Chapter 3
1274 Words
ALICE'S
The city looked different tonight—like it had been stripped of its soul and painted in neon.
Each light flickered too fast, and every sound echoed too loudly.
I drove with no destination in mind, only the hollow ache inside me guiding the wheel until I found myself on the city’s most chaotic street.
The kind of place where rules meant nothing and names were forgotten by morning.
I parked beside a line of motorcycles and stepped out, my heels sinking into the wet asphalt.
The Alley.
The sign above the door glowed faintly red, half-burned out, fitting. I pushed the door open and let the smell of smoke, sweat, and cheap liquor wrap around me.
The lighting was dim, the kind that made faces blur together. A rock song hummed low from the speakers, and the scent of werewolves softly lingered in the air, making me feel safe.
I walked to the bar and slid onto a stool, ignoring the curious glances.
People like me didn’t belong here, too polished, too serious, but that was exactly the point.
And anyway, it is not like there is anywhere I belong. I just left behind the only identity that gave me a sense of belonging!
Now, once more, I am a clanless orphan with no one to turn to.
“Whiskey,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Strongest you have.”
The bartender, in a leather jacket, raised a brow, then poured amber liquid into a short glass. I downed it in one go, the burn cutting through my chest like punishment. It wasn’t enough, I gestured for another.
And another.
Maybe if I drank enough, I’d forget how Alex’s hand fit around my sister’s waist. Maybe I’d forget the look in his eyes when he didn’t deny it. Maybe I’d forget them.
I was about to order another round when I heard it, low laughter behind me.
“Pretty thing like you shouldn’t drink alone,” a rough voice drawled.
I didn’t bother turning around. “Not in the mood.”
The man ignored that. “Come on, sweetheart, we can......”
“Back off,” I warned, looking up at him.
But he didn’t listen, and neither did the two standing beside him.
The three of them, alcohol on their breath, closed in like they owned the air I breathed.
He then grabbed my arm, and I looked up coldly.
My wolf stirred inside me, restless and angry. I could feel her claws scratching under my skin, begging to be let out.
"Let me rip them apart," she whispered. I clenched my jaw.
My eyes flashed gold, fangs pricking my lips. One more step, and I would have shredded his hand.
But then, a calm voice cut through the noise.
“You should leave, now!”
I turned my gaze to him as my wolf shockingly calmed down instantly.
A man in a black trench coat appeared in front of me.
"Mind your own business," the drunk man grunted out, still holding my hand.
"This is your last chance," the trench coat guy repeated whilst placing his hand on the wrist of the man holding my hand.
The drunk man tried to protest, but the trench coat guy increased the strength in his grip, and the drunk guy winced before letting me go.
"Last Chance, leave!" the trench coat guy ordered, and the hooligans left after spewing some insults.
"Are you ok?" he asked, turning to me with a calm expression.
I nodded while my wolf purred in my head.
"This is a safe place for rogues, but it is better not to reveal yourself," he whispered, stepping close to me, making my heart race a little.
I nodded expressionlessly and gestured to the bartender for another drink.
He poured me another one, and I gulped it down and clenched my jaw at the bitterness.
"Rough night? He probed while leaning on the counter beside me.
I nodded and poured another drink down my throat in order to suppress the bitterness bubbling in my heart as my eyes filled up.
A single tear trickled down my cheek as the liquor burned my throat.
"This might not be the best place to be vulnerable. Why don't you come to my booth?" he probed once more gently.
I lifted my reddened eyes to meet his gentle ones while swirling the glass in my hand.
Probably not the best decision after just being betrayed, but I trusted him and stood up from my seat after downing the liquor once more.
I trotted after him into a private booth in the corner.
He showed me to a seat before taking a seat in front of me.
I didn't pay attention to him as I picked up a bottle of whiskey from the table and opened it.
I let the liquor flow down my throat while painful memories vied for screen space in my mind.
I finished the bottle before picking up another one.
A hand stopped me before I could take a sip. I turned to face him.
He shook his head, and I bit my lips.
I probably looked like a mess now and weak, but honestly, I am tired of being strong and holding everything together.
Today I just want to fall apart and feel my feelings without caring.
I am tired of being the sensible one, the responsible one who is expected to do everything right.
The one who is expected to be grateful even when wronged.
I am tired of being the one who bears everything without complaints, because I have many complaints.
Complaints against my birth parents for abandoning me, complaints against Alex for betraying me, complaints against Jack and Lucy for not loving me at all, and against Emily for being a b***h.
However, there is no one I can complain to, so drinking it is!
I turned back to the trench coat dude and tried to free my hand from him, but he held on, his grip warm against my chilled skin.
“Enough,” he murmured, nodding at the bottle of whiskey I was clutching. “You’ve punished yourself enough for one night.”
“Let go,” I hissed, but my voice came out weaker than I intended.
"Drowning in alcohol will not erase the pain, he continued, freeing the bottle from my hand.
"Then what will? What will erase this pain, cause I need it now?" I demanded angrily.
"Honestly, nothing, I have been there, and the only way to get through is by facing it," he replied.
I angrily turned my face away cause I have faced a lot, and I don't intend to continue facing even tonight.
"Believe me, I had to leave my pack and alcohol didn't help much except suppress it for a while," he continued gently.
"But I want to suppress it tonight," I replied whilst placing my face on the table in defeat.
"Well, the club is closing, maybe continue at home," he replied, signaling with his eyes to the dim club.
I nodded and walked out of the now relatively quiet and dim club.
A quick glance at the wall clock revealed the time, half past 12 am.
"Let me drive you," the trench coat guy offered once we were outside, and I followed him after a moment of hesitation.
He led us to a black SUV and opened the door for me.
I climbed in and watched him close the door and slide into the driver's seat himself.
"I don't have anywhere to go," I blurted out before he could start the car.
- Writer
