Dorian's POV As we pulled up near the docks, the smell of the night air changed. The atmosphere was damp with salt and so foggy that it was hard to see anything. Naturally, we reduced our speed because of the poor visibility.Besides me, the amateur was shaking like a leaf, I could feel his hands trembling and I knew it wasn't as a result of the cold. He was no doubt scared of whoever sent him.I kept a firm grip on his shoulder to remind him of what would happen if he tried anything funny.Just as we neared Pier 16, beams of headlights cut through the darkness. Three cars pulled in around us, boxing us in. Ben tried to drive back quickly but it was no use. We were already surrounded on every side with no way to escape.The back door of the lead car, and a figure stepped out, backlit by the glaring lights. Several other men followed, each holding their stance with the type of composure that only comes with confidence—or worse, experience.“Step out of the car,” a voice called, echoin
Dorian's POV I held my ground as the mob boss pointed the gun at me. The silly smirk was still plastered on his face and I wanted nothing more than to wipe the smile off his face.“What is this, really? If this is about showing off, you’ve done enough already. So why don’t you tell me what you actually want. What problem do you have with me when I don't even know you.”He chuckled, clearly enjoying my irritation. “You think I’m in charge here? No, I’m just following orders,” he replied with a shrug. “We see everything you do as we have been watching you for a long time. For now, the boss is just toying with you. He wants to see what you’re made of.”I narrowed my eyes, searching his face for any hint of what he was playing at but he appeared sincere which made me all the more confused and annoyed. “And who is this mysterious ‘boss?”He chuckled again, clearly amused by my questions. “Let’s just say he knows you a little better than you’d like. And he doesn’t need you pretending to be
Anna's POV Styling my hair, I felt slightly nervous. My mind wouldn't stop replaying last night's scene, and I sweated. Seeing Dorian again was something I hadn't truly prepared for, and it made me feel anxious. I let out a deep breath and picked up my phone. It was time to leave home, time to see... Dorian again~ I pressed a finger on my lips and rubbed it gently. Heck, this is hard! I shook my head and dropped my bag on my shoulder. The time wouldn't have waited for me, and as a worker, I needed to get to the office as fast as I could. Leaving the house, my mind wouldn't stop replaying last night's incident, and the more that happened, the more I felt conflicted and wondered if I should just return home. I stared at the company, hiding the thoughts in my mind, but my legs refused to move. A part of me wanted to go in, but a bigger part wanted to run away. It wasn't as if I didn't want to see Dorian... but, Shit! Too nervous~ Way too nervous ~ I hit my forehead and decid
Dorian's POV Staring at the time, I realized it was quite late already. I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. This was one of the days I got to the office late and the feeling wasn't nice at all. "Do you want to rest for today?" My driver asked. I opened my eyes and shook my head. "There's no need to stay at home. I need to work," I replied and picked up my phone. There were several missed calls on it, but none of it belonged to Anna, and that made my heart sink. I stared at my phone for a while, remembering what she said to me last night. The sadness that crept into my heart was indescribable, making me feel the need to leave the office for the day. I swallowed and kept my phone, "Let's go," As much as I didn't feel like going to the office, I knew staying at home wouldn't help either. Anna was someone who had taken root in my heart, and a day off from everything wouldn't uproot her from there. I needed to live my life like I had always done without having to think of h
ANNA'S POV "Can I go in now?" I asked Brenda again. I'd been waiting for Dorian to resume the office for hours, and my mind was restless. I couldn't even work properly as I was worried about him. However, just a few minutes ago, I heard someone talking about how the boss resumed too late, which was unusual, and my heart skipped a beat. I quickly stood up from my seat and made my way out to see him, but who would have expected that Brenda would stop me with her body? She wasn't saying a word, but her action was enough to show me her stance, which surprised me. Brenda looked at me and shook her head, "Mr Dorian is not in his office," She gently replied, and I frowned. "What do you mean? Mr Dorian entered his office a few minutes ago, and everyone saw him. What are you saying?" I was getting annoyed. Could it be that Dorian was really avoiding me? "He's not. I don't know where you heard that fake rumor from, but the boss is really not around at the moment," She lied again. A
ANNA'S POV A yawn escaped my lips as I rolled around in bed. It was a weekend, a day that I wouldn't have to go to the office and could stay home all day. However, it was a pretty bitter moment for me. Dorian had stopped talking to me ever since then. He wouldn't even look at me twice whenever I went to report to him. He even did it to the extent that he asked me to start reporting to Brenda instead of him. It was difficult seeing him, and it was even more difficult to talk to him. He really took my word for it and stayed away from me. I let out a deep breath as my eyes peeled open. I picked up my phone that was under the pillow to check the time, and a frown formed on my face when I saw what the time was. there was even a missed call on my phone. I need not check to know who it was, but I still did anyway, and as expected, it was Daniel, Dorian's cousin. I wiped my face and sat right while already dialing his line. "Daniel," I called, forcing back the yawn that wanted to
