06

I wore a long sleeved Rib-knit dress. It was short, barely covering my ass. It accentuated my slim figure and to be honest, looked casually hot. I’d stared at the rest of my clothes before I picked this one out. I wanted so badly to throw on a Jean and top. Something I’d feel comfortable in but I had a feeling that would even bring more attention to me. Plus, that type of dressing was just so out of place here so I settled for this one instead. 

I styled my hair with curls, did a little bit of makeup before I stepped out. I needed to look as confident as I did yesterday. I couldn’t go out of character. Not right now. So I forced myself not to think about the fact that I was in the midst of monsters, or that my identity might just about to be exposed.

On my way to the address on the letter, I met a few people I’d seen at the party last night. Something was off in the way they looked at me. Almost as if there was something on my face. Then the way their voices reduced into a whisper. It made my heart race, knowing something was terribly wrong. 

I went up a set of stairs when an attendant bowed deeply at me as I passed. This part of the ship was mostly quiet as if there was some kind of magical barrier on it. But of course that was not possible. The place looked grand, diamonds encrusted chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, super shiny marble floors and there, in the distance, I saw the group.

Leo, Jeffrey, Emily, and Landon. Emily was laughing at something Leo had said. And Jeffrey was hitting Leo playfully and Landon, he just sat there, cold and aloof, sipping his drink, looking bored as hell. 

My heart started to race. Was it him who called me here? He was the only one who could’ve discovered my secret. I inched closer until one of them noticed me.

Leo.

He quickly waved me over, smiling the moment he saw me.

I hesitated, the confusion evident on my face.

Was this some kind of trap?

Still, I went over and Leo pulled out a seat for me.

“I was worried you wouldn’t come.” Leo said and I looked at him slowly.

“You… you were the one who sent the letter?”

Leo grinned. “I can hear your heart beating so fast, Nara. Are you that afraid of people finding out you spent the night with Landon?”

Landon?

This was about spending the night with Landon?

I blew out a secret sigh of relief. And here I thought I was about to be exposed.

When I looked up, I met Landon’s burning gaze. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking so I looked away, nervously pouring myself a drink. 

Before I could have a sip though, someone snatched the drink from my hand. I looked up to see Landon frowning at me.

“Wasn’t this how you ended up in my room last night? Drunk.”

“What—“

“I’ll be keeping this unless you think you actually want me taking you to bed.” His eyes were burning holes in me and I felt something like anger bubbling in my chest. 

What was he trying to do? One moment, he was acting like he absolutely loathed me and the next he was throwing ambiguous comments like this.

“Actually, last night, I mistook your room for a hot guy I’d met. If I knew it was yours…” I didn’t finish my words but I was sure he got the message.

All eyes were on us now. I could feel that Leo was having the best time of his life, barely stopping himself from going ballistic. 

Landon threw me a look that made my legs turn to jelly. God, why was he so fucking terrifying? 

The air was thick with tension. With me and Landon staring at each other, none of us looked away. And just then, someone walked in.

“What is going on here?” 

Kain. 

I breathed out a sigh of relief and looked away from Landon. I almost couldn’t handle his intimidating stare. And thank God Kael was properly dressed this time. Well, he was also wearing my shirt. My baggy shirt which so happened to have become tight on his big frame, clinging to his muscles and chest. 

“What the actual fuck?” Leo looked like he couldn’t believe his eyes, almost as if he recognized Kain was wearing my shirt. 

Emily glared at me and whispered ‘whore’ like she couldn’t think of anything more original and Jeffrey just looked amused, his eyes moving from me to Kain and then to Landon. 

“Something is definitely going on between you two. Nara, don’t tell me you’ve slept with Kain too?” Leo asked, and then gasped dramatically.

“But wait, that wouldn’t make sense. There’s not enough time for you to shag both men—“

“There’s nothing going on between me and any of them.” I said in a low voice but with a tone that said i wanted nothing to do with them.

“Then why the hell does Kain reek of your scent? It’s almost as if… as if you two have been all over each other.”

All over each other? How could they tell that? I didn’t even touch Kain. My eyes snapped towards the shirt. My shirt. And Kain smirked at me, like he’d done that purposely. 

I hurried to explain. “It’s my shirt. I borrowed it to him this morning. I didn’t expect him to still be wearing it.”

Kain sighed and sniffed the shirt, closing his eyes as if it were something delicious. “I couldn’t bear to part with it. I hope you don’t mind me keeping this, Nara.”

I wanted to tell him that I did mind. That was my favorite shirt but a voice rang out. Deep and powerfully authoritative.

“Take it off.” Landon said, shooting an icy glare in Kain’s direction. 

I heard the whole room take in a gasp then they looked at each other in confusion. The room suddenly felt too stuffy as both men engaged in a heated stare battle.

“Why?” Kain asked cooly but his voice was laced with darkness. “Why does it bother you, Landon?”

“Take the fucking shirt off, Kain.” Landon said. His expression appeared calm but I could see him struggling as if he was trying to rein back something and then his eyes flashed with a golden glow.

Leo grabbed my hand, shaking, not out of fear but excitement.

“Nara, are you sure you’ve not met Landon before? This is the first time I’m seeing him reacting like this.”

I also did not understand it. Why was he so bothered Kain was wearing my shirt? I mean, it was nothing. Why was he being so scary?

“Nara does not belong to you so Landon, I don’t think you have any right to direct me on anything concerning her. She’s not yours.” Kain said, and silence passed for a few seconds but it felt like hours before Landon finally stood, his chairs scraping back with a loud noise. 

He swept his gaze through everyone before they landed on me. He strode towards me and my heart was beating even faster as he  picked me up from my seat. I didn’t know what to do. His expression was unreadable and the way he looked at me sent shivers down my spine.

I was confused and excited and panicking. What was he trying to do now?

Landon slowly guided me towards the table and placed me on it. Everyone watched in anticipation as he pushed my thighs apart.

I should be stopping this. Not looking like a confused fool. But I couldn’t. My blood was roaring loudly in my ears. My body temperature spiking and my core tightening as Landon positioned himself between my thighs. 

Fuck!

The whole room had their eyes fixed on us as Landon slowly leaned down. His breath mixed with mine, his nose grazed mine lightly and I closed my eyes, my lips instinctively parting as Landon claimed them. 

The kiss was soft, calculated until he placed his hand at the back of my head and deepened it. His tongue slipped into my mouth, moving skillfully against my tongue, tasting me, licking my lips.

It was intoxicating. I’d forgotten how to breathe but I didn’t even care. I could feel my underwear dampening with heat and liquid as he continued to kiss me, until he’d stolen all my senses from me.

And when he broke the kiss, it didn’t undo the spell he’d casted upon me. I instinctively reached out to draw him back needily, to stop him from breaking the kiss when I came back to my senses and froze.

Landon turned slowly, specifically looking at Kain as he said four words that instantly made my whole world spin.

“Now she is mine.”

Anger replaced the lust I felt. It bubbled deep within me and before I knew it, before I could control myself, I slapped Landon. Hard.

The room went deathly still and my face paled.