Auction
Lily’s body ached, every muscle screaming from the hounds’ assault the night before. The cage’s straw scratched her raw skin, and the collar bit into her neck, a constant reminder of her new reality. The Kennel’s barn was dim, lit only by slivers of moonlight seeping through cracked boards. Her tears had dried, leaving a crusty trail on her cheeks, but the shame burned hotter than ever. She could still feel the dogs’ claws, their weight, their seed. Vixen’s words echoed in her skull: *Tomorrow, we bring out the stallions.* Lily shuddered, curling tighter into a ball, when a sharp clang jolted her upright. The cage door swung open, and the Beastmaster’s massive hand yanked her leash, dragging her out.