Chapter 5

Rowena

I stood shocked after hitting the bumper, but even more, I’m taken aback by the way the stranger groped me. Why in the hell did he touch my breast?

“I—” before I could utter something, the bumper immediately covered my mouth, and I was surprised to find that it’s the previous old man!

“Shut up, sweetie,” the old man said, his breath smelling like cheap alcohol Javier used to drink. “Just be a good she-wolf for Daddy and enjoy this treatment, or else you will regret it…” Then, with one swing, he drags me to one of the unoccupied rooms. 

Panic immediately rose as I felt my son's grip loosen by force. I attempted to call for help, but somehow more people crowded this damn flat, and before I knew it, the door was already closed. The last thing I saw was the sight of my son running to the receptionist, who busy talking with one of the brothel’s mistresses.

Inside the dark room, I scream and kick, begging the old man to stop, but instead of letting me go, he slaps me hard. I instantly remember how Javier always treats me like this.

“Just be quiet, whore…” he pressed my neck tightly, pushing me toward the bed. My head spun as it collided with the hard iron bed stand. His scrawny leg blocked my movement, forcing my thighs apart. “There’s no use crying. This room is soundproof. Just be a good, obedient she-wolf, or else you’ll regret it.”

“You don’t want your son to take your place, don’t you?” the old man sneered, and I instantly felt my blood cold when he mentioned Asher. Asher has always been my weakness, which is also one of the main reasons why I never fight Javier or his boys. 

Sensing my turmoil, the old man laughed and began to strap me down. He tore my shabby shirt, revealing my breasts and my burn mating mark. He whistled when he saw it, and I just wished the torture would end quickly so I could get back to Asher.

But before his action can escalate, the sound of the door being roughly open is heard, and soon a shadowy figure emerges.

"W–what the—the door is locked! How did you–" the old man didn’t finish his sentence as the shadowy figure gripped his beard. He howled, and I winced when seeing some of his beards being forcefully ripped as he was thrown to the wall.

My stomach churn when hearing the sickening crackle sound and how the old man is lying like a broken doll with his head planted on the hard cement wall.

“Oh, my God!!” I screamed, trying to cover myself and run from the harrowing scene, but my movement halted when my blue eyes met his amber one.

Those eyes... Why do they look so familiar?

“Mate…” The man called in his husky voice without breaking his gaze from mine. I can feel my wolf excited as if confirming the call but quickly I shake my head, trying to get my senses.

“No, that’s impossible. There’s no way that he is my mate. I already met one, and it’s Javier,”  I thought, my hand instinctively reaching for the faded mark on my skin. But the more I tried to push the idea, the more my wolf stirred within me. I can feel it getting crazier when studying the man’s appearance. 

This man, he was pretty charming.  His chiseled  jaw, perfectly matching his 5 o'clock shadow. His eyes were so focused and tempting, giving off a mysterious allure, and his tousled, slick black hair…It exuded an old money aura, which was something I used to fantasize about man.

Not to mention his scent was also good, like a good old, rich wine that my late father used to drink. Even Javier never possessed such an enticing aroma and—

“Hey, get off from here! We don’t accept someone harassing our workers. Why did you–W–what the fuck!!!” The receptionist screams as she looks at the room’s condition, along with the old man. I was shocked, remembering the state I was in, and just as I was about to wake and explain... The amber-eyed man pushed me back to bed. 

I frowned, questioning his actions, but he quickly threw his coat over me, gesturing towards my body. My face burned with embarrassment as I realized I was exposed, and swiftly covered myself in silence.

Soon, the place was filled with police, and it’s kinda surprising to know that this place has an unexpected security level.

“I’m so sorry for your discomfort, Rowena,” the receptionist, whose name I now know as Lydia, apologized as she handed me the coke. I gladly accepted it as my throat was already raw, both from the old man’s and the police’s repetitive questions. “I swear that this never happened before, and the old man is usually not this aggressive. Again, I’m so sorry…”

She said it once more, and I only nodded, knowing that she’s probably lying because some workers seemed relieved that he'd gone. I even heard the pack’s police call him Beta, which might be the reason they turned blind eyes on him.

“That’s fine,” I say, giving her a small smile. “I mean, this is a brothel, after all. It’s normal…” I sighed before noticing something. “Anyway, about the man who helps me. Is he alright?” I asked, and Lydia tilted her head confusedly. 

“A man? Who do you mean?” She asked, which made me frown. Is she hitting her head or something? Of course, the amber-eyed man who just saved…

“Excuse me, but are you the child’s parents?” The paramedic suddenly appeared. ”There’s a little boy who seems to be under cardiac arrest. He was found in the hallway upstairs and—” “Oh my God, Asher!!” 

I leaped out of my seat, ignoring my condition. How come I forgot about him?!! “Where is he? Is he alright?!! Did he—”

“Yes, hopefully he’s going to be alright, but now we need your consent as we need you to go to the hospital and—” 

I feel my world suddenly blur when the paramedics talk. Just one day after I officially divorced, I already got into so much trouble, and now I’m enduring it again as my son’s life is at stake. I didn’t realize it when Lydia helped me stand and drive me to the hospital.

At the hospital, I felt myself crying alone in the waiting room outside of Asher’s room. I grip the paper that shows a bill and diagnosis.

$1000.000.

That’s the amount of money that Asher needs for a surgery since his heart leaked. My poor boy just put his life on stake in order to seek help when his mother was taken.

“But how am I supposed to pay for this? I need to pay this within this month for his surgery. How can I find this much money?” I sniffed, feeling my life had finally hit rock bottom. There’s no way I can find this much money within one month. It’s too much. It’s already good if I can find $10 in a month.

Which saint should I pray to give me some miracle? 

Just as I thought about ending my life and selling my organ for Asher, Lydia came and sat next to me.

She pats my back, which  surprisingly calms me, remembering  it’s been a long time since someone offered me a little warmth, and I can’t help but cry, missing my old life more, where Javier hasn’t come and I’m still my parents' daughter.

“Shh… It’s alright… Everything will pass,” Lydia patted me. “Anyway, about Asher, do you have anyone who can help you? Like a sibling or any other family?”

“No, I’m not. I’m all alone…” I whisper. Family? All of them are already killed by my damn mate, while friend? Vivi’s on Javier’s side, along with that Beta.

“I see…” Lydia didn’t press any further. “But don’t worry, I will help you. Some workers also heard about your son’s condition, and they want to give their salaries and…” “It’s useless…”

I stopped her as I showed her the bill. She scrunched her brows. “The amount is too high. There’s no way it will be enough to help him. Nor even selling my body. Guess I should just look for people who need a donor and—”

Lydia’s eyes widened. “No, you can’t just sell your organ! Your son needs you, and—” “And my son needs money, Lydia.” 

I cut sternly. “My son needs money in order to survive. He needs it more than his stupid mother, and I’m willing to give anything for his best.” I said, huffing heavily, before realizing that I was screaming too loudly as everyone stared at us. “I’m sorry, I'm losing control I—”

“Are you willing to do anything for your son?” Lydia asked, taking me off guard.

Why did she suddenly ask that?

Lydia sighed before folding her arms. “Actually…I have a solution for you. But, I don’t know if you want to accept it since it’s kinda risky and most workers fail. But say, Rowena...

Do you want to seduce the Lycan Prince?”