Chapter 2

I stared into the glass before me, the amber liquid reflecting my broken gaze. The bartender's voice cut through the haze, "Is everything alright?"

His question hung in the air, unanswered, as I downed another shot, the burning sensation in my throat barely registering anymore. I chuckled, a sound devoid of humor, "Yeah, I'm good, but right now I need to drown my pains away." My eyes locked onto his, the edges of my vision blurred by alcohol, yet the sharp edge of seduction in my tone was unmistakable.

He hesitated, clearly torn between his concern and the boundaries of his job. “But you don’t seem good, Ms…?”

“Ms. Annabel,” I replied, my name rolling off my tongue like it belonged to someone else.

“Okayy… so will you maybe let out what could be troubling you that has got you to almost finishing a bottle of this…” He lifted the bottle, examining the label as if it held answers. “...70% alcoholic drink without even mixing it with anything.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes as I reached for the bottle again. “Okay, fine… Have you ever had your heart split into half before?”

His expression softened, understanding flickering in his eyes. “I’m pretty sure we’ve all had our hearts broken, but we’ve also all dealt with it differently.”

“Well, my man’s been cheating on me with several women, and it’s not a secret as he brings them into the house we live in. Until recently, he cheated on me with my sister.”

There it was—the truth, raw and painful, hanging in the air between us. The bartender blinked, clearly not expecting that level of honesty. “Oh… I did not see that coming... That has really taken a toll on you. But this isn’t the way to go about it though,” he said, his voice trailing off as he realized he was treading dangerous waters.

“Well, it is my problem, let me deal with it how I please,” I shot back, the words sharp and defensive. I motioned for another bottle, my hands trembling slightly.

He hesitated but eventually complied, placing the bottle in front of me with a reluctant sigh. As I poured another drink, I felt the weight of several eyes on me. Predatory gazes from men around the bar, their intentions as clear as the liquor in my glass. They were waiting, watching for a moment of weakness to pounce.

A tap on my shoulder made me jump, the sudden contact breaking through my drunken haze. I turned slowly, my movements sluggish, to find a well-dressed man standing too close for comfort. His smile was polished, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Hi, drinking alone seems to be a crime around here, you do need a company… a drinking partner.”

I squinted, trying to focus on his face, but everything was blurry, distorted. He looked like he was dressed for a business meeting, not a night out, but I couldn’t be sure. “Get her more drinks,” he ordered the bartender, who hesitated, knowing how much I had already consumed.

“Helloooo…” I said, waving my hand to urge the bartender to hurry up. “Thank you very much… Who are you again, sir?” I asked, my smile cheeky, though I barely cared for his answer.

“The drink is here,” I announced, my excitement childish as I reached for the glass. I didn’t even catch his response, if he gave one, as I pounced on the drink, downing it with reckless abandon. The liquid hit my throat like fire, and I coughed violently, choking as the alcohol overwhelmed my senses.

“Hey, you okay? Let me help,” the man said, his hand on my back, but as he leaned in closer, his touch strayed, brushing against my chest in a way that felt anything but accidental.

“W-water...please...” I gasped, tears springing to my eyes as I struggled to breathe.

“Get her water quickly!” He barked at the bartender, his voice laced with false concern.

The bartender handed me the water, his eyes sympathetic. I drank greedily, still coughing, barely able to mutter, “Th-thank you…”

“You sure you’re alright? Maybe I shouldn’t have asked him to give you another drink,” the man said, his hands lingering on my body, his touch inappropriate under the guise of concern.

“Stop...touching me,” I flinched, the words barely a whisper, my body recoiling from his proximity.

“Just trying to help, sweetheart,” he said, his smile too wide, too smug.

“Don’t call me that! And get your hands off me!” I snapped, pushing his hands away, my anger flaring despite my drunken state.

“Oh, come on. I’m just trying to be nice,” he chuckled, his laughter grating against my nerves.

“Nice? You’re not nice! You’re...you’re...creepy!” I spat out, my words slurred but fueled by the fire of indignation.

“Creepy? That’s not very polite,” he replied, his grin widening, a sinister glint in his eyes.

With shaky hands, I paid the bartender, swiping my card with more force than necessary. “I need...to go,” I mumbled, struggling to stand, my legs barely holding me up.

“I’ll walk you out. Make sure you get home safe,” he said, his hand wrapping around my wrist in a grip that was anything but gentle.

“Let go! I can take care of myself!” I protested, trying to pull away, but his hold tightened, sending a spike of fear through me.

“Oh, I don’t think so. You’re in no state to be alone,” he said, his tone darkening, his fingers digging into my skin.

