Runaway Mate

Chapter 19

Axel

Axel stared at the young host behind the podium. She gazed at them with a very professional smile, her blue eyes never wavering. She was undoubtedly very beautiful with her long scarlet red hair and thin and toned body; she had a light amount of make-up on which only highlighted her natural beauty. Yet Axel felt no actual attraction towards her and he knew why he didn’t. There were two reasons. One, this woman, although very beautiful, could never hold a candle over the beauty of his true mate and, two; he knew what she was the moment he set eyes on her.

Her pale skin was the first indication, the second was the slight metallic smell of blood which she had failed to completely hide and her blue eyes were fake. He could tell that she was wearing contacts to hide the crimson irises of her true form. She was a vampire and they were wolves. They were natural enemies and the only reason she was being courteous towards him and Oscar was because it was her job and she was clearly very professional.

Neither of them said anything for a long time, clearly too busy inspecting the young woman and this made her smirk and c**k her head to the side.

“This is your first time here, isn’t it?” She asked, in a sickly sweet voice.

Axel never took his eyes from her; he’d always been taught to watch bloodsuckers, better to have the advantage on them than to turn your back and regret it. He nodded at her to indicate it was in fact their first time here.

“It is.” Oscar said, putting actual words to her question. “We have this.” He showed her the card.

She held out her hand for the card and, after a moment’s hesitation, he handed it to her. She glanced down at it and for a moment her face contorted into shock, but she quickly covered this with a sweet and professional smile again.

“This is a VIP card; may I ask how you acquired it?” She raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“A friend lent us his card.” Oscar quickly jumped in before Axel could tell the bloodsucker it was none of her damn business. “This is our first time in the city and he thought we could have a great first night here if we came to your establishment. And I must say, so far he is right, we’ve never been in a more magnificent building or met a more beautiful lady.” He winked at her, making a light blush creep up into her cold, pale cheeks.

The woman covered this up with a cough and handed the card back to Oscar.

“Very well, since this is your first time here, allow me to help guide you.” She said curtseying to them. “My name is Ruby; I am one of the hostesses here at Runagate. As you may have already guessed, Runagate is a place only for those like us, of the supernatural community. The main aim being to help those of us relax and enjoy ourselves, away from the prying eyes of mortals.” She flashed a wicked smile, but it quickly morphed into that professional one again. Axel was sure she wouldn’t mind a few stray humans around; they’d be walking talking snacks to someone like her.

“There are several floors to Runagate and the building is enchanted, so you need never worry about exposure. Each floor hosts a different…atmosphere.” She smirked. “You boys are in possession of the coveted VIP card, meaning you have access to every floor, every club and every bar Runagate has to offer. You’re lucky to have such a generous friend, not many would trust others with that card…” She eyed them, the corners of her lips curling.

“Yeah…We’re lucky.” Oscar shrugged, easily going along with his own lie.

“Hmm…” She considered them for a moment before continuing. “Since this is your first time here and you are so very lucky. I suggest you take advantage of the VIP lounge.” She gestured towards the large map behind her, which they had missed completely, too focused on keeping their eyes trained on the bloodsucker.

It was hung on the wall and it was huge. Each section seemed to represent one of the floors and had a name above it written in curly, italic writing and inside each floor were strange names.

“The VIP lounge is situated right on the top floor and is the highest ranked floor.” Ruby explained, gesturing to the top floor represented on the map. “As the name suggests, only VIPs have access and it is generally not open to the public. However, on a full moon, tickets can be purchased to enter the VIP lounge.” A dark smile curled her lips. “But they are extremely expensive and the full moon experience is very dangerous…” She chuckled to herself, as if remembering some inside joke.

Axel chose to ignore her dark musings and looked back at the map. He could see the VIP lounge right at the top in italics and written on the room were two names.

“Those are the performers for this evening.” Ruby explained, finishing with her own dark thoughts and phasing back into her professional perkiness. Axel looked over at her and noticed she was back to watching them carefully with her fake, blue eyes.

“What does it say though?” Oscar asked, squinting up at the board.

“It says; Siren and Lunarr.” Ruby answered, turning to look at him. “They are a duet pairing who perform mostly in the VIP lounge, they are crowd favourites among our more esteemed guests.” She smiled, and for the first time since they had met the odd vampire, Axel noticed that this smile was genuine and not forced or dark. But it was soon replaced by the fake smile again, as she beamed at them.

“So what do you say gentlemen? Would you like to experience our VIP lounge?” She asked, fluttering her dark eyelashes.