ANNA'S POV I was shocked, my eyes widened in disbelief, and I found it hard to think straight. What was that? What did he just do? Heck! I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him off me! I stood up from my seat and glared at him. I could tell my face was red at the moment, and it only went on to show how angry I was. How could he do that to me?! I pressed my fingers on my lips, unable to figure out what had just happened. The fact that he kissed me came so suddenly that I found it hard to believe it had just happened. Daniel... He was just a friend. He was a friend I even sacrificed my weekend for, a friend I decided to see when I was supposed to be playing at home, but he had the guts to betray me this much. I shook my head and tried to calm my raging heart. I felt the urge to rip him apart but kept it in. I needed to be calm... I needed to think. "Why? Why did you do that?" I asked, staring at him, and I could feel the trembling of my lips. I knew I was weak at the
DORIAN'S POV Brenda dropped the file and bowed gently, "This is the file you asked for," She said. I stared at the file for a while and let out a deep breath. The file was from Anna, and she was supposed to be the one dropping it on my table, but i had asked her to give it to Brenda instead. If I was going to follow what she said, then I needed to refrain from seeing her. She must have thought I wanted her for her body, which was a great humiliation to my feelings. I picked up the file and opened it, "What about the afternoon's meeting?" I asked with my eyes still fixed on the file. "The meeting should start in an hour. Will you be able to go?" Brenda asked, and I raised a brow. "Of course, just clear other things for the meeting. I have to be there and see for myself how they are planning to convince us with their little tactics," I replied and smirked. A small smile formed on Brenda's face, and she nodded, "I'm curious too," She mumbled. "You can leave now. Remind me
Marcus waits for me as I rush the toast and coffee. I overslept and when I woke up it was almost 10am.Wesley had left some bread for me. I helped myself with eggs from the kitchen and prepared my breakfast.Marcus came when I was halfway through."I'm done""Okay, let's go"He directs me through a different route, going further into parts of the pack I didn't know existed.Whosoever designed the architect of the pack must be a controversial art lover.I'm distracted by the unusual patterns ,that I forget to ask Marcus where we are going.We pass a few pack members and the wave to their Beta who in turn horns to acknowledge them.The car comes to a stop near the woods. I finally break out of my trance."Where are we going?""You'll see." We continue our short journey through the woods. I can hear the unmistaken music of flowing water.When it finally comes into view I'm awed." Beautiful, I know. Still gets me everytime" Marcus chips in Crystal clear water falls from the fountain, g
Anna's POV He nods . "The training will help you to defend yourself and your pack in case of attacks."Marcus doesn't go easy on me. Each time he wins me in a combat ,he makes me run across the almost shallow spring.I'm beginning to detest the river ,my sole aches and so does everything in me."Let's keep going Suzy. Trust your senses and make good use of your speed"Damn you Marcus. Damn you .We take a break by past mid-day."Let's go grab lunch and we will continue. " "Is there even anything consumable in the cabin" I ask while trying to catch my breath." Yup , there should be."The only thing edible are pack of cereals and canned food." So Wesley own the place"Marcus " He owns a whole pack, what's a cabin house.Offcourse,I didn't think of that."How long have you know him""We grew up together . I was always going to be his Beta"."And Eve? Did she grow up here"He frowns." Going on a questioning spree"The room remains silent with only the music of the waterfall."I'm sor
Anna's POV As the group finalized their plans, Legris introduced his companions more formally. “This is Lira,” he said, nodding toward the tall woman with the scar. “She’s our frontline defender, best at blocking attacks and holding the line.”Lira gave Neron a curt nod, her sharp eyes assessing him with the gaze of a seasoned warrior.“And this is Aldric,” Legris continued, gesturing to the archer. Aldric was a lean man with sharp features, his bow slung casually over his shoulder. He gave Neron a half-smile. “I’m the one who’ll be keeping the monsters at bay from a distance. Good to have you on board.”Neron returned their nods, keeping his expression neutral. He appreciated their skills, but he wasn’t here to make friends. This was a job, nothing more.Legris seemed to pick up on Neron’s cold demeanor but didn’t let it deter him. “Don’t worry,” he said with a grin, “I vouched for you. They trust my judgment.”Neron simply shrugged. “Let’s just get this over with.”Legris chuckle
