In The Tavern

Shaun

The tavern bustled with activity as Shaun looked around, his gaze sweeping over the crowded tables filled with warriors and citizens engaged in lively conversation, while all the hostesses scurried around them. The air was thick with the scent of ale and the murmur of endless chatter. Shaun stood behind the bar counter, his presence unassuming yet observant. Despite the lively atmosphere, time seemed to pass differently within the tavern's walls, as if the outside world held its breath in anticipation of the next moment.

For the past four years, Shaun had called this tavern home, finding solace in its familiar routines and the camaraderie of its patrons. He remembered the day he first stumbled in, weary and malnourished, seeking refuge from a world that had turned its back on him. The tavern owner had taken pity on him, offering food and shelter in exchange for his labor. Nobody had questioned the presence of a new wolf in the tavern; as if nobody actually noticed him aside from being another worker. Since then, Shaun had become a fixture in the tavern, his presence blending seamlessly into the background.

As he picked up another mug to clean, Shaun's mind drifted, reflecting on the passage of time and the sense of belonging he had found within these walls. Shaun knew that for now, this tavern was a sanctuary—a place where he could exist without fear of the outside world intruding upon his solitude.

 In the heart of the bustling tavern, Shaun navigated his daily routine with a sense of practiced ease. Each movement was deliberate, each action precise as he tended to his duties behind the worn bar counter. The rhythmic clink of glasses and the murmur of conversations formed the backdrop to Shaun's silent existence, a comforting symphony that echoed through the crowded room.

Despite the chaos around him, Shaun remained an island of calm in a sea of activity. His interactions with coworkers were minimal, his responses measured as he moved with a quiet efficiency. Over the years, he had perfected the art of blending into the background, his presence unnoticed by all but the most observant patrons.

As he wiped down the counter and poured drinks with a practiced hand, Shaun's mind wandered, lost in the rhythm of his routine. He found solace in the familiarity of his tasks, in the simple act of serving others and being part of something larger than himself. Though his past remained shrouded in mystery, the tavern had become a sanctuary—a place where he could exist without fear, if only for a fleeting moment in time.

This is beneath us, his wolf, Skye, growled.

I know, but I enjoy it and it's safe for us, Shaun replied. A hostess came up to him, bringing him a few mugs. She smiled at him before setting a tray down, only to pick up another full of food. She walked back around the counter to another table to deliver the customers' food.

You should be looking for our mate.

Enough, Skye, eventually we'll leave when it's safe to look for her. For now, this is safe.

A shriek pulled Shaun out of his conversation. He looked in the direction it came from only to see a warrior laughing raucously and repeatedly grabbing a hostess, Bella. Shaun was dismissing the shriek as only playful before Bella made eye contact. Her green eyes held a pleading look and told Shaun she wasn't being playful with the warrior.A wave of discomfort washed over Shaun as he realized the gravity of the situation.

"Ahem. Sir, please let the lady go. She's got other customers to help." The warrior looked at Shaun with a sly smile.

"She's currently helping me. So why don't you mind your own business, Omega?"

Kill him! Skye growled in his mind. Shaun chuckled as he set the mug down. He calmly walked around the counter towards the warrior.

The room quieted as they saw Shaun walking around. Shaun's actions spoke volumes, his quiet resolve a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him. In that moment, he became the focal point of the room, a silent guardian standing between the innocent and the aggressor. Immediately, the room was filled with tension and excitement. Shaun rarely moved from behind the counter, but whenever he did, the regulars knew they were going to get a show. Shaun stopped a few feet away from the warrior and grabbed Bella's wrist, gently pulling her to him. The man reached to grab her again, but Shaun caught his wrist while pushing her behind him. The man stood up a few inches taller than Shaun, probably around six foot three. His cloak fell back into place and Shaun barely saw the captain's emblem on his chest.

"I am Captain Aaron, how dare you grab me?" He pulled his hand back and swung his arm back to backhand Shaun. His hand only hit the air as Shaun leaned back, avoiding it. Immediately, the sound of chairs and tables being moved was heard as people cleared space around them. Shaun and the captain started to circle each other; the captain was clearly enraged, but Shaun remained calm. When the door was behind him, Shaun stopped circling wanting to drag this encounter outside to avoid damaging the tavern property.

"You don't want to do this, Captain. So please, just sit back down and enjoy your meal." Shaun slowly took a step back. A couple of the other warriors noticed his step and took this opportunity to lunge at him. He stepped back to avoid the first one while bracing for the second. The second warrior slammed into his left side, knocking him back a few more feet. Shaun grabbed the warrior by his waist and tossed him towards the door. The captain lunged for Shaun and tackled him to the ground.

Shaun pushed the captain off of him, bolting out the door. He heard his three opponents follow him out when he turned and smiled at the three of them. Customers followed them out to watch the fight, but otherwise, the street was empty. With all of them outside, Shaun had more freedom to act however he needed without fear of damaging anything. The three warriors circled him, waiting for an opening. Each of them had their claws extended and he knew they wanted to seriously hurt him. The three warriors were fueled by rage, radiated a menacing aura, and their every movement was a declaration of intent. In contrast, Shaun remained composed, his gaze steady as he assessed the situation with a keen eye. Skye howled in Shaun's mind, excited for a fight and an opportunity to have some control.

The two warriors lunged at Shaun again; he stepped back to dodge one but didn't move fast enough causing the warrior's claws to scratch his side. Grimacing a little bit, Shaun reached out and caught the other warrior by his face. Without a second's hesitation, he slammed the warrior to the ground, using as much strength as he could. The warrior had underestimated Shaun's strength and didn't brace himself. Shaun could still hear his breathing, but his body was motionless underneath him. Shaun's claws and canines extended as he gave Skye partial control in order to heal faster. He snapped his head up just in time to meet the captain's knee.

After tumbling a few times, Shaun spit out a mouthful of blood, standing up to look at the captain. "I suggest you back away, Captain. Things can get out of control if you continue."

"Enough talk, Omega. Let me teach you a lesson about respect." The captain lunged again, this time Shaun managed to duck under a punch and sent his elbow into the captain's gut. He staggered back regaining his footing before jumping towards Shaun again, swinging wide for his head.

For a brief second, Skye took control and sent his claws straight through the captain's chest. Aaron stared down at his chest, watching his blood flow down Shaun's arm. Quickly, Shaun took control again and pulled his arm out of Aaron. "You'll pay for this, Omega." Aaron sputtered out, falling lifeless to the ground.

Skye! You weren't supposed to kill him!

He called us Omega! He's not allowed to! Skye replied to him. Shaun looked at the customers from the tavern. Several of them looked shocked at the scene before them. Sure, Shaun had fought some rowdy customers before, but he's never killed anyone. He didn't move at all, even when the city guards arrived. They took one look at the area and placed iron shackles on him. The wolfsbane-soaked leather under the iron burned against his skin. Skye howled in pain, retreating into the corners of Shaun's mind. A guard grabbed the iron chain between Shaun's wrists and dragged him towards the castle. Shaun already knew they were bringing him to the dungeon, in the morning he would face trial by the Alpha.