Max

"Nothing you've told me is anything I don't know and it's all available in the public arena," I growl at Vulzal. "All you've done is waste my time." I stand, feeling the effects of the whisky I've drunk while hating being in his presence.

The auctioneer announces the last lot. I glance at the stage as a human female is thrust out through the curtain. She has long dark hair, falling in waves around her face and shoulders, shining with life. A black dress hugs her voluptuous figure, and there is an audible intake of breath around the room.

But she has no shoes. Her big, dark eyes blink in the light and an expression of abject fear flashes across her pretty face.

"And what am I bid for this…human female?" the auctioneer says, looking slightly puzzled but rallying with ease as the bids come in thick and fast.

The female seems to come to her senses, turns, and attempts to get back through the curtain, but she cannot. Her hands shake violently as she pulls at the fabric.

The bidding frenzy increases because there are plenty of predators in this room who love it when their prey tries to run.

But she doesn't belong to just anyone. I have a volcano rising inside me, one I haven't felt for centuries.

This human female is mine.

"One hundred thousand pounds."

I can't quite believe what I've heard. Beside me, still sat at the table, Vulzal grins his crooked grin at me.

"One hundred thousand pounds to Mr. Goroksson," the auctioneer shouts with glee.

"Two hundred thousand."

Did I say it? Did I bid?

"Three," Vulzal says.

"I have three hundred thousand for this little human. Are there any more bids?" I want to smash the smile from the auctioneer's face.

"Six hundred thousand." Again, the words have come from me, and I didn't recall giving my lips permission.

"Six hundred thousand pounds from Mr. Horenson!" The auctioneer cackles with glee. "Any more?" he adds with a smack of his lips.

Beside me Vulzal shakes his head with the smuggest of smiles on his face. Not only has he got me to bid in this auction, but I've probably paid more for the human than any monster has ever. And I've done it in the full glare of the great and good.

My gaze moves from him to the stage. The human female stares at me.

And then she bolts, running and slipping across the surface until she reaches the other side and then vanishes.

There are predators in this room, and I am one of them. I hurl myself through the crowd, the damage to my image already done, and leap up onto the stage.

"Mr. Horenson…" The auctioneer puts out a hand, but I practically knock him over as I dive through the curtain. It has her fresh scent on it.

And now I can find her anywhere. I stomp through the backstage area, sending humans and monsters scattering in my wake.

"Where is she?" I growl, making my way through a pair of doors, ducking to keep my horns from clattering off the frame, and find myself in a service corridor.

The female's scent is very strong here, and ahead of me, I see her, trying doors frantically at the far end.

A dead end.

Something cracks within me and I stalk towards her, sucking down her delicious scent, tinged with a fear I hate and want to change.

"Do not be afraid," I rasp as I get close. "I won't hurt you, little one."

Because she is little, compared to me.

The female shakes the door handle harder, refusing to look over her shoulder, refusing to look at me at all.

I'm not used to being ignored. I find I don't like it at all.

"Did you hear what I said?" I growl.

She flings herself around, back against the door, chest—that voluptuous chest—heaving, eyes bright.

"Back. The fuck. Off." She snarls at me through gritted teeth. "I am not for sale. Not to you, not to anyone."

I'm already in her space, but something about her defiance has a part of me perking up which has not been perked in a long time.

A part which will absolutely ruin the line of this suit once it gets riled.

I plant my arms on either side of her head, inhaling her scent like it's a fine wine.

"Did you not hear me? I am not for sale. This is a mistake," she says, doing her level best to keep the waver of fear in her voice to a minimum.

Impressive.

"A mistake? I've spent half a million on a mistake?" I growl.

"Yes, a mistake. I'm working in the snug. I didn't agree to any…" She wrinkles up her gorgeous nose. "…auction."

Before I can stop myself, I have her face cupped in my hand, the softness of her skin against the ancient callouses. I'm drowning in those fierce eyes, so, so ready to taste those cherry lips.

Any semblance of sophistication is stripped from me in her presence. I am a battle troll once again.

And this female is my prize.