On the Dark Side of the Moon

Chapter 5

I had gotten absolutely no sleep.

The night before, I had been dolled up to the highest standards; curled hair, beautiful dress, mascara, lipstick, the whole shebang. I had been questioned about every topic imaginable, and I had been poked and pried mercilessly by Mercalia. 

The only indication of morning was an old steel clock, it's little hand pointing towards the nine. How I wished I could see the sun come up and bask in its warmth. The eerie hold I was in brought out a sense of claustrophobia that I didn't know I had.

I stood in a stone-ridden hall illuminated by a single torch, the flames dancing on their own accord. The large metal doors stood in front of me seeming much more grand than I had last acknowledged them. 

"You have about 3 more minutes until you are presented," Said Auran. He sported a dark cloak made of fine silk and held a mask in his hand of the same color. His other palm rested upon the hilt of a blade attached to his hip. "I will lead you to the center of the stage and tie your leash to the pole. You are to obey all rules and refrain from eye contact and speaking, understand?"

"Y-yes," I responded, playing with the hem of my emerald gown. 

I was so tired and anxious. I could feel the anticipation rolling off me in waves. I vaguely thought of the idea of escape, but there was nowhere for me to go. I was stuck in an underground trading market, far away from any other help, and with no knowledge of an exit. Besides, there were most likely scores of men waiting for me to mess up so they could get a taste of my skin. 

I shuddered at my own thought process. I really was stuck. I couldn't escape the market, and I would be passed along to some greedy buyer who would use me as their plaything.  But, there was nothing I could do now.

I could vaguely hear the announcer through the walls and I felt Auran immediately tense. He lifted the dark mask to his face and said, "Time to shine, Tempest." He grasped ahold of the my black collar, and slowly led me to the center of the stage, tying me to the rusty pole like he said.

I glanced up and was hit by the brightness of stage lights beaming down on me. I squinted, barely making out the rows of people behind the blinding haze. The auction room was huge from what I could make out. Lines of people all sat, dark cloths covering their faces and each held a number in their lap. 

A slow, quiet murmur broke out amongst the crowd as they lay their eyes on me. I sat on my knees, uncomfortable with the staring, and reverted my eyes to the cold stage floor.

"Esteemed guests, as you can see," The announcer began to speak over the crowd's rustling. "we bring before you a she-wolf of the Western Highlands. She has red hair, cerulean eyes and stands around five feet, ten inches. No previous medical conditions were found." 

The crowd began to silence, however excitement and disbelief could be felt in the room's aura.

The announcer continued, "Bidding will start at six million and will continue until the highest bidder."

My nerves tripled in that moment. I could hear people shuffling, raising there cards and bidding on me. It felt so weird to be seen as no more than an object. 

"Six million!"

I thought back to when I was a child. My mother and I used to light the shrine for the moon Goddess every Saturday. She would tell me all the amazing stories of the Goddess, and I would gape at her in wonder. It was because of her that I had so much faith in the world. My mother truly was beautiful and amazing. 

"Seven Million!"

She had red hair just like I did. She would always sing me to sleep and tell me stories. My hands tightened on my dress. That was before the sickness took her, of course. 

"Nine million!"

I remember her holding my hand, tears stinging in my eyes as I begged her not to leave. I could still see her tired, sunken face, the life literally drained from it. The image was concrete, burned into my mind time and time again.

"Twelve million!"

I remember her last words like they were my own. With her hair splayed on the bed, and the sun peaking through the curtains, she told me, 'Never forget that you are smart, strong, and brave. I will always be with you.' And then her hand lost its strength, falling to the bed. Her breathing ceased- I lost her. I couldn't begin to-

"Two hundred million."

I glanced up from my memory in pure shock. The room fell silent, cold almost and a shiver ran up my spine. The man who had spoke paced up the center of the aisle. Some of the spotlights had made their way to him, now a focal point for the audience. 

The man was tall, and broad across the chest. He walked purposefully, dressed in a long obsidian overcoat with his strong jaw held high. His eyes were like the ocean, swimming in fine emeralds and blues, but there was something so impossible about them. They were like deep voids, lulling and pulling me into them. I thought if I looked any longer I wouldn't be able to look away. 

He kept his hands in his pockets as he briskly approached the stage. The spotlights glinted off his dark hair and muscular shoulders. I realized for a moment that he was the only other person, aside from myself, who was not wearing a face covering. 

He approached me and placed a hand underneath my chin, guiding my eyes to meet his. I found myself breathless for a moment as he seemed to read me. I almost felt too exposed to his gaze, like he was going through my memories and feelings, and had begun to dissect them at his will. 

The announcer seemed to find his baring again and said, "Two hundred million, from buyer number twenty seven. Going once. Going twice." The room was dead silent, not a single cough and whisper to heard. The realization struck me at once that this was the person I was going to be with- very well until the end of my time. "Sold."

Furthermore, he had paid so much for me. Upfront, he paid sixteen times more for me than the other bidders. Why? He didn't seem like a werewolf to me, which immediately surprised me.

What on Earth could a man, obviously one that is not a Lycan, want to do with a she-wolf that was a highly demanded commodity in the wolven field?

I thought for a moment that he simply wanted to purchase me and sell me again at a higher price- but then, why did he purchase me for so much? At that point, he wouldn't make any money. 

"Stand upright," The man stated bluntly, his tone deep. I did as he said, brushing out my dress and pushing my hair over my shoulder, keeping my eyes to the floor. I didn't want to break any rules. 

"Chin up and eyes forward," He added, with an edge to his tone. I glanced up slowly, confusion lacing my features. "I didn't pay good money for a children's toy." As soon as I obeyed his order, he undid the end of my leash and led me down the hallway. Whispers were once again heard in the room as I walked. 

We  took a great deal of turns here and there, the only sound being the soft thuds of our feet. Eventually, we went through the exit and the sun hit my face like a brick wall. I blinked my eyes for a moment, adjusting, before enjoying the warmth on my face.

We stopped our walking just before a shiny sports car that looked to amount to double the money I've ever seen in my life. The man turned a stared directly at me.

"What is your name?" He asked, tone rough and deep. He looked at me, calculating me. 

"Tempest," I said. He gave me a nod and turned, knocking on the window of the car. The door suddenly opened.

"My name is Atlas," He responded, guestering for me to get in the car. I did, moving my dress out of the way of the door as he closed it. 

Atlas.