It was auction day, and the hall buzzed with anticipation and excitement.
The doors swung open, revealing a woman with a smug smile that immediately drew gasps from both commoners and high-ranking werewolves present.
"It couldn't be..." some muttered in disbelief.
"Is that devilish bitch back?" another voice rose in horror.
Lucas, the Alpha of the Rossi Pack, had entered the auction to bid on the highly coveted Crystal Moon, a jewel sought by many pack Alphas and their members.
The jeweller had finally decided to sell, drawing representatives from various packs.
Beside Lucas was Julia, the only child of wealthy yet unknown parents.
Despite Lucas's polite insistence that her presence would only cause her stress, she had persisted in accompanying him.
To him, her insistence seemed clingy and unwelcome, but he had eventually relented.
As they made their way through the crowded auction hall, Lucas's arm was wrapped around Julia's—a common gesture of affection among pack members, whether friends, siblings, or couples.
When the crowd turned to see who had just entered, Lucas and Julia followed their gaze to find Aurora standing confidently at the entrance.
Her gown, reaching just above her knee, featured a V-shaped opening at her back, revealing her fair skin. Her hair cascaded in loose waves, and as she walked into the auction hall, she captured the attention of every werewolf present.
Heads turned, their eyes following her every move.
Julia and Lucas were momentarily dumbstruck, staring at her in disbelief.
Julia broke the silence with a quiet sneer. "What's Aurora doing here?"
Lucas's expression hardened as he gazed at Aurora with a focused intensity.
He couldn't deny that her dress was striking, reminiscent of the ones she wore during their marriage.
Though he had always found them alluring, he had forced himself to ignore his desires and concentrate on business.
Noticing Lucas's intense stare, Julia pulled her hand away from his and positioned herself to block his view.
"We came here for the auction..." she began.
Without responding, Lucas brushed past Julia and approached Aurora.
Stunned by his reaction, Julia hurried after him, but as she struggled to catch up, she deliberately brushed her arm against the wall and winced in pain.
Hearing her wince, Lucas turned around, his attention drawn to Julia, who was now cradling her bruised arm.
He walked back to her, his gaze assessing the injury.
Julia managed a faint smile and said softly, "It's nothing serious."
Lucas took her arm, inspecting the bruise.
Seeing it was minor, he nodded in acknowledgement. It would require only some ointment to heal.
"You've been acting clumsy lately," Lucas remarked, voicing his concern.
Julia offered another forced smile. "I've been feeling quite queasy since the accident. I suppose I haven't fully recovered and need someone with me."
Lucas's brows furrowed. "Someone?"
His gaze shifted to the guard standing nearby.
"Oscar, stay with Julia," Lucas ordered, causing Julia to pout in frustration.
Julia had hoped Lucas would stay with her himself, not delegate the task to his guard.
When Lucas turned back to her, Julia quickly replaced her pout with a grateful smile. Oscar, the bodyguard, moved to her side and stood firmly, his muscles evident beneath his suit.
Lucas's gaze shifted back to Aurora, and his brows furrowed as he noticed she was not alone.
She was accompanied by a man who seemed strangely familiar. Lucas pinched his nose, trying to place where he had seen him before.
The realization struck him with frustration—it was the man Aurora had embraced and slept with after their divorce.
His face flushed with annoyance as he watched Aurora wrap her arm around the man's arm. He struggled to contain his anger, feeling a surge of jealousy.
Unbeknownst to him, Aurora had noticed his stare.
She was well aware of how much his jealousy flared when she made physical contact with another man. Deliberately, she draped her arm around Hades' elbow.
Hades, meanwhile, was pleased. As long as Aurora continued to trust him and make contact, it would foster a deeper, more affectionate bond between them.
"It's time for the auction," the auctioneer announced, his voice echoing through the hall.
The crowd quietly moved to their seats, preparing for the event to begin.
Lucas and Aurora took seats two chairs apart, with their respective partners, Julia and Hades, seated next to them.
Lucas's jaw clenched at the sight of Hades and Aurora's closeness, and he kept casting fiery glances toward Aurora.
Amos, who had been observing the scene unfold, moved to take the seat between them.
However, Lucas shot him a fierce side-eye, causing Amos to reconsider quickly. He opted for a seat next to Julia, clearing his throat as he settled in.
The room buzzed with anticipation as the auction was about to commence.
The auctioneer, standing at the podium, adjusted the microphone and began with a brief introduction about the significance of the auction.
