You're Mine

Now inside the car, Elara let the cool breeze from the open rooftop blow through her hair, tangling the silky strands as it carried away the weight of her troubles, if only for a fleeting moment. The night air was crisp, refreshing against her flushed skin, momentarily numbing the restlessness simmering inside her. For a brief moment, she closed her eyes, pretending that the weight of her troubles had disappeared. But it was only an illusion. One that would vanish the moment reality came rushing back.

With a deep sigh, she turned to her friends, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the whooshing wind. her tone laced with both curiosity and mild frustration.

"Where the hell are we going?" Her tone laced with both curiosity and mild frustration.

Lila and Hyla exchanged knowing smirks before responding in unison, their voices teasing yet secretive.

"Oh, you'll see when we get there."

Elara sighed, shaking her head. It wasn't as if she had much of a choice. These two always did whatever they wanted, dragging her along for the ride. It wasn't long before the car pulled up in front of a vibrant, neon-lit building, the thumping bass of music vibrating through the very pavement beneath her feet.

Elara's stomach dropped.

A club?

They had brought her to a club.

Seriously?!

Her lips parted in disbelief as she turned to her so-called best friends, her brows furrowed in disapproval.

"Lila, a club? Seriously?"

Lila, ever the free spirit, linked arms with her, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"C'mon, babe! Let's go clubbing and shake off that stress. You've been sulking for way too long."

Before Elara could protest, Hyla grabbed her hand and practically dragged her toward the entrance. "You'll thank us later!"

The bouncers barely spared them a glance before letting them in. Lila had a reputation in places like this, and Hyla always knew how to charm her way past security.

The moment they stepped inside, Elara was hit by an overwhelming wave of pulsating music, flashing strobe lights, and the heavy scent of alcohol mixed with expensive cologne. The dance floor was packed, bodies moving rhythmically under the dazzling lights, lost in the euphoric haze of music and liquor. Couples swayed intimately, their laughter blending with the beat, while others lounged in VIP sections, drowning themselves in extravagant drinks and whispered conversations.

Elara turned her head, searching for her friends, but the moment she blinked, they had already disappeared.

She found them soon enough, Lila and Hyla had both hooked up with men in record time. The two of them were twisting their bodies against their respective partners, completely immersed in the moment.

Elara sighed. Typical.

"What a great way to bring me here, only to abandon me immediately," she muttered under her breath.

She wasn't in the mood to dance, nor did she want to deal with drunk men trying to flirt with her. Feeling utterly out of place, she made her way to the bar and slumped onto a stool.

"One bottle of your strongest drink," she ordered.

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Just give it to me," she snapped.

Moments later, the bottle was placed in front of her. Elara wasted no time, uncorking it and pouring herself a generous amount before downing the entire glass in one go. The alcohol burned as it slid down her throat, but it was exactly what she needed something to dull the ache in her chest, to drown out the sad thoughts that haunted her every waking moment.

She poured herself another.

As she lifted the glass to her lips, someone slid into the seat opposite her.

Elara barely acknowledged them at first, too absorbed in her own misery. But when she glanced up, her breath caught in her throat.

The man sitting across from her was breathtakingly beautiful.

His silver eyes gleamed under the dim lighting, sharp and piercing, as if they could see right through her. His dark silver hair fell effortlessly around his face, adding to his mysterious allure. His features were delicate yet masculine, perfectly sculpted, like a being carved by the gods themselves.

Yet, despite his beauty, there was something dangerous about him.

His presence was commanding, powerful, as if he belonged to a world beyond her reach.

Elara ignored him, pouring herself another drink.

The man, however, didn't seem to like that. He cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the loud music with ease.

"You know, it's not exactly safe for a girl like you to be drinking alone in a club. Someone could take advantage of you."

Elara scoffed softly, not even bothering to look at him as she poured herself another drink.

"I'm not alone. I came with my friends."

The man raised an eyebrow. "And where are these so-called friends of yours?"

Elara pouted slightly, tilting her head toward the dance floor.

"They're…. partying."

The man smirked. "So, you're alone. For now." He leaned in slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "Which means, I'm the only one looking after you."

Before she could respond, his hand suddenly brushed against hers, stopping her mid-motion just as she was about to take another sip.

The contact made her freeze.

For a moment, she found herself trapped in his silver gaze, her breath hitching as an unfamiliar sensation coiled in her chest.

"Pretty girls like you shouldn't drink," he said, flashing her a charming yet authoritative smile. "No more drinking."

Elara narrowed her eyes at him, a mixture of annoyance and confusion brewing inside her.

"You!! Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?"

His smirk deepened, his fingers lingering lightly over hers before he finally pulled back.

"I'm Damien." He leaned slightly closer, his voice dipping into something dangerously smooth. "Let's just say I've taken an interest in you."

Elara's heart skipped a beat.

"So you're mine now, and that means you'll have to obey me." Damien added flashing her an evil grin.

At those words, she sobered up instantly.

Ha! Did this man even know who she was?

If he did, if he knew her stupid Identity, he wouldn't be sitting here, acting all charming and possessive. No, he'd be looking at her with disgust, just like everyone else.

She didn't take his words to heart.

Before she could respond, another imposing figure approached Damien, leaning down to whisper in his ear.

But Elara heard it clearly.

"The Supreme Alpha summons you. Now."

Damien sighed, his expression briefly flickering with something unreadable before he stood up.

"Duty calls, beauty." His silver eyes lingered on her for a moment longer. "Hopefully, I'll be back before you leave."

And just like that, he disappeared into the crowd, the mysterious man following closely behind him.

Elara watched his retreating figure, a strange sense of curiosity settling within her.

Since she could remember, men never approached her like this. Sure, they flirted with her until they found out who she was. The moment they learned her identity, as Elara the cursed omega, their interest vanished, replaced by sneers and whispers of disdain.

But he…

He didn't know yet.

Damien hadn't even asked.

Or rather, he had—but he hadn't gotten the chance to hear her answer.

If he did, would he have reacted the same way?

Shaking her head, she reached for her drink, but Damien's words echoed in her mind.

"Pretty girls like you don't drink."

For some reason, the memory made her cheeks heat up.

From the far end of the room, a pair of sharp, skeptical eyes were fixed on her.

The person clutched their phone, glancing between the text on their screen and the figure sitting at the bar.

What the hell is she doing here?

Or.… were their eyes starting to deceive them?