Selena's POV:
A full week had passed.
The underground black market auction was in full swing.
In this place, money erased all limits. If someone could afford it, they could walk away with anything, whether it was prohibited potions or even werewolves.
Standing before the mirror, I examined my reflection carefully. A deep crimson evening gown with a daring slit wrapped around me, paired with flawless makeup.
The fabric clung to my frame, tracing every line of my body.
A golden feather mask rested over the upper half of my face, hiding my identity while leaving my lips exposed.
"You set?" Damon asked, leaning casually against the doorframe as he held up two numbered paddles.
Dressed in a black tuxedo with the collar left slightly undone, he carried both refinement and danger in equal measure.
"I'm ready." I faced him and took a paddle from his hand. "The last item... is it really what you said?"
"It is." Damon's eyes turned serious. "The Moonlight Grass. It's the only thing that can hold back the silver poison inside you, even if it's just temporary. With that, you'll gain at least three more months."
Three more months. For someone already standing at death's edge, that kind of time was worth everything.
"Come on." I slipped my arm through his, letting him guide me inside the arena.
Inside, the auction hall stretched wide under low lighting. The moment we stepped in, attention shifted toward us from every direction.
Keeping my posture straight, I moved forward, the sharp click of my heels echoing with each step.
Back when I stood beside Kael, I never dared lift my head, always afraid I might make him look bad.
That version of me didn't exist anymore. Now, I didn't owe anyone anything.
With ease, Damon guided me upstairs to the VIP room on the second level. From there, the entire auction floor was laid out beneath us.
We had barely settled into our seats when the doors below swung open again.
A stir ran through the crowd almost instantly.
"Hey, who just came in?"
"That's Kael, isn't it? The Alpha of the strongest pack. I didn't expect him here!"
"Word is, he showed up because of that actress, Aria..."
Hearing her name made my grip tighten against the armrest before I could stop it.
Then Kael appeared, walking in with Aria wrapped around his arm, clinging close to him.
"They look perfect together," Damon murmured near my ear, his tone dripping with mockery.
Without reacting much, I lifted the glass of red wine from the table and took a slow sip. "They really do," I replied.
Across the hall, Kael's eyes moved steadily before settling on the glass case placed at the center of the stage.
Inside it sat the final item of the night—the Moonlight Grass.
From the look in Kael's eyes, it was clear he intended to claim it.
"So it's not going to be easy tonight," Damon murmured as he idly swirled the wine in his glass. "I heard Aria's condition wasn't great either. She needs that just as much."
Without delay, the auction began.
Several items were brought out one after another, but none of them caught my attention. That changed the moment the host pulled away the red cloth covering the final piece.
"Everyone, we've reached the highlight of the evening—the Moonlight Grass! We'll begin at ten million!"
"Twenty million!" Kael didn't even wait for the full announcement before lifting his paddle.
A hush fell over the hall. No one wanted to challenge an Alpha like him over a single herb.
Grinning, the host raised his gavel, his voice full of excitement. "Looks like the Moonlight Grass will be going to Mr. Brooks tonight. Let's all give our..."
"Fifty million." I lifted my paddle slowly, making sure every movement was deliberate.
At once, Kael's head jerked up.
Under the dim lighting, our eyes met across the distance for a brief second.
In that instant, confusion flickered through his gaze.
"Fifty-five million." Kael's voice stayed steady as he looked away and raised the bid without emotion.
"One hundred million." Without even pausing, I lifted my paddle again.
That number drained everything I had. It came from selling every piece of equipment I owned from my days of being a bounty hunter, along with the money Damon lent me.
I had placed my entire future on this one gamble.
For once, Kael didn't respond right away.
"Sold!"
The gavel struck, sealing the deal.
A slow breath left my lungs as I realized my hands were damp with sweat.
I had taken back my life from Kael.
Still, it wasn't going to end that easily.
Once the auction wrapped up, I stepped out of the VIP room, only to be stopped at a corner in the hallway.
"Miss, if you don't mind..." Mason Brown, Kael's chief aide, stood in my path with a polite smile. "The Alpha would like to speak with you."
