I forced the feeling down as we made our way to the dining hall. The noise of the Ridge pack hit us like a physical wall. My eyes scanned the room and found Darius immediately, seated at a long table on a raised dais, stuffing his face with a greed that was almost feral.
He stood and waved us over. I carefully schooled my expression, ensuring none of my disgust showed. I approached him, plastering a diplomatic smile on my face.
And then I caught her scent. It hit me like a physical blow—a soft, clean scent like roses after a spring rain. My steps faltered. My eyes landed on her, kneeling on the floor at his feet, her head bowed, a dark curtain of hair hiding her face.
MATE.
My wolf howled the word inside me, clawing at my skin, screaming to be free to rip Darius’s throat out for daring to touch what was ours. I staggered, a barely perceptible misstep, and Darius shot me a confused look. I took a sharp breath, my mind racing. This had to be the wolfless shifter Ronan mentioned. It explained her position, but I didn’t have to like it.
It didn’t matter. My wolf had claimed her. The heat would start soon. I had to get her away from Darius before it did.
I glanced at Jacob, then back at the girl. He gave a single, sharp nod. He’d been my beta long enough to know what that look meant.
“Darius,” I greeted him, taking the seat beside him and strategically placing the girl between us. Her head snapped up as I settled, and for a breathtaking moment, our eyes met. Not losing myself in the sapphire depths of her eyes was the hardest thing I have ever done, but somehow, I managed to wrench my gaze away and back to Darius. He smirked and cuffed the girl on the shoulder.
“Seraphina, pour our guest some ale.” She rose, moving with a practiced grace to the serving tables. She returned with a pitcher, her steps silent. It took everything I had to keep my wolf leashed, but my own rage was a roaring fire, quickly matching his.
Seraphina filled both cups, then knelt again, her movements fluid and submissive. My rage bloomed into a cold, hard fury.
“She’s something,” I forced myself to say, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. “Where did you get her? I’d consider a bargain if you’re open to selling.”
Darius laughed, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “Perhaps,” he said, reaching down to stroke her hair possessively. I had to fight the urge to break his arm. “That depends on what you’re willing to part with.”
I leaned back, projecting a nonchalance I didn’t feel. I had him. It was only a matter of finding the price he couldn’t refuse.
The negotiation took longer than I anticipated. Darius was greedy, but not entirely stupid. In the end, he relented, selling her to me for a small fortune. Throughout it all, I was aware of her heart hammering in her chest, a frantic, wild beat, but her face remained a perfect, blank mask.
We concluded our business as the meal ended, shaking on the agreement. I nodded to Jacob to handle the payment. Then I reached down, my touch gentle, and took Seraphina’s arm, pulling her to her feet. I led her out of the hall and away from the only life she had ever known.