[Seline's POV]
"Now, get back to work. I don't want to hear any more complaints from you, or else the master is going to hear of this," the words from Zane echoed in my mind. Even with the little idea and how I hated the way they had looked at me, the last I would want was getting on Vincent's bad side. He was far more of a devil than Zane.
I had been working in this bar for a while now. At first, it was hard, but I got used to it with time. The bar was merely a cover for the real deal happening here. I wasn't sure of much, but I saw it better not to even dig into any. The payments I was paid back then seemed enough to afford Mom's medicines; that alone I was happy to know.
I continued working my ass off. Mom needed to go to a hospital, a good one to get treated, but that had always seemed out of my reach.
Entering the bar, I found the one I had been searching for so long—Lysander already back, attending to the customer seated.
I approached his side, and though at first, he acted like I wasn't there, he eventually turned his gaze at me. "Oh, you're already here. I'm sure Zane must have let you off out of pity, but next time, I doubt you will be spared so easily, Seline," he said.
I wanted to make him pay so hard—him and the rest who made my life one of a living nightmare—but in the end, just as always, I left no words, only resuming my duty.
The late night found me still in the bar. The rest of the workers had gone home, and here I was yet to tidy up the whole place.
Lysander had faked a reason to keep him out. I cared less to know, but at least the day was over, and once I was done with this work, I would be able to meet with Zane for my salary.
The silence that echoed around the bar was deafening. I turned on some music, decreasing the volume as I drenched the cloth into the water, cleaning the glasses as I also cleaned the glass counter.
I wiped some sweat that formed on my face with my handkerchief as I continued. My thoughts went back to him—the stranger.
When I returned to the bar, I couldn't take my gaze off him. I was curious, so I decided to use the bar to my advantage—the very place information had always seemed to roam endlessly.
"Darius and Malinda," those were the names of the man and woman I had met with him earlier. The stranger was an Alpha—Alpha of Stone Creek Wolves. Alpha Austin Cross.
It only seemed I was right in the end. I was able to tell already back then; the very presence he emitted when facing those panther shifters was enough for that. A strong scent and a dominating presence, just like the rumors I had heard of him. But it was all vague, different tales from different people.
All I knew was that his pack was attacked. Yet, what would the Alpha of Stone Creek Wolves be doing here in Arrow Brooke? I only wondered more.
My gaze met the clock. It was really getting late. I should be leaving soon. I still had to get some drugs for Mother, and I doubt my so-called landlord would be lenient enough to let me spend a night without paying the rent.
It only seemed I had to get the whole tidied up faster.
I went to the table, cleaning the edges as a memory found its way to my mind, recalling when Mom and I did this. "Come on, Seline, I can handle this," she had said back at home. I had always wanted to help my mom with the house chores. I was really young back then.
"Mom, I can do it, Mom," I would always insist, ending up splashing some water at Mom and me as we both would burst into laughter. I only wished I could return to those times when we had little worries and Mom was by my side, even though the love was never real from the start; I was still happy.
When things had changed, I blamed myself for being born a hybrid. I wasn't even a complete wolf, so what right did I hold? Many would say.
And so I had to bow, walking on the street. Eventually, I decided not to anymore, even though the truth was just that deep inside, I was still the same small girl bowing her head to all the humiliation. No matter how tough I had tried saying, my acts were the lies I had built around myself.
It seemed I had turned more of a faker like them.
I could feel my eyes swelling as they betrayed me with little tears trickling, trailing down my cheek, and splattering on the table.
"Don't tell me you aren't done yet," a voice snapped me as I wiped the tears off my face immediately, only to notice Zane. I had no idea when he had entered.
"I... I'm sorry... I'm almost done," I stammered, resuming as I made my way to the other table, cleaning them.
"He was looking at me?" I could tell. His two guards were also standing beside him.
I finished cleaning the table, heaving a sigh, and then I watched him bring out a gum, tearing off the nylon as he threw it on the ground. "It seems you missed a piece now," he said.
The two guards mockingly gestured as a grin formed on his lips. "Come on, pick it up," he said.
My grasp tightened on the wet towel. I letter out a breathe, approaching his side, bent down to pick it up, only for him to place his legs between. "Now that's where you belong, at my feet," he said, standing up after.
I left no words—the least I would want was for him to see me faltering, even in the slightest bit.
I stood back up also. "Take it all. You have to," I said to myself.
I felt his hand graze my cheek, forcing my chin up. "That's it now. Those are the looks I've been searching for," he said before distancing himself a bit from my side. He stretched his hand as one of the guards gave him some money, one that he tossed at me.
