Word Count: 2225

~Lavelle

I can't believe I'm back here.

My sisters summons cannot be ignored. She's requested we return to this same dingy tavern so I can give her the money I got in exchange for the necklace.

It's not as much as I would hope. The buyer's hungry eyes passed over it this morning, realising its value. Still, he used my desperation against me and undercut me.

The tavern is quieter tonight.

People slump over in their chairs and over grubby tables. Someone is near the bar, arguing with the tavern keeper about the price of ale, but their words slur so horribly together they aren't making any sense.

No one looks up as I enter. I keep my coat securely pinned around me like a layer of armour as I search the space for my sister.

She's not here yet. Of course.

I take one step until my gaze strays to the other corner of the tavern. Lingering in the shadows is Zyre, who is speaking to another male, who wears our packs insignia on the shoulder of his cloak.

He works for Avi. He might even be a guard off duty.

Zyre speaks to him in low tones, a determined line etched between his brows. The guard nods every few moments, looking around to ensure no one is listening into their conversation.

Suddenly, Zyre produces a heaving pouch that I assume carries gold — it looks eerily similar to the one in my bag right now. He sets it into the guards hand before patting him on the shoulder, like they're old friends.

I wander to the bar, watching the pair from the corner of my eye.

"I am pleased to have you allegiance when the time comes," I hear Zyre say in a low, rumbling voice.

The guard smiles. "Of course, sir."

"Return to your post and speak none of this to anyone." Zyre speaks as if he is an Alpha, giving a command that the guard dutifully follows.

Did Avi put him up to this? I would have to assume so, since he paid a guard, but why is he speaking allegiance to himself? The thought makes me bristle. I'll be storing that information away for later use.

I gesture at the tavern keeper for drink. Moment later, I feel Zyre's presence beside me.

"Lavelle. What brings you here again?" He leans an arm against the bar, facing me.

Now that he knows at least one of my secrets, I'm not concerned about him seeing me here. He's biding his time, probably waiting to tell Avi my secret at an opportune time for him.

The problem is, Caroline will be here any moment, and I really don't need those two to meet.

"My sister," I say lowly, hoping he misses it. "What were you giving Avi's guards money for?"

He sighs coarsely, sliding into the seat next to me. He has a troubled furrow between his dark brows. I'm startled by how handsome I find his broody expression. It sets the angle of his jaw straight and sharp, and gives his deep brown eyes a faint sorrow.

"A job well done." He grabs the ale only just set in front of me, taking a swill despite my protest.

"Asshole. You're paying for that then."

I still owe him from Caroline and I's drinks from the other night. Although his thorough tormenting of me makes me inclined to think he's the one who owes me.

"You should go home," he responds tightly.

"Decided what I owe you for my silence yet?" The sooner he tells me, the sooner I can put this worry behind me.

He rubs his jaw, clearly in a morose mood. I'm not sure what he's so bothered about when he isn't the one having his lack of wealth balanced over his head.

"Here's an idea. Don't fuck Avi."

His blunt insinuation makes me flinch. I'm glad to know he isn't worried about being polite around me. I've never been told so blatantly not to have sex with someone.

"What? Why?"

"Just don't." He drains the ale, his eyes dark and shadowy.

I trace my eyes over him. He's wearing a dark green tunic tonight, the fabric tight against the muscle of his arms and chest. His dark tattoos creep up past the collar, stopping at the base of his neck. Everything about him is tense right now, like he's restraining himself.

"You're in a sour mood tonight," I note. "Not that it is any of your business, but I may just marry Avi. Sex is inevitable."

I'm looking forward to it, in fact. Avi is handsome, and I imagine he is kind and gentle in bed.

Unlike Zyre, I'm guessing. I know I can't make such assumptions just by appearance, but Zyre looks like a rough and primal lover. The thought makes me flush, dragging my gaze down at my fingers knotted on my lap.

A muscle in his jaw ticks. "You're a fool."

I raise my head to pin him with a glare. "What is your problem?"

He's silent for a moment, watching the tavern keeper pass back and forth behind the bar. Then, he turns his body to face me.

"I think you're making a mistake courting him," he declares. "Being married to an Alpha isn't what you think it is. He will dragging you into all his shit."

He says it with such intensity, I'm guessing he knows exactly what kind of shit Avi is involved in. He does, after all, come from a noble family where his father was once Alpha, and now his brother is. But what does he know of Avi?

And more importantly, why does he care about my involvement in it?

"That's what you do for love," I declare, taping the pad of my index finger against the tacky bar surface.

His stare is blistering. "You don't love him."

I recoil. "How do you know?"

"I think too highly of you for that to be the case." He waves his hand dismissively.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I toy around with my response. Zyre doesn't even know me, yet apparently he thinks highly of me. He seems in earnest, too, which is especially unnerving.

"You might be the strangest person I've ever met." I adjust in my seat as a particularly large gentleman brushes past behind me. I wonder if he can feel Zyre's stare assessing him. "If you don't want me to be with Avi so bad, why haven't you told him about my situation?"

His brows crease. It's evident that this is matter that has been troubling him, that he has already given much consideration.

"Because it wouldn't make a difference anyway. He's not going to stop until you're married and carrying his heir." His gaze dips to my stomach, then back to my eyes.

