Chapter 2 2

Aderyn's Point Of View

It has been a crappy long day. I slid a jacket on, remembering how my day went from the violent buzzing of the alarm clock to the attacks made by those lunatics. I cursed at the loan sharks, and then a sweet feeling hit me as I stopped in my tracks.

That gaze... at least something good came out of this rugged day.

I continued walking as my skin was still affected by the heavy gaze that handsome stranger threw from across his table in the cafe, yet it gave me an uncomfortable chill down my spine.

I moved a little faster as a lingering shadow lurked behind me, and my heart began pounding heavily against my chest.

“Could they have found me?” I whispered silently under my breath, taking a turn, moving as fast as my legs could go. I watched as they moved past me; they looked familiar, but I was too worried to care.

The last thing I need was more fucking complications in my life. I took another exit from where I hid, going in the opposite direction when I froze.

They were right in front of me, my stalkers. Before I could touch my wrist to where my special bracelet hung loosely, I was zapped, falling to the floor when I was caught by one of them. The only thing that swallowed my eyes was a blurry vision of my abductors.

1-2-3,1-2-3,1-2-3.

Slowly, I jerked my eyes open. Still feeling somewhat dizzy from the zapping, I managed to get the aching pieces of my mind together as I pulled myself up.

My eyes widened when I saw where I found myself. A room.

I looked around and finally realized I was on a bed. Immediately, my senses returned to normal. It was a well-structured room, massive to be exact, with a nice perfume that filled up the air around following the glint of sun rays. I hurried to the door, trying to get it opened but it was locked.

Stupid door.

I looked around the room for something, anything that could be used as a weapon. Then the echoes from the hallway became closer as I reached down to my wrist and pulled out my bracelet, something I should have done years ago.

I wasn't going to just wake up and attack, at least not yet. My kidnappers hadn't exactly done anything. Looking at my clothing to my body, I let out a relieved sigh.

I placed a hand on the doorknob and using my magic, I chanted a few words. Then the door twitched open.

I haven't practiced for years now, but again, I wasn't rusty. I walked towards where the violent voices came from.

"Seriously, a human," A voice hissed in disgust as I moved into the room where three figures stood in shock upon seeing me. I recognized immediately the one in the middle tailing him to the handsome stranger at the cafe.

"Luna, you are supposed to be in your room" I heard one say, moving closer to me as if to take me away before I will be eaten by the devouring eyes of the middle guy. Ignoring his words, my eyes held his stare.

I could swear I saw his eyes change from a streaking yellow to blazing red, then to an Amber, which also held mine. Something felt strange; I couldn't describe it, but when I decided to say something, only one word came out.

“Dreamy. Seriously?” I spanked myself subconsciously.

"Where am I?" I asked still looking straight at him. "And more importantly why did you hoodlums kidnap me?"

"Well-" The other began to clear out his throat after seconds of silence. “I'm Travis, and this is Morgan..." He strained his head sideways, somewhat asking the other fellow for help. "We are sorry for the little discomfort we put you through while coming here but believe us we don't mean harm"

"Little discomfort, I got fucking zapped" My head hurts as hell. I heard a light chuckle coming from the handsome yet infuriating.

Was he laughing at me?

"And what? Is he usually dumb, or is his favorite hobby staring holes in a face?" My head tilted a little, and my bitchy hat was on.

A low growl erupted in the room. "That's enough, I've had it with that bratty attitude of yours. You are in my territory and need I say I demand respect,”

"What kind of criminal deserves respect after kidnapping, and need I say... "I said using the same damn tone he used on me. "You are quite an asshole, too," with that, I found myself being flung to the wall by this maniac.

I gasped for air as he was being dragged away from me.

"Alpha, relax," Travis said low, dragging him out the door as Morgan helped me to sit properly on a chair. "Lunatic," I managed to say loudly enough so he could hear me.

After what seemed like forever he came back into the room with his best attitude and a relaxed nerve.

"Let's start all over," He settled in the chair opposite mine. "My name is Dylan Black. This is Travis and Morgan, as you already know, and you are in my mansion."

That was all. Seriously? This guy was definitely strange.

I tried introducing myself but I was cut off abruptly.

"I know who you are Miss Hale. You're Aderyn Hale, live at a condo beside Avenue Park, studied Event management, work morning and afternoon at Haven's cafe, and are 22 years of age."

'What the hell' My inner thought yelled.

How does he know so much? Do I owe him or something?

I looked intently at him for some facial recognition. Nothing, even if I did owe him I wouldn't know.

"Looks like someone did some research. Only you are missing the part what the hell am l doing here?" My turn to speak, ignoring my question he continued.

"I see, Miss Hale, that you are fond of borrowing, a hobby you are quite accustomed to." An annoying smirk grew across his lips. "You took more shifts to pay off your debts, but you and I know that's not happening, seeing how many people you owe."

"Okay. Dickinson-" I was cut off.

"It's Dylan." He snapped back.

"Not that I care," I said. "How does my personal life and hobby seem to interest you?"

"I can pay off your debts to the last penny."

Again, he ignored my question, but I got more interested when he mentioned the paying part.

"Elaborate," I leaned forward.

"See, every dime you owe, I'll repay it for you but on one condition.”

Seriously, what now does he want to say?

"You work for me," He finally said.

He wants me to work for him. "Wow...isn't it amazing how you kidnap someone just so you can offer a job?" I said as he threw the other two, standing an angry look. "So what, you want me in on your gang of kidnappers or your junky buddies or something?"

He butted in. "No, I want you to work here at the house, as an event planner. This year, we will be organizing several events that's why. And you'll be living here as well."

I'll be damned to say NO. Was he being for real? Just to work here as an event planner and I'm free of my debts.

I began to imagine life without those loan sharks. It would be great.

"For how long?" I looked at him, caring to be interested in the time period when, after the debts had been paid and I was bored as hell in here, I could leave without them having the power to stop me or even locate me.

"For a while." He looked at Morgan and Travis, who let out a disapproving look.

"Just a while?" I cut at his words. "Seriously, you have to be more specific. I need to know for how long?"

"Miss Hale, the debt you owe isn't exactly one that can be worked off easily," He drew in a breath. "If you agree to this, here is the contract" I huffed as he dashed a handful of papers on the table.

"Why me? And what's the special reason you want me to stay, cause it pretty clear there's more to your offer"

"All you need to know is you need me more than I need you," He shot back his irritating look.

Gosh, if I didn't need this so bad I would have given him a taste of his own medicine.

My imagination began to wander far to the look on his face when the time came and I fled after my debts had been paid.

My inner thought gave out the most devious laugh it could conjure. I took the pen that he held out, drawing the paper closer as I flipped to where my signature was needed.

"You are not going through it?" He asked.

"No need," I continued, giving the paper a stroke with the pen. And I was done.

"Then I guess it's a deal," He said as I nodded in agreement, turning to see the two standing, beaming with joy that could explode the whole place."I'll send a copy to you next morning." He brought out his hands, which I took as a sign of agreement.

Instantly, a spark of electricity erupted at the contact, sending waves of tingling sensation to my entire body.

He jerked back, shooting me looks with an unreadable expression.

Perhaps he felt it, too?