Moments after Elara sneaked into the slave house, a rhythmic trumpet sounded across the Courtyard. It was way different from the wake-up trumpet. This caused alarm among the children slaves left in the slave house.
"That sounded like a powerful visitor just arrived," Claire whispered, a 19-year-old girl among the other 2 slaves in the room together with Elara.
"Princess, have you noticed any visitors on your way back?" Another girl asked.
From the depth of her core, Elara shook her head negatively and sympathetically, "How can I know who is who even if I happened to see anyone?" She whispered, lack of strength was obvious in both her body and voice. She felt so empty and at the same time regretful for giving the coin to Alpha Vesper.
With the absence of the coin, Elara felt as though she was alone in this world. Her sober mood made Claire approach her to console her.
"We also miss Freya and Fiora. If you don't mind, I can replace them and support you."
Elara rejected her, "I can't accept that."
"Why? It is my wish." Claire asked, making pleads.
"Everyone dies at the end. I was meant to be alone in this world." Elara was more sober now, counting the number of wolves who died because of her.
"You're not alone, Princess. At least you saved Freya and the other slaves. I hope they will find favor and mercy wherever they land." Claire prayed.
"Thanks for consoling me, I will do all I can do to free you before next year's game commences." Elara felt warmth from her consolation and promised her.
Just as Elara was making her promises, A knock shuddered them. Elara knowing fully well they came for her, did not bother to allow them to say a word before she opened the door.
"I'm here!" She said, not wanting the guard to intrude on others.
The guard's gaze held sympathy, he was the one who let Elara sneak out of the slave's house successfully. The guard nodded to her and uttered, "Princess, your buyer is waiting for you. Alpha Vesper from the Central Nation bought you."
"He is one of the Alphas of the most powerful pack. I heard they are Triplets." Claire said, her voice full of hope, "Every sold slave wanted to be in that Pack. There can be hope for us if you find their mercy, Princess."
Elara, remembering the embarrassment she passed through around that devilish man, shook her head solemnly and turned to others, she waved at them and bid her goodbye before quietly following the guard.
At the large hall of the Palace were Alpha Vesper and another man, standing inches apart. The two men focused on each other, that they didn't notice the presence of Elara.
Their stature matched each other as both seemed like towering giants, their muscles tense and bulging beneath the fabric of their attires.
Their aura filled the hall, commanding attention. Luckily enough, it was just Elara and the guard who brought her, together with them. Elara looked more confused as she witnessed the invisible current passing through them.
The man whom Elara hadn't seen before, had his jaw clenched in a thin line, oozing an aura of controlled strength. His broad shoulders stretched the fabric of his kingly attire... Obviously not just an ordinary man. His arms were thick with muscles, veins pulsing beneath the surface.
His gaze bore into Alpha Vesper with an intensity that seemed to pierce through their eyes.
Alpha Vesper, equally imposing, met the man's stare with a stern strength of his own. His chest expanded with each breath, and his posture radiated confidence and power. His jaw was set in a firm line, and his eyes narrowed in a silent challenge as he faced the man.
Elara watched with bathed breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she witnessed their silent exchange. She could feel the weight of their unspoken words hanging heavy in the air, a real force that seemed to press down upon her for no reason.
She was so worried, wondering what could be transmitted between them… especially the man she knew from moments ago.
As the seconds passed and Elara couldn't withstand the atmosphere, she coughed, clearing her throat like someone who choked on food but spontaneously, King Gathrick's bassy voice sounded from the doorway.
"Your Majesties!" He said as he paced towards them, "I'm honored to have you in my kingdom, Alpha Harlan." He said delightfully but anxiety was visible in his voice.
Alpha Harlan galantly looked at him, "Oh King Gathrick, I heard you are feasting in your kingdom. Why do you invite just my brother?" He said, motioning to Alpha Vesper as soon as he stepped away from him and met King Gathrick with a friendly gesture.
King Gathrick feeling kind of lowly to receive his hand's gesture simply bowed to him and mumbled, "It was a nameless feast, Your Majesty. Alpha Vesper happened to be here coincidentally."
Alpha Harlan huffed, and the heaviness of his breath reached Elara as she stood timidly on her spot...as though a dreadful current was transmitting into her from the man.
And then, his face averted to Elara which she immediately avoided by facing the floor. His brow raised to King Gathrick as though asking him about the filthy girl present in their midst.
"Oh! She was the product of the feast. Alpha Vesper bought her and they were about to leave when you arrived, Your Majesty."
As he said, they all looked at Elara simultaneously. The intensity of their gazes bore down upon her, their silent inspection of her made her feel exposed and vulnerable.
Alpha Harlan's expression softened slightly as he took in the sight of Elara. His eyes flickered with recognition and a glimmer of confusion crossed his face.
As soon as he recognized that the same red-haired girl was the slave brought to him, his eyes narrowed with disdain and a mixture of nausea and contempt colored his expression instantly.
It was obvious that he didn't expect to find the girl he sought for 2 years as a slave… a product of a feast!
As the realization dumped on him, Alpha Harlan recoiled slightly, his face radiating disgust as he said, "A product of a feast indeed!"
Elara could see the disdain written large upon his face, a silent condemnation of her status as a slave. Feeling the weight of his judgment bearing down upon her, Elara felt a pang of shame wash over her.
To them, she was nothing but a mere slave!
Right after he judged Elara with his facial expression, he patted King Gathrick on his shoulder and affirmed to him, "She is coming with me!"
Without uttering more words, his virile hand pulled Elara along with him. His action left an imprinted frown on Alpha Vesper's face.
"Hey Harlan, I bought her, you heard that!"
A daring breath filled Alpha Harlan's impulse as he walked out of the hall with Elara who innocently drifted along with him.