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Chapter 001

Akira's POV

"Akira, where the fuck are you?" The sound of my alarm and that of my phone came up at the same time and that annoying voice of my boss came up almost immediately, three fucking Annoying bitch.

"I..."

"Still fucking sleeping at this time, do you know how important today is." If I was half awake, hearing that demon's voice makes me fully awake. Jumping from the bed, I hurry into the bathroom.

"Fuck, I am on my way I didn't realize it's almost time..."

"It's not almost time, it's time, so get your stupid self from that stinking bed of yours and I need you to be here before thirty minutes, a second extra, you are fired..." She screamed before the line died off.

I couldn't even have a proper shower before I dashed out of my room wearing a short gown with my boot and throwing my coat across my shoulder, I was almost out of the building when mother's voice tail from behind, "Leaving without dropping the money for the bills..."

"Come on Mother, I did that yesterday..."

"And I used it for something else, so I need extra..." I stared at her lost, was she being real or joking?

"Stop staring give me the fucking money before I make you lose your job..." She said grabbing my purse and emptying it.

"Come on Mother, be reasonable..." She raised her hand to hit me, but my annoying sister came out.

"No Mother, you wouldn't want to damage her cute face, Lady Cassandra wouldn't like that." Mother pushed me, and I rolled my eyes at Linda, acting like she cared. When in a real sense, she doesn't freaking care, she just wants me to keep my job, so I could always have money to care for her luxurious lifestyle and mother's constant gambling.

"You are right sweetheart..." Mother said tapping Linda's cheeks gently before tilting her head towards me, "Now run along, fifty dollars..." I signed pulling my bag, it didn't take long before I settled into this miserable life of mine.

The dim lights of the bar cast long shadows across the marble floor, and the air was heavy with the mingling scents of alcohol, sweat, and sex. As I wiped down the counter for what felt like the hundredth time that night, I couldn't help but wonder how I ended up here, surrounded by a Galaxy of strangers drowning their sorrows in cheap beer and whiskey and even a pathetic mother and sister.

My name is Akira Ross, and this bar has been my home for the past two years. From the outside, it might not look like a dingy facade sandwiched between a pawn shop and a laundromat but to me, it's a haunted hollow, a place where I can lose myself in the chaos and forget about the outside world, if only for a few hours.

It's crazy I called this place home and haunted hollow at the same time, don't mind my choice of words, that is what it gave me, peace and trouble at the same time.

"Hey you, come over here, let me taste that," Lady Cassandra grabbed the whiskey from Vida, my best friend, and colleague, she is the same age as me, seventeen in a few months, I will be eighteen, "it tastes like shit...." Lady Cassandra spit out the whiskey.

"Are you fucking with me or are you just dumb..."

"I am sorry I didn't mean to..." Vida's voice was shaking already.

"Madam, just let her be, I will help her with the drinks...."

"It's your call, they better taste pure or I will make your life a frothy fucking hell..." Lady Cassandra growled before darting out. Vida's face darkened.

"I don't want to lose my job..."

"Look don't worry about her, and who the fuck is she expecting that she is ranting nonstop?"

"Don't you know?" Vida asked.

"Know what?" I said tilting my head from the bar inventory as I deftly mixed cocktails, my hands moving with practiced precision. Despite wanting to find the answer to my question, I was still doing my job.

"CEO of..." A sudden uproar, came from the VIP sections, shutting Vida's voice

I glance up as the door swings open, the familiar jingle of the bell signaling the arrival of yet another patron seeking solace at the bottom of a glass but wait, is that what this fellow wanted? I don't think so. A quick once-over tells me he is not like those lost souls seeking solace in this haunted hallow. Probably here for business but why would one want to have a business meeting in a bar, I tilted my head to Vida ready to ask if he was the one that Lady Cassandra was so desperate to make feel special.

"Akira move and stop staring..." Lady Cassandra growled snapping at me for my actions, I already got my glasses and my menu but she pulled me, "Which of your family just died or something?" I stared at her confused.

"What?"

"Smile! This is a diner, not some fucking funeral Parlor."

"Oh..." I said

"Customer! For fuck sake Akira, don't make me fire you." She growl

With a practiced smile, I make my way over to him, ready to play the part of a bartender and if possible a stripper. "Order Sir..." I ask, my voice tinged with just the right amount of warmth and the menu outstretched.

He hesitates for a moment before sliding onto one of the VIP couches, his gaze fixed on the rows of bottles lining the shelves behind me, ignoring me, before he fell back on me, grabbing the menu, he scanned through it. "Whiskey," he mutters, his voice rough with exhaustion. "Neat."

I nod, pouring him a generous measure of liquid with courage and sliding the glass across the counter with a silent understanding. No need for small talk or pleasantries, before I tilted my head to the other two men sitting beside him.

"Here are your IPAs"

"Finally! Finally!"

"Is there anything else, I could get for you," I asked moving my eyes from one to another, their aura seem queer, I don't know but I don't think they are good people. Don't mind me, I am at it again.

"If it's possible..." One of the men sitting beside the man said.

"Great! Yeah! Uh! Let me know if you need anything."

"Yeah!

" Enjoy!

As he takes a sip, I can't help but wonder what kind of business partner he would be meeting here, with the way his fingers are tapping on the table and his eyes fixed on the wall clock, I guess he is getting impatient, my eyes were still focused on him when lady Cassandra growl from behind me, "go to them and asked if they want anything else." I sighed, do I have to stand close to them, I made my way back to them, but I was stopped by other customers

"Mon chéri..." He grabbed my arm, I staggered backward a bit. His eyes rake my body, "nice ass.." he said flicking his tongue across his lips before patting his lips, "fifty dollars, if you come shakes it on top of me." The other drunk sitting beside him tittered, I ignore him trying to make my way from him but he slapped my ass, I jolted not expecting it, so I turned and slapped him as well. "What? You..." The drunk man held his cheeks and Lady Cassandra came from behind.

"what the fuck is going on here?" I patted my lips to explain but the witch of a Lady screamed to my face, "Akira Ross, you are fucking fire, get out of my bar and don't come back..."

"Fine, I quit..." I growl at her, this is unlike me, when she said those words I will always plead but today, I am not doing that I had a lot and I am quitting, that stupid drunk slapping my bum and she acting like it's normal is bullshit.

I packed my stuff as I stepped out of the dimly lit bar, the bitter truth of disappointment still lingering on my head, I couldn't shake the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Getting fired wasn't exactly how I envisioned ending my shift, but apparently, Lady Cassandra had other plans. The crisp night air offered little comfort as I made my way down the deserted street, the echo of my footsteps the only sound in the empty darkness, the pain in my heart, that I have nothing overwhelmed me, and I barely noticed the group of shadowy figures lurking in the dark until it was too late. Panic gripped my chest as a pair of hands grabbed me, pushing me to the wall. "Let me go..."

"Hey relax, cute face..." One of the men said.

I fought back with every ounce of strength I had, but it was no use. I was outnumbered, and overpowered, my cries for help filled the dark and their jeers and laughter echoed as well as my tears stung my eyes. I shut my eyes to embrace my misfortune.

A loud growl echoed through the dark street, attracting those hooligans and me. Our eyes snapped in the direction where the sound was coming. A figure was standing there, a blur of fur and muscles, his eyes glowing, and his paws were large on the floor.

"A wolf..."

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