Esme put her bag and leather jacket inside her locker and trailed her hands along with the hangers of her fancy clothes for working at ONYX. Her current attire of a hoodie and ripped jeans with trainers would not suffice. She grabbed a white blouse and some light pink high waisted trousers that seemed to go well with her skin tone and dark brown hair, along with some low-heeled strappy sandals.
She sauntered off to the changing rooms, not at all bothered about being ten minutes late already. It was Niko's fault for changing her shifts around; her whole week had changed, and he mentioned she needed to be on her best behaviour. She rolled her eyes as she closed the curtain behind her and started undressing once more.
Her eyes landed on her reflection, and her mood dropped even more. Usually, she ignored all mirrors until her body was covered, but because of her where her thoughts were, she couldn't help but look at the mark below her collarbone. The mark of the mate bond between her and Ethan, though she had scarred it by cutting at it with a knife trying to remove it, then burned her skin with boiling wolfsbane.
Brutal, she knows, but it was there as a constant reminder of who her soul mate was. Esme brushed her fingers over it, her touch setting her skin alight in pain; she removed her fingers and gulped. She was used to the pain, another reminder that she was meant to be with her mate, but how could she be?
Esme changed into her clothes and stared back at her reflection once more, her face masked in make-up, yet her eyes were still dull and full of the phantom haunting over her in her dreams and the morning's run through memory lane. She pulled the curtain back, almost ripping it from the pole, forgetting her strength, and put her stuff away in the locker.
Esme headed back to the bar and started work without making any comments to Niko scolding her. He looked at her oddly, but she turned her back on him and started to work on her acting skills for the day. It wasn't always forced but today just felt gloomy.
Esme was cleaning out the coffee machine in a daze, blocking out the sounds of Hana, Leo and Rory chatting. She was only sensitive to sudden noises and the doors opening, either revealing a customer or another staff member. Her guard was still up for emergencies, but her 'social battery' still needed charging before she could keep up with a conversation.
If she was being honest, the nightmares and memories of how he hurt her were better than when she longed for the good times. She knew last night and this morning were all due to the bond messing with her head trying to get her to return to her mate. It was a constant battle between her will and the 'magic' of the mate bond created by the Moon Goddess.
Esme sighed then flinched when Leo appeared next to her, his hip leaning into the counter as he crossed his arms and tilted his head. "How are you feeling today, Es?" He asked; she glanced at him, taking note of his hazel eyes almost sparkling at the need to gain her attention.
Cute.
"Oh, yeah, much better, I slept it off," Esme replied, nonchalantly matching him by leaning on the counter as she tucked some of her hair behind her ear. She didn't bother doing anything with her hair; it was naturally wavy anyway and wasn't as long as it used to be.
"So, what's with all the sighing? Do you need Leo to cheer you up?" He smiled boyishly at her, his scruffy blonde hair falling over his forehead slightly. He raised his arms as if to bear hug her.
Esme flinched slightly, an action she quickly covered up and smirked, leaning forwards instead. "Your smile alone can cheer anyone up, Leo," She winked and almost smiled at how much he seemed like a happy puppy from her compliment.
Well, she didn't want to unload her burdens onto anyone.
"Esme, why are you working here?" An icy voice asked from behind her. Leo looked in that direction, and his smile dropped instantly. Esme turned her head and confirmed it was indeed Gabriel, and he was glaring at her and Leo.
"Because you employed me?" She asked with a tilt of her head.
"Esmee," She heard Niko whisper in a warning.
Gabriel clicked his tongue and turned around, "Follow me," He commanded, not glancing in anyone's direction and gaining everyone's attention by either his powerful presence or his looks.
Esme gave Leo a sidelong glance, but he was still looking at Gabriel with a frown, only looking back at Esme a second later to smile again. Though it looked a little forced this time. Esme hid her scowl at the slight irritation shown on his face; it was pretty uncharacteristic of him, but hey, how would she know? She'd only been there three weeks, hardly enough time to truly know a person.
The she-wolf followed behind the Vampire King, her eyes now trained on his back. He wore a signature black suit, the highest quality and probably a designer make like Armani. Gabriel pulled it off well, looking like a damn model than a boss of a nightclub. Well, that was all part of a front, really, wasn't it? He was a King.
