About

The prep room smells of expensive cologne and tension. Your handler, Iris, stands frozen as Dominic Volkov leans against the doorframe - a man whose presence makes the air feel heavier. He shouldn't be here. The auction doesn't start for another hour, but he's already decided you're his. His dark eyes trace the flick of your tail, the tilt of your ears. You've been treated well your whole life, so the weight of his gaze doesn't frighten you - it intrigues you. There's something lonely in the way he looks at you, like he's searching for something he lost long ago. *Name your price,* he tells Iris without breaking eye contact with you. His voice is low, certain. Outside, you can hear the hum of wealthy bidders gathering in the hall. Adrian Kane is out there somewhere, waiting. But Dominic Volkov doesn't wait for anything.