Chapter 3
avery
Anxiety is taking over my ability to think.
Sweat is dripping down my spine as I wiggle in my seat, clutching my paddle like a lifeline.
Tonight, Alphas are strutting across the stage, auctioning themselves off for a night of “fun” to fund their sports.
And I’m here for one Alpha only: Declan Wolfe, the one Alpha I shouldn’t want.
I’ve saved every cent for months to bid on him, even if it’s just for a dinner date.
My heart’s got other ideas, though, ones that involve his pine scent and those big hands doing things step-siblings definitely shouldn’t think about.
I blow out a heavy breath as the announcer’s voice booms through the gym, introducing the next Alpha, a hockey player named Toren.
He’s all broad shoulders and cocky grins, winking at the crowd as bids fly.
I barely pay attention, my eyes darting to the side where Sienna sits with her posse of Omegas a few seats over.
She’s loud, laughing and tossing her sleek blonde hair, joking about how she’s got Declan in the bag.
“His Alpha charm’s all mine tonight,” she giggles, loud enough for half the room to hear.
“He thinks it’s just dinner but I plan on showing him a good time tonight. ”
No way is she getting him.
Another Alpha steps up, this one for some sport I’ve never heard of, something called “grav-ball.” He’s lean, with a smirk that screams trouble, and the crowd eats it up.
Bids climb, but I’m too busy glaring at Sienna.
She’s waving her paddle lazily, like she’s saving her cash for the main event.
For Declan. I grip my paddle tighter, praying that the amount I have saved will be enough.
It’s no secret Sienna lives for these nights and her pockets are way deeper than mine.
I could pull a little from my savings and it is going to a good cause.
Tuning everything else out, I wait as other Alphas pass across the stage, raking in a combined total of nearly $20,000 in bids. And then, the moment I’m waiting for comes.
“Next up, Declan Wolfe, Knotlocke’s esports superstar!
” My heart leaps as Declan strides onto the stage, looking like a dream in his pinstripe suit.
His short black hair catches the spotlight, and his dark brown eyes scan the crowd, that panty-dropping smile spreading wide.
The room erupts, paddles shooting up before the announcer even starts the bid.
The esports team hasn’t been part of the auction before. They were going to last year but the face cards on the team weren’t exactly… catching. My scent spikes as I stare at him, slick gathering around my hole as I force myself to concentrate.
“Starting at five hundred!” the announcer calls. I hesitate for half a second, then thrust my paddle high, shouting, “Six hundred!” My voice cracks, but I don’t care. Declan’s eyes flick to me and his smile twitches, like he’s surprised. Or amused. I can’t tell, but it makes my cheeks burn.
Sienna’s paddle goes up. “One thousand!” Her friends giggle, and she shoots me a smug look, like she’s already won.
My jealousy spikes as I glare over at her.
Not today, Sienna. She beats me in grades and extracurriculars.
She even has the administration eating out of her hand but I’m not letting her have Declan.
“Eleven hundred!” I shout, my pulse racing.
The crowd murmurs, loving the drama between us and I know it’s because everyone thinks I’m just a jealous little Omega, controlling his stepbrother’s choices.
But god, it’s so much more than that. Declan crosses his arms, leaning back on his heels, watching us like this is his personal entertainment.
“Fifteen hundred!” Sienna counters as she shoots out of her chair, her eyes locked on Declan.
She blows him a kiss, the crowd cheering.
She’s joking with her girls again, saying, “Declan’s mine, ladies.
Get ready for a show.” My vision narrows because I’m not just bidding for a dinner anymore. I’m bidding for him. For me.
Someone else in the background yells two thousand. Fuck, we’re getting close to my limit.
“Two thousand two hundred!” I yell, jumping to my feet as well.
My cheeks are burning, embarrassment flooding my chest. I didn’t really think through this part of the bidding but it’s too late to back down now.
The room goes quiet, waiting for the next bid.
I’m hoping that she’s run out of money or has some sort of allowance and won’t be able to afford Declan.
“Two thousand five hundred!” she snaps, but her voice is less sure now. Her friends whisper and I catch one shaking her head. I think her daddy’s patience with her spending has run out over the years.
I take a deep breath, my hands shaking as I hold my paddle up one last time.
This is it. My savings, my shot. “Three thousand!” I shout, loud enough to echo throughout the gym.
Declan’s eyebrows shoot up, and he mouths something I can’t catch.
Sienna glares at me, then slumps back in her seat, tossing her paddle down. She’s out.
“Three thousand, going once, going twice… sold to paddle number forty-two!” The announcer points at me, and I nearly drop my paddle before gathering my senses and starting to make my way through the aisle. I did it. I won Declan. For one night, he’s mine.
The crowd’s still cheering as Declan hops off the stage, sauntering toward me with that easy confidence that makes my knees weak.
His pine scent hits me first, and I swallow hard, trying to ignore the slick gathering in my briefs.
He doesn’t say anything until we’re nearly out the edge of the gym before he corners me against the wall.
“Didn’t know you had it in you, step-sib. ”
I choke on a laugh, my face flaming even more.
“What, you thought I’d let Sienna win?” I say, aiming for cool but sounding way too eager.
His dark brown eyes sparkle, the Alpha so close I can see the faint stubble on his jaw.
I want to touch it. I don’t, obviously, because I’m not that reckless. Not in public, anyway.
I clear my throat when he doesn’t move, sliding out from between him and the wall.
“So, dinner, right?” Declan’s bid was clear: a nice dinner, no extras.
But I’m hoping, dreaming, for more. A kiss, a touch, something to feed the crush I’ve been nursing since he moved in.
It’s not even a crush, anymore. I know he’s mine and I’ve been dying to have his scent wrapped around me and knot locked inside of me.
“You’re not gonna make me eat alone, are you? ”
He grins, tugging at his tie until it’s hanging loose at his neck. “Wouldn’t dream of it. You paid good money, Avery. I’ll make it worth your while.” His voice is all mischief and I’m torn between melting and combusting. Worth my while? What does that even mean?
Before I can respond, he nods toward the exit. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Unless you want to bid on the grav-ball guy too?” He winks and I groan, shoving his arm lightly.
“What even is grav-ball?”
Declan snorts and then he shrugs, folding his arms across his chest. “Who the fuck knows? I’ve never talked to the guy.”
That brings a small giggle to my lips as I follow him, Sienna and her posse filing out alongside us. I catch a few whispers about ‘wasted’ cash and ‘loser Omega’ but it doesn’t hit the way they think it will. Because in the end, Declan is still mine for the night.
I head toward my car, Declan wrapping a firm hand around my wrist and pulling me into his side. “Let’s take the bike, alright? We’re going to the same place and coming back to campus in the morning. Come on.”
Fuck.
This is bad.
He leads me to his bike and throws a leg over before helping me behind him.
I make sure to keep several inches between us, Declan twisting around to look at me.
“Have you never fucking ridden a bike before?” He reaches back and wraps a hand around my thigh before flattening me against his back.
A little squeal disappears into the helmet he handed me.
Being this close to Declan is going to ruin me, especially because I know he can feel my cock against his ass in this position. If he does, though, he doesn’t react to it.
“Where to, big spender?” Declan asks as he revs up the bike.
I have to clear my throat several times after he drags my hands around his waist and holds them there. “Um… somewhere good,” I croak. “And don’t skimp on the dessert.”
Fuck, I don’t think I’m ready for this.