Lucas's frustration simmered as he continued to glare at Hades and Aurora.
He could see Aurora's calm demeanour and the ease with which she interacted with Hades, further igniting his jealousy.
Julia, sensing Lucas's agitation, tried to engage him in conversation.
"Are you alright?" she whispered, attempting to redirect his attention.
Lucas's gaze remained fixed on Aurora as he muttered, "I'm fine."
The auctioneer then called for everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, the auction will begin shortly. Please ensure your bidding paddles are ready."
Aurora, maintaining her composure, leaned slightly toward Hades, who responded with a smile. Their quiet conversation seemed to draw Lucas's ire even more.
As the firm item was brought out, the room fell silent, and all eyes were on the stage. Lucas's focus was still on Aurora, his mind racing with a mix of frustration and unresolved feelings.
Amos, now seated next to Julia, glanced nervously between the two rival parties, sensing the charged atmosphere.
The auction had barely begun, but the tension between Lucas and Aurora was evident, setting the stage for an evening of heightened emotions and competitive fervour.
As the auction began, the auctioneer introduced the first item, a beautifully crafted antique vase.
Bidders raised their paddles, and the room filled with murmurs of anticipation and strategic whispers.
Lucas's gaze never wavered from Aurora, watching as she engaged with Hades.
Her calm demeanour seemed to only deepen his irritation. Each time Aurora leaned in or exchanged a word with Hades, Lucas's jaw tightened further.
Despite his frustration, Lucas forced himself to focus on the auction. The bids for the vase came and went, with Lucas raising his paddle decisively when needed. His competitive edge surfaced as he bid aggressively, determined to secure the best items and show his dominance.
Aurora, meanwhile, appeared absorbed in the auction, her attention divided between the proceedings and the occasional exchange with Hades. Her calm and composed demeanour contrasted sharply with Lucas's growing agitation.
When the Crystal Moon was finally brought out, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. The jewel's brilliance captivated everyone's attention, and the room buzzed with excitement.
The auctioneer presented the jewel, holding it up for all to see. "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for: the Crystal Moon."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd as the bidding started. Lucas's focus sharpened, and he raised his paddle decisively. "Two million," he announced firmly.
Aurora raised her paddle with equal determination. "Two and a half million."
Lucas glanced at Aurora, his irritation barely masked. "Three million."
Aurora met his gaze, her voice steady. "Three and a half million."
The bids climbed higher, and Lucas's competitive spirit intensified.
He kept his eyes locked on Aurora, each time their bids met adding to his confidence.
The auction room's tension was evident as the price of the Crystal Moon soared.
Lucas raised his paddle once more. "Four million."
Aurora didn't hesitate. "Five million."
A collective gasp swept through the crowd. Lucas's eyes widened in disbelief.
He glanced at Julia, who was equally stunned.
"Did she just bid five million?" Julia whispered, her voice trembling with shock.
Lucas's face paled in disbelief.
How could Aurora afford such an amount?
He had recently known her as an actress working in low-budget films, especially after Julia's accident.
Before he could stop himself, Lucas blurted out, "How can she afford that? It's absurd."
The thought of Aurora taking out a massive loan to secure the jewel crossed his mind, and he realized that such a move would only plunge her into unmanageable debt.
She wouldn't be that foolish, would she?
Julia shook her head, her confusion evident. "I don't know. But if she wins, it's going to make things even more complicated."
Lucas's mind raced as he tried to make sense of Aurora's bold move.
He had always seen her as resourceful, but this bid was beyond anything he'd anticipated.
His competitive streak clashed with his growing concern over Aurora's financial capacity.
Determined not to be outdone, Lucas raised his paddle again, his voice strained but resolute. "Six million."
Aurora's gaze remained unwavering. "Twelve million."
A stunned silence enveloped the room.
The previously lively auction hall was now hushed, the number hanging in the air like a heavyweight.
Lucas and Julia exchanged bewildered glances, their astonishment reflected in the crowd's murmur of disbelief.
The auctioneer's voice cut through the silence, his tone both incredulous and impressed. "Twelve million, going once… going twice…"
Lucas's mind raced as he tried to process the enormity of Aurora's bid.
His competitive streak was overshadowed by growing concern and confusion.
How could she possibly afford this?
He could see the same disbelief mirrored in Julia's eyes.
The auctioneer's gavel struck decisively. "Sold! To the lady in the back."