Auctioning The Alpha To Her Enemies

"Rowan, how could you do this?" I shouted, tearing the brooch from my dress. It was the only gift Rowan had given me after our mating ceremony, and I had never felt right wearing it. Now, its jagged rose edges pressed painfully against my chest.

"You know the Adams Pack is the only legacy my parents left me. Why do you hurt me like this?" I demanded, meeting Rowan's cold gaze. His indifference cut deeper than a knife.

Blair Bell stood gracefully, took the brooch from my hand, and stroked the petal engraved with her initials. "Why do you think? You stole my place and my happiness. You're getting exactly what you deserve," she said, tucking loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

Seeing the scar on her wrist, my mind went blank. I grabbed her wrist, asking, "What happened to this scar?"

"Ouch, you're hurting me! Let go!" Blair's eyes filled with tears immediately. Rowan pushed me aside and wrapped Blair protectively in his arms. "Alpha Hayden," he said, using my title with a mocking edge, "touch Blair again, and I'll make sure the Adams Pack is nothing but a memory."

I stumbled backward, nearly losing my balance. Even though I bit my lip hard, a sob escaped. A scar identical to Blair's marked my wrist, only mine was a bit redder.

Rowan noticed my dazed look and seized the opportunity to add insult to injury: "Since you're just a stand-in, everything about you mirrors Blair's. Is there a problem?"

Three years ago, Rowan had spilled hot stew on me, causing this scar. Back then, he had seemed genuinely remorseful, watching over me as I applied ointment. But a packmate who had seen the security footage suspected Rowan had done it intentionally, nearly driving a wedge between us.

Today, Rowan's confession shattered my last bit of self-confidence. I felt like a fool under the gaze of everyone at the pack gathering. The surrounding voices blurred into a hum as the auction continued. When I lit the candle centerpiece, the service staff came to verify my financial status.

"Alpha Hayden, could you show proof of your assets?" Adele Matthews asked, while Stephanie Cole weaved through the crowd with a tray of drinks.

Blair deliberately picked up a glass of red wine and offered it to me. "Rowan told me you're allergic to grapes. What a coincidence, so am I. But I do love their flavor. I wonder how much effort Rowan put into desensitizing you. Care to take a sip for me?"

When I didn’t, she feigned clumsiness and spilled the wine. "Oops, my hand slipped," she said.

I tried to dodge, but Rowan intentionally nudged me forward. The wine splattered all over me, staining my clothes red. Rowan immediately turned to check Blair’s hands, asking, "Did any get on you? I don’t want you breaking out in a rash. Let me see."

My brand-new white dress was ruined, and my carefully styled hair clung to my face in sticky strands. Adele Matthews stepped back, clearly unimpressed.

I watched Rowan fuss over Blair, adjusting her dress. "Sorry about that. Rowan always says I’m such a klutz; he can’t help but love me," Blair remarked with a sly grin.

I stayed silent, just watched Rowan as he fussed over her.

I remembered a year ago, at a gathering when I was pregnant with our pup. A rogue had deliberately caused trouble, insisting I drink alcohol. Rowan had immediately intervened, and when the rogue insulted me, Rowan was furious enough to throw a drink at him.

Now, Rowan stood by as Blair orchestrated my humiliation.

Suddenly, the crowd gasped. I turned, confused, to see what had happened. As I glanced at Rowan, a flicker of guilt crossed his face. He almost moved to cover my eyes but shifted to wrap an arm around Blair’s waist instead.

"Alpha Hayden is quite a sight. No wonder Beta Rowan chose her as a stand-in when Blair went abroad," an old man leered, eyes glued to me. "What a beauty! Let’s hurry this auction along; I’ve got the presidential suite at the Ritz tonight and can’t wait to enjoy this exquisite delight!"

The lecherous old man rubbed his hands together, his gaze fixed on me with a lustful gleam. I looked up and forced a vacant smile. Tears ran down my cheeks to my collarbone, vanishing into the fabric.