"Do you really think it is smart to flirt with a man you will leave in a few months, rogue?" Gabriel crisply said, facing forwards.
"I don't think that's any of your concern, vampire," She snapped back, only to take a step back when Gabriel swivelled around and glared at her.
"Easy. Remember he's the damn King!" Isana whisper-shouted, freaking out by the dangerous glint in Gabriel's icy blue eyes.
"It is my concern what you do in my bar," He snapped back, his voice so quiet and deadly, Esme felt the hairs on her neck stand up.
Esme eyed him, clenching her teeth together, her hands fisting by her sides, an action Gabriel instantly noticed. "Are you an Alpha female, by chance ES?" He mocked, using her nickname only Hana and Leo had picked up on using.
She gulped and lowered her gaze; she needed to act like the rogue she was. "Of course not, GABE." But she couldn't help herself.
The next thing she knew, she was up against the wall in Gabriel's VIP room. When the hell did she get.. Vampire, she internally rolled her eyes. Gabriel brought his face close to hers, "Never. Call. Me. Gabe." He growled through gritted teeth; then, after searching her face and apparently seeing something she couldn't, he sighed and relaxed his hands from her shirt.
Pulling away, his voice spoke softly in her mind. "I'm sorry, you do not need to fear me."
Esme scoffed and straightened her shirt, looking up at his downturned face. "You do not scare me," She growled.
What a coward. Only apologising when others can't hear.
Gabriel's eyes met hers as though he heard her thoughts, but because she knew he couldn't, she ignored the surprise on his features and walked past him, her head held high. "What would you like to drink?"
"Blood." Gabriel sat down on the couch, ignoring her as he looked at Luther standing, glancing between the pair with his smartphone against his ear.
Esme stilled at his response but saw his empty wine glass on the coffee table; it looked like a red smoothie had been in it.
"Correction, honey. That's blood.. because he's a vampire who feeds on humans.. who we as wolves are meant to protect," Isana snapped. She was still pissed at being manhandled against the wall.
Esme sighed and grabbed another wine glass, then halted, wondering where to get Gabriel some blood. "The fridge," Gabriel said stiffly while watching Luther.
"Thanks," She murmured and turned around, opening the mini-fridge only to stifle a gasp at how many blood bags there were. She picked one up and compared it to another; they were of different blood groups.
Gabriel sighed, "Any will do."
"The hunters are still searching, Gabriel," Luther said, then looked at Esme warily.
Gabriel and Luther stared at each other for one full minute then Luther nodded his head.
"Did I just miss something?" Esme whispered to her wolf.
Isana was as confused as she was. "I'm seeing exactly what you're seeing. I have no idea what just happened."
Esme shook her head and poured the chilled blood into the crystal wine glass, and placed it upon a coaster on the coffee table. Retrieving the empty one Gabriel used earlier.
"You may speak freely," Gabriel said calmly, picking up his glass and sipping casually on the wine; no, no, it was blood, she reminded herself.
Esme returned to the bar, pretending to look busy, but she knew, and they knew she was listening with interest. Who wouldn't at the mention of the Hunter Association?
"Aila is with the Silver Crescent pack now," Luther replied and sat down on the armchair next to the sofa. Esme stilled at the mention of the pack name and looked over at Luther and Gabriel.
One side of Gabriel's lips twitched up, and he sipped on his blood, staring at the stage. "Is that so?" He mused.
"There are rumours that she is Alpha Damon's mate," Luther continued, cancelling the call he was on.
Alpha Damon!? The Alpha King of the northern territories. She shivered wondering what his mate must be like to be with someone as deadly as him.
Gabriel grinned at that, "I would not expect anything less for that girl. That is good, and what of rogues?"
Esme turned around and leaned on the counter, staring at her distorted reflection in the decoratively made 'broken' mirror behind the bar. Why were they talking about pack business? And of rogues.. Was this normal for the King of vampires to discuss?
"The rogues are still on the outskirts of Chester. There is no word yet on what they are looking for," Luther reported.
Esme tensed, and her heart rate started to pound louder and louder, her hands clenching at what was said. Before she could stop herself, she found herself speaking. "How do you know they are rogues?" She turned around and looked at Luther, who glanced at Gabriel, who nodded.
