Chapter 02

Aria’s perspective

“So Anton is gay and he used you for three years because of his family status, just to cover up...” Hadley was pacing in front of me, I was cuddled up on her bed, holding her pillow to my chest. I had taken the taxi to her apartment when she called.

“You’ve to stop sulking, Aria. I knew there was something wrong when he refused to touch you. He rarely kisses you, except for forehead kisses and pecks. I always had a hunch that something was wrong.” She snapped her fingers and then sat on the bed, she rubbed her hand down my arm. I lifted my eyes and stared at her, she smiled at me and pulled me into a hug.

“I have somewhere to be tonight and I can’t leave you alone.”

“If you think of leaving me alone, I'm gonna kill you,” I murmured.

She laughed at my threat, pulled me away, and wiped the tears from my eyes. “Stop crying over him, Anton isn’t worth it.”

“I thought he loved me.” That was why I never thought about anything else, I thought his love was enough for me, and that was all I needed.

She slapped my arm, I whined and glared at her.

“Enough of that. He used you.” She hissed.

“You’ve to get dressed, and we’ll have some fun. You can forget all about Anton tonight.”

Tonight should have been my happiest day but it turned out to be the worst.

“Where are we going?”

“We are going to have a drink. I have to meet Eason at the bar." She grinned and winked at me when she mentioned her boyfriend Eason.

"So you've to come with me." She strolled over to the mirror and brushed her golden hair. She hummed a song, moved over to the wardrobe, and grabbed some clothes.

"You seem happy about my breakup."

She chuckled and threw her head over her shoulders. "I'm just happy that we are going to spend some time together." She shrugged.

I rolled my eyes at her. “You never liked Anton.”

“This will look good on you.” She tossed a black strapless short gown at me. I frowned. “What’s wrong with my jeans?”

“There’s no way you're wearing that to a club with me.”

I wanted to argue but she placed a finger on my lips to shut me up and shook her head. “Don’t even say a word.”

"You'll forget about Anton tonight and focus on yourself.”

I sighed and nodded.

“Smile.”

I forced a smile on my lips at her, and she pulled my cheek. “Pretty girl.” She returned my smile.

I have been friends with Hadley since college, and I was glad that I became friends with her.

I got dressed, and Hadley sat me down on her dressing table and did some light makeup on my face.

When she was done, we took a taxi to the bar, it was one of the famous bars in New York, Vegas Bar. It was strictly for millionaires, and there was no way you could get in without a pass or a member of VIP.

“Come on, Aria.” Hadley held my hand and pulled me towards the entrance.

“Hadley, how are we gonna get in?” I asked in a panicked voice, I didn't want to be embarrassed for not having a pass.

“Don’t you trust me?” Hadley smirked and brought out a black card from the clutch bag she held.

I stared at her, and the guards at the door bowed at her and opened the door.

Hadley smiled at me, and I wondered how she got a black card. It was for the upper room in the bar.

She pulled my hand and led me in, her red heels clicking on the ground as she walked. The music was blaring with speakers as we walked in.

There was a bar section, and beside it was the stairs, I could feel eyes on my body as we made our way to the bar section.

I noticed Eason when he waved at us, he was seated with a bartender.

He was on black pants and sleeves. His hair was gelled backward, and he smiled brightly when he saw me.

“Eason, we are here!” Hadley waved at him, and we walked towards him.

“Good to see you, Aria. Did something happen, you don't come to a bar.” Eason muttered as we sat down. Hadley whispered something to him, and he nodded. “Do you want me to beat him up for you?” he offered.

I chuckled softly and shook my head. “He already made his choice.”

“You are letting him off just like that?”

I shrugged. I didn’t know what to do, I just didn’t want to think about Anton tonight.

I was served a drink from the bartender, and drank from it, though I didn't know what it was, it seemed Eason was having the same thing.

It tasted weird in my throat and burned down to my stomach.

What was this?

The sound of the music increased, and I glanced over my shoulder and a few people were dancing.

I turned away, and my head was starting to feel heavy, all I took was just a glass.

“You want a refill?” The bartender asked while staring at my empty glass.

“What is this?”

“A drink.” He mouthed.

I wondered why it had a sour taste and made me feel dizzy as if I was getting tipsy for just a glass that wasn't even filled up.

“I will get you a refill.” He replied when I didn't say anything to him.

“Are you okay, Aria?” Hadley touched my shoulders. I smiled at her and nodded. “I think I need to use the restroom.”

“It’s that way.” She pointed towards the direction of the restroom and I had to take the stairs.

“Do you want me to come with you?” She asked, raising a concerned brow.

“I will be fine,” I muttered and stood up. Has it been that long since I drank? I have been tipsy already for just the glass I took.

I managed to find the restroom and splashed some water on my face when I was done, I came out of the restroom.

I went to look for Hadley but encountered unfamiliar faces and the soft music that was playing.

I looked around for Hadley but couldn’t find her or Eason.

I heard whispering behind me, there were some strange men in this place in the bar close to the bar section when I left Hadley.

They were dressed in a black outfit.

A man approached me and I gave him an awkward smile.

“...she’s human.” I heard another whisper directed at me. I looked around, and couldn't find who was talking. My black gown was so short, and I was beginning to feel conscious of my exposed skin.

“I’m sure she's here to pleasure us. That's what they are meant for, freaking humans.” The man in front of me muttered.

This was starting to freak me out.

“Who are these people?” I asked in a whisper in a voice only I could hear.

“...she’s a pretty one.” I heard a hoarse voice behind me.

“But she's human.”

“Who cares we’ll have fun with her tonight, no one can have a human as a mate...” I felt something sharp and gentle on my exposed legs, like long fingernails.

I held my breath, gripping tight to the table that was before me. I was too scared to turn.

“Does she know this is a werewolf mating ceremony that's being held here? There's no way she will leave this room alive.”