The Lycan King's lost night

Chapter 1

Sold

I stood inside the grand lobby of the Imperial Crown Hotel, my fingers nervously twisting the strap of my small handbag as I looked around. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above my head, casting golden light over the polished marble floor. Guests dressed in elegant gowns and tailored suits moved around me as though this luxurious place belonged to them. Their laughter blended with the soft melody of a piano, making everything feel like a dream I had somehow wandered into.

I had never been inside a hotel like this before.

Everything here was too beautiful, too expensive, and far beyond anything a girl like me could ever afford. Even the emerald-green dress clinging to my body felt borrowed from someone else's life. My father had bought it for me that morning, insisting that I looked perfect in it. He had even paid for my hair and makeup, something he had never done before.

It should have made me happy.

Instead, it filled me with a strange sense of unease that refused to leave my chest.

"Dad," I said as I looked at the man standing beside me, "are you going to tell me why we're here now?"

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I already told you," he said. "We're meeting someone who can help us," he replied. I frowned, he was behaving strangely.

"You've been saying that all day."

"And it's still true," he laughed.

"Who is he?" i asked again pressing the matter.

"A businessman," his answer was short and instant.

"What kind of businessman?"

"The kind who can solve our problems," he said looking at me before looking away. His answer only made me more suspicious.

Ever since gambling had consumed his life, my father had become a master at avoiding questions. There was a time when he used to tell me everything. Now, every conversation felt like I was speaking to a stranger wearing my father's face.

He glanced at his watch before gently touching my arm.

"The elevator is here," he said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I followed him without another word. The ride to the eighteenth floor was painfully quiet.

I kept stealing glances at him, hoping he would finally explain what was going on, but he never looked back at me. His foot tapped restlessly against the elevator floor while he rubbed his palms together again and again.

He was nervous. That wasn't like him. When the elevator doors opened, a hotel employee greeted us with a polite smile.

"This way, sir," the employee said leading us out of the elevator.

My father nodded before following the employee down a long hallway lined with expensive paintings and fresh flowers. Every door we passed looked identical until we stopped in front of a luxurious suite at the very end.

The employee swiped a keycard. The door clicked open.

"Enjoy your evening."

As soon as the employee walked away, my father turned toward me.

"I need to step out for a few minutes," my father said, looking down at his watch again. I blinked.

"We just got here," i said. something didn't feel right.

"I know."

"So why are you leaving already?" i asked

"I forgot to take care of something downstairs." he replied nervously. I folded my arms.

"You could've done that before we came up," i counter.

"I know," he said with an awkward laugh. "It'll only take five minutes."

Something inside me tightened.

"Dad..." He looked at me.

"I have a bad feeling." His smile faded for just a second before returning.

"You're worrying for nothing," he said with a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes.

"I don't think I am," i said, raising my eyebrows.

walking to the dinning table he picked up and handed me a glass of orange juice that had been sitting on the dining table.

"You barely drank anything today," he said

"I'm not thirsty," i said, gauging his reaction.

"Humor your old man," I hesitated before taking a small sip. It tasted slightly bitter. I wrinkled my nose.

"This tastes strange," i said, looking at the glass.

"It's probably imported," saying that, he forced another smile.

"You know rich people," he said. Despite my doubts, I took another sip before placing the glass back on the table.

"There," He nodded.

"That's my girl," he added.

For just a moment, his eyes filled with something that looked almost like guilt.

Before I could ask what was wrong, he turned and walked toward the door.

"I'll be back soon." saying that he walked out of the door, closing the door behind him.

I waited. Five minutes passed, then ten. I pulled out my phone and called him. The call went straight to voicemail. I tried again. Nothing.

"Dad?" I whispered to myself.

"Where are you?" I began pacing around the enormous suite.

The living room was larger than our entire apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city below, while a dining table had been prepared with food that looked too beautiful to eat.

None of it felt welcoming anymore. The silence inside the room grew heavier with every passing minute.

Then someone knocked on the door. Relief washed over me.

"You forgot your key already?" I said with a small smile as I hurried over. I unlocked the door. The smile disappeared.

Standing outside wasn't my father. It was an elderly man dressed in an expensive black suit.

His eyes slowly traveled over me before a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"I'm sorry," I said politely, taking a cautious step backward. "I think you've got the wrong room."

"No," he said calmly as he stepped inside without waiting for permission making me back up immediately.

"This is exactly the right room," he said. My heartbeat quickened at his words.

"Excuse me?" He quietly closed the door behind him.

"I've been looking forward to meeting you."

"I think you've mistaken me for someone else," i tried to reason with him.

"I haven't," saying that, he reached into his jacket and removed a folded document.

"Your father signed the agreement less than an hour ago." I stared at him as a dread washed over me.

"What agreement?" i asked, my voice barely audible

"The one settling his debt," he answered, lazily like he has all the time in the World. A cold chill crept down my spine.

"My father owes money," I admitted. "But I'll help him pay it back." The old man smiled, a smile that can make your soul crawl under your skin.

"Oh, child..."

"He already accepted my payment." I frowned.

"I don't understand," i said.

"You will," he replied. my whole body went numb. He folded the paper and slipped it back into his pocket.

"He couldn't repay what he owed," My stomach twisted at his words..

"So..."

"He sold the only thing he had left," I shook my head. No he is lying. my father won't do that to me.

"No."

"He sold you," he confirmed. The room seemed to spin around me.

My ears rang so loudly that I barely heard my own breathing.

"You're lying," I whispered.

"I wish I were," he said in an utterly calm voice.

"My father would never do that," i shook my head.

The old man's silence answered me before his words ever could. I stumbled backward until my legs hit the edge of the sofa.

My hands began trembling uncontrollably. Then I noticed something else. My body felt strangely warm. I blinked several times. The room blurred.

"W-what's happening to me?" The old man's expression didn't change.

"The drink is taking effect," he answered watching me like a predator. My eyes widened.

"You..."

I looked toward the half-empty glass sitting on the table.

"What did you do?" He took one slow step toward me.

"You'll stop fighting soon," he said, a creepy smirk appeared in his face.

Panic exploded inside my chest. I rushed toward the door and grabbed the handle. Locked.

"No..."

I pulled harder. The door refused to open. I pounded against it with both fists.

then i heard it, clicking sound of his belt and the rustling sound of clothes. i didn't dare to turn around.

"Help!" i screamed on the top of my lungs when I felt his hand on my waist, dragging me away from the door.

"Please! Somebody help me!" i screamed again when he, tore down my blouse. my hands flew hiding my bra cladded chest. i shivered when I saw him licking his lips as he stared at my chest.

"Nobody can hear you," he said, tearing my hand away from my chest as he looked at me with lust.

A tear rolled down my cheek. For the first time in my life. I realized my father hadn't abandoned me. He had sold me.

" make me happy and I will make you happier," he said, pulling me closer, trying to kiss me. I turned my head away and his lips landed on my neck.

Before the old man could come any closer again.....

A deafening crash shook the entire suite. The door burst inward with explosive force. The sound made him lose his grip on my waist and i immediately shoved him away, freeing myself from his grasp.

Splintered wood scattered across the marble floor. I gasped and looked up.

A tall man stood in the ruined doorway, rain dripping from his black coat.

His silver eyes swept across the room before stopping on me. The moment our eyes met, everything else disappeared.

Then his cold gaze shifted to the old man. His voice was calm. Dangerously calm.

"Step away from her."