Clay POV
Liz was clinging to my arm like a leech, her fake smile plastered on her face. Her presence felt suffocating, making me sick to my stomach. The sight of her, with her perfectly styled hair and doll-like appearance, only served to highlight the evil that lurked within her. The barbie wannabe body she possessed seemed like a facade for the darkness that dwelled within her. She held onto me like a prize. Well, I suppose in truth, I am her desired outcome. Her father ensured that I would be with her.
"Come on, Clay, stop looking so pissy," she said, her voice grating on my ears.
“I was instructed to be with you, but nobody can make me enjoy this. You know I don’t care for you, nor will I ever. In fact, you disgust me,” I told her, and she just laughed.
"You may say that now, but deep down, Clay, you like me. I mean, come on, you were pretty into it when you were f*****g me," she taunted, her words dripping with arrogance. The sound of her laughter only served to fuel my anger.
"You were a body, a means of temporary relief. Nothing more," I retorted, my voice filled with disgust. We approached the grand entrance of her family estate.
"You're just upset over being scolded. You would think killing a few beasts would not have you in such a tizzy," she said, her voice laced with condescension. The words struck a nerve, igniting a fire within me.
"Children, women, innocents who couldn't defend themselves... Sure, we were on a mission, seeking vengeance, but I will never attack those who can't even defend themselves. I'm not the monster here, Liz. It's you," I declared, my voice firm and resolute.
I knew well I was here to get information. I had to play my f*****g role, but still, she would know where I stand and she would know that I hate every little fiber of her being. "Well Clay, I know why you are a hunter and what you want," She said. "You will get that here, we want you because you are a strong hunter with great potential," she said, her words falling flat and lifeless.
“ Let's just get this over with, I have school work," I said, my voice filled with frustration.
"When do you care about classes," she sneered. "Or is it the white-haired freak," she added, trying to provoke a reaction.
I clenched my fists, feeling the anger bubbling inside me, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Believe it or not, I would like some sort of degree to aid me on a career path for the future. It's not like this job pays," I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
"You don't need a job, you're with me now, Clay. And when we marry, my family's business and money become yours. That's why we plan on finalizing this marriage by the end of the week," she said.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I've never been one that is good at controlling my anger, but I had to keep cool. As we walked into the massive estate, the grandeur of the foyer overwhelmed my senses. The opulent decorations screamed wealth and privilege, assaulting my eyes with their ostentatious display.
"Daddy wants to speak with you first," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
"Oh joy," I muttered under my breath as she led me along to his office. Richard Jones, known as one of, if not the top hunter, sat at the head of the hunters council. Just a few days ago, I would have thought this a great opportunity and been happy to have the pleasure of sitting and working with him, but so much has changed since then. Skade reports to him, so for all I know, this man may have also played a part in the killing of my family.
Liz swung open her father's office door, the hinges creaking in protest, and ushered me inside with a self-satisfied grin on her face. Her father, a stern man, rose from his desk.
"Take a seat, Clay," he said, his voice deep and commanding. He didn't bother extending his hand for a handshake. I complied, sinking into the plush leather chair. Liz settled beside me.
"Skade tells me you're one of his best, despite your little escapade in the werewolf realm," he remarked, scrutinizing me with piercing eyes. The weight of his gaze felt like a physical touch on my skin. "But escaping? Impressive. And since my daughter insists on having you, I'm willing to forgive your actions. Moving forward, though, you will obey every order without question."
"We are on the cusp of eradicating these monstrous creatures from our world," he declared, his voice filled with determination.
"As the hunters gain more power, humans will no longer be vulnerable to the werewolves and vampires," he continued.
"We have even discovered a way to see through their deceptive human disguises," he revealed, sliding a file across the table. Curiosity mixed with apprehension as I cautiously opened it.
"Be aware that some of these creatures possess deadly powers," he warned, his voice tinged with caution. I perused the information on the Royal white wolves, their strength and abilities laid bare before me.
"Skade is especially interested in capturing the lycan Princess," he divulged, his tone filled with anticipation. I struggled to maintain a composed expression, my face betraying none of my emotions.
"With her in our possession, we can dismantle the very kingdom she hails from," he explained. My mind raced, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what he was suggesting.
"So, you intend to harness the princess's power," I inquired. He nodded, his gaze fixed on me, his eyes revealing a hidden agenda.
"While we may not be able to seize her power outright, we can study her and explore the possibilities," he clarified. There was more to his plan than what he was divulging, but I knew I would have to earn his trust to uncover the whole truth.
