Chapter 22
THEON
After the outburst in front of my father, Miro suggested we visit an old place to let off some steam and that's how I found myself in Club Zero. It was a large warehouse turned into one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the country and it had been a few years since I last came but now I was back.
Miro needed to let off steam and I...just needed a drink.
What I didn't need...was seeing Ryn in that gods-damned outfit looking like sin and innocence all at the same time. When she attended to her customer, bending at the waist to reveal her cleavage, I clenched my jaw, feeling something strange course through me. When our eyes met, all the dark thoughts in my head suddenly became a magnetic pull drawing me to her and now here I was watching a brute Alpha manhandle her. My chest hammered hard as I watched him squeeze, making Ryn wince in pain. "Keep your cool, brother." I heard Miro's voice in my head. "If you act out here, Father will find out and you know what that means for you both."
I turned around and found my brother watching from a distance with his arms folded. Suddenly, everything seemed ironic. I used to be the cool, unemotional one. What happened to me?
Turning back around, I took a deep breath and relaxed my jaw. "She said you should let her go." I said, and the Alpha turned to me. Instantly, I recognized him as Alpha Eric, one of the new Alphas on the North province. His angry eyes at first widened before they hardened "Your Highness, we were just having a talk." His lips curled.
"Let her go." I ordered. Ryn looked at me and although she seemed calm on the outside, I could smell her fear from where I stood.
"What's going on here?" Tim Jang, manager of Club Zero came amidst us. He was shorter than all of us and storky so he had to look up at our faces for answers.
Alpha Eric's forehead creased as he glared at me before letting go of Ryn. "No problem, Tim." He smiled and took his seat. "Just getting acquainted with your new girl."
Tim seemed flustered for a moment before he turned to me and bowed. "I apologize for any trouble caused, your Highness. Is there anything I can do to make you happy?"Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
My eyes drifted back to Ryn again and stayed as she continued to stare at me. "I want another round of drinks." I said, before pointing at her. "And I want her to serve me instead."
Tim raised his head in surprise, glanced at her and then at me before bowing again. "As you wish, your Highness." After that, Tim beckoned to Ryn to follow him and she obeyed but before she left, she gave me a look I couldn't decipher.
Will Ryn think I'm a bad person or a pervert like Alpha Eric? Speaking of the bastard, I threw a glare his way and found him already glaring at me along with his men. Raising a brow, I sent a questioning glare at them and they immediately looked
away.
Going back to my booth, I found my brother staring blankly into space with a drink suspended in his hand. Thankfully, the dirty blonde waitress was nowhere to be found. "Sup?" I said as I took a seat. "You good?"
Míro raised his head and stared at me but before he could reply, Ryn came in with my order along with Tim Jang in tow. The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed, becoming increasingly charged with tension. Miro froze in his seat, watching her and when it was time t
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me her cleavage.
Somehow, I found myself a tad bit disappointed and wondered why.
I haven't looked at a woman in years so why am I starting now?
My eyes
crossed to the manager still lingering around. "You may leave." I said and at first he looked hesitant but then he bowed before leaving the booth. Once Ryn was done, she turned to leave.
"Wait." I ordered and she stopped in her tracks.
"I have to go." Miro mindlinked me. "Whatever I hear can be used against you so it's best I leave."
Miro and I shared a glance before he nodded and rose to his feet.
"Well. I'll get going." He said, and for a moment he slowed in his steps, his eyes lingering on Ryn, before he briskly walked out of the booth. I saw Ryn's eyes follow him and then I saw her forehead crease with worry.
"Ryn." I called and she turned around with wide eyes filled with uncertainty. "Why were you working here?"
She shook her head and looked down at her tray. "I should get back to work." She said, making a move for the exit.
"Ryn." I called with my authority and she froze. "Sit your ass down and answer me."
Ryn released a shaky breath before choosing a seat far away from me. She wet her bottom lip with her tongue before flicking her hair back. "I am working here because I need the money." She said, with her defiant chin raised.
"I understand." I said, "but you have to leave this job."
Ryn's eyes widened. "Why?"
"Because this is not a safe place for you, Ryn. Werewolves from all walks of life come here including thugs, assassins and perverts. Once your beauty draws them in, it might be hard to get rid of them and I'd really hate for something to happen to you."
Ryn's brows furrowed as she watched me like I had grown two heads and even I had to do a double take on what I just said.
What is wrong with me?
"My beauty?" Ryn asked and I mentally cringed. Why did I have to say it like that? This is why I envy Miro, he alway way with words.
had a
"I meant.." I paused, still lost on how to phrase the sentence. After fumbling for a minute, I heaved a heavy sigh. "Ryn, you're beautiful. There's no doubt about that and not only do I know it but others do too and in a place like this, it could cause extreme problems for you." "The other girls seem to handle it well."
"The other girls are not you." I argued.
"You don't know me." She replied, and there was a way she said it that made me rethink what I actually thought I knew.
"I may not know you, Ryn. But I have assessed you. You are a warrior not a waitress."
Ryn stared at me and sighed. "I am not quitting, your Highness. Thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself."
My brows pulled together at her words. With the way her eyes were set and her chin raised, it was obvious that I couldn't change her mind. I guess I'll have to find a way to convince her.
QX31%
Hours later, It was almost dawn but the skies were still dark. I found myself in the back seat of my car with my men, waiting patiently for Ryn to close from work. Knowing Alpha Eric from the past, I knew he was a man who didn't let things go easily and just to be sure he did When Ryn exited the building, dressed more appropriately this time. I heaved a sigh of relief. Walking briskly, she turned a comer and we slowly followed her without turning on the headlights.
Suddenly, a car parked in the opposite direction flashed its headlights at Ryn and she immediately stopped in her tracks. Just then, the car door opened and some men came down from it and began to approach her and when Ryn saw she was in danger, she stood her gro ""No." I muttered.
"Isn't that Alpha Eric and his men?" One of my men asked.
"Yes," I answered, "..and if Ryn doesn't run, they're going to kill her!"