Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
I could snap this guy in half. He’s zero match for me physically, but he’s still got that arrogant way about him that only a billionaire can have. Unfortunately, money means power and he’s got an inexhaustible supply of it.
But he better not push me too far. Money isn’t the only type of power and I got the other kind in spades. I’m a shifter hiding a vicious Kodiak bear inside my body and he’s extra cranky since I’m forty-five years old and we still haven’t even had a whiff of our mate yet.
“The deal is,” I say with a growl. “You stay off my property and you can keep your fucking head. Send your goons onto my land one more time and I’ll tear your fucking throat out. Got it?”
He sneers as he picks up an unlit cigar and runs it through his fingers.“That wasn’t the deal proposed, Mr. Gatlin,” he says as he runs the cigar under his nose, inhaling the rich tobacco. “Seven million for your ranch.”
“Get fucked.”
“Since I’m in such a generous mood,” he says with a grin. “I’ll increase the offer to eight million. Now, that’s two million above market value.”
“It’s not for sale,” I roar. “It will never be for sale. Who the fuck do you think you are? You’ve ruined this town!”
“I brought investment to this town,” he says as he explodes out of his chair with a nasty look on his face. “My workers are pouring money into this shit hole area. Ask the restaurants and bars how much they like having me here with my workers filling their tables and their cash registers.”
“You’re destroying the land,” I say as my blood boils. “Who cares about full tables in a restaurant if you’ve clear-cut all the trees off the goddamn mountain and polluted the fucking rivers? You’ve ruined this area for a generation!”
“I’m creating energy for millions,” he snaps back. “Providing the population with necessary wood and minerals. Where do you think the shit packing department stores’ shelves come from? The moon? Don’t be naive.”
I want to squeeze his neck until those vile eyes close for good. My muscles are all tense and twitchy, begging me for it.
“This place was a paradise until you and your—“
All of the violent energy and intense rage ripping through me vanishes in an instant when I see the paper on his desk.
I freeze, stunned to the core as I stare at one of the photos printed at the bottom. My heart pounds so hard I can feel it in my ears.
“What…”
I feel numb all over as I slowly pick up the thick paper, turn it around, and look at the beautiful face smiling shyly at me.
It’s her…
How can it be her? What is this? Why is she on here?
My bear lets out a low growl as I stare at the stunning blue eyes looking back at me. This is my mate. I’m looking at my mate.
A knot settles in my stomach as my mind begins to swirl. I’ve never seen her before, but there’s no doubt in mind that I’m looking at her right now. Every cell in my body has come alive.
Even my bear is reacting, pacing around and letting me know he wants me to get her.
“What is this?” I ask as I try to focus on the words. “An auction for women?”
My mate is being auctioned off?
I whip my head up and glare at Novak. “What. Is. This?”
“Someone on there catch your eye?” he asks with a grin.
“What the fuck is this? Where is she?”
He smiles like he’s got me. “That there is the most exclusive auction on the planet. Billionaires from all over the world come together for The Breeding Bidders Auction House to outbid each other for the pleasure of wedding beautiful young virgins.”
I look at her photo and feel like I’m going to be sick. I can’t let my mate be auctioned off to a creep like Novak.
I spot the date on the bottom. It’s in the town next to ours in two days.
“How can I get in there?” I ask as I squeeze the paper in my fist. “I need this girl.”
He waddles over to his desk chair and casually sits down, playing with his unlit cigar. I want to slap the smug look off his face, but he might be the only one who can get me in the same room as my mate.
“I’m afraid it’s for billionaires only,” he says with a sad sarcastic shake of his head. “Not for blue collar workers like you.”
“Don’t play with me, Novak,” I growl. “This is my mate.”
His face lights up, but he quickly hides it. “Mate or not, these girls are auctioned off for millions of dollars. Do you have that kind of money, Elias?”
An overwhelming sense of dread takes over my body. I feel dizzy. I need some air.