"We suspect the pack in this area may hold information regarding her whereabouts," he revealed.
Emma's safety was paramount, as she had become the prime target of the hunters. Determined, I knew I had to shield her from their relentless pursuit. The weight of responsibility settled upon me like a heavy cloak, causing my heart to race in my chest. The thought of Emma falling into their clutches sent a chill down my spine.
"We believe the pack in this area might have information about her location. There are reports of their alliance with the kingdom she comes from. Your task is to keep observing the pack members at your college and gather information from them. Our main priority is to find and capture the Lycan princess alive." He explained.
"You will be assigned side missions and when requested to go, there will be no questions. Our duty is to eliminate these beasts, as there are no innocent beings among them. Keep that in mind as we move forward. Now, according to my daughter, the werewolves from the local pack have several members registered at the school and often attend parties. You are to accompany her to these parties, as they are good places to capture the werewolves when they are out of their element. Additionally, gather information about them. You are also required to report everyone they associate with, and we will determine if they should be taken for questioning," he explained.
"Liz, you may show him around. Arrangements will also be made for you two to officially marry by the end of the week, so our two factions can unite," he added. I held myself back from saying the wrong thing and played along.
"Thank you. I will follow all orders," I said as I stood up with Liz and left his office.
"There is another party at the campus housing tonight," Liz explained, her voice filled with excitement, as she led me around.
We arrived at a door with a code, and Liz's fingers tapped against the keypad, creating a rhythmic clicking sound. The door swung open, revealing a whole new world within the estate. As we stepped inside, the scent of unfamiliar chemicals invaded my nostrils.
In this peculiar section of the estate, there were several cells, each holding captives. The sight was both intriguing and disturbing. Most of the captives were strapped to chairs, their bodies connected to strange machines or being pumped with mysterious substances. The room was filled with the low hum of machinery and occasional muffled cries, creating an eerie atmosphere.
"What's going on here?" I asked.
Liz, with a hint of pride in her voice, explained that this was a research area. They studied new weapons and their effects, making significant modifications. It was a place of innovation, albeit a dark one.
She led me into another room, adorned with an array of unfamiliar weapons hanging on the walls. As she plucked a small dagger from its display, I couldn't help but notice the glint of silver catching the light.
"Made with a modified silver one that not only poisons but paralyzes the victim," she explained, her voice laced with a hint of excitement. As she led me out.
"My friends are at the party," she said with a wide grin, her voice filled with excitement.
"This is not a social outing," I replied.
"We can observe and still party," she insisted, her voice determined. I could feel the weight of her gaze upon me, her expectations clear.
“Tonight, I expect to have fun, and as my fiancé, it’s your responsibility to ensure my happiness,” she insisted.
I Laughed as we stepped out into the night, the cool breeze brushing against our skin.
"This is basically a contract marriage, sweetheart, nothing more," I said, feeling the tension in the air as the car that brought us here pulled up. I saw her face tighten. The engine of the car hummed softly, filling the silence. "After you, princess," I added, gesturing for her to enter the car.
As we embarked on our journey, she reminded me sternly, "Let me remind you, in public, we are a couple, regardless if you like it or not. My father is not one to offer forgiveness to those who break a contract."
"I'll act, but that's it. But be warned, I'm not a good actor," I replied, sensing her irritation. The car ride continued, the rumble of the engine serving as a constant background noise. Fortunately, she remained silent for the remainder of the journey.
Upon arriving at the party, she once again locked her arm with mine, as if it were an obligatory display of affection. The music blared from the house, reverberating through the night air with a pulsating rhythm. Laughter and chatter filled the surroundings, blending with the thumping beats.
As we entered, Liz immediately found her group of friends, their high-pitched voices piercing through the noise. Reluctantly, I followed her, feeling the press of bodies as we maneuvered through the crowd. She leaned into me, the warmth of her breath brushing against my cheek as she spoke to her friends before finally turning her gaze towards me.
"Oh, Clay, be a good hubby and get me a drink, won't you?" she said, drawing attention from her friends. I seized the opportunity to distance myself from her, stepping away.
I noticed a group of people gathered near a DJ, their bodies swaying to the music, their energy infectious. Not far from them, the keg of beer and an array of liquor bottles stood, their labels glistening under the dim lights. I poured a mixed concoction into a glass for Liz, before pouring myself a glass of whiskey.