Oscar looked at Axel and he could clearly see the excitement in his Beta’s eyes, he was acting like a little kid who had just been offered candy. Axel inwardly groaned, thinking of having to sit through a performance where he was sure to have to watch and listen to two love-sick fools sing and dance with each other. Considering how long it had been since he had even laid eyes on his mate, he really didn’t fancy having to see others in love.

But he looked at Oscar and nodded. His Beta deserved a reward. After all, he had put up with Axel for years now while he searched for his mate, he had travelled across the continent at the drop of a pin whenever they got word of her somewhere and not once did he complain or try to get out of helping Axel find her. He was even with Axel at his weaker moments, where he shamelessly drowned his sorrow and loneliness in alcohol. Oscar kept him company and made sure he didn’t do anything stupid or anything he would later regret; constantly reminding him that she was out there somewhere and that they would find her.

Oscar's eyes lit up when Axel agreed and he turned excitedly towards Ruby, who again for a split second had a genuine smile on her face when she saw his pure excitement, before she plastered her fake one on again.

“Please follow me.” She bowed slightly and then gestured for them to follow her.

She led them to a section of the room underneath the grand stairs, and before either of them could say anything a panel on the wall slid to the side, revealing a small and lavish elevator. She gestured for them to step inside. They did, but she did not follow them.

“This will take you straight to the VIP lounge.” She informed them. “As soon as the doors open a waitress will lead you to a table and fetch you drinks. Enjoy your evening, gentlemen.” She bowed her head again. The elevator door slid closed and she disappeared.

“Fancy…” Oscar murmured, looking around the small elevator. There was even a small chaise lounge at the back.

They barely had time to fully take in the details of the fancy elevator before the door slid open and a small figure appeared before them.

“Good evening.” She greeted them in a high, but alluring voice. “Please follow me.” The woman purred, as she looked up at them.

She was tiny and had a pointed face, with small sharp eyes that seemed to dance with mischief. Her hair was short and spikey, but seemed to only enhance her odd beauty. Even the smile she gave them seemed mischievous, like at any moment she would pull a practical joke on them and then laugh in her little high-pitched voice.

They allowed her to lead them into the room. It was definitely Axel’s kind of place. The room had small round tables and comfy arm chairs. There was a smell of cigar smoke and whiskey and he felt his eyes light up as he noticed the bar at the other end and the many amber-coloured bottles which were lined on the shelves. There was a large stage which all the tables and chairs were pointed towards and Axel groaned, thinking there had to be something to ruin the paradise he had stepped into. But he was sure he could ignore whatever was to happen on the stage later, if he drank enough.

Unluckily, the small woman led them to one of the free tables right at the front of the stage, which would make ignoring the performers a whole lot harder. But Oscar seemed to love the thought of being so close to the stage, so Axel held his tongue so his Beta could enjoy the evening to his heart’s content.

The small woman took their order, they both ordered a whiskey. She asked them questions about the type of whiskey they preferred, something smooth or peaty, for example. They went along with her and she explained their bartender was pretty good at matching the perfect drink for customers, with a humorous glint in her eye.

When she disappeared, Oscar mind-linked Axel.

‘What is she?’ He asked, obviously afraid to speak out loud in case she heard him.

Axel glanced over at her by the bar again, before replying.

‘I believe she may be a pixie.’ He answered.

‘Seriously?’ Oscar asked, also taking a glance. ‘Never seen one before.’

‘Now you have.’ Axel replied. He had only met one pixie in his lifetime and it wasn’t the most pleasant experience. But he was sure their waitress was one, she had the same telling features.

‘Wolves, Vamps and now Pixies…Is there any creature who doesn’t come or work here?’ He asked incredulously.

‘I guess we’ll find out…’ Was all Axel could think to reply, as the pixie returned with their drinks.

He was surprised when he sipped his and tasted the best whiskey he had ever tasted. The subtle but powerful drink danced along his taste buds and easily slid down his throat. And from the expression on Oscar’s face he could tell he was having the same experience with whatever she had also brought him. The pixie quickly drifted away, not even bothering to check whether they were okay with what she had brought them, showing the confidence she had in her mysterious bartender.

‘Why would Fi come here?’ Oscar suddenly asked.

In all honesty, Axel had been wondering the same. Why would Fi come here? What business could she possibly have here?

‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out once we’re back!’ He promised.

Before they could discuss it any further, the lights suddenly dimmed and Axel sensed movement from behind the curtains of the stage.

“It’s ShowTime!” Oscar whispered excitedly, his eyes glued to the stage.

Axel groaned and slid down his chair, cradling his drink. He was definitely not drunk enough for this yet, as they waited for the performance to begin.