Stay from me

[seline pov]

Austin remained silent for a while, as I wondered what was going through that mind of his. Why does he care so much about what happens between me and Loyd if he's so sure he doesn't want me as his mate? What does he really want? He took some steps forward—still no word—and I was still unable to read his expression.

But I didn't retreat backward.

"You need to stay away from him, Seline," I heard Austin say. "I don't want you near him."

Was that a command or request? I wasn't sure, but the sudden words—

"Why?" I asked. "Why should I stay away from him? And why do you care so much about that?"

The truth was there. After Loyd and I exchanged contacts the other day we hadn't discussed much. He had called me during my shift at Flora's restaurant. We both talked for a while.

"I would like to meet with you again, Seline," he had said. I was sure he was just trying to get a date between us. I could tell that much from all the signs. But at least he cares even after knowing that I was a hybrid. He doesn't look down on me.

"He is dangerous, Seline. I can tell that much," Austin said—his words brought a soft chuckle from me. I scoffed.

"Really?" I said. "You don't have to act like you care about me all of a sudden." I laughed.

"What do you mean?"

"Loyd is different. He treats me better. Doesn't look down at me with disgust—just like you," I said.

"Don't you understand, Seline? Stay away from him." Austin said this time, grabbing my hand—his grip tightened more than earlier. His eyes narrowed, darkening—and for a moment I wondered why he was behaving this way.

Why does he want me to stay away from Loyd so badly? I still couldn't understand that much. How can he say Loyd is dangerous when they just met? I jerked my hand off his.

"You don't get to tell me what to do, and who I should meet or can't stay with." I said this time, turning away from him and making my way leaving. A side of me felt good with the fact that I had stood up to him—I didn't back off. How many times was I even planning to run? I had to face these feelings. But, why? Austin's words still echoed in my mind—Loyd dangerous. That's not true. I had no idea why Austin would have gone through such lengths just to make me stay away from him. Or why he suddenly cares so much who I stay with. "Was he jealous?" When I stared at those eyes of his. I couldn't tell that much, but he was wrong. Loyd was different from the rest of them.

Not long after walking I finally got sight of the bar. But just when I had hoped to make my way inside, I watched Zane stepping outside. His presence suddenly caused me to stop in my tracks.

"Oh, so you're here," he said, checking the time on a wristwatch of his. "Seems you don't plan on taking the bar rules so seriously now."

I knew he must be talking about the fact that I was late to work today. If only those women and Austin hadn't shown up.

"Something came up," I said—but he only chuckled out loud.

"Really?" he said as he took some steps forward; his bodyguards weren't with him today. "I thought you mentioned taking care of the nuisance that occurred in the bar yesterday," I heard him ask. It only seemed like he had found out about it before I was even able to tell him.

"I…" I stammered trying to explain, only to feel his hands on my cheek—one that traced to my jaw forcing my chin up.

"You know how much I hate it, Seline, when you mess things up." He whispered. "The rules are there—so follow them. Don't make me do this again. There is surely a limit to my mercy." He added as he withdrew his hands after.

"Take care of things, will you?" Zane made his way leaving after. I found myself letting out a deep breath, one that I had held for a long while. The fact that he only left a warning, was something I couldn't believe.

I entered the bar and resumed the bartender seat, serving the customers, while some stood near my side drinking.

A thought came—wondering if Loyd was going to show up today. While I hoped Austin wouldn't. I could still feel his hard grip on my wrist.

Minutes went by slowly, turning to hours and just before I knew it, it was the evening hours with my shift done. I made my way outside the bar. I still had little time before my work at Flora's restaurant. A thought came to mind, to go check on Mom. I had to make dinner for her, and I still hoped she would have eaten the breakfast left for this morning. Mom's drugs were also still with me—she had to take them tonight.

I made my way, taking the street route. It didn't take me that long before I arrived back, standing right in front of my apartment. But just before I reached for the handle, something felt wrong. I twisted the handle, pushing the door open, as I made my way inside.

"Mom," I said, calling my mom's name—but received no response... an awful silence echoing through the room. I made my way to Mom's room only to catch sight of her lying on the bed unconscious, with two odd men standing beside her.

"So you're back," one of them said.

I froze. Who were they, why were they here, and what did they do to my mom?

"Mom," I said, my legs moving before I could even hold a thought—I made my way in haste, my hands reaching for my mom.

"Mom, wake up, Mom. Please—you have to wake up, Mom..." I said not knowing when those tears started streaming down my eyes.

"Don't worry. She is just sleeping," a voice drew my attention as I noticed a man making his way in. My eyes meeting his—they widened, stunned.

"We didn't come for her anyway. We came for you," another man making his way in said. It can't be. I knew the two of them... wouldn't say that really. They only showed up whenever it was time. The two debt collectors, mom had loaned from.

"Let's have a talk outside, Seline. I'm sure you don't want your mom seeing what happens next." Kane said as I gently stood up, leaving a gaze back at Mom before I was led outside the room to the seating room. Awaiting me there were five men, one I was sure came with the two of them.

