05.

Nova’s POV.

Five years later...

I pulled up to Amelia’s cozy house, Lily chatting excitedly in the backseat.

Amelia has always been kind and helpful to us since we moved here five years ago. Lily felt comfortable with her, so I knew she would be well taken care of.

"Mommy, I'll see you tomorrow, right?" she asked, her big brown eyes sparkling.

"Baby. Be good for Amelia, okay?" I replied, smiling.

Lily nodded, already distracted by her favorite cartoon playing on Amelia’s tablet.

I hugged her tight, inhaling her sweet scent.

"Love you, kiddo," I whispered.

"Love you too, Mommy," she replied, squirming free.

Amelia smiled warmly as she took Lily's hand.

"Stay safe babes."

I glanced at the clock – 8:45 PM. My shift at Eclipse Nightclub started at 9 PM.

Lily is unaware of my job at the bar, and I intended to keep it that way, wanting to shield her from the realities of that environment. My job at the bar paid well. It was a necessary sacrifice to ensure Lily had the best opportunities in life.

I rushed out, speeding toward the club. Traffic crawled, every red light taunting me.

Finally, I arrived at 9:10 PM, flustered and breathless.

"Hey, Nova! You're late," my colleague, Marcus, said, frowning.

He has always been the one to cover up for me whenever I get late.

"Sorry, Marcus. Traffic was a nightmare," I replied, hastily changing into my uniform.

I clocked in and rushed to the bar, greeting the regulars with a forced smile.

Another long night ahead.

As I poured drinks and managed tables, my mind wandered to Lily, she was my ray of hope.

This job wasn't glamorous, but it paid the bills.

And for Lily's sake, I'd do anything.

“Hey Nova, take the drinks to the VIP section,” Marcus says pushing forward the tray.

“Hell no, please” I declined dread washing over me.

The customers in the VIP are perverts and very disrespectful towards ladies. They are elite after all, and they can get anything with a snap of their fingers.

Marcus sighed, “You know that only ladies are allowed in there, besides Emily is busy with the others,” he said.

My wolf growled hating the idea as much as I do.

I gulped down a lump picked up the tray and walked towards the section.

I mumbled curses under my breath as I walked into the place.

As I walked through the plush couches and dim lighting, my eyes scanned the room, assigning tables to memorize drink orders.

That's when I saw him.

Ice-blue eyes locked onto mine, familiar yet unsettling. My wolf growled, hackles raised.

Shit, my thighs rubbed together as I bit on my lower lip.

Somehow the face looked oddly familiar like we had crossed paths before.

I approached the table, keeping a straight face.

"Here are your orders,” I announce disposing of the tray on the center table.

Those piercing eyes held me captive. Chiseled features, sharp jawline, and raven-black hair framed his face. Despite appearing to be in his mid-thirties, he exuded an ageless allure.

My wolf's unease transformed into desire, something I hadn’t felt for years.

Fuck!

Who is this man?

I tore my gaze away, discomfort burning within. As I turned to leave, a hand was held on my wrist.

"Hey, don't go," one of the men said, his voice slurred. "Join us. Have some fun."

I tried to pull free, but his grip tightened.

"I'm not interested," I said firmly, trying to keep my composure.

The man's smile turned ugly.

"Come on, just one drink."

I struggled to break free, but he held fast.

That's when the man with the ice-blue eyes stood up, his eyes flashing with authority.

"Let her go, Julian."

Julian's grin faltered, and he released my wrist.

"Sorry, man," Julian muttered, backing off.

The man’s gaze met mine, a flicker of something unexpected there.

I tore my gaze away rushing out of the suffocating place.

The rest of the night went by like a blur and my shift was over. I got ready to leave pulling my jacket on and letting loose of my hair.

“Goodnight Marcus” I bid him farewell.

I followed through the back of the club, the place as quiet as ever.

I pulled out my phone from my back pocket to check the time when I felt my body being pushed to the wall.

My eyes met with Julian’s ugly smugness.

“I can’t let a good slut go to waste,” he says before driving into his lips to kiss on my neckline.

“What are you doing? Let go of me, please” I cried out trying to snatch myself away from him but who was I kidding he was way stronger than me.

“C’mon, we both know you’re enjoying this, just loosen up” he states trying to claim my lips but I turn my face away which has him hissing in frustration.

He pulled on my shirt, the fabric tearing and displaying my lacy bra. His hands went down to my jeans, I could almost feel his hands slipping into my panties.

“Stop! Please” I pleaded.

“I’m going to fuck you like the slut you—“ he didn’t get to end his statement cause he landed on the ground.

My heart deopped as I sucked in a harsh breath turning to meet with his ice blue orbs.

He launched on Julian and they both engaged in a fight with Julian being hit black and blue.

I shivered in fear seeing how merciless the man worked his muscles.

I tried to run but my legs won’t comply.

I drew to the ground breaking into sobs.

“Are you okay?” He asks reaching to touch me but I hurridly bolt up and run off as fast as my feet can take me.

My heart hammered as those icy blue eyes clicked back to my head almost as though we had crossed paths with that man.

Just who is he?

And why did he smell like trouble?