"They will be named as rogues until said otherwise. I have been around long enough to know the difference between a group of rogues and pack members. The same can be said for Luther and my men looking into it," Gabriel informed her. He was watching her, scrutinising her face from where he sat.
"Does he think we know them?" Isana asked what Esme was starting to think.
"I am a lone wolf," Esme blurted out, interrupting where their discussion had continued.
Gabriel looked at her and nodded once, "I never doubted you."
For some reason, those words were comforting, and she unconsciously smiled gently in return. Esme leaned on the bar, her arms extended in front of her as she listened to some issues vampires created in another city and what Gabriel intended to do about it. Though her mind drifted off, and she bit her lip, wondering about these rogues on the outskirts of Chester.
Should I check it out?
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XOXO
Gabriel moved to sit at the grand piano, only half-listening to Luther's reports. The last of them were of idiotic vampires almost getting caught by humans. There was, however, an interesting one about multiple murders across the coast, each body drained of blood. But he sent one of his men to investigate and bring them to the dungeon once they found the culprit.
Now he merely played on the piano, his fingers running over the keys gracefully, his thoughts on Esme. He regretted pushing her into the wall because she called him by the nickname his ex-lover called him. As soon as he saw her flinch and the panic bubbling behind her eyes, he felt his chest tighten.
He should not have lost his temper like that, people had called him by that name mockingly before just to get on his nerves, but because it came from her lips, it rattled him. He preferred her calling him by his given name. It rolled off her tongue delightfully.
Gabriel wanted to hear her thoughts more, but it was a struggle, and he wondered how it worked with her blocking him out. Over the centuries, Gabriel had come across people whose minds were guarded, but if he wanted to, he could still read their thoughts. They were more like whispers, and he learnt it was because they were extremely shy or had a dark past restricting them from opening up.
"You know, if I lived forever, I'd be such a boss at everything too."
Gabriel paused his fingers and looked up at the she-wolf who had somehow crept up on him and was standing there gently smiling at him. He expanded his mind to listen to her thoughts, and there they were..
He plays so beautifully; I wonder what he was thinking about. It's been hours, but he didn't rest his hands once. Darn vampires.
Gabriel hid a smirk and tried to read into her memories, but like a click of a switch, her mind suddenly went silent. Her dark eyes were locked with his, but she looked expectant. He looked away, realising he'd been staring at her without commenting.
"You have only seen me play the piano yet believe I would be good at everything?" He said playfully.
Esme parted her lips to reply, then closed them nodding her head only to step back after Gabriel rose from his seat and leaned towards her, smirking. "You presumed correctly; I am good at everything. Maybe I will show you more of my.. skills," He purred; his eyes seemed to almost pull her towards him.
Esme gulped from the suggestiveness behind his words and the look in his dazzling eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief when he leaned away and started to walk towards the door. "Come straight here tomorrow," He spoke over his shoulder before the door clicked behind him.
She couldn't understand why she was put to work in the VIP room, and Gabriel didn't really need her there. Luther exited an hour before and told his security to wait outside the room, leaving her alone with Gabriel. Esme would have been twiddling her thumbs on what to do but ended up chilling on the sofa watching him play.
He didn't even notice.
Was he really that comfortable with her around him, or he was so powerful nothing could hurt him?
Esme shook her head. Although the last hour had been pleasant, the piano playing calming her angst, she had been restless beforehand. Her thoughts had been on those rogues, and although Esme was curious about them, she didn't want to risk exposing herself. At the most, she would need to be careful, blend in more, not to stand out. That much she knew how to act.
Esme returned to the main bar, her shift almost over, and from seeing the other staff members she hadn't bothered getting to know, it seemed Leo, Rory and Hana were also finishing.
"There she is!" Hana pointed to her with a wide grin on her face, her curly hair bouncing around her heart-shaped face. Esme raised a brow in return as she started to walk behind the bar. "You're coming out with us tonight, right!?"
She looked at the clock on the wall to the side. "Not like that! We can get dinner and have some drinks!" Hana exclaimed, then clasped her hands together in front of her, looking at Esme with a pout.