"What do you want, Kane?" I asked as he chuckled. "What do I want?" he said. "Isn't it clear that I am here for my money? When do you plan on paying it?" he asked.

"I just need time... when I have the money I will—" I wanted to say, only to watch him taking a step further.

"Time?" he whispered. "I am sorry, Seline—but I don't have that to offer you at the moment." My back joint met with the wall as I stopped in my tracks, with him standing close—way too close.

"I will get you your money, Kane, I promise." I said, pleading. "You have no choice, Seline, but I can't just leave here now without nothing, can I?" He said, a smirk playing on his lips. "I mean how would that sound in my image?" he added and in a blink, I watched his claws emerged from his hands.

"My regards." He said before those claws sliced right through my cheek—a sharp pain exploding as my blood trickled down. The sting was there—tears wanted to pour out. My mouth tried to groan but I tried hard, hiding it all, knowing that will only bring more trouble from him, he was a monster in the end. I watched him leave with his men as i crumbled to the ground, eyes shut. My hands reaching for my cheek as the blood dripped in droplets on my palm.

"Don't think I'm soft like that fool, Seline. We are not done. Not until I collect every last dime—you and that silly mother of yours owe me." My closed eyes slowly opened. It was Marcus, seated on the couch with his legs crossed.

"Bring her," he ordered as one of his men approached me—and in a blink his hand reached for my hair, dragging it.

"Ah!" those groans escaped my lips before I could contain it. He forced me up only to throw me right to the ground in front of Marcus; my head hitting the floor as Marcus legs stomped hard on my head.

I wanted to lay a request, hoping he would also stop. I can't scream—I had to hold the pain. Mom was sleeping—the last I wanted was to wake her.

The men stood there all laughing as Marcus bent down a bit, his eyes meeting mine that streamed with tears.

"Where is my money, Seline?" he asked again, but I left no words; I had none.

"Please," I wanted to plead—only for his hand to grip my throat hard—causing my words to choke.

"I am not playing games here. I'm sure you don't want to mess with me. I will say this again: don't think I'm soft like that coward." He said. " I don't care if I have to kill you to get my money." he added as I gasped harder for air.

"Destroy the whole place and find me my money," he said, turning his gaze back to his men as he removed his hands from my throat. In a blink I watched one of the men smash the table into pieces, as the other threw the chairs.

"No..." I muttered. "Please don't..." whispers kept escaping my lips—they didn't stop. They raided my room. I didn't move from where I lay on the ground. I could hear the glass smashing, the wood breaking, and the sound of torn clothes. Freezing at that point—why was this all happening? This can't be. Why? Why must I face all this?

"Boss, look what we found," one of the men came out—only for me to find him holding some money. No—this was from my savings, for a year now. I was hoping to use it for Mom's treatment when it was completed. I hadn't even raised half of the money, due to the high fees of the hospital."

"No, not that,"I said, taking to my feet, hoping to reach and grab the money—but a hard slam on my cheek caused me to crumble back to the ground, my head hitting the wall as I fell down. A side of my eyes welling as my vision suddenly grew blurred. I could feel more blood trickling down.

"So you were hiding this all this while," he said, chuckling. Even if I couldn't see him clearly I couldn't help but notice that smirk playing on his lips.

My sight was fading slowly while I watched Marcus approach me. "This isn't the end Seline, know that." He whispered, chuckling after, as everything went blank.

I woke up feeling the same sharp ache on my head. My legs couldn't move for a while—and when I was able to manage a sight, they weren't there again. Marcus had left. I made my way to my room, gazing upon the piece of torn clothes. The windows broken and some of my pillows ripped apart, with the photo frames shattered.

I checked my mom's room—finding her still asleep. I made my way outside, walking through the street—every thought of mine going back to the memory of what had just happened. They would still be back—they weren't going to let me go that easily.

I found myself standing right in front of the lake that night. As my eyes caught sight of an old man—he seemed to be new in town. And from a sight I could tell he was a warlock.

He was gazing up at the sky with a smile on his face. I left no words—merely gazing at the sky also. Nothing feels alright, nor feels like they will ever be okay again.

"I am tired," I whispered, wiping the tears that flowed down my cheeks.

"Are you alright, dear?" a voice drew my attention back to the old man. I left no words. He was enjoying his time. The last thing he would want was to ruin it with mine.

"You want me to help you with those bruises?" he asked.

As I replied, "No." The pain engulfed every part of me. But my whole concern wasn't on the wound—they were sure to heal soon.

All that echoed in my mind right now was: would this really be the way? Would everything ever be better?

I hated it all. The fact that even with all I had tried I still ended up like this. Mom treatment money—the same one I had been saving for so long, was now gone in just a second. My hand curled into a fist as I bit my lips. Some tears still finding their way, trailing down my eyes.

Minutes went by—and just then I noticed that the wounds weren't yet healed. It only seemed they would need a strong healing potion. I was able to tell that much—that my shifter abilities weren't really working.