Prologue

Tristan picked up the glass of finest champagne and took a careless sip. He was bored. Aya on the other hand looked vigilant; she was listening to the every word of the auctioneer. His calm voice was coming through speakers. This wasn't just any auction, it was meant for the highest and wealthiest elite of the supernatural world. Naturally the Strix was present. All the participants were in their own private booths, the stage was set in the middle of them. The bidding happened by simply pushing the button in the booth, the whole event was designed to be completely anonymous. The reason for this secrecy was very simple; some of the items were extremely rare and valuable.

"What do you think?" Aya asked.

The current item for sale was a very old grimoire, it had belonged to a witch who had lived in Scotland back in 13th century.

"Raise," Tristan replied.

The price was already over a million dollars. Aya had to raise three times before their competition gave up. The next item was a diamond necklace that had belonged to some human queen; Tristan didn't really care which one. This item didn't interest him at all. Aya glanced at the catalogue that had been given to them before the auction had started.

"It seems that we are almost finished," she stated. "Nothing interesting left."

"Hmm," Tristan murmured and took another sip out of his glass.

"Going once, going twice, sold," the auctioneer's voice said. "Now ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special treat for you. Unfortunately you won't find it in your catalogues since we just received the item in question."

Tristan looked at the stage through the one-way window. One of the security guards marched in the middle of the stage, carrying something in his arms. It was a small child. A girl.

"May I present, the last member of the famous Labonair werewolf family," the auctioneer announced when the security guard placed the trembling child on the floor. Her little arms were tightly around some shabby plush toy, she was clearly terrified. The security guard grabbed her quite roughly and revealed her birthmark.

"Filthy thing," Aya huffed, she truly despised werewolves.

So did Tristan, but for some reason he found himself staring at this child. The auctioneer was saying something but Tristan couldn't really hear him.

"Now, shall we start the bidding at 10,000 dollars?"

Someone pushed the button immediately.

"Raise," Tristan murmured.

Aya turned to look at him.

"What?"

Someone else had already raised.

"Raise," Tristan repeated.

Aya looked confused, but she obeyed.

The price didn't rise very high; she wasn't the most wanted merchandise. Apparently she wasn't completely healthy; according to the auctioneer she required a constant medical care. Assuming her new owner planned to keep her alive.

"Going once, going twice, sold!"

The girl was sobbing when the security guard carried her off the stage. Tristan glanced at his empty glass. He had just bought a werewolf cub.

"Are you planning to give her to Aurora?" Aya asked. "Have she asked for a pet?"

"No," Tristan murmured. "I have other plans for this little wolf."