Chapter One: Preparing

Mom did her best to clean me up, apply makeup that suited me, and dress me desirably all morning. I didn’t believe I was ugly by any means but I was more of a homely beauty and no one has ever refuted me about it. The event I was preparing for was held annually and our family has attended for generations. I was my mother's only girl and was finally of age for the auction, 21.

As Mom plucked my eyebrows and then tightly cornrowed the front of my kinky curly hair I stifled any expression of pain. I told myself over and over again it would be worth it if the night ended with me signing a contract. When Mom was satisfied she took a step back to take a picture of me on her instant print camera. Then she walked to the other side of the living room where my cousin and brothers were.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” My eldest brother asked me for the millionth time.

I looked at myself in the mirror to my right and smiled before nodding in response. I was ready for this. I turned my head as I overheard the third born of my four brothers negotiating with our mother. “Make sure you put down that she won’t accept a bid from anyone who lives out of this country,” Logan said sternly as Mom filled out the pre-auction paperwork. “And they can't be anything other than human.” My second eldest brother Cole nodded in agreement with him.

Our country has been populated mainly with humans, but werewolves, other shifters, and mages have been migrating here for the last couple of centuries. Non-human bachelors and bachelorettes from neighboring countries will also be attending. I was surprised the auction hadn't been postponed since the king of our closest neighboring country was assassinated recently. Though, I didn't know too much about their politics so maybe he wasn't the kind of man to be mourned.

Logan had to have been worried about me marrying outside of our species since I’d be married to someone he didn’t know the character of. Non-human people were generally a lot stronger than humans so if they wanted to hurt us they could with ease. “Auntie, don't listen to them,” my cousin Clara said. She was like a sister to me. “Reina already said she wants anyone to be eligible.” I wanted to leave it up to fate. People from neighboring countries would be there so

“I know I know,” Mom said. “You guys need to stop worrying so much. The auction is how I met your father.” Before our father died I remember how easy things were. I remember how much they loved each other but his family disapproved. Dad once described how that evening went and how he felt when he first spoke to Mom at the auction. The words he used were beautiful and he spoke them with passion. Their love story has always been my favorite

I dreamed of a relationship like my parents’ so maybe the auction could give me that.

I shifted my attention to the stairs as I heard light steps. “Is this the last time I’m going to see you?” My little brother asked with melancholy all over his face. Me getting married meant he was going to be alone since our three older brothers had moved out on their own.

I kneeled to his height once he got to the bottom of the staircase. “Of course not Colton,” I said and ruffled the hair at the top of his head. “I’ll visit a lot and maybe you can even spend the weekend with me.” Hopefully, my partner would value family as much as I do…

“Promise?”

“Pinky promise,” I said, holding out my pinky so he could wrap his around it.

I smiled at him and he gave me a hopeful smile back. The ring of the doorbell nearly startled me. I stood up straight and made my way to the door. When I opened it three of my closest friends yelled. “Surprise!” My smile came back to my face quickly, they came to show their support before I left.

After collecting a hug and words of encouragement from each of my friends they left. I talked to my little brother for a little while before we headed out. Kids weren’t allowed at the auction so he’d be here with our neighbor who babysat when I wasn’t available.

When we got to the auction site Darren pulled me aside. “I know you don’t want to hear me ask if you’re sure but I need to know you’re sure,” he said. “Not everyone is so lucky with who they’re sold to. You can find a partner the normal way Rei. Our family doesn’t need financial help, special privilege, or status.”

I tried dating the normal way… It wasn’t that easy, not for some of us. “I don’t know how long that would take,” I said, huffing. “I know you and the others are fine but I don’t want to be a burden on Mom when she has Colton to take care of.”

When Dad died everything went to shit. He came from a powerful and wealthy family that I’ve never met. They were against the idea of purchasing a bride. Dad never got around to putting our mother in his will and his family found a way to make their marriage seem illegitimate. We didn’t get anything but Mom somehow managed to take care of us financially.

“Then you can come live with me and Michelle,” Darren said.

I scoffed, nearly chuckling before saying, “I don’t want to freeload off of anyone.”

“How is someone buying you any better?”

My posture struck and a frown found its way onto my face gradually. This was the first time I felt judged by my brother. It made me want to decline his offer even more. “At least I’ll know they want me and they don’t want me to live with them because they pity me,” I snapped at low volume.

“Rei—that’s not what I meant,” he said with a gentler tone. “My offer isn’t out of pity. I know for a fact you’re better than this so I’m giving you another option. If anything, my offer is out of respect.” Was he implying I didn’t have respect for myself…? Yeah, the look in his eyes said it all.

My cousin tugged at my arm, saving me from saying anything I’d regret. “Come on,” she said before giving Darren a scolding glare. “Straighten your back Rei.”

I nodded at her words and fixed my posture while trying to forget what Darren said. I needed to focus on tonight... my life was getting ready to change, hopefully for the better.