“Stop it! Leave me alone!” I cried out, desperation lacing my voice as I fought to free myself.

In my struggle, I stumbled, colliding with someone solid, my body bouncing off what felt like a wall of muscle. I looked up, my vision swimming as I tried to focus on the man before me. He was tall, his presence commanding, with a scent that sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t just the cologne—there was something else, something familiar and dangerous.

“Why the trouble, lady?” he asked, his voice calm, almost indifferent, as his eyes locked onto the man holding me.

“This man over here…” I began, my voice shaking as I pointed to the man still gripping my wrist. “He’s insisting that he walks me home and I refuse, so now… he’s holding my hand with force,” I said, lifting my hand to show the tight grip that was beginning to hurt.

“Did you hear the young lady, sir?” The newcomer asked, his tone colder now, his gaze piercing as it bore into the man who had been harassing me.

“And who are you, Mr.?” the man asked, his bravado faltering as he realized he was outmatched.

“Elijah. And I suggest you leave her immediately,” Elijah replied, his voice as cold as ice, his eyes flashing red in the dim light. That flash—so subtle yet so unmistakable—confirmed my suspicion. He was a wolf, an alpha even, and his presence here made my heart race for reasons I couldn’t yet understand.

The man released my wrist instantly, stumbling backward as he muttered something incoherent before quickly walking away, his fear palpable.

I turned to Elijah, relief and gratitude flooding my system as I looked up at him with a lopsided smile. “Thanks so much, Uncle Elijah,” I slurred, chuckling despite myself. “Do you mind if we go somewhere and, um, have another drink as a way of thanking you for saving me tonight, even though I don’t know you before, you do look familiar though…” I added, clinging to his arm as I was drawn to the warmth of his presence, the scent of his cologne a comforting balm to my frayed nerves.

“Let me take a guess, like your uncle?” he teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as we began to walk away from the bar, leaving behind the noise and the danger.

We walked in silence, the cold night air sobering me slightly, though not enough to quell the burning desire that had ignited within me. When we reached a lonely walkway, Elijah stopped, his hand gentle yet firm as he held me in place. “This is where I stop. You should be safe from here,” he said, his tone final, as if dismissing the idea of further interaction.

But I wasn’t ready to let him go. I looked up at him, my eyes pleading as I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a whisper, “Please don’t leave me, I mean if you could bring me here, there has to be a reason,” I flirted, my fingers trailing down his chest as I tried to pull him closer.

My dress clung to my body, the neckline dipping low enough to reveal the swell of my cleavage. I wanted him, needed him to erase the pain that had wrapped around my heart like a vice. As I leaned in, his silence was deafening. I began to turn away, embarrassed by my own desperation, but then he grabbed me back, pulling me into his arms.

His grip was firm, possessive, and I melted into it, biting my lower lip as I looked up at him. The tension between us crackled like electricity, and I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling it. Elijah's eyes held a mix of amusement and something darker—desire, perhaps.

He cupped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze, and I gasped, feeling a thrill shoot down my spine. I didn’t break eye contact, letting him see how much I wanted this, how much I needed to be devoured right here, right now. He seemed to sense it too, because with a swift motion, he pushed me gently against the wall, his lips crashing down on mine.

The kiss was deep, intense, a stark contrast to the innocent façade I’d put up earlier. Our tongues entwined, battling for control, as I ran my hands over his chest, savoring the feel of his muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt. I didn’t care that we were outside, didn’t care who might see us. All that mattered was the way he made me feel—alive, desired, and utterly lost in the moment.

He pulled away slightly, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered, “You really are in that mood, but I won’t take advantage of you.” His voice was commanding, yet there was a softness there, a restraint that left me breathless. His fingers traced the curve of my exposed cleavage, teasing, taunting, leaving me completely at his mercy.

I let out a low moan, a sound that seemed to please him as a sexy, cute smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. He held my gaze, his eyes dark with intent, as he reached out his hand to hold mine. “Mind if we continue this at my place?” he asked, his tone full of promise.

I didn’t even need to think twice. “My pleasure,” I replied, a mischievous smile playing on my lips, already anticipating the night ahead—one that would make me forget all about Damian and the pain he had caused me.

Elijah looked away, a knowing smile on his face as if fully aware of the power he now held over me. As we walked away, arm in arm, I remained blissfully unaware of the potential danger I was stepping into, so focused on the thrill of the moment that I had no room for second thoughts.

Tonight, I wouldn’t be the one suffering. Tonight, I would be the one in control, even if just for a few fleeting hours.