The Silk Merchandise

 The Silk Merchandise.

The city glittered under neon lights like a sea of diamonds, but inside Kael’s office, the atmosphere was one of frigid, clinical sobriety. Kael rose from his chair, his tall, imposing figure silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling window. At twenty-seven, he didn’t just lead an empire; he commanded it with a coldness that made even the most seasoned Alphas in the boardroom lower their gaze.

"Eighteen years old," Kael murmured, his voice a deep baritone that seemed to vibrate against the glass. He turned slowly to face Filomeno. "A volatile age. I expect him to be fully aware of the weight of the Monzón name. I don’t have the time, nor the inclination, to deal with teenage rebellions, identity crises, or emotional outbursts. Do you understand?"

Filomeno, who was already mentally counting the square footage of the mansion he would buy with Kael’s first payment, let out a thin, nervous laugh. He fidgeted with his silk tie, his eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger for wealth.

"Sami is... unique, Kael. He has been raised under my strict wing, sheltered from the harshness of the world. He believes people are inherently good. That innocence? It’s his greatest virtue. It makes him malleable, like soft clay." Filomeno leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He won’t give you a single problem. On the contrary, he will be the crowning jewel of your public image and the perfect, pure vessel for your lineage. His genetic makeup is flawless."

Kael’s eyes, dark and analytical, scanned Filomeno with a disdain he barely bothered to hide. He loathed men who sold their own blood, but in the game of power, such lack of scruples was a tool he could use.

"I am not looking for a 'jewel' to display, Filomeno. I am looking for stability," Kael snapped, his aura of dominance flaring just enough to make the older man break into a cold sweat. "If the boy is as 'malleable' as you say, he will adapt. But if I find out you’ve lied about his temperament or his purity, the contract won’t just be void—I will personally ensure you never do business in this city again."

"You have my word, Kael! Tomorrow at the gala, you will see for yourself," Filomeno stammered, wiping his brow with a handkerchief. "His scent is just now awakening. It’s the perfect moment for a claim."

"Bring him to the foundation’s dinner tomorrow night," Kael ordered, dismissively waving a hand to end the meeting. "I will judge the 'merchandise' myself. If he meets my standards, the first wire transfer will be executed before the night is over."

Meanwhile, miles away, Sami’s reality was a vibrant explosion of color and deafening music. He was at the heart of the dance floor at L'Étoile, an exclusive club, surrounded by his friends. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel like a pawn or "Filomeno’s son." He felt alive.

"Sami! You smell incredible!" Leo, his best friend, shouted over the thumping bass. "It’s like... fresh jasmine and honey? Every Alpha in the VIP lounge is practically hunting the air for you!"

Sami laughed, his head tossing back in a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. The first drink of the night had left him feeling light, almost ethereal. He didn't realize that the sudden warmth spreading through his chest wasn't the alcohol—it was his biology finally reaching its peak.

"It’s just my new perfume, Leo! Stop being so dramatic!" Sami replied with a radiant smile, oblivious to the fact that his name was already signed in blood-ink on a contract across town. "Tonight is about us! Tonight, I’m finally free!"

He had no way of knowing that, while he celebrated his freedom, the man who had just "bought" him was already watching from the shadows, and that his scent was about to ignite a fire that would change both of their lives forever.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***