Leilani.
At first, Kael, Caelum and Gavin were dumbfounded. Caelum stalked over to him, his eyes thinning into fierce slits as he regarded the intruder with open dislike. He seethed; "And who are you to tell me what to do in my pack?"
"Who the fuck is this loser?" My father snarled from behind Caelum, baring his teeth. But for some reason, the intruder appeared unfazed. If anything, he found them amusing.
"I wouldn't ask you one more time," the young man finally growled, "let go of Leilani. Or else …"
"Or else what?" Kael asked scornfully, he was just about to say something else when suddenly Zevran stepped forward, a flicker of recognition shining in his eyes.
"You were the one who saved Leilani yesterday." He drawled, sounding accusatory, and as soon as he said that, my head instantly snapped up to regard the handsome stranger who had helped me.
He didn't seem familiar.. yet he felt familiar, which was strange.
A deafening silence settled within the crowd as everyone turned to him, but I didn't miss the way Chalice's eyes darkened as she stared at him, biting down on her lips. She didn't like this one bit, that I could tell.
And goddess, I would've smiled. Gosh, this was the part where I would've thanked this beautiful stranger, but I was in so much pain, I simply grimaced.
Mr stranger pushed through my family to come stand beside me, and now, seeing as he was also someone of high status, Agnes and co had no option but to let go of me when he came for me.
I cried out in pain when he picked me up bridal style, tears running down my face as I felt more skin tear from having his arms wrapped so tightly around me. He murmured; "I'm so sorry, Leilani."
Again, he sounded familiar. I turned my attention to him.
"You cannot take her away!" Zevran snarled, "I will not allow it."
"Then I'd like to see you try to stop me." The man spat back.
"Didn't Chalice say that he's Leilani's accomplice? The one who had helped her with yesterday's attack?" Now, it was Gavin who asked aloud, causing everyone to turn to Mr stranger in hostility.
He smirked, shrugging as he walked up to Gavin who instinctively shuffled backward. "And what proof do you have to back up your claim?"
"There's a chat on Leilani's phone!" My mother shouted. "That could have been your number! It is why you're here to help her isn't it? The same way you helped her yesterday!"
For the longest time, I thought my mother was the smartest, most loveliest being to exist. And maybe it was due to the mother and child bond that once existed between us, but she'd always been the hardest for me to let go of.
But seeing her now, like this, effortlessly pining me with a crime I would never even dream of committing, made all my respect for her go down the drain.
Before I could respond, the stranger scoffed; "Then ensure to prove that it is indeed my number." He said, "and when you've agreed that it is, you'll know where to find me." He drawled, and with that, he pushed through them so easily, one would think they weighed as much as sandpaper.
Or maybe it was because they were so stunned, they easily fell to the side.
My eyes slowly began to drift closed as he walked me to wherever he was taking me, and I only woke up again when I felt him lowering me into his car. He whispered; "sleep Leilani… I'll take you to the hospital."
His kindness felt strange. It made me pretty uncomfortable… I was even scared because I couldn't help but think that he had ulterior motives, and that it was why he was helping me out like this.
However, before I could ponder over that thought, he drawled; "We'll talk when you've regained some of your strength. For now, rest."
But I wasn't buying this kindness. No one's ever been kind to me in years.
I sat up slowly, wincing as my back hurt like a bitch. "Who are you?" I couldn't help but ask then, because truth be told, I was scared… and worried. I didn't even know him!
The stranger stopped to gaze at me for a brief second, something akin to hurt flashing across his face as he regarded me; "So you do not recognize my voice, baby?" He asked sadly, and my breath hitched for a second.
The wheels in my head soon began turning as I tried to recognise where I'd heard his voice before… that's if I've ever heard it.
My eyes widened. "Jay?… Are you Jarek?!"
"Yes, it is I, baby dearest!" He laughed, exposing cute dimples that would've melted my heart in normal circumstances— this wasn't one, "…did you miss me?"
My breath hitched as I shook my head. I couldn't believe my eyes. While Jarek and I have known each other for quite some time now, our relationship has been strictly online. He was never one to take pictures so he never sent me any.
Moreover… "Didn't you say you'll send someone over to come pick me up on Saturday?" I groaned in pain, looking up at him in awe.
He smiled. "Well, I had business to do around here. Moreover, tomorrow is Saturday so I decided to pick you up instead. I wanted to surprise you but ended up walking in to find you..." he trailed off, gritting his teeth as he zoned out for a moment.
I instinctively realized that he was thinking about what he'd witnessed earlier between my family and I, so I smiled at him— at least I tried to smile— and said; "Thank you for saving me."
He beamed at that. "Anytime, sweetcakes. Anyways, I'm taking you out of here."
It wasn't until I'd heard him say this that I let myself heave a sigh of relief. I nodded. "Thank you."
Jarek didn't say anything else as he simply helped me into a more comfortable position before taking off his jacket and draping it around my shoulders.
Now, I felt drowsy but I didn't miss the sight of his huge biceps and the way the gray tank top he wore hugged his toned body like a second skin. I also noticed how one of his hands was fully covered in enthralling gothic tattoos which peeked out from the neckline of his tank top. And as my eyes followed the outline, I couldn't help but wonder what the whole image looked like.
—or how hot it made him look.
I wanted to see it.
I wanted to trace my fingers over it.
I've always wanted a tattoo.
I shook my head, dismissing these thoughts and finally drifting into sleep.
But before the sleep finally took me, I vaguely heard him chuckle. Then he asked; "Are you checking me out?"
But I didn't respond, I was too far gone.