She was a little nervous, but maybe it was good to hang out with some humans right now. "Sure," She smiled and cringed at Hana's slightly high squeal.
In the changing room, Esme dressed back into her jeans, hoodie and leather jacket; she pulled her hood up as she exited through the fire exit door, meeting Hana and the two guys for their little outing. While observing her surroundings, she replied casually to their conversation.
Being with a group of humans could serve its purpose right now, she wouldn't stand out much, and her scent was already covered by the vampire's and now humans. However, if the werewolf was a skilled tracker like her mother, they would have no issue finding her. If it was a rogue, then she didn't have too much to worry about.
But this was her quietly panicking about these rogues near Chester. They could easily be passing through, but she didn't get this far by being relaxed. Esme didn't mind being paranoid in moments like these. She kept her head down, glancing at her surroundings while walking by Leo's side, and his large frame could also hide her.
"Man, it's like you thought of everything," Isana snickered. Esme smirked at her wolf's comment; it was true, she reluctantly went with this group for some drinks, but she was less noticeable with others around, especially when she was so small. Plus, it was better than returning to her bleak apartment so early.
"It's nice to finally hang out outside of work, Es," Leo wrapped his arm over her shoulders, making her jump from the sudden contact. "Woah! You okay?"
Esme laughed it off, "Yeah, sorry I was so lost in thought, you made me jump!" Though she made her excuse, her body was still a little tense.
"Well, get ya head out of the clouds, beautiful, you can't waste this perfect opportunity to talk to me," He winked, earning a fake gagging sound from Hana, who was walking ahead with Rory. Rory shook his head, but his attention went back to Hana, looking at her fondly.
Esme shrugged out of his arm and rolled her eyes. "Easy there, big fella, you better be good company. The pressure is on!" She joked, putting her hands in her hoody pocket.
"Hey! I'm not that big. You're just tiny, ya midget," Leo playfully leaned his arm on her head, which she swiftly moved away from, picking up her pace to catch up to the two ahead of them.
"Yo, where are we going anyway?" Esme asked while checking out the skyscrapers and the fancy bars and restaurants they walked past.
"How about we check Lenny's place out?" Hana smiled cheekily, wiggling her eyebrows at Esme.
"Absolutely not." Both Leo and Esme objected, halting their steps as they looked at each other.
"Pfft! I was joking, guys, jeese. I couldn't relax at his anyway. He's a scary, beautiful but scary man. I don't know how you are friends with him, Es," Hana tittered nervously.
Esme smirked. "We are more like acquaintances and.."
"I've met scarier men," She mumbled under her breath, looking away.
"Well, at least you're with us now, hey," Leo replied with a gentle smile. She didn't realise the rest of the group heard her.
Shit, she needed to-
"Here we are, ta-da!" Hana interrupted her thoughts, waving her hand in the direction of a quaint and quirky looking bar down the side of an alley. Its lights outside revealed two barrels with seating and heaters out the front and a welcome sign.
"That was good timing," Isana murmured.
Rory opened the door to 'Freddies' for the two girls. Esme assessed the area, taking note the only exit was the entrance. The bar itself had a brown and white chequered linoleum flooring, a single small bar with photo frames of past workers, many dangling lamps hung from the ceiling and to finish off this look, was the bartender who had a curled moustache and bald head.
"Well, hello, Hana! Rory!" The bartender smiled, his eyes crinkling in pure happiness at seeing them. Maybe they'd been there enough times now to become a regular?
"And who is this?" He beamed at Esme. She smiled genuinely at the guy; he seemed like a nice person.
"Esme," She replied, "it's nice to meet you."
"Hey, you're never that nice to us!?" Hana pouted, "Even after going shopping with me!"
"You can't win everyone over, Hana," Rory smiled and received a light slap on the chest.
"Esme, what a beautiful name. First drink on the house for this lovely woman!" The bartender cheered loudly.
"That's why.. Cheeky benefits of being pretty and polite.. I see now.." Hana joked and giggled after feeling Esme's glare.
"Leo," The bartender's voice dropped as he looked at him. "No trouble tonight, you hear?"
Esme looked at Leo in surprise; she didn't peg him for a troublemaker. Leo rubbed the back of his head, flexing his muscular bicep straining against his shirt, "It won't happen again, Freddie."