"Lock up the bar and make sure to get rid of the trash. I'm sure you both relate well," he said, chuckling as he left the building with the guards.
I bent down, taking the money on the ground as I gathered it all back together.
It was still the same low-cut payment. Yes, I had to admit that when I resumed here, the money they had always paid me was enough for Mom's bills and our meals, but with loans growing up and most of the ones Mom owed, this was little in helping me solve all that.
I needed more money; those loan sharks won't let me go so easily.
But at least, I would be able to pay the rent, I thought.
Placing the money into my pocket, I let out a deep breath.
This was what I had to face no matter what. Just for the meantime, I can't stop, not now.
I grabbed the trash bag after pouring all the trash in it and sealing the top.
I made my way outside, walking down the alley where the trash can would be picked up to be disposed of.
I walked down the dark-lit way; it seemed the night had also grown silent, one that informed me I had to hurry even more.
As I took some further steps, a glimpse of a shadow caused me to stop suddenly in my tracks. I turned only to catch a sight of no one.
"Somebody was there just now," I said.
I remained standing, my gaze still fixed, scanning the place. "Is somebody there?" I questioned but received no response.
I turned back; it only seemed I had mistaken it. I arrived at where I was to dispose of the trash bag, tossing it in the trash can.
I hoped to leave the place only to hear a loud clash of metal echoing in one side of the street.
"And where do you think you are going?" I heard a voice draw my attention to the shadowy area as some strangers made their way. They were three. No, four.
They grew closer as I got a clearer view of them. It was them, the panther shifters that had approached me the other time in the bar.
"We meet again," their leader said.
I retreated a bit backward as I watched a smirk cross into their lips. "Why?" I questioned. "Who sent you guys?"
I watched two of them pull out a blade. "Why don't we make this look like a suicide?" the leader said.
But wait, it couldn't be. Why were they trying to kill me? Did somebody send them, or was this out of their choice? I wondered, but I had no time for that.
I stopped trying to maintain a proper stance from my trembling legs.
Only to notice one of them who suddenly leaped at me, striking the dagger. I tried, hoping to miss his attack as the dagger grazed my hand, a sharp pain exploding through my whole body.
I crumbled to the ground, watching the very panther shifter who had attacked me, holding up the dagger that dripped with my blood, his lips slightly tasting the edge. "You really want to make this painful, don't you?" he said.
But if I didn't do anything right now, I was sure to die. I had to stand. I had to fight back; I couldn't let them kill me here. Mom was still at home, sick.
I tried standing back up as the panther shifters merely stood watching, a mistake I saw of them making.
It was true that I wasn't able to use my Lycan abilities properly, but there was no doubt when it came to my father's own. Even as much as I had hated him, given the fact that he was never there for me, I had no choice but to use them now if I ever wanted to survive this place. I closed my eyes, heaving a breath before I slowly opened it. Some of the panther shifters had already shifted, teeth sneering as they growled. One of them leaped for another attack. "This was it," I thought, casting a firespell. I could feel the flames searing up, a memory of when I had first cast the spell hitting me. I had sworn never to use it again, but now I was left without a choice.
The same panther shifter that had leaped to attack me crumbled to the ground, groaning in pain as his skin fur slowly burned in the flames, his skin turning to ashes as all that was left was the remnant of smoke that emitted the whole place.
"Not bad, I would say," I heard their leader say, bending down to his dead panther shifter, but a sudden chill ran through my spine when I noticed him smiling as he stood up, chuckling softly.
"Now, let's end this," he said as the rest drew out their daggers. Even though they were merely panther shifters in the end, they were still strong.
I tried using more spells as some of the daggers and claws grazed my skin, blood trickling down, drenching my clothes.
My legs felt like they were surely going to detach from my skin at that moment. Even with my witch spells, I wasn't able to stop their numbers.
I had to run; I had to leave. I tried turning, only to find myself crumbling the ground as I picked up back. "Who were they, and why did they want me dead so much? I turned out a weakling, as they had spat."
I used the walls as support, distancing myself from them. My gaze turned back to check if they weren't running after me as my breath grew heavier. But the moment I turned back to my path, I paused when I noticed their leader who had somehow caught up with me. "Don't tell me you think you could escape so easily now," he said. Before I could blink or leave, he struck his dagger as it sank deep into my stomach. I stumbled back, blood gushing out. "W-w-why?" I stammered. Was this really it? Am I going to die here?
My vision grew blurry as I lost balance, but right before my eyes shut, I felt a hand holding me from falling, my half-vision gazing at the man.
"Mate?" I whispered before my eyes eventually blacked out.