Chapter 2
1023 Words
Marcus turned to her, his gaze as sharp and cold as the midnight wind on the open ocean.
His expression softened, but only slightly. “Nothing,” he said, his voice low, the kind of tone that could make even the bravest man hesitate.
Aurora blinked, her heart pounding against her ribcage as she tried to make sense of his words. But before she could respond, the sound of a furious growl cut through the air.
“Where’s that b***h?” Malakai’s voice thundered, laced with rage and the distinct scent of alcohol.
Aurora’s legs trembled, her instincts screaming at her to run.
She turned quickly, but her disheveled, curly hair snagged on the rough edge of the wall. Her breath hitched as panic set in.
"Stop this, Marcus!" she yelled, desperation creeping into her voice. "I’d never want to spend the night with you if that’s what you’re after!"
Marcus didn’t move.
Aurora tugged at her tangled hair, her movements frantic and clumsy.
Embarrassment flushed her cheeks, and her breathing quickened. She forced a strained smile, her voice faltering as she stammered, “I—I’ll be fine... just go.”
Marcus said nothing, his straight face betraying no hint of amusement or pity. He watched her struggle in silence, his gaze intense, almost predatory.
Aurora finally freed herself, yanking her hair loose, and without another word, she bolted.
Marcus stood still, his focus lingering on the spot where she’d been. Then, to his own surprise, the corner of his mouth lifted into a small, almost imperceptible smile.
“What’s this?” his wolf’s mocking voice echoed in his mind. “A Mafia King smiling at a wolfless omega? Strange.”
His smile vanished instantly, replaced by a low growl. “Silence!” he barked internally, his voice like thunder in his own head. He frowned, unsettled by the fleeting softness he’d felt. What was it about this girl that made his instincts falter?
Turning around, Marcus’s demeanor hardened. His aura, menacing and suffocating, rippled through the air as he moved. It wasn’t long before Malakai stumbled into his line of sight.
Malakai froze, his laughter dying in his throat. His face paled as his body instinctively registered the deadly presence in front of him. Marcus’s gaze locked onto him like a predator sizing up its prey.
Malakai swallowed hard, his throat dry. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dampening the collar of his shirt.
Without a word, he stumbled backward and disappeared into the crowd, his cowardice obvious.
Marcus snorted, cracking his neck with a sharp motion. “Pathetic,” he muttered to himself. “I was so ready for a fight.”
He took a deep drag from the cigarette he’d lit earlier, letting the smoke swirl around him. His lips curled into a dark smirk.
“Tsk, I wouldn’t even be on this ridiculous Christmas vacation if it weren’t for that meddling Augur. Said I needed to ‘clear my head."
The Augur—his pack’s seer, a man of visions and omens—had begged Marcus to step away from the c*****e for once.
The holidays, he’d insisted, were a time for healing. Marcus had scoffed at the idea but had begrudgingly agreed.
Not that he had any intention of "healing." His kind of vacation involved tearing enemies limb from limb and pinning women against the wall to hear them scream his name.
As the cigarette burned low, Marcus’s gaze wandered back to the crowd. Malakai had resumed his antics, this time draped over a brunette in a silver dress. His friends cheered him on, their laughter loud and obnoxious.
“That’s not how to make a woman scream your name,” Marcus muttered under his breath, his smirk returning.
His attention shifted, and his sharp eyes found Aurora in the corner of the room. She sat alone, forcing a hollow smile as tears streaked her face. Something primal stirred within him—an anger that wasn’t entirely his own.
“Come here! Serve the drinks, dirty omega!” one of Malakai’s friends barked, his tone dripping with disdain.
Aurora flinched but didn’t move, frozen in place.
Malakai laughed cruelly. “I brought her out of her cabin so she could see what a real woman looks like. Maybe she’ll learn how to satisfy a man.”
The group roared with laughter, their mockery sharp and cutting. Aurora shrank in her seat, her hands trembling as she tried to block out the humiliation.
Marcus’s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white. His aura darkened, and the air around him grew colder.
He hated nothing more than seeing someone—especially a woman—being trampled on without the strength to fight back.
Just then, his Beta, Cedric, approached him, bowing slightly. “Alpha, I’ve been searching the whole ship for you.”
Marcus barely glanced at him, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. Cedric, ever perceptive, understood. He handed Marcus a fresh cigarette and lit it for him.
“You’ve been watching that omega,” Cedric observed, his tone cautious. “Do you want me to... take care of her? Perhaps abduct her for your... enjoyment?”
Marcus’s expression shifted, a dark, wolfish grin spreading across his face. He gently clapped Cedric on the shoulder, his voice low and chilling. “You know me too well, Cedric. But no need. She’ll come to me when she’s ready.”
Cedric hesitated, the weight of Marcus’s words sending a shiver down his spine. He nodded and stepped back, sensing the conversation was over.
Marcus turned his attention back to Aurora, his mind already forming a plan. He exhaled a plume of smoke, his lips curling into a predatory smile.
Aurora didn’t know it yet, but she had just caught the attention of the most dangerous man on the ship. And Marcus never let go of what he wanted.
Just then, Marcus sat down, and suddenly his inner wolf stirred, its low growl echoing in his mind. "Danger's nearby," it warned.
Marcus's expression transformed, a smirk spreading across his face as his mood lifted. "Finally, something interesting."
- Writer
