Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Highest Bidder

SOPHIA’S POV

The auction moved through several items.

Paintings were sold for hundreds of thousands. A rare first edition book went for nearly a million. I tried to focus but my mind and my wolf were too aware of Damien sitting ahead of me, of how Tiffany kept touching his arm, o how my wolf whined every time I caught his scent on the air.

"And now, lot number seventeen." The auctioneer’s voice pulled my attention back. "A stunning emerald bracelet, circa 1920s, once owned by a European duchess. Platinum setting with twelve flawless emeralds totaling thirty carats. Starting bid is one million."

The screen showed the bracelet in detail. It was beautiful. The emeralds caught the light and sparkled. I stared at it in awe’

“Wow” I breathed.

"You like that one." Zade asked.

"It’s beautiful but way out of my price range."

"One million," someone called out. A paddle raised in the front row.

"One point two million," another voice said.

The bidding continued. Two million. Two point five. Three million. I watched the price climb.

"Ten million." Zade spoke. His paddle was raised high.

I turned to him in shock. "What are you doing?"

"Buying you a bracelet." He shrugged.

He didn’t look at me. His eyes were fixed on the auctioneer.

The room went quiet for a moment. Ten million was a huge jump from the previous bid of three point five. People turned to look at us. I felt my face burning.

"Zade, no. That’s insane. Put your paddle down." I muttered.

"Ten million going once," the auctioneer said.

Then I heard it. Another voice from the front. "Fifteen million."

It was Damien. He’d raised his paddle.

My stomach dropped. He wasn’t looking at the bracelet on the screen. He was looking back at us.

Tiffany was smiling beside him, clearly pleased that he was bidding. She probably thought he was buying it for her but I knew better. I could see it in his eyes. This wasn’t about the bracelet. This was about competition.

"Twenty million," Zade called out calmly.

I was stunned. What?

"Thirty million." Damien didn’t hesitate.

"Forty million." Zade said.

The room was electric now. Everyone had turned to watch this battle between two powerful Alphas. Everyone was whispering. Phones came out to record. This was the kind of drama these events lived for.

My face kept burning up with embarrassment. This couldn’t be happening.

"Fifty million." Damien’s voice was ice cold.

My wolf was going crazy inside me. She could feel both Alphas’ dominance filling the room. It made my heart race with anxiety and something else I didn’t want to name.

"I’m making it worth your while." Zade pulled out his checkbook. "The charity gets forty million guaranteed right now plus five million more for every bid that comes after. That’s more than fair."

The auctioneer looked shocked. He looked at someone off to the side, probably an organizer. They had a quick whispered conversation.

I stood up too, stunned “Zade, stop this. You’re making a scene."

"I’m making a point." He didn’t look at me. His eyes were locked on Damien. "That I can give you things he never could. That I value you enough to break rules for you."

My heart was pounding. This was too much. It was too public, too dramatic. Everyone was staring at us now. Phones were definitely recording. This would be all over social media by morning.

Damien was still standing three rows ahead. His wolf was visible in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to shift right here in and tear Zade apart.

Tiffany had stood too. She had her hand on Damien’s arm.

"Damien, darling, it’s just a bracelet. Let him have it. We can find something better." Her voice was deliberately sweet. It was loud enough for me to hear.

The auctioneer finally nodded. "Very well, Mr. Harrington. The charity accepts your generous offer. Forty million for the bracelet, with your additional terms noted."

He looked at Damien. "Mr. Blackwood, do you wish to continue bidding under these circumstances?"

The room held its breath. Damien stared at Zade for a long moment then his eyes shifted to me. I couldn’t read his expression.

Anger? Hurt? I didn’t know.

"No," Damien said finally. "Let him have it."

He sat down, pulling Tiffany down with him. The dismissal was clear. He was done with this game. He was done with this competition or at least pretending to be.

"Sold to Mr. Harrington for forty million," the auctioneer announced, banging his gavel. "Congratulations, sir. The bracelet will be available for pickup after the auction concludes."