7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Summer

My parents drove me to the GBA office three days later. They both remained remarkably silent after the initial barrage of questions.

I lost track of how many times they asked, "Are you sure this is what you want? You're not being coerced into it? We can make things work at home. Don't worry, you're not a burden to us."

I answered every question they had with simple honesty. As my father dragged my suitcase to the car, my youngest sister, Hannah, asked the only question that broke my heart. "Can I come with you?" Hope filled her eyes.

I shook my head. "No, not now. Maybe my husband will be rich enough that you can visit me one day or we can come back to see you."

"Don't do this Summer," my mother said for the umpteenth time. She helped me out of the car while Dad removed my one large suitcase from the rear seat.

My parents and I walked into the pristine foyer of the GBA where Lindsey greeted them as old friends, a huge smile plastered on her face. "A pleasure to meet you. Summer told me all about you."

It was a lie. Though pleasant, but a lie nonetheless. "If you would be so kind as to wait here while Summer changes into a gown."

My mother huffed. "I'm going with her. If I'm being denied wedding dress shopping with my daughter, then you can bet I'm going with her now. I will not let her change alone before her big day."

Lindsey nodded, and I could read compassion in her eyes. "Very well." For all the opulence of the main Galactic Bride Auction building's main areas, Lindsey led us up two floors to a plain room that could best be described as an average hotel room. In the center was a single bed surrounded by racks of dresses all in my size. The colors and styles varied. On the rolling cart closest to the foot of the bed were low-back ones, clingy ones, dresses of chiffon and silk. They all waited for me to try them on.

"We pride ourselves on giving the brides as many options for outfits as possible. All the clothing in here is in your size, with some a size up or down depending on the fit you prefer. Feel free to try on whatever you like, however, be cautious of the time. You have two hours to make a decision," Lindsey said before leaving the room.

Mom and I immediately went to opposite ends of the cart. "None of these are wedding dresses," she lamented.

"Mom, it's not my wedding," I reminded her.

"It is. You're getting auctioned off to the highest bidder."

"Mom, I'm walking down a runway by myself, turning around and then a recording will go out to all the approved males. When I meet my mate, it's up to me if I have a bonding ceremony or not."

"I want you to find love again," Mom said.

"If I do," I paused, then started over. "I'm doing this because it's what's best for me and for you. I can't stay here." A lone tear trickled down my face. "David wouldn't have wanted me to be sad."

"I know." Mom turned to the racks of dresses. "Time's ticking. Let's find the perfect dress."

A deep one-shoulder purple number with a thin line of sparkling beads leading down to a V neck caught my eye. "Can you zip me up, Mom?"

"You look beautiful honey." Mom brushed my hair until it shined.

Before I could say another word, Lindsey opened the door. "You look stunning Summer," she said. "This way."

My father waited in the hallway. "You can watch from the viewing room." Lindsey opened the door. My mother dutifully entered and sat on one of the hard plastic chairs.

My father, in an act of uncharacteristic defiance, held my elbow. "No. I'm walking her to the edge of the runway. She eloped the first time with David. I never got the chance the first time, and you people are not taking my last opportunity away from me. I will be walking her down an aisle, even if it is just to the door."

Lindsey inclined her head, a lock of hair falling in front of her eyes. "Very well then. You cannot step foot on the runway," she reminded my father.

"I understand."

Dad walked me to the door, his hand on my back the entire way. He leaned in, "You don't have to do this," he whispered as he kissed my cheek.

I looked at him. "I do. The family needs the money, and this is what I want."

"You've always been a head strong one."

I smiled. "You wouldn't have it any other way. I wonder where I got it from." I kissed him on his cheek and walked down the runway as I had practiced.

My walk lasted under a minute, and when I stepped off, Lindsey ushered me into a different area where my parents waited on a large green sofa. "What happens now?" I asked, sitting between my parents in the comfortable room. Six large TV screens rested on the wall directly across from the couch.

With a flick of her wrist Lindsey and the minotaur-alien lawyer turned the screens on using remote controls.

"What are those?" my father asked.

"These will show her potential grooms," the alien responded.

"Does she have any say?" my mother asked.

