Alpha's Sacrifice

EPISODE2

"What do you think? Isn't it fun?" Stella yelled in my face so that I could hear her above the loud music.

It actually was. We were barely five minutes in, and I already felt like I was having a great time. “Oh my Gosh yes!” I replied just as excited as she was. “I am glad you got me out of the house.” “Anytime love. Besides, you needed it today.” Stella was not only my roommate and friend. She also worked with me in the same studio. One downside of our job was having to deal with bratty rich parents. They were much worse than their bratty kids. Like today, for example, some air-headed snobby woman was annoyed that her daughter was not ‘Martha Graham’ level at 12 years old. It took a few ‘I’m sorries” and her ridiculing my teaching style and subsequently Stella’s interference for her to quiet down and stomp out of the studio. Even thinking of it made my blood boil. “Let’s check out the bar; I need a drink.” I muttered nodding at the bar that was set up a few feet away from us. “Yay!” Stella rejoiced and proceeded to pull me away towards the bar through sweaty bodies that told me we were definitely not the earliest for the night. “You know I can walk fine right.” I said under my breath. When we got to the bar. “What was that?” “It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

A bartender greeted us. "Hey, what can I get you?" He said with a smile, leaning forward so that we could hear him. Stella was right about a lot of things tonight. This bartender was gorgeous. He had blue eyes and jet black hair that was tied up in a low ponytail. It looked like he usually wore it down but tied it up just to get it out of his face. The hairs that didn’t make it into the ponytail created curtain bangs that framed his face, giving him a soft look, but that was where his soft features ended. He had a muscular build, and I could tell by how he towered over us that he was at least six feet two inches tall. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, showing off his full sleeve tattoos. And veiny hands. Stella gave me a look, lips mouthing, oh my days!. I mouthed back to her. I know! I cleared my throat to answer as it looked like Stella was still in her trance state. “A beer?” I said hesitantly. “Oh honey. You can’t come to De Luna and get a beer; that would be like going to Paris and spending your entire time in a hotel room.” At this Stella barked a laugh and then cleared her throat. Oh, she’s gone girl. I said to myself. “What do you suggest then since it would be a hate crime to just drink bare.” Stella asked finally thinking about something other than her cute little crush. “I can suggest the house cocktail. Luna Elixirs.” The bartender recommended, “It has a little bit of everything and tastes really sweet.” “I don’t know; I don’t want something strong.” I said still unsure whether I want to deal with a hangover on top of everything tomorrow morning.

"Oh come on Nyx, you already came this far, besides,— sorry I didn’t catch your name,” she said to the bartender. “My name is Philip.” He smiled at her, and I rolled my eyes at their obvious flirting. “My name is Stella.” She said back, a grin plastered on her face, and then turned back to me “—Philip says it tastes really good; you might as well enjoy the full experience and live a little! Two Luna Elixirs, please!" she told Philip. He mixed a bunch of stuff into a shaker, his hands making quick work of it that my eyes could barely follow. Stella stared at him in awe. I had the impression that her rapt at wasn’t because of his drink mixing skills. The bartender handed us drinks— tall glasses adorned with glowing ice spheres? I didn’t know they could make ice spheres. The drink was a bluish mixture, and a thin lemon slice perched at the rim of the glass.

We both took a sip out of our drink. "Okay, not bad," I admitted to Stella, who was already vibing to the beats of the DJ

“Right? I knew we could trust Philip.” She winked at the bartender. Oh my days.

“So is this your first time here?” Philip asked. “Yup.” Stella replied chirpily. “I had to convince Nyx to come along with a ton of begging.” “Oh?” He turned to me, “I am glad you agreed. I got to see two beautiful ladies.” A blush grazed Stella’s cheeks, and it was all I could do not to roll my eyes at them again. You’re laying it on thick, aren’t you? I would be happy for Stella if she hit it off with him though. Lord knows I could do fairly well with Stella being distracted. “Nyx, huh?” Philip continued. “The Goddess of darkness. It suits you.” “Ugh… don’t remind me of how terrible my mother’s choice of a name was.” I groaned covering my face with my hands in embarrassment. “You know? Werewolves believe that their salvation and equal destruction lie within the power of the goddess, Nyx.” “Trust me, I have no such power. See how easily Stella dragged me here. I can’t even trust myself with it.” I said, and we all laughed at my joke. “We all have a potential in us that is yet to be unlocked.” He stated rather seriously. I laughed nervously. “Well, werewolves are not real, so there won’t be any saving or destruction for me.” “How long have you worked here?” I sighed in relief as Stella took the attention of the conversation from me. I didn’t hear Philip’s reply as I had begun to scan the entire club.

