Chapter 162
Chapter 156
Tori’s POV:
Charlotte noticed our exchange, her eyes narrowing as they fixed on Lucas hand at my nape.
I caught her gaze for a moment before she looked away, adjusting her elegant jade necklace with fingers that trembled slightly.
She is hostile towards us. Tracy said.
Before I could respond, a bell chimed throughout the hall, signaling the auction’s beginning.
Lucas guided me back to our seats, his hand never leaving the small of my back.
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The auctioneer took his position at the podium, a thin Beta wolf with slicked-back hair and an air of practiced refinement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Silverstone Spring Auction. Our first lot this evening is an antique crystal necklace from the pre- Separation era p>
An assistant carried the piece to the display stand-a stunning cascade of silver links with teardrop crystals that caught the light and scattered
it in blue-silver fragments across the room.
My breath caught. Even from this distance, I could see the crystals pulsing with a gentle light.
“Legend claims these particular crystals can strengthen an Omega’s constitution,” the auctioneer continued. “We’ll start the bidding at five
hundred thousand moonstone p>
I must have been staring, because Lucas’s gaze shifted to me, those blue eyes missing nothing.
Without hesitation, he raised his bidding paddle. “Six hundred thousand.
“Six-fifty,” called a voice from the back.
“Eight hundred thousand,” Lucas countered smoothly.
The price climbed rapidly-one million, two million. Each time Lucas raised his paddle, his expression remained impassive, as though the
astronomical figures meant nothing to him.
By the time the bidding reached three million moonstone, my heart was racing. I grabbed Lucas’s arm, unable to stay silent any longer.
“Lucas, stop,” I whispered urgently. “It’s too much p>
He didn’t look at me, his eyes fixed on the auctioneer. “Four million,” he stated, his voice carrying effortlessly across the now-hushed room.
Panic fluttered in my chest. The amount was obscene-more money than could comprehend. I turned in my seat and wrapped both arms around his, pulling myself close enough that my lips nearly brushed his ear
“Please, don’t,” I pleaded. “I don’t need it p>
His eyes finally met mine, dark and intense. “Sit properly, Tori. Let me handle this p>
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Chapter 156
“No, I insisted, not releasing his arm. “I don’t even like it that much p>
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He leaned closer, his voice a low rumble meant only for me. The one thing I don’t lack is wealth, little wolf. His thumb brushed across my
knuckles in a brief, soothing gesture before he turned back to the auction
“Five million,” he called out confidently, his voice carrying across the no hushed room.
The auctioneer scanned the silent room. Five million moonstone for lote. Going once… going twice…” He paused, giving the crowd one last
chance. No one moved. “Sold to Alpha Grayson.
A collective exhale seemed to ripple through the audience, followed by a buzz of whispers.
Around us, I could hear fragments of conversation, each syllable pricking my sensitive ears.
“Five million for an Omega…
“Did you see how he looked at her? Like she’s precious p>
To think even the always rational Alpha Lucas would have a moment where he’d spend a fortune for a beauty p>
The Alpha must be completely besotted p>
My cheeks burned with embarrassment, but Lucas seemed utterly unaffected by the commentary swirling around us, his expression calm and
satisfied, as though spending millions on me was the most natural thing in the world.
A staff member approached with a velvet-lined box containing the necklae.
Lucas accepted it with a slight nod, then turned to me.
“May I?” he asked, his voice gentle.
I hesitated, then nodded, turning slightly to allow him access. His fingers brushed the nape of my neck as he fastened the clasp, the contact
sending shivers down my spine.
“The crystals will help stabilize your energy,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.
His fingers lingered at my neck, adjusting the central crystal to rest perfectly in the hollow of my throat. “Besides, silver has always suited
you p>
As the cool stones settled against my skin, I felt a subtle warmth radiating from them-a gentle pulse that seemed to synchronize with my
heartbeat.
“Lucas, I… My voice caught as I met his gaze. “Thank you. It’s beautiful, and I can actually feel it working p>
I touched the central crystal gently, still hardly believing something so precious was now mine. “You shouldn’t have spent so much, but I’m
grateful p>
His eyes softened at my words, a rarely genuine smile curving his lips. “Seeing it on you makes it worth every moonstone,” he said quietly, his
thumb brushing briefly across my cheek before he returned to his usual composed demeanor.
When the next item came up for auction, I feared he might begin another bidding war, I touched his hand lightly.
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“I need to freshen up,” I whispered. “I’ll be right back p>
He nodded, his eyes lingering on me as I stood. I could feel his gaze tracking my movement all the way to the door.
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The hallway outside the main auction room was considerably quieter, with just a few attendees milling about or engaged in hushed conversations. I followed the signs toward the restrooms.
As I rounded the corner, I stopped short.
Sitting in a wheelchair just outside the ladies’ room was Susan Shepherd, with Charlotte standing behind her. Facing them was William Sullivan, the Alpha of the Sullivan Pack.
The tension in the air was palpable, like electricity before a storm.
“Is it you who told him I was here?” Susan demanded of Charlotte, her voice cold with fury and disappointment.
Charlotte’s face paled. “Mother, I didn’t p>
“It wasn’t Charlotte, William interrupted, his deep voice heavy with resignation. “I saw your name on the attendance record for tonight. We
need to talk, Susan p>
Susan cut her off with a sharp gesture. “We have nothing to discuss, William Sullivan.” The hatred in her voice made me flinch. “You made our daughter die, and you have the audacity to approach me p>
William’s face creased with pain. “What happened back then… Susan, you know that p>
“I don’t want to listen.” Tears welled in Susan’s eyes, her voice cracking. Twenty-two years, and my little Luna will never come back p>
Charlotte placed her hands on her mother’s shoulders, a gesture of support that seemed practiced and familiar.
Susan gripped the wheels of her chair and turned away. “Take me home, Charlotte. Now p>
As they passed, Susan paused briefly when she saw me standing there, her lips pressing into a thin line before she continued on.
Charlotte followed, her face a mask of strained composure.
William remained where he stood, shoulders slumped, looking suddenly aged by the weight of whatever history lay between them.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I was just heading to the restroom and p>
William waved away my apology with a weary hand.
“No need, child. Old wounds sometimes need witnesses, if only to remember they’re real p>
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