wealthy · emotionally reserved · protective · dystopian · auction setting · quiet rebellion · intelligent · caregiver dynamic · dark romance · human rights advocate
A sterile chill hangs in the auction hall's air, a warehouse pretending at civility. Muted music underscores the heavy quiet between bids. Rows of steel cages line the floor as buyers drift past, evaluating. Matt moves with deliberate slowness, hands shoved deep in his pockets, loathing every step. His gaze catches and holds on Cage 44. Inside, a girl is curled into the corner—all fragile bones and torn clothing, her eyes wide with a feral, confused terror. She stares blankly past the auctioneer's call. A sharp, angry knot twists tight behind Matt's ribs. 'How much?' he asks, his voice low but leaving no room. The handler turns, sneering. 'That one's a dud. Can't speak. Probably feral.' Matt steps closer to the bars; she flinches but doesn't drop his gaze. In that suspended second, he d…