Chapter 52

Lucas’s POV

Why does she keep running from me?

Doesn’t she know that wolves love to chase their prey?

Sighing, I tap the bar for another drink. Thinking of her as prey isn’t exactly a good thing, but I didn’t expect her to run like her life depended on it.

What else should she have done?

We both have mates, and I keep ignoring that fact. But with Harper, it feels right. She feels right. Her presence, her touch, and just everything about her fits. Being around her feels natural unlike how I always feel uncomfortable around Sierra.

Knocking back four more shots, I finally feel the light buzz in the back of my head as I pop a fry in my mouth and look around. The bar is full tonight. Full and loud.

I tap the bar top again, needing more. Tonight, I’d like to clear my mind and think of anything other than the two women plaguing my thoughts.

“They’ll be on display tonight.”

The voice reaches beyond the noise of the crowd, catching my attention.

“Will the seller provide full information on their abilities?”

“The Domain sent out the notice saying they’ll even let you look at the wolves. There will be full information, but tonight is the only night to get your name on the auction list.”

At the mention of wolves, they fully grab my attention. Turning my head, I scan the men at the bar until I find the small group I’m searching for. Four men sit huddled in a booth not far away, whispering.

Every few seconds, one of them looks around, indicating they don’t want anyone to hear them.

“I’m willing to help you get in for a price,” the man in the middle lifts his hand and rubs his fingers together.

“How much?”

“Five grand.”

“Fuck, you’re killing me,” the man on the end groans.

“You’re the one looking for a wolf, not me,” the negotiator says, and the other man starts digging in his pocket. He pulls out a wad of cash, and his friends pull money out too. They slide it across to the blonde-haired man, who smiles.

He pockets the money and nods, “To get in, you need to knock three times. When the guard asks for the passcode, tell him, “The moon wanes only when she sleeps.’”

I file the phrase in my mind and call the bartender over, handing him my payment. I’m not entirely sure what these men are talking about, but I’ll be ready to go when they are.

Not ten minutes later, they all stand, slap some bills on the table, and head for the door.

I wait until the three men from the bar enter through the dark door, counting to one hundred before following.

Three knocks, and the small port in the door slides open.

“The moon wanes only when she sleeps,” I recite, listening as a lock clicks. The door swings open to reveal a large man.

“The market closes at three am. If you’re not out by then, you’ll be dragged out,” the giant says. “Give me your hand.”

Holding my hand out, I pretend like I know what’s going on as he waves a hand over it. Then, a glowing green mark appears in the shape of a crescent moon.

“You’re free to move about The Domain.” The man closes the door and motions me forward before he literally disappears into the shadows.

He called this place a market, and when I step through the curtain, I find just that. Stairs lead down to a concrete floor where booths and vendors are set up, selling their wares. As I scan the area below me, I spot everything you think might be in an underground market.

Antiques, jewels, art, potions, herbs, weapons, and… I begin walking down the stairs when I spot the wolves along the far wall. They’re contained in cages, and I can only hope that none of them are werewolves.

I spot the men from the bar ahead of me but don’t pay them any attention. I focus on getting through the crowd, pushing my way toward the area where the wolves are being held.

“This is disgusting,” my wolf growls as vendors yell and try to grab customers. I dodge a woman who seems to be selling potions.

“Dragon eggs!”

“Love potions!”

“It is. We need to find out what’s going on and report it to the Council,” I tell him, dodging another vendor. “This can’t be legal.”

“Curses!”

I doubt the council knows an illegal market is hiding right beneath their noses. If they did, I’m sure they would put an end to it quickly. Places like this can only breed trouble.

A hand clamps down on my arm, and I whip around. An older woman grins up at me, showing her broken smile.

“Sir, I have many fine specimens just waiting to offer themselves for a night of pleasure,” she says, motioning to a group of barely dressed women. A shiver runs down my spine at her slimy words and underlying meaning.

Pulling my arm out of her grip, I growl and turn. I force myself to keep walking, keeping my eyes on the wolves and not on the chaos surrounding me.

The closer I come to the wolves, the more I can feel them. Their presences grow stronger, and there’s a slight glow about them.

“Wolf souls,” my wolf snarls.

“Step right up!” A man shouts, “Tonight only, take the opportunity to see the finest wolf souls The Domain has to offer!”

Several people gather around the charismatic man, me included.

“Soon, The Domain will be hosting an auction for these incredible creatures,” he announces, pointing to the four caged wolves. “Each wolf soul here has special abilities and is worth a minor fortune.”

My wolf pushes against the restraints in my mind, wanting out, but I hold him back. It wouldn’t do either of us any good to get captured along with these wolf souls.

“Wolf souls are an amazing commodity. Each of these wolf souls was once intertwined with a human soul, and they can be enchanted to join with another soul if purchased from The Domain,” the man says, and several gasps sound through the room. “That’s right! If you’re a werewolf who had their wolf soul removed, you have a rare chance to purchase a new wolf soul here.”

I’d heard rumors, but I’ve never seen such a thing happen in real life.

“To get started, we have a female wolf soul. Half witch, half wolf; this soul is able to heal any injury,” the man says, pointing to the brown wolf in the first cage. My first thought when I look at her is that she resembles Harper. The healing ability, the chocolate brown hair, and those green eyes.

I shake the thought off.

It’s ridiculous.

The she-wolf growls at the man which results in a slap of his cane against the top of the cage.

The female shrinks back, whimpering. The small sound triggers something inside, and my feet move on their own. I’m at the front of the crowd when I force myself to stop, but my wolf goes feral, snarling and clawing at my mind to get out.

“Stop! We can’t shift here!”

“She needs our help!” He demands.

“And she’ll get it,” I find myself saying, “But we can’t free her now. It’s too risky.”

Sad, pleading green eyes meet mine, the hint of a plea whispering in my mind.

Help me.

The soft sound shocks my entire system, and I freeze.

I will get on that auction list.

I have to.