A quick search on Wattpad revealed 199k plus titles with the words 'sold'.

IDK why but I found that hilarious!

Now, now, I am aware titles so popular come with certain expectations... except I do not even believe in buying pets. The idea of being sold or bought as a mate in any universe, real or imagined, holds little romance for dear ol' me. 

Side note: Please adopt and foster if you can instead of purchasing pets from breeders or shops.

So why did I choose the title? 

Simple: I believe it fits the central conflict. And it's a bit cheek in tongue, innit? 

After all, the tagline was: What was her freedom worth? 

But the choice came unexpected challenges. 

How do I write a character who is not forced or coerced into the situation the title alludes to? Someone who isn't a self-sacrificing martyr who willingly steps up to the auctioneer's block due to poverty or the greater good of the many (along with the usual array of reasons), or is unwillingly traded as payment for an unpaid debt? Dare I attempt to avoid the complete loss of autonomy? How do I avoid the easy solution of insta-love or a NSFW story that's more or less a series of steamy encounters. That's when I realized I'd bitten off more than I could chew.

So I changed it to THE REBELLIOUS MATE, with a new tagline: The Cat who played with fire. Coz' of dragons, duh! 

Sim Antini 

12 July, 2024.

Just curious: What would you sell your soul... or principles, even stake your future for?

**

Summary coming on 13 July, 2024, Chapter 1 by the 14th, if the edit gods are kind.