One Night From Ruin

Sage’s POV

“Fifty per night,” The half dressed lady with thick red lips said to a man inside his car. 

I walked past the lady and others dressed alike, as well as the bargaining men trying to bag a girl to please them for the night. 

Despite the noise that came from the bar, I was still drowning in my misery, with Cyrus words replaying in my head.

“You exist to heal me. Nothing more.”

My wolf whimpered in pain. 

Desperate to get this dread feeling out of my head, I stepped into the bar, the heavy music almost deafened me. It felt like I had walked into a different world entirely. 

I made my way through the sea of bodies swaying under the red light, making my way to the counter.

 I had never been here before. I wasn’t even sure what to order, so when the bartender walked up with a towel thrown over his shoulder and asked what I wanted, I just stared at the bottles behind him, looking for the one that caught my eyes. He was patient, though, smiling as if he could see how lost I was.

“First time?” the bartender asked gently.

I nodded. Lying felt pointless. “Yeah. First time.”

He studied me for a second, asking a few other questions about my preference before going ahead to pour me a drink the color of burnt honey and sliding it across the counter.

I stared at it, fingers curling around the glass. I hesitated only for a second before lifting it to my lips.

The burn hit immediately. 

I didn’t stop even when my head began to feel heavy. At some point I totally lost track with what was happening around me. All I knew was that the next moment, the bartender was waking me, a tired expression in his eyes. 

“Hey… sweetheart. You gotta wake up.”

I groaned softly, blinking until the bartender came into focus. He didn’t look angry. Just tired. Like he’d seen this scene too many times.

“Bar’s closing. You can’t sleep here.”

“I—sorry,” I muttered, pushing myself upright. The room tilted violently. I gripped the counter until it steadied. “I don’t usually… I’ve never…”

“It’s okay,” he cut in gently. “Just get home safe.”

Home.

The word hollowed me out.

I nodded and stumbled toward the door.

The cold night air kissed my skin as soon as I stepped out. The street was mostly empty. It must be really late cause all the ladies that stood in front of the bar had suddenly vanished. 

My steps were uneven, my head pounding with every movement.

I didn’t notice the footsteps following me at first. Or maybe my instincts did, but the alcohol dulled them.

“Hey… pretty girl.”

My stomach clenched.

“Where you headed in such a hurry?”

I kept walking.

“Come on,” he murmured, reaching out. “I’ll take real good care of you.”

I flinched as his fingers brushed my wrist. A sickening chill spread through me.

“Let me go,” I screamed.

He smirked and with a quick snap, he pinned me against the wall. 

I struggled, heart pounding so hard. My wolf whimpered inside me—weak, caged, useless. I’d never been allowed to train. Never allowed to fight. And now I hated Cyrus more for that. 

“What do you want?” I cried. “Money? I’ll give you anything.”

He didn’t listen. Instead he began to kiss my neck violently. The feeling of his lips on my skin made me puke on him. 

His eyes darkened as he looked down at himself. “How dare you?” The sound was followed by a resounding slap. 

He pressed me harder against the wall, already unbuckling his pants. I struggled, but my strength couldn’t save me. 

“Let her go!” I heard suddenly, firm. The tone didn’t sound like a request. 

I tried to make sense of the figure in the dark night. His height and huge stature were the only things I could take note of, considering the darkness. He was nothing less than six foot five. 

His hands were tucked carelessly in his pants, yet he managed to exude such heavy aura without putting in effort. It was unlike anything I had felt before. 

 My attacker turned defiantly. “Who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to…” 

Before he could complete the statement, he was struggling for air. The six foot man didn’t even move a finger, he just kept staring intensely at my attacker as he struggled like an invisible force around his neck. 

My Fear heightened, combined with curiosity. 

Who is this man?

The previous attacker couldn’t hold it back any longer, he cried for help. “Please sir… Please don’t kill me!” 

My eyes moved from my attacker to my defender times and times again, confused on what to do. 

My attacker was gasping so hard that I became scared. “Please let him go.” I pleaded.

The six foot man didn’t flinch, he just stared at my attacker for a little longer. The next moment, I noticed my attacker fell to the ground in relief. 

Suddenly, the six foot man was no where to be found. 

Was this some drunk dream or what? I thought to myself. Pinching myself a little to be sure I wasn’t dreaming. 

Remembering that I was in the middle of the empty streets, I picked up my pace again. Walking faster this time. 

An engine rolled up behind me.

I kept walking. Not until I felt that same Aura. 

It was him.

“Get in!” He ordered.