Just as I was about to make my way back to her, my eyes caught sight of Emma in the crowd. She danced with a man I had never seen before, her laughter and joy evident. My heart clenched, and a surge of possessiveness washed over me. Who was this stranger, and why was Emma so content with him? I fought the urge to confront her, instead opting to keep my distance but maintaining a watchful eye.
I handed Liz her drink, and then deliberately distanced myself from her. I observed Emma from afar, my gaze fixated on her as I watched Melody hand her what appeared to be a shot. Emma accepted it with a smile, leaning into the man, their laughter merging with the pulsating beat of the music.
She was drinking too much in my opinion. But it was not like I could stop her right now. As I watched her, her smile seemed to radiate a sense of pure joy and relaxation, a sight I had only witnessed a few times before. I yearned for her to smile like that, for her happiness to be directed towards me as it was when we first met. Yet, here she was, with another man.
In the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Ryan walking up to them. Emma was engrossed in conversation with him, momentarily leaving her friends behind. Just then, Liz's annoying voice pierced through the air.
"Figures your eyes are on the freak again," Liz sneered, her voice grating on my nerves. "Clearly I need to teach her a lesson so you stop."
I turned to face Liz, her presence invading my personal space. "My eyes were on Ryan since we suspect him to have a high position in his pack," I retorted, my voice filled with frustration.
"I've seen that freak with him more than once now," Liz continued, her words dripping with disdain. "Interesting."
I took a deep breath, trying to control my rising anger. "They have a class together, from what I've observed," I replied, my voice tinged with exasperation. "Nothing leading me to believe she is one of them."
Liz paused for a moment, considering my words. "Good point," she finally conceded. "And you wouldn't be interested in a beast anyways. Keep watching Ryan." With that, she turned and rejoined her friends.
I continued to observe, my gaze fixed on Emma and Ryan. But instead of easing my anger, it only intensified. I despised seeing Emma with other men when she should be with me. Time seemed to stretch on, filled with the murmurs of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter.
Suddenly, Liz approached me again, her presence unwelcome. "Let's dance," she demanded, her voice insistent.
"No," I responded firmly, my voice tinged with annoyance.
"We have to get closer to Ryan, and he is out there. So yes, or should I report back that you refused?"
Angrily, I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dance floor, closer to the DJ booth. The music grew louder, enveloping us in its pulsating rhythm. And then, finally, Emma's eyes caught onto mine.
"Come on, Clay, act more alive," Liz demanded. I looked into her eyes as she grabbed hold of me, and we began to dance, desperately trying to keep up the facade. The pounding music filled the air, drowning out any other sounds around us.
I allowed Liz to dance against me, feeling her body press close to mine. I did it partly to maintain the act, partly out of anger at seeing Emma with another man. But as I glanced over at Emma and the man she was with, a pang of guilt washed over me. The hurt in Emma's eyes was visible, like a flicker of sadness that marred her otherwise radiant expression. I then watched as she downed another shot.
Emma then took the man's hand as she led him away.
"Oh look, the freak got herself a boyfriend," Liz said loudly, her voice piercing through the air, making heads turn. Emma's eyes immediately snapped towards her, a mix of anger and confusion evident on her face.
I watched as the man swiftly moved behind Emma, his strong arms wrapping around her, trying to calm her down. The room was filled with murmurs and whispers, the sound of hushed conversations blending with the music playing in the background.
"I bet you paid him to come with you," Liz continued, her words sharp and cutting.
Emma chose to ignore her, her focus solely on the man with her. But Liz wasn't finished. She pulled herself away from me, her hand reaching out towards Emma, her grip tearing one of the delicate straps on Emma's top. The fabric ripped, drawing everyone's attention.
Emma's face contorted with rage, her muscles tensing, ready to unleash her fury on Liz. She opened her mouth, prepared to confront her, but before she could speak, the man stepped in. His strong presence shielded Emma, his towering figure blocking Liz from view. He looked Liz over, his eyes filled with curiosity and judgment.
"So how much of you is real?" he asked Liz, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and disdain.
"Looks like lots of plastic and money spent to make you look pretty. You look like a f*****g mannequin. It's hilarious," he chuckled.
Liz, taken aback, struggled to find a response. The room fell into a momentary silence, the only sound being the man's chuckle, which reverberated through the space. Emma was led away, her expression a mixture of relief and frustration.
Liz turned to me, her voice dripping with annoyance. "I'm over this party, Clay. Let's go," she declared, her words laced with contempt. "Too many losers here," she added, her body language conveying her disdain.
I shrugged my shoulders, I had had enough of her antics for one night.