(Bella's POV)
The first thing I noticed was the rope around my wrists. Rough hemp, treated with wolfsbane to prevent shifting. The second was Martha's face hovering above me, her expression a mixture of greed and false concern.
"Finally awake, dear?" She tightened the ropes, making me wince. "Just in time."
The room slowly came into focus – a luxurious clubhouse dripping with crystal chandeliers and gold trim. Music throbbed through hidden speakers, and the air was thick with expensive cologne and... fear. So much fear.
"Can't... move..." Gina's voice was weak, distant. Whatever they'd drugged us with was still affecting her. "Trapped..."
That's when I saw them – at least a dozen young women in revealing dresses, all with the same vacant look in their eyes. Some swayed on their feet, while others were slumped in corners, attended by men in expensive suits.
"Welcome to Derek's party."
The voice sent ice down my spine. One man stood at the center of the room like a spider in his web.
Derek...Derek Montgomery! I'd heard the whispers about him – the wealthy businessman who moved between human and wolf societies, whose two previous wives had mysteriously disappeared. Every month, young female wolves would vanish after attending his "private parties." Some said they ended up in underground fighting rings. Others whispered worse fates.
"Ladies," Derek's smile never reached his eyes, "let's begin the party!"
One by one, the drugged girls were led to a raised platform. They twirled and posed like puppets on strings while Derek and his associates made crude comments and bids.
"Ten thousand for the blonde."
"Twenty for the redhead."
"Put her in the special room..."
I fought down bile as I watched. These weren't just random girls – they were wolves from struggling families, lured in with promises of money and status. Just like Martha had done to me.
"And now, gentlemen," the announcer's voice dripped with artificial excitement, "we've saved the best for last. Our mysterious final gift of the evening – Bella Bennett!"
"Your turn, dear," Martha whispered, yanking the rope around my neck. "Be good and we'll all profit."
I didn't move. Even as the rope cut into my throat, even as black spots danced in my vision, I remained seated. Let her choke me. Death was better than whatever Derek had planned.
"Problems?" Derek's voice carried across the room. He approached us, and I got my first close look at the monster from the rumors.
He was handsome in a predatory way, with silver threading his dark hair and cruel intelligence in his eyes. But it was his scent that made Gina recoil – something rotten beneath the expensive cologne, something that spoke of pain and broken things.
His nostrils flared as he caught my scent. "Interesting..." He leaned closer, inhaling deeply. "Very interesting. There's something... different about this one."
"Just being difficult," Martha simpered. "Nothing a firm hand won't fix."
Derek's fingers reached for my face. I could smell old blood beneath his manicured nails. Without thinking, I gathered what little moisture I had in my dry mouth and spat directly in his face.
The room went silent. Martha's grip on the rope tightened painfully.
Derek slowly wiped his cheek, but instead of anger, his eyes lit with something worse – desire.
"Magnificent," he breathed. "Still fighting, even drugged. Do you know how rare that is?" He turned to Martha. "The others break so easily. But this one... she's special."
No. No, no, no. I'd rather he was angry. Rather he punished me than look at me like that.
"One million dollars," he said casually, as if discussing the weather. "Cash. For her."
Martha's sharp intake of breath was the only sound in the room. One million? Her previous greed had been for thousands. This was...
"She's yours," Martha said quickly, before he could reconsider. "A bargain for such a... special girl."
I looked at her in despair. This was my foster mother. I had known that for a long time, hadn't I.
"Excellent." Derek's smile widened as he reached for me again. "I do so enjoy breaking the wild ones. They scream so beautifully in the end."
"So," Martha's voice was honey-sweet as she addressed Derek, "about the payment... when can you transfer it to my card?"
Derek's eyes never left my face as he smiled. "Patience. First, I need to ensure the merchandise is... cooperative."
"Of course, of course!" Martha tugged at my rope. "Come, dear. Let's freshen you up before your big moment."
The bathroom was all marble and gold, obscenely luxurious. Martha locked the door behind us, her previous sweetness melting away.
"Listen carefully," she hissed, pulling something from her purse – a syringe filled with pale blue liquid. "You've been a burden for sixteen years. Eating our food, taking up space, causing trouble with your pretty face and ungrateful attitude. Now it's time to repay your debt."