Anna's POV Lily shouted out as he got to his feet and fell down again.She rushed quickly to his side and held him while he coughed out blood.It was clear that she was distressed over his condition as she threw caution to the wind not caring that she was in the midst of a battle.“Are you okay? How's your breathing? How many fingers am I holding up,” She inquired as she looked him over.Neron didn't know which of the questions to reply to as he found her reaction to be over the top.Even though he was hurt, he wasn't at the point of death or anything to warrant the care she was showing.He appreciated her concern but he wanted to tell her to concentrate on fighting but he couldn't bring himself to form the words.As she busied herself with inspecting him, the scarf on her head came undone and her red hair flowed freely.Below her, Neron gasped in surprise as he saw her face clearly for the first time.She quickly grabbed the scarf back and put it on but the secret was already out.I
Anna's POV “Neron!”Lily shouted out as he got to his feet and fell down again.She rushed quickly to his side and held him while he coughed out blood.It was clear that she was distressed over his condition as she threw caution to the wind not caring that she was in the midst of a battle.“Are you okay? How's your breathing? How many fingers am I holding up,” She inquired as she looked him over.Neron didn't know which of the questions to reply to as he found her reaction to be over the top.Even though he was hurt, he wasn't at the point of death or anything to warrant the care she was showing.He appreciated her concern but he wanted to tell her to concentrate on fighting but he couldn't bring himself to form the words.As she busied herself with inspecting him, the scarf on her head came undone and her red hair flowed freely.Below her, Neron gasped in surprise as he saw her face clearly for the first time.She quickly grabbed the scarf back and put it on but the secret was alrea
Anna's POV The ground beneath Neron trembled as the shockwave from his mana expansion rocked the place.The monster was completely vapourized, making the dungeon that was once noisy with growls and battle cries now silent. ~FWOOSHHHHHHH~Neron floated down gently, his feet touching the stone floor as he surveyed the scene. His Original Magic had worked—perhaps even more effectively than he had anticipated.But there was no time to relish the victory as his thoughts went to his comrades.He went over to Serah and Legris who were both unconscious from their earlier battle. He could still feel the mana coursing through his veins which made him feel invincible, but the sight of their battered bodies brought him back to the reality of the situation. They were both alive, but barely. He could see their chests heaving slightly as he studied it.Guilt gnawed at him. He really hadn’t meant for it to go this far. Even though they hadn't trusted him with their lives, he felt somewhat responsi
Anna's POV “… Original Magic.”~BOOMMMM~As the world was bathed in light, Neron suddenly realized what had felt missing in his life all this while.There was a new sense of excitement he was feeling and he knew that it was as a result of the mana particles he now felt from his fingertips to the rest of his body.He had missed the feeling and now felt complete as it washed over him and the surrounding.Added to the fact that he was now floating in the air, he felt unstoppable as he gazed down on the area.The monster that had seemed fierce before now looked small and weak from where he was.As he hovered in the air, his senses heightened as he felt the raw energy coursing through him and he wondered how to go about eliminating the creature.There were different ways to go about it, naturally he had to go for the most efficient one.He felt connected to everything as he saw the mana particles all around him. The sensation wasn’t just exhilarating; it was empowering and he embraced it
Anna's POV Instructor Elda called the group to gather once more as she began her address. She stood on the observation platform, her stern gaze sweeping over the recruits.“Well done, all of you,” she said. “You have all shown courage and skill today as expected of future Adventurers.”Neron leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he listened to her halfheartedly. He couldn't shake the thought that had been nagging at him since he exited the dungeon. “I could have done more,” he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing as he replayed the scenes in his mind. He had chosen to rely solely on his swordsmanship, intentionally avoiding the use of magic.While he had done well enough in the exams, he knew that he might get flaked for it since he didn't use magic.While Martial arts was efficient in its own right, it didn't command the same respect as magic in the world.“...I am pleased to announce that two of you have earned a Three Star License.”Neron's ears
Anna's POV The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread wafted from the nearby kitchen, where the guild’s cook, a burly man with a perpetual scowl, worked tirelessly to feed the hungry masses.Larion, they called him—Haunted Face Larion.In the center of the hall stood a massive bulletin board, covered in parchments of varying sizes and conditions.Each parchment represented a quest or a bounty, offering rewards for those brave enough to take them on.A group of younger adventurers, likely on their first forays into the world, crowded around the board, their eyes wide with excitement and trepidation.To the right, a small bar was tended by a sprightly lady with silver hair and a mischievous grin.She moved with a grace that belied her quickness, effortlessly managing the constant flow of patrons seeking a drink or a friendly conversation.Above the bar, a shelf lined with bottles of various shapes and colors caught the light, creating a dazzling display that drew the eye.The wa