Chapter One

The darkness cloaks me like a second skin, hiding me from sight as I take in the Alphas surrounding me, assessing the situation, and ensuring that being here is worth the effort.

Aggression and desperation cling to the air and coat everything. I understand why that is the predominant emotion rolling through those gathered here tonight, but it doesn't make it any more palatable. Tonight, I need to be on top of my game, or everything could go to shit quickly.

"The final part of the auction will commence in ten minutes," a tinny voice says through the overhead speakers.

Taking a deep breath, I steal my reserve and ready myself for the wait. If I had any other choice I wouldn't be here right now. As Alphas we are driven by the primitive side of our brains. We want to fight, fuck, and feed. But for the last few years, no Alpha except the most elite has been allowed to give in to their baser urges. The government has us on a tight leash, not allowing lower-ranking Alphas access to the most prized items in our world: omegas.

My brother and I started The Sanctuary to offer those who don't qualify for Elite status a chance to live a good life. If they can pay for it.

We have a thriving business. Alphas from all over the world visit us to fulfill their needs. We have an annual auction with specialty items up for bid, but we always have "delicacies" on hand. Omegas from across the world seek us out as a safe space. Running from abusive Alphas and the lives they have been forced into, they prefer to be here.

Yes, we are a brothel of sorts.

No, all our omegas choose to be here.

We offer sanctuary, pun intended, to all omegas, but everyone needs to pay their way in one form or another. We have omegas that are happy to service Alphas sexually, others that cook, some that clean, and I even have an omega as an accountant.

At this moment, there are no omegas inside the building besides the ones we have up for auction. We can't risk any of the Alphas scenting one of them and going rogue. We offer omegas sanctuary—pun intended—and do our best to make sure they are safe and happy while here.

Tonight, we will make a buttload of money. This auction is special, even more so than any of the previous auctions. We have several virgin omegas up for bid, and there are at least thirty Alphas here willing to pay ridiculous amounts for the chance at having an omega for one night. Especially one untouched.

Omegas are protected and hidden from the non-elite Alphas at all costs. But some omegas need money to be able to stay hidden or perhaps even take care of their families. Others signed up just to see if all the stories about Alphas are true.

For omegas, there is tinge of danger at just the idea of fucking an Alpha. Some avoid it at all costs, while others actively seek it out. Like it's some kind of thrill ride for them to experience.

"The auction is now live," the tinny voice says before an older, well-dressed male walks across the stage toward a raised podium.

The man clears his throat as his gaze skitters nervously across the gathered Alphas. I almost feel pity for the poor beta. I can smell his fear all the way from the back of the room.

"Thank you for joining us tonight," he says into the microphone. "There are nine Omegas available for purchase."

A rumble goes up from the gathered Alphas. Of course, they are unhappy, most of them will be leaving here without having their chance at an omega.

The man waits until everyone quiets down before continuing. "All sales are final. A room will be provided for the winners for the duration of the evening. No omega is permitted to leave the premises before the designated time has passed. Omegas may not be permanently harmed or marked."

He drones on and on. We all know this, or at least we should. It was part of the waiver every Alpha in attendance was required to sign before paying the fifty-thousand-dollar deposit. If you couldn't pay the fee, you were automatically cut from the list.

"Lot number one," the man says before a glass box rises from the ground.

Inside, a small, blonde woman is displayed. Her arms and legs are tied to a St. Andrew's cross. She is spread wide, naked, and exposed to everyone's view. A single tear streaks down her cheek and the charge that runs through the gathered Alphas is palpable. The energy surges and recedes, the air tainted with the lust of all those gathered here.

It's going to be a long fucking night.

"The bidding starts at ten thousand dollars," the man says loudly over the crowd.

****

Bella

My heart rate hasn't gone down since I signed the contract two days ago. I know my mother is unhappy with my decision, but I need to do this. Cancer is slowly tearing my mother's body apart and we barely have enough money to keep a roof over our heads, much less pay for her medical expenses.

It was a stroke of pure luck that I even heard about the omega auction. It is all very hush-hush. An illegal auction run by the most feared men in the city isn't something people talk about at the dinner table, though the gossip was rampant.

"The auction needs omegas," was what I heard whispered in the dark club where I work as a waitress. And that they would pay exorbitant amounts of money. You see, they need girls like me to make this a possibility. An omega is unique and rare, the Elite hoarding us for themselves and leaving the other Alphas without an option. There are those of us lucky enough to be born to rich families who can hide us or send us to special schools where omegas are treasured. For the rest of us, like me, there is only hiding, hoping no one will figure it out. Trying to mask our scent or pay for suppressants that rarely work.

I try to hold back the shiver that works through my body as I undress, and an older beta woman helps me into the glass box. They have us naked and tied up so the bidding Alphas are able to see exactly what they are paying for. The box is there to keep our scent from spreading into the crowd and causing chaos.

My nerves are shot, and I am sure the woman can hear my heart beating against my ribs, trying to break out of its cage. I have never been naked in front of another person. I've never even been kissed. Hell, I spent most of my life in hiding.

Yet, here I am now, naked, getting ready to be stared at by an unknown number of strange Alphas before one of them buys me. I haven't even taken the time to consider what happens next, all it does is freak me out even more. My hands tremble as I fold my clothing and place it in one of the lockers against the far wall. Taking a deep breath, I return to my position.

"It will be fine, dear," the woman says as she ties the last cuff around my left ankle. The leather is tight around my skin and the wood is cold against my back. The sensations are completely new to me and I have to fight to keep my body still.

"No, it won't," I say softly. "But I need the money."

She nods with sadness in her gaze. But she understands that sometimes we need to do things we don't want to do. That is the way of the world we live in. You either do what you must, or you die hungry, cold, and alone. I have to think of my mother now, put her needs before my own. She is all I have left and I will do whatever it takes to keep her with me for as long as possible. Even sell my body.

She closes and locks the glass door before nodding to someone behind me. Slowly the box starts to ascend from below the stage until bright lights have me blinking rapidly.

"Lot number seven," I hear a man say. "This is the one of three verified virgin omegas available for purchase tonight. Bidding starts at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars."

The Alphas make noises of approval as the bids fly out. The lights blind me, and I can't see the crowd, but I can feel their presence. I can feel the heat of their stares on my skin as they devour me with their gazes. My nipples pebble involuntarily and slick coats my thighs. A blush steals across my cheeks, shame flooding me.

No omega can control their body's reaction to an Alpha, the way their entire being prepares to accept not just an Alpa's cock but his knot as well. I know it's a natural reaction but I can help the mortification that floods my entire system.

I know I should be terrified of what is going to happen after a strange Alpha buys me, but I only feel the adrenaline rushing through my system. This is what I was born to do. Omegas are scarce, one for every hundred Alphas, and only we can truly satisfy them.

Weaker females are torn apart, literally. An Alpha is too much for them to manage. The violence—the knot—is what omegas are made for.