I stared at the syringe. "What is that?"
"Insurance." She tapped the needle. "Moon Mountain Tea, mixed with something special. One prick, and you'll be as docile as a puppy." Her smile turned cruel.
"Please," I whispered, letting my shoulders slump in defeat. "You're right. I understand now... I need to repay you."
Martha's hand, holding the syringe, paused. Suspicion warred with satisfaction on her face. "No tricks."
I kept my eyes downcast, the picture of submission. "I've been thinking... Derek is rich and powerful. What better chance could I have?" A tear rolled down my cheek – let her think it was from acceptance rather than rage.
Martha's grip on the syringe loosened slightly. Her lips curved into a triumphant smile. "Finally," she breathed, reaching out to pat my cheek with her free hand. "This is my good daughter. You see? Mother knows best."
"Yes," I whispered. "If you weren't my mother, I wouldn't have such a... good opportunity."
She preened at the flattery. "Exactly! Play your cards right, and you could have everything you've ever wanted. Derek likes his toys feisty at first, but if you're clever..." She leaned in conspiratorially. "His last wife disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Perhaps the next Mrs. Montgomery is standing right here."
"Thank you, mom." The words tasted like acid, but I forced them out.
"If only you'd been this obedient earlier," she sighed, turning to put the syringe back in her purse. "Do you know how expensive this batch was? Premium grade Moon Mountain Tea, mixed with—"
The ropes fell silently as I worked my hands free, using the skills I'd spent years concealing. Martha heard the whisper of hemp hitting marble and started to turn.
Her eyes widened as she saw me standing unbound. For the first time in sixteen years, I let her see what I really was.
"How—" she began, reaching for the syringe. Her scream never made it past her lips.
Years of secret training poured out. Even with the drugs in my system, even with the wolfsbane ropes binding me, I was much stronger than her.
Martha hit the marble floor with a satisfying thud, unconscious before she landed. I quickly searched her purse, finding a small knife.
"Run!" Gina urged. "Before they check on us!"
I slipped out of the bathroom, my bare feet silent on the plush carpet. The hallway stretched endlessly, doors on either side leading to God knows what horrors. I could hear screams from some of them, pleading from others.
A cleaning supply closet at the end of the hall promised temporary sanctuary. I ducked inside, needing a moment to gather my strength, to plan my escape—
And found I wasn't alone.
A man lay crumpled against the back wall. I froze when I recognized his face, it was Alexander Steele!
His usual grace replaced by fever-wracked trembling. His skin was flushed, radiating unnatural heat, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
"Luna Camellia," Gina recognized the symptoms. "Someone drugged him with Luna Camellia."
No, not the normal Luna Camellia. It was not enough to bring the future Alpha King to his knees. But there was no time for me to study what the drug was.
I pressed myself against the door, listening to the guards patrol outside. My strength was returning slowly, but not enough to fight my way out. Taking Alexander with me would be suicide. He was twice my size, clearly incapacitated, and would only slow me down.
I turned to look at him one last time, studying the face that had come to my rescue twice before. Even in his fevered state, he was beautiful – all sharp angles and dangerous grace.
I memorized his features, promising myself I'd find help once I got out. My fingers ghosted over his burning cheek.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, heart heavy with guilt. "But I have to make it out first."
The guards' footsteps were fading – shift change was coming. This was my chance. I gathered what little strength I had, ready to slip away into the darkness.
I reached for the door handle.
Behind me, Alexander let out a groan that seemed torn from his very soul. The sound was raw, primal – pure agony. His body convulsed.
"He saved us," Gina reminded me. "Twice."
The memory of his intervention at the café flashed through my mind. The way he'd stood up to Sarah, how he'd looked at me with respect instead of contempt...
"Damn it," I muttered, turning back.
Alexander's skin burned against mine as I helped him up. He was heavy – all muscle – and in his drugged state, he could barely support his own weight. My legs trembled with the effort of holding us both upright.
"...bella?" he mumbled, his usual sharp blue eyes clouded with fever.
"Shh." I adjusted his arm around my shoulders. "Try to walk. We need to—"
Footsteps approached outside. Voices. Getting closer.
We were out of time.