"Good, don't shit where you drink.. if you get my drift. Liz and Charlie were good regulars. They haven't been back since!" Freddie grunted in discontent.
Esme climbed into a small brown leather booth behind Rory and Hana, dropping her bag on the ground watching in amusement as Freddie scolded Leo. "What happened?" She asked the others in curiosity, a smile playing on her lips as she could already guess what Leo did.
"Leo slept with both women, and they found out. The girls fought each other in here," Hana informed her.
"It was entertaining," Rory chuckled, then gasped after Hana elbowed him in the ribs. "But it was!"
"Hey now, you make me sound like a pig, Hana." Leo climbed into the booth sitting next to Esme. "She's left out the part where I dated them separately in different years. It's not my fault if they can't deal with it."
"They were best friends!" Hana exclaimed, only to watch Leo shrug with a smile.
"Oh, that's low, Leo," Esme chuckled at his pouting face.
"I can't help my looks, guys! Leave me alone!" He cried out.
Esme shook her head. "Looks have nothing to do with it," Rory chuckled and passed over the beer Freddie placed in front of him. Esme thanked the bartender and eyed the cocktail in front of her.
How did he know what she wanted?
"I ordered it for you," Leo smiled at the confusion on her face.
"Oh," Was all she could respond before slurping on the straw.
The group soon after ordered some dinner, and the others were surprised at how much she could eat. Her frame was so small and slender, she couldn't blame them. They hung out at the bar until closing time; Esme thoroughly enjoyed their company and the funny stories that were told.
"Es, I don't know how you can hold your drink better than Leo!" Hana clapped her hands in laughter. Esme smiled and looked at Leo's rosy cheeks.
"Not like you're any better off!" Leo grunted before downing his beer and slamming the pint glass on the table with an audible 'ahh'.
Sipping on her cocktail, Esme hid her smirk. Werewolves had a higher metabolism; she could eat and drink however much she wanted without putting weight on. Though, it also meant she'd lose a ton of weight if she didn't eat enough, which was the case over the last few years.
It was such an odd feeling to be with others again, to socialise. To feel the warmth in her chest and have a genuine smile on her face. She felt comfortable sitting with them, letting her guard down only partially. It had been a very long time since she socialised properly. The last time was..
She flinched after picturing Ruby's face and instantly decided she'd done enough socialising for one night. "We should head off. Freddie looks tired," She suggested. Even though the bar was meant to be closed, the bartender had kept it open only for them.
The others quickly agreed, and they said their farewells to Freddie, leaving a large tip and promising to see him soon. Esme slung her bag on her back and followed the others out, waving him goodbye. But as soon she stepped outside, she tensed at a sudden scent wafting around the area.
Esme's eyes searched the surrounding alley and buildings, warily glancing at every dark corner, shadows and bins. The humans were none the wiser, oblivious to the possible danger.
"Es?" Leo called after her.
The others were at the end of the alley waiting for her. She smiled and quickly caught up to them.
"Get rid of them," Isana urged.
"I'll see you tomorrow," She started backing away from the group in the opposite direction. "I live the other side of the city."
Leo stepped forwards, "I'll walk you home. It's not safe at this time of night."
Esme raised her hands, "I'll get a taxi, and if not," She pulled her knife out, flipping it out swiftly and letting it spin on her hand, startling the others. "I can take care of myself," She winked.
"Is that always on you!?" Hana gasped, "I knew it! This is why Lenny doesn't scare you! Nothing phases this girl!" She hollered to the street.
"Shh! Keep it down!" Rory put his finger on Hana's lips and smiled at her giggling.
"That doesn't mean you are safe," Leo insisted, his brows furrowing together as he started to walk towards her again.
Esme held her hand up, stilling after the wind blew across that distinguished scent towards her. "I'll be fine! I'll text you when I get in, guys, don't worry!" Esme replied and spun around, ignoring any other attempts at Leo walking her home.
"Please do let us know when you are in!" Leo called after her as she continued to walk down the street. Esme stopped after hearing their footsteps and turned back towards the alley the bar was at.
There was another rogue in the area, and it seemed they weren't covering their scent. It was too strong and obvious.
They were testing her.
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