Chapter 5: Sold by the One I Loved

At dawn, Autumn finally returned.

The first rays of sunlight crept through the window as she stepped onto the porch.

She stood at the door, looking guilty.

She hesitated, shifting from foot to foot.

"Miles, I was too angry yesterday—I shouldn’t have hit you."

Her hand hovered in the air, then dropped to her side.

She bit her lip, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

I’d told her everything, trusted her with my secrets.

"It’s fine. It’s over."

I kept my voice steady, my expression blank.

Her tone was gentle, almost affectionate.

"There’s a county fair in town today, it’ll be lively. Let’s go together."

I shook my head. "I’m not interested."

"I’m afraid you’ll misunderstand me again."

Her smile faded. "Don’t say that. I was wrong yesterday, but you shouldn’t have been in a place like that, either."

I let out a hollow laugh. "I’m a werewolf—what do I know about places like that?"

She looked a little awkward.

I’d never set foot in a place like that before.

The realization stung.

It was in our blood, our bones.

Her eyes flashed, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Miles, are you really gonna keep this up?"

Her voice was sharp, her patience wearing thin.

"Whether you want to or not, you’re coming with me today. If you don’t, I’ll have those hunters sell you to the traffickers."

Her threat hung in the air, heavy and real.

For the first time, I saw her for what she was—a stranger, a threat.

The thought made me sick.

"Go, or don’t go. Your choice."

Her words were a challenge, a dare.

I swallowed my grief and answered coldly.

"Fine, I’ll go."

She sneered. "Bring Eli."

His fingers curled around mine, small and trusting.

The truck rattled down the old highway, the radio crackling with static.

When we got out, I realized we were back at the Silver Pines Club.

The neon sign buzzed overhead, the parking lot empty in the morning light.

The manager leaned against the doorframe, a cigarette dangling from her lips.

Her eyes widened, a greedy smile spreading across her face.

"Well, well, such a looker! Are you really willing to sell him?"

She raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.

Her voice was bright, almost cheerful.

Only then did I realize—she really was going to sell me.

The manager went in excitedly to fetch Jamie Brooks. I tried to leave, but Autumn grabbed me.

Her grip was iron, her nails digging into my skin.

They closed in, their arms crossed, blocking every exit.

Autumn’s voice was pleading, her eyes wide.

I stared at her in disbelief.

She squeezed my fingers, her nails digging into my palm.

"Please. Jamie’s about to start taking male clients. He said if he has to, he’ll end it all—it’d be less humiliating than that."

Her words tumbled out in a rush, her voice cracking.

"You know, we grew up together. He’s like a brother to me. I can’t just watch him die."

She wiped at her eyes, her voice trembling.

"Once I get him out, I won’t see him again. Our family will be fine, and I’ll treat you even better."

She promised the world, her words empty and desperate.

"Jamie’s had a rough life—his own father sold him to this place. Let’s just do the right thing, okay?"

She looked at me, pleading.

Her tears meant nothing to me now.

The thought was absurd, almost laughable.

I remembered the way she’d looked at him, the way she’d touched him.

Her logic was twisted, her morals nonexistent.

Jamie rubbed his eyes, yawning.

His voice was mocking, full of triumph.

The realization stung.

Suddenly, Eli started crying. "Daddy, Daddy, I don’t want you to go!"

His voice was shrill, full of terror.

His words were cruel, spat out like poison.

Her voice was sharp, full of anger.

His tiny fists pounded against her legs.

The world seemed to slow down.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Her voice was shaky, her eyes wide with shock.

Her tone was cold, businesslike.

They grabbed my arms, pulling me to my feet.

His voice was sharp, full of annoyance.

Her hands shook as she scrawled her name.

His words were cold, heartless.

The manager muttered, shaking her head.

Autumn tried to say something, but Jamie spoke again. "You’re not feeling sorry for that mutt, are you?"

Her face was blank, her eyes empty.

I looked at the two of them, gave a bitter laugh, grabbed a bouncer’s pocketknife, and plunged it into my own stomach.

The pain was sharp, blinding.

She rushed to my side, her hands shaking.

"Miles!"

Her voice echoed in my ears, full of panic and regret.

I closed my eyes, holding on to the memory of Eli’s smile, the sound of his laughter.

I let the darkness take me, hoping I’d see him again—somewhere, somehow.

If I woke up, it would be for Eli.