One Night From Ruin
1147 Words
Sage’s POV
The bar was louder than I expected, louder than my heart was ready for. The moment I stepped inside, it felt like I had crossed into another world entirely. The lights were dim but warm, the kind that wrapped around strangers and convinced them they could forget their pain for a few hours. Music thumped low, laughter spilled from scattered tables, and for a second, I froze just inside the door.
I hugged my arms around myself, suddenly aware of how out of place I looked. I didn’t know how to act in a place like this. I didn’t know how to be a normal girl who walked into a bar alone just because she wanted to feel alive for one night.
I chose a seat at the counter because it felt safer than a table. Even then, my stomach twisted nervously as I sat. When the bartender approached, a towel slung over his shoulder, and asked what I wanted, I stared at the bottles behind him like they might answer for me.
He waited, patient, his smile easy, eyes observant.
“First time?” he asked.
I nodded. Lying felt pointless. “Yeah. First time.”
“What do you like? Sweet? Strong? Something that won’t knock you flat?”
I swallowed. For once, I wanted to choose something bold. “Something strong.”
His brow lifted slightly, but he didn’t question me. He poured a drink the color of burnt honey and slid it toward me. The glass was cool beneath my fingers. I hesitated, then took a sip.
The burn shocked me. Heat spread down my throat and settled in my chest like a small fire. I coughed softly, eyes watering. The bartender chuckled and moved on, already used to scenes like this.
The second sip went down easier.
I didn’t stop at one. I didn’t count after the second. Each swallow felt like peeling away another layer of the life I didn’t want to return to. The noise blurred. The room tilted. My thoughts slowed until they no longer hurt.
Eventually, I leaned forward, resting my head on my arms against the counter. My eyelids grew heavy. My breathing softened. And just before everything slipped into darkness, one thought drifted through me.
*So this is what it feels like to choose myself.*
I didn’t know how long I slept. Minutes, maybe hours. A light tap on my shoulder pulled me back.
“Hey… sweetheart. You have to wake up.”
I blinked, struggling to focus until the bartender’s face came into view. He didn’t look angry. Just tired. Concerned.
“The bar’s closing. You can’t sleep here.”
“I’m sorry,” I muttered, pushing myself upright. The room swayed. My legs wobbled, and I grabbed the counter for balance.
“It’s okay,” he said quickly. “Just get home safe, alright?”
Home.
A place where I wasn’t wanted.
A place that smelled like rejection instead of comfort.
I nodded and walked toward the door. The night air hit me hard, cold and unforgiving.
I walked without direction, my head pounding with every step. The streets were mostly empty, too quiet for comfort.
I didn’t notice the footsteps behind me at first.
Or maybe I did, but the alcohol dulled my instincts.
“Hey… pretty girl.”
The voice was slurred, amused.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?”
My stomach clenched.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, my voice cracking despite me.
“Oh, you look real fine,” he said, stepping closer. “Need some help getting home?”
“No,” I breathed, quickening my pace.
He followed.
Because my steps were slow, he caught up easily. The look in his eyes wasn’t kind. It was hungry.
I stepped back.
He stepped forward.
He looked at me like he’d already decided what I was going to be tonight.
My back hit the brick wall of a closed shop. Panic shot up my spine as his fingers brushed my wrist.
“Let go,” I screamed.
He smirked instead.
“Come with me,” he murmured. “I’ll treat you right.”
I flinched back, nearly tripping.
Does this asshole have no idea I’m his Luna?
Of course not. The Alpha never made me public.
His grip tightened. Fear flooded me, sharp and paralyzing. I thought of Cyrus. Of how he always saw me as weak. Maybe this was why. I was wolfless. A healer who was never allowed to train. Locked away and used as a tool to keep others alive.
“What do you want?” I cried. “Money? I’ll give it to you. Just let me go.”
He didn’t listen.
People like him never did.
A vehicle approached, headlights blinding. For a moment, hope sparked. The car slowed. Stopped.
“Move along!” the man shouted. “Your service isn’t needed here!”
I shoved him with everything I had and ran.
He chased me.
Down narrow streets, into corners where cars couldn’t follow. My head spun. My legs burned. I wasn’t as fast as I thought.
“Just quit already!” he mocked.
He grabbed my dress, yanking me back. My clothes toreb and cold air bit my exposed skin.
“Let go of me!” I screamed.
He pinned me to the wall, fumbling with his pants. The street was silent. No one was coming.
“Please,” I sobbed. “Someone help me.”
Then suddenly, his weight vanished.
A loud bang echoed.
I looked up to see a massive figure slamming him into the ground.
“I gave you a chance to run,” the man said, his presence filling the air.
I didn’t stay. I ran.
I fell, got up and fell again. My clothes were ruined. My body shook as I tried to cover myself.
An engine hummed behind me.
I ignored it and kept walking.
“You’re just going to run off without saying thank you?” a voice called. “Is that how you were trained?”
I froze.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Get in.”
I looked down at myself, exposed and shaking. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
He glanced at me once. “Suit yourself.”
He drove off.
Panic surged in me
“What if he comes back?” I whispered to no one.
“I’m sorry! Please wait!” I screamed.
The car slowed and came to a stop.
I ran and climbed into the backseat and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“Where’s your home?” he asked at the same time.
“I… I can’t go home like this,” I admitted, voice trembling. “Can you… can you take me with you?”
The words hung heavy in the air.
- Writer
