the bathroom, where she massaged my body with ancient drugs, and ointments.

"My name is Rory." I gulped down a huge lump which had formed in my throat. "I was kidnapped, and sold in an auction to Alpha Kieran. What about you?"

The maiden paused for a slight second, like she was studying me, and still kept mute. She looked like she had something to say, but I could also see fear in her eyes.

"Ma'am... Urghs!" She breathed a long sigh of fear. "We're not allowed to speak here. My life is at great risk. If I'm caught, I'll be punished with death." She explained, and I froze.

At that instant, I could feel cold shivers running down my spine.

"Who is he? Why are you here? Why am I here?" I asked in sheer panic and uncertainty.

She paused for a slight second, and looked around the room like she was checking to see someone.

"My name is Akira, and I was sold to this man by my wicked stepmother. I've been dealing with living here with absolute carefulness, because I know that my next second isn't certain." She narrated.

"So, what does he do? Why does people fear him?" I asked.

Her mood suddenly changed.

"Alpha Kieran, is the most evil and richest mortuary attendant. He kills, extract souls, imprisons spirits, and sells the bodies of his victims." She explained, and I gasped in shock.

If that be the case, I was doomed.

"Then, why am I here?" I asked in fear.

"Sad to say that you might be the next victim." She announced, and I gasped in fear.

Just then, the wall ripped open, and the worst happened.

CHAPTER 6.

CHANGE OF IDENTITY.

My parents were seriously bent on getting rid of me. I guess they saw me as a burden that they should quickly toss away. "Rebecca!" my mother said. She claimed up the stairs and walked towards my room. I ran back into my room and opened the window.

I was going to jump, but the front was that I was very scared of heights. My mum, on the other hand, had already picked up my scent and sensed that I was about to try something foolish or I would rather sadly, "deadly".

"Get down from there right away!" Mother said with a firm tone. If what use was I to them anyway, I would rather jump than get caught by the Alpha's guards and be used as a slave.

I ignored her and quickly jumped out through the window while closing my eyes. Surprisingly, I didn't land on the ground. Rather, it felt like I had jumped into somebody's hand. I opened my eyes immediately to see myself in the guard's hands.

He carried me back to my door post while I was screaming and trying so her to let myself free from his firm grip. "Ma'am, we have her" he said as he carried me to approach the truck other slaves were already in.

"Caesar, help" I screamed. Probably my brother would hear and come out to save me. But unfortunately, he wasn't home. He had already gone out into the wild to hunt.

I was the last person to complete the number of slaves the Alpha would be needing, so they drove us all back to the castle. Right in front of the castle was a magnificent statue of the Alpha.

As the truck drove into the castle, the gate was shut behind us immediately, and the only meant "No way out". We were washed by the maidens and given clothes to change into.

The Alpha walked forward immediately and looked at everyone. He walked slowly past everyone, gradually picking out people for different work posts. He stopped when he got to me. "Hmm, I like this one. She'll come with me. Keep her aside from the others!" He said with a very harsh tone.

The Alpha looks very fierce, and everybody in the castle is always scared by his presence. After he was done with everyone, his guards pulled me as they followed behind him, waiting for his order. "Put her in that room" he ordered the guard that held me.

As the guard carried me to my room, I looked at the Alpha hoping I could set my eyes into his charming eyes but he kept a straight face and didn't turn to where I was rather he went on to enter his room.

A maiden came in and dressed me and offered me a nice dress to put on. "The Alpha will b here in a few minutes" she said with a calm tone. She smiled at me and walked out of the room. That was really a welcoming approach from her.

I heard footsteps approaching my room and quickly braced myself to meet him. He walked in elegantly with his personal body guard, walking closely behind him. I was flattered by his presence as his nice body was too charming for any lady to resist. "Greetings" I said as I stood and bowed before his presence.

"Oh spare me that crap" he said as he waved his hand in the air. "So you're Rebecca, right?" he asked.

"Yes sir" I replied immediately, still leaving my head bowed down.

"Now look up! You are not important to me here, I will use you to do whatever the hell pleases me, and from now on, you remain my property. And don't think of escaping" he explained clearly. His rules were too harsh, and I guess he is as well. "I guess we're clear in that?" he added.

"Yes sir!" I replied with a shaky tone.

"Don't call me sir, my name is Alpha Logan, Don't forget to add Alpha" he said. He sure has a lot of rules.

"OK, Alpha Logan" I chuckled.

"What's so funny?" he asked as he walked closer to me. He seemed very angry and ready to tear me all apart. I didn't like the look of things obviously as his energy was filled with rage. As I raised my face to explain to him, he shut me up with a strong slap to my cheek.

"I guess that will make you understand how to behave around me" he added. I held my cheek with my face down as he walked out of the room. I couldn't believe someone I was having a deep feeling for at first sight just gave me a slap that I wouldn't dear to forget.

He is a monster, and his presence now irritates me. How can he be so harsh towards a lady. And to think that he doesn't even smile. He can't make me stop smiling, though, because nobody has ever done that. And God! His hands hurt like hell. That slap really went through to my spines.

"The Alpha wants you to come to the dining hall right away" a maiden came to inform me.

"Hey wait up, what does he...." she went away before I could complete my sentence. One thing that drove me into deep thinking was why the maidens were all avoiding having a discussion with me.

I was already dressed up, so I walked down to the dining hall as soon as I could to avoid incurring more of his wrath. I tried my best to avoid sitting next to him, but that wasn't going to work as planned. "Come and wit here" he said with a firm tone.

I looked straight into his eyes, and all I could see was a burning flame of rage. Next to him was a maiden tied up and crying, and the seat he reserved for me was directly next to her. I had no idea what he was planning to do, but I was certain it wasn't going to be good.