Sienna's POV
"Another drink!" The loud slam of a glass nearly made me jump, but I pressed my lips together and moved to fill it. The first job I'd had since I left the pack. A hard-won accomplishment i didnt want to lose just yet.
I had fled as far as possible, taking several buses and trains until I was sure no one would track me here.
Unfortunately it had drained all the money I had managed to grab, and I was left with nothing but the clothes on my back, a few coins for show, and a burning fear that prevented me from raising my head in this human society.
And just then, I had seen an advertisement in a bar. It was the only place that didn't require a full background check, and provided 2 meals and a room. I took it.
The pay was terrible, but it was worth it.
Being among these people, among humans was the perfect cover. Here, no one looked at me sideways because of my eyes. No one flinched or glanced at me with vitriol on the tips of their tongues.
The stench of alcohol, cigarettes and people was a permanent fixture of this place. I had to hold my breath on occasions, my werewolf senses too sharp to endure the barrage at times.
"Hey!" I heard someone click their fingers and raised my head, taking only a glance at the man. A newcomer. He wore a bomber jacket and sported a scruffy beard, though his shirt told me he was a corporate employee.
A soft-looking woman was by his side, and behind them, another couple. I only glanced at them for a second before moving over to wipe their table and place a bowl of complimentary snacks on it.
The sound of music was high enough that the man had to raise his voice.
"Give me the best drink you've got," The man said, his voice a tinge nasally. I nodded wordlessly, and turned to do as asked. I heard the man murmur something to his friend, my ears caught it, but I let it go in one ear and out the other.
It was not my business.
"…not sure if that's a good idea. Im not used to drinking," one of the women said to her date. The man scoffed openly, his tone mocking.
"Then you'd better learn. This is a nice place. Dont bite the hand that feeds you."
I took another glance, tbis time at the woman, seeing her face flush. She actually looked to be my age, and I felt sorry for her. Her friend opened her mouth to speak up and defend her but ended up getting shushed by her own date as well.
Both women looked uncomfortable, while the men appeared to be on top of the world.
Disgust churned in my gut, and I could hardly hold back the nausea as I placed the glasses on the table.
I was about to turn around and leave when I caught sight of the man slipping a paper packet to his friend. My eyes flashed with confusion.
Just as I was about to speak, I heard someone shout my name— or rather, the name I had chosen for myself.
"Daisy!!"
I rushed to the back of the bar, seeing the manager toss something to me.
"Wash the glasses. We have none ready," she ordered, I nodded and moved over to the sink.
However the stench of alcohol made me retch. I couldn't control it. Tears pricked my eyes as I bent over the sink, coughing and throwing up violently. I wasn't sure how long I stood there, leaning hard against the sink, so much that the edge dug into my hips.
When I was done, my body trembled, and my vision was blurred with tears streaming down my cheeks.
My appetite had suffered in the days since I had gotten tk this place, and now the small meal I had gotten to eat had been thrown up.
"Um, excuse me," someone spoke, making me hold up, wiping my lips as quickly as possible. Shame and embarrassment burned through me, but as I met the girl's eyes, my brows furrowed.
She was the same girl from before, the date of that man that just came in.
She took a step towards me, but suddenly buckled. I rushed to hold her uo, my heart pounding.
"Are you okay?" My voice was hoarse as I asked, nearly on the verge of screaming.
"I… please help me. My friend and I… we've been drugged. I need your help, please," The girl whispered, her voice slurred.
Footsteps sounded behind us, moving closer. I rushed to shut the door, and took hold of the girl's arm, making her lean on me.
Think fast, Sienna!
"I… I'll take you to my room. Is that okay?"
I didn't hear anything from her— and I knew she wouldn't likely answer. Thank the Goddess that my bedroom could be accessed through the back door. I was able to sneak out of the bar, and moved upstairs to my room. It was small with only a bed and old couch in it, but it was neat and safe enough for her.
I placed her on the bed and said aloud, "I'll go get your friend. Please wait for me."
She mumbled something, but didn't move.
I rushed downstairs, only to find that the man and his friend had disappeared. Alarm surged through me and I ran out of the bar, only to see them about to place the girl's unconscious friend into a car. I didn't think; by the time I had grabbed onto the car door to stop them, I was already furious enough to kill.
My chest ached at seeing the defenseless girl. It only reminded me of what happened a week ago: that night I had spent with a man I knew nothing about. My gut churned again.
"What the hell?!" The man snapped upon seeing me. His friend moved to push me away but I shoved him back. The strength of human men may be significant but compared to my kind, they were nothing. With three swift moves, they were on the ground. I grabbed the girl's waist, effortlessly hoisting her into my arms.
The men laid there groaning in pain. It was nighttime, and no one paid attention to two possibly drunk men in front of a rundown bar. I successfully got the girl back to my room, and laid her beside her friend.
As soon as I did, I slumped against the wall, chest heaving. My body ached, from hunger and a void I didn't know how to fill.
Winter whined inside my mind, mourning being forced away from our kin.
Though they had treated me like nothing, I had endured it because I had nowhere else to go. Now, I truly had no one, for I had no one around me. No one may despise me here, but no one loved me either.
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I curled up in the corner, sobbing until I couldn't breathe.
Only when the manager called for me did I push myself to rise, to wipe my tears and return to work.
…