Instinctually, my hands press over my middle. I've been thinking so ardently about marriage, the thought of having to provide Avi with an heir hasn't crossed my mind. It makes me shift, unnerved. I'm definitely not ready for that.

"I can't take that risk... You could turn on me at any—"

My words die on my lips as Caroline slides into the unoccupied seat next to me. I got so wrapped up in the conversation with Zyre, that I entirely forgot I'm here to meet her.

"Bought me a drink yet, sis?" She asks jovially, tapping her palm against the bars surface.

I swallow thickly, noticing the way Zyre is assessing my sister. "Can we do this outside?"

She's cleaned herself up since last night. She's run a brush through her hair — or attempted to, at least — and the dark slashes under her eyes have lessened in intensity. Perhaps knowing she's about to come into money allowed for a generous sleep last night.

She tilts her head, looking past me at Zyre.

"Hello there," she greets, her voice dripping with honey. She gives a little wave with her fingers, employing her usual approach to seducing males.

"I'm assuming you're Lavelle's sister?" Zyre muses, glancing at me. He doesn't seem to notice my glare, willing him to get up and leave.

"Am so." She bites down on her lower lip, her lids hooded. "Are you the Alpha?"

I sigh, rubbing my forehead tiredly. She knows he isn't the Alpha - his accent is far to different for that to be the case. Caroline is just trying to flirt, sensing he's an wealthy noble due to his clean complexion and luxurious attire.

"No Caroline, he's not. He's just some male," I mutter dismissively, sipping my ale so she can't drink it.

"Well it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She holds her hand out to him, her arm crossing over my body, forcing me to sit back. "You might be the most handsome male I've ever seen."

Zyre doesn't take her offered hand. He simply watches her with bleak curiosity, and a little bit of disdain.

"Uh huh."

"Let's go outside. We need to talk." My need to get out of here is increasing in urgency. Zyre may know enough about me to ruin my life, but he really doesn't need to know about this.

Charlotte scowls at me, like I've offended her.

"I'm not done speaking to this man here." Her smile returns when she looks back at Zyre. "What's your name?"

"Zyre," he responds implacably.

Her hand slinks into her hair, pushing it away from her face. "You from around here?"

"Why did you leave your sister with a tab she couldn't pay off last time you were here?" He asks suddenly, bluntly.

Charlotte physically recoils, visibly affronted. She looks at me for help, scrambling for a way to salvage this social encounter. Unfortunately for her, she's dug this hole herself.

"Uh..."

I shoot Zyre a hard look. "Its fine, alright? I can handle this."

Charlotte's jaw tightens. Her flirting hasn't gotten her anywhere, so now she's officially over it. I can visibly see her focus shifting from him back to what she came here from.

"Give me the money then." She holds her hand out, turning her body to face me. "I need to get laid tonight and this bar won't do."

I glance at Zyre, who is engrossed in our conversation.

Charlotte winks at him. "Unless you're offering, of course."

"No thank you," he responds graciously, although I can sense how disturbed he is at the notion. Her has guards of socialites after him. I don't think he would settle for my crazed sister, regardless of how easy a lay she would be.

"Can we do this outside?" I ask anxiously. Zyre already has witnessed too much of this.

"Hurry up, or I'll start talking about how our-"

"Fine," I snap, reaching for the heaving bag of money, sliding it onto her lap "Here."

She immediately wraps her hand around the draw skin, a sick smile tilting her lips. She doesn't even need quarter of that to make a life for herself. It feels wrong giving her so much to blow, or to get stolen from her.

Zyre watches the entire exchange with a furrowed brow and tense shoulders.

Charlotte opens the bag, peering inside greedily before her expression turns. "This isn't what it was worth."

"It's all I could get so last minute," I insist lowly. How can she possibly be dissatisfied? Does she owe a terrible debt to someone, or is she hoarding money for something else?

If I asked, I don't think she would tell me.

"Whatever." She slides from the seat. "Catch you later, sis."

I watch her go, shouldering he way through the crowd that has suddenly increased in size. I've been so hyper-focused on Charlotte and Zyre I barely noticed those who come to the bar and hustle round the various tables.

"What just happened here?" Zyre questions.

"Spare me, please," I mutter tiredly, massaging my temples. I really don't want to explain this nightmare of a situation to him.

"Where did that money come from?" He presses, leaning closer.

It seems he's officially shaken off his bad mood. Maybe he feeds off my misery, which would be fine since I have plenty to spare.

"No where. I have to go."

I go to slide from my seat, but Zyre reaches out, seizing my arm.

"Let me buy you a drink," he offers, his smile a little shaky. "I promise only to talk about how you should have sex with me instead of Avi."

I flinch, my heart jumping into my throat. "What? Have you lost your mind?"

"Same drink as last time?"

"You're just trying to get me to stay." I tug myself from his grasp, seeing through his desperate attempt to keep me at the bar. "I hope you'll leave me alone from now on."

He doesn't try stop me as I stand, although his gaze is haunted. "Stop coming to this bar then."

"Gladly," I mutter.

"Unfortunately you can't run from me, Lavelle." His tone is so hard, so piercing it makes me shiver. "Your future has me in it."

🩷••🩷

If you want to read ahead, you can find this story on Inkitt 15 chapters ahead! The first five chapters are available for free (:

(Just search up my profile 'Midika' and you will find it under the stories tab!)

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