De Luna had a magnetic pull to it. It felt like everyone inside was wrapped in the complete essence of it. The staff glided seamlessly through the crowd like they were in complete sync with everything and everyone. Honestly, I could understand the appeal of the Club. There was just something perfect about it. I returned attention back to my friend who was still flirting with Philip. The pulsating beats continued, and I tried to keep track of their conversation. I raised the straw back to my lips, but in that moment, everything else fell into a muted hush. I felt his presence before I saw him, a subtle shift in the air that drew my attention.

And then, there he was, the man Stella couldn't shut up about– A man I have never seen before but felt like I have known him for lifetimes, he moved with a fluidity that contradicted the frenetic energy of the club, his amber eyes piercing through the swirling lights with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Time seemed to slow as I took in his appearance. Tall and commanding, he moved with an effortless grace that demanded attention. His dark hair framed a face chiseled by shadows, and his eyes held a captivating intensity.

As he navigated through thecrowd, his presence sent a shiver down my spine, awakening a dormant awareness. It was as if the universe had hinged on this moment, and only I was privy to its significance. His attractiveness was undeniable, a magnetic force that held me captive. There was something about him, something that stirred a curious anticipation deep within me, like the promise of a storm on the horizon.

Those amber eyes met mine, and in that fleeting connection, my body reacted with a tingling warmth. A current passed through me, leaving an indelible mark. Did he feel it too? It was impossible to tell, yet I couldn't look away.

The rest of the crowd remained oblivious, lost in their lively celebration, as he continued his enigmatic journey through the pulsating lights and rhythmic beats. The world around us had dulled, and in that silent exchange, I felt the first stirrings of a connection that defied explanation.

Little did I know, this chance encounter would set in motion a series of events that would challenge the very fabric of my existence.

“Oh my days!” Stella gasped, also looking at what has caught my attention. She nudged me, causing me to spill some of my drink. “Are you seeing this?” “Yeah.” I said, the awe in my voice mirroring hers. I heard a chuckle behind me which snatched my attention back to reality. "I see you’ve encountered the owner. That’s Adriel.” Stella and I laughed at the choice of vocabulary. “Encountered?” I asked. “Yeah,” Stella interrupted. “You know, there’s just something about him. Looking at him isn’t just merely looking at him; he is more like an experience.” “Exactly.” Philip agreed.

"Heavens know what you both are on about," I said with a laugh, the amusement bubbling in my voice.

“Come on, I know we’re not the only one who sees it, I bet you think so too.” I shrugged my shoulders, causing her to release an annoyed groan. I laughed even more.

I knew what Stella was talking about, though. As I observed Adriel from a distance, a subtle curiosity stirred within me. There was an undeniable allure in the air, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter might lead to something beyond the ordinary.

My eyes searched until it landed on Adriel and trailed him up a secluded staircase until he was out of view. I shook my head and returned my attention back to Stella.

"To take our minds off things unattainable. Let's go dance together," Stella suggested, taking my drink and pulling on my hand.

I shook my head vigorously, loosening myself from her vice-like grip. "I have not finished my drink. Plus, I don't dance when a crowd can watch me."

"Oh, come on. You dance in front of people every day."

I did dance in front of people every day, but those were children. There was no judgment, and it felt wonderful to teach them and help them express themselves through dance. The club was so much more different from my little dance studio. There was nothing soothing about it. Just wild passion and abandon. I guess in a way, there was something beautiful about the club. The jungle-like nature of it.

"Those are kids, and it's for art."

"Potato-Potato." Stella doubled down. "Let's go, please." She blinked her eyes multiple times and pouted her lips.

"Fine," I succumbed, laughing at her antics, "but after I finish my drink."

Stella, ever the zestful companion, whisked me away the moment I downed the last of my drink. The dance floor embraced us with its pulsating energy, and as we surrendered to the rhythmic beats, the enigmatic allure of the amber-eyed man momentarily faded from my thoughts. I couldn't help the grin that filled my face as I moved to the rhythm of the beat.

"See? You're having fun; I told you this night was worth it!" Stella proclaimed, twirling me into the lively dance. “You’re right. For today at least, so don’t get cocky.” “Cocky is my middle name.” But for now, I pushed aside the nagging sense of foreboding, choosing instead to lose myself in the pulsating rhythm of the m

usic and the tantalizing promise of the night ahead.