My Owner, Lurking in the Shadows

Nora’s Pov.  

“Opulence lounge? Why did dad choose this particular place of all the places? Does he suspect anything?” my mind raced, a turbulent storm of fear and uncertainty, emerged within me.  

That was the exact lounge that Liam worked in – the same place we had met and fell in love. Some years back, my father had planted me in the Opulence Lounge as a waitress, just so I could get close to one of my preys.  

My prey back then was one powerful man- someone you couldn’t access easily. Opulence Lounge was where he frequented, and I had to work there for two months before I got close to him and silently took him down.  

During those two months, Liam was my colleague. Those fleeting moments I spent by his side while we worked together, I found the peace I had long. There was this charm about him that kept me glued to him and kept drawing me in.  

For the first time, I found myself breaking my father’s rule: never to fall in love. I promised myself to keep my relationship with Liam hidden and protect his neck from my father’s blade at all costs.  

Even after completing my mission and I left my work as a waitress at Opulence Lounge, Liam and I still kept in touch, our love blossoming as each day passed. But beneath the joy I felt around Liam, there was fear, uncertainty and anxiety lurking in the shadows. 

I didn’t tell Liam who I really was. I only told him I was an orphan who was struggling to make ends meet. I feared that him knowing who I really was, would make him leave me. And I feared losing the only person that put a smile on my face.  

There were times we got into arguments about him barely seeing me once a month and me not allowing him to come over to my place. I had to keep piling lies upon lies, just so he wouldn’t suspect anything.  

The only opportunity I had to meet him was whenever I had a mission. I always used that chance to stop at his place and spend a couple of hours with him before heading back home.  

As years passed, my fear of my father suspecting anything began to fade away. But there I was, with fear gripping my heart once again.  

“He had warned me to never break rule No. 2 earlier and now this? Something is definitely going on” I pondered, feeling unsettled about my new mission.  

My father told me not to keep any witness alive and I knew for sure that Liam would be on duty that very night. I needed to obey my father’s order and at the same time, protect Liam.  

There was only one way to attain both – I had to prevent Liam from going to work that night. But then, how would I be able to leave the house without my father’s knowledge? That was yet another problem but luckily for me, I heard the sound of an engine roaring to life. 

Peeking out of my window, I saw my father and his convoy driving out of the compound, giving me the opportunity to step out as soon as they did.  I opened my closet and grabbed a syringe, which I knew I would be needing at Liam’s place.  

I had messaged Liam in advance that I was coming over to his place. Knowing I needed to get back home before my father did, I took my motorbike, which I considered the fastest means of transportation.  

I parked my motorbike some meters away from his house, to prevent him asking me where I had gotten money to buy one, since he knew me to be an orphan struggling to put food on her table.  

I pressed the doorbell and in no time, the front door flung open.  

“Hi, babe” he said looking astonished as soon as he saw me. He looked as if he weren't actually expecting me to show up. Eventually, he pulled me in and locked his lips with mine. 

“Hi,” I replied, pulling away from him impatiently, knowing time wasn’t on my side. He frowned in disappointment, but soon after, it was replaced by a broad smile. 

“Is something going on or is today a special day?” he asked, eyeing me suspiciously, in a seductive way.  

“What do you mean by that?” I questioned, confused, as I made my way into his living room. We both sat side-by-side on the sofa.  

“I mean ... this is the very first time you would come to my house in broad daylight. When I saw your message, I thought you were joking, not until I saw you standing at the front door” he said, his voice laced with surprise.  

Thinking about it, I realized he was right. We only met at night, as that was when I carried out my crimes—hidden in the darkness. 

“Well, I just think I should surprise you. Or don’t you want me to be here?” I lied, forcing a casual tone.  

“No, that’s not what I mean. I am glad that you are here, it just ... just feels awkward” he explained, trying to figure out the right word to use.  

“Well, that aside. Now that you are here, why don’t we try something different from what we are used to?” he said, his voice low and laced with temptation as he winked at me. I knew exactly what he meant by that, but I feigned ignorance.  

“Something different like what?” I asked, my tone teasing, though my heart raced in anticipation.  

“Something like this” he murmured, edging closer to me. Before my brain could process what he was up to, he pushed me onto the sofa, with him on top of me. He locked his lips with mine, his hands finding their way to my breasts. His touch was both confident and cautious.  

Without realizing it, my mind drifted back to the night before – the undeniable, satisfying pleasure I had with that man.  

I closed my eyes, savoring each scene that flashed across my mind, and I didn’t realize when I let out a moan. I momentarily forgot who I was with – as that man was the only one on my mind.  

“You enjoying it? Why don’t we just dive into action?” Liam, who was unaware of what was running through my mind said, biting his lips - breaking through my thoughts. It was then I realized I was slowly drifting away from who I was.

Guilt gripped my heart – guilt of the forbidden act I had engaged in the night before.  

Liam was supposed to be my first as I had always told him I was keeping myself for him. Telling him I cheated on him – or more appropriately gave my virginity to a total stranger would definitely hurt him. So, I decided to keep my mouth shut and bury the truth forever.  

To make up for my sins, I made up my mind to grant Liam access to my body that day but just as we were about getting down into business, something terrifying happened.  

Suddenly, the image of a green-eyed wolf staring at me in annoyance, flashed across my eyes. They were no doubt, like the eyes of that man.  

“Don’t you dare!!! You are mine and mine alone!!” I felt the wolf whisper to me, his words resounding in my mind.  

Instantly, I felt my heart ache, a sharp, suffocating pain that spiraled deep within my chest. It was as if I were being slowly suffocated to death. I pushed Liam away, sitting up as I gasped for breath.  

The sensation was so real– so consuming- that for a moment, I could hardly breathe. I could feel his gaze on me – the weight of it, which was unbearable.