"Mom we've gone over this," I replied. "I know what I'm doing." I hope. On each screen was a picture of varying aliens, their names and species were listed on the screen.

"Now for the fun part," Lindsey said, rubbing my shoulders and clapping her hands. "The auction is about to begin."

Numbers flew across the screens. "These figures are translated into your currency," our lawyer explained.

"Fifty thousand dollars?" My mothers' eyes widened as the number popped up under an Olgek, the red Minotaur-like alien of the same species as the lawyer.

Mom leaned over to me. "Can you see yourself with him?"

"I'll make it work. It's not about physical attraction," I said. "I need mental stimulation as well."

"All these men are intelligent," the lawyer responded. "They will treat your daughter well."

The numbers rose higher and higher until they reached three hundred and seventy thousand dollars. An alien with leathery dark wings, long black hair and horns with onyx eyes that seemed to stare at me through the screen peered back. He was handsome in a demonic way I supposed. I shuddered.

"That's a Wora, an empathetic species. At first, they appear terrifying to humans, but they're some of the kindest aliens around," the lawyer explained. "Due to their abilities as empaths, your daughter will want for nothing. The Wora desire only the best for their mates."

"What about that one?" My father pointed to a feline alien. He was almost leonine, with a wide mane, soft brown eyes and short fur around his face and shoulders. He appeared to wear only a sash without a shirt. One side of his lips was curled upward, almost in a sneer. I hoped that was his version of a smile.

"That is a Temerlan."

"Tell me about them," my typically taciturn father demanded.

"They are a warrior race with a strong sense of justice. That particular male works jointly with the Klagan peacekeeping force. He would make a good mate. He is friends with many of the Abrane, the founding species of the Galactic Council. They're the ones who make laws that see justice served with fair outcomes regardless of species or inclusion in the Galactic Council.

"He'd be a good one. He's not too bad looking either," my mother whispered.

My father shot her a glance. "I hope he wins. He's bidding enough."

My mouth dropped at the bid price of a million dollars to the lion-man. The red Minotaur bid an extra million before the lion- man, no, the Temerlan, I corrected myself, raised the price to five million.

My heart leaped and I looked between my parents. "Is that really the price he's willing to pay for me to be his bride?" I asked, my mouth full of wonder.

"It is," the lawyer said.

I squeezed both my parents' hands. "See, I told you everything would be okay. Now no one's going to have to worry." He must be filthy rich , I thought, I can only hope he's not an asshole. I'd learned the hard way money doesn't always buy class or manners.

The five of us stared at the screens for what seemed like an eternity. When no one else placed a bid, a small countdown timer began starting at 30 seconds. My heart started thrashing in my chest and I counted along with it.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

I hoped none of the other aliens outbid this Temerlan.

Five.

My throat threatened to close and I squeezed my parents hands tighter.

Three.

Mom rubbed her fingers against the top of my hand.

Two.

I exhaled.

One.

My father's hand trembled in mine.

The counter hit zero and virtual confetti blinked across the screen by the Temerlan. Lindsey handed me a single long-stemmed red rose.

"Congratulations." The lawyer shook my parents' hands before shaking mine. He handed me a tablet. "Our number is programmed in case you need to contact us for whatever reason. We will be in touch in one week to make sure that you're settled in. Are you prepared to leave now?" he asked.

I nodded. "I'm ready." I hugged my parents, tears flowing freely down my cheeks. "Everything's going to be fine. I told you I would help. I love you both and I'll contact you as soon as I can."

My small family followed the lawyer to the center of the building where my suitcase was waiting near a sliding door. I turned, grabbed the handle to my suitcase and walked towards the door. It opened and revealed a small shuttle.

"You'll board here. This shuttle will take you up to the ship where you'll be transferred and then flown to your new mate. You'll be there in twenty four human hours, Earth hours. Once onboard the ship, the tablet will alert you to send a message to your family, and another when you meet your mate. It'll also send an alert to send another when you've landed planet side to let them know you've arrived safely."

"There's selfie capabilities as well. I'm sure you'll want your family to see you with your new mate," Lindsey announced.

"Sounds great." I thought I'd feel nervous but I didn't.

"My new beginning." I smiled at my parents, blew them one last kiss and stepped into the shuttle.