Nova’s POV
From outside of the pub, you shall know what the inside would look like.
Every corner of the pub was bathed in a rich blend of red, blue, and amber light. The lights seemed to dance across the walls, reflecting off the exposed brick and casting a warm glow over everything. It was like the pub had been transformed into a magical realm, glowing with a vibrant energy. I felt myself drawn in by the inviting atmosphere, feeling more at ease as I took in the surroundings.
I could see that the lady beside me seemed to feel the same, her lips curved into a smile as she moved her gaze to me and said, “The town pubs never disappoint during the seven-day countdown!”
Lady Everest beamed, her eyes filled with excitement as she took a step closer to the pub.
I followed Lady Everest into the pub, taking in the rustic interior with wide eyes. The low-beamed ceilings and exposed brick walls gave the space a cosy feel, and the warm glow of the fireplaces made it feel like a true convent from the cold night outside.
The pub was packed with people, laughing and talking and drinking. I could smell the aroma of roasting meat and the tang of beer in the air, and the whole place seemed to hum with energy.
I smiled, moving my gaze around, gazing at every corner of the pub. I had never been to a place like this before, and I couldn’t help but feel a little bit intimidated by it all.
“Has night in the pub always been like this?” I didn’t know I said it out loud until I felt Lady Everest’s fingers wrapped around my arm.
“Not all night!” she yelled back at me, Her yell came out like a whisper since the humming of the people made it hard to hear your voice.
“It only be like this during the countdown. Almost everyone in the pack would come to a pub to have a drink with friends or lovers. This pub is one of the incredible pubs in town.” She chuckled, her eyes glowed under the amber light.
I nodded my head, not like I understood what the countdown meant, or what the pack was celebrating. But whatever it was, I knew it was something great judging by the smiles on the people’s faces.
Lady Everest tugged at my arm, calling for my audience. “It doesn’t seem like there’s any empty table here, Let’s look around for a vacant seat so we can sit,” she uttered, stretching her neck back and forth.
“Okay,” I nodded, moving my gaze to the corner of the room.
My eyes met with a pair of smoky eyes, my heart hammered against my chest as I locked my eyes with his. He seemed like his eyes were calling for me to come. I opened my mouth and wanted to say something but Lady Everest’s voice interrupted me and I moved my gaze to her.
“Hey,” she called, “there’s a vacant seat over there,” she pointed at the spot I was staring at earlier, I traced my gaze on her finger but was a bit surprised to see that he was no longer there.
Was I hallucinating things, or was he truly there a minute ago?
“Okay,” I mumbled, trailing behind her as she walked us to the table.
“Like I have guessed, you guys are already here.” Lady Everest smirked, plunging into the space between the royal Beta and Lady Ulrica. Having no other place in between Lady Everest and the royal Beta, I grumbled before occupying the space beside Lady Ulrica.
“Were you stalking us?” Lady Ulrica sneered, gripping the cup in her hand.
“Pfft! Oh, please. Like I’d waste my time following you around like some kind of deranged fan girl.” Lady Everest rolled her eyes, plucking a mint sweet from the bowl on the table and tossing it into her mouth. “I’d rather chew off my arm than spend one second of my precious time stalking you. You’re not that special, dear darling!” She smirked, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.
I sat there quietly, not knowing what to say.
“Why would you be guessing where we were then? Do you by any chance have a crush on me?” Royal Beta Wharton smirked, dropping his glass on the table.
I hastily moved my gaze to stare at both him and Lady Everest.
“You wish.” Lady Everest rolled her eyes before flagging at the bartender who was walking towards our table with a tray of grilled meat in his hands.
“He’s coming to this table, no need to wave at him,” Wharton smirked, obviously enjoying picking on everything the lady does.
“Was Prescott here? I kind of sensed his presence when we got here.” Lady Everest spoke up, my eyes darted to her as she mentioned his name.
I wasn’t hallucinating earlier, if truly Lady Everest sensed his presence, then he was the guy I saw earlier. I wasn’t imagining things.
“Prescott?” Wharton asked, moving his gaze at Lady Ulrica who was fuming in her seat. “Do you see Prescott?” he questioned, the corner of his lips tugged into a wild smirk.
“If he wasn’t here, just say so. Stop acting funny around me.” Lady Everest groaned, eyeing the tray in the bartender’s hands as he lowered his body to place the tray on the table.
My eyes caught sight of a large size of grilled steak. My mind hastily went to Prescott and I couldn’t help but come to a conclusion that he was truly here. “Where the hell is he?” I groaned while fidgeting with my nails.
“Get us two cups.” Lady Everest ordered the bartender to fetch our cups, My eyes were not leaving the steak and I think Lady Everest was thinking about it, she picked up the plate and frowned at the royal Beta.
“Aside from Prescott, who else eats steak like a maniac among us?” she raised her brows, staring from the royal Beta to Lady Ulrica.
“I don’t know about you, but as you can see, we ordered a plate of steak and a plate of grilled chicken. We were two on the seat before you decided to intrude on our privacy, meaning a plate of steak for me, and a plate of chicken for him.” Lady Ulrica said, snatching the plate back from Lady Everest with a pointed glare.
She set the plate down on the table with a thud, her displeasure clear in her tone. The tension in the room was thick, and I could tell that the two ladies didn’t like each other’s guts.
“You do eat steak?” Lady Everest smirked, watching the lady stab her fork into the plate and cut out a tiny piece. “Then, let’s see your body react to your allergy.” She grinned, smiling as she watched Ulrica shove the piece of steak in her mouth, slowly munching on it.
“I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need to worry about my allergy. I spent three years in the state that is renowned for its great steaks, so I’m more than accustomed to it by now,” Lady Ulrica said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She tossed her fork onto her plate, the metal clattering against the porcelain, as if to emphasize her point.
I could tell that she was just being difficult for the sake of it, and it was clear that she had no intention of being reasonable.
“Ugh, what an attitude!” I muttered under my breath, refusing to make eye contact with any of them.
I turned my gaze away, determined not to be engrossed in their conversation. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on something more pleasant. The warm, familiar scent of the pub, the comforting sounds of the crackling fire, the gentle clink of glasses and the murmur of low conversation.
“Here are the cups.” I could hear the bartender say, then I could hear the cups clicking on the table, The scent of the liquid wafted through the air, its aroma mingling with the scents of wood and leather that permeated the pub.
“I need to go back to the Villa,” I murmured under my breath, suddenly getting tired of being around the people who were busy giving each other a weird attitude.
I stood up from the seat, staring at Lady Everest who was gulping down her amber drink. She seemed to notice my stare before she moved the drink from her mouth, staring at me with her eyebrows raised, giving me a “what happened” look.
“I’m afraid I’m not feeling well, I think it might be the strong scents from the drinks,” I said to Lady Everest, making a face that was only partly an act. I didn’t want to be a part of the escalating tension at the table, so I was eager to make my escape. “I’ll wait for you in the car. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” I made my way towards the door, my head held high, trying to appear calm and collected despite the turmoil inside me.
I made my way out of the door, heading towards the car when I saw a figure that looked so much like Prescott entered a parked car.
“It’s Prescott! It’s him!” I gasped, running towards the car with my heart racing with anxiety.
“Your Majesty!” I yelled, my voice echoed as I ran towards the car.
The car roared to life with a deafening rumble, its headlights blinding me as they flashed in my direction. I shielded my eyes from the glare, staggering backwards in an attempt to regain my balance. But it was too late, and my foot caught on a craggy rock that jutted out from the ground.
I felt myself falling, the hard earth rushing up to meet me as I dropped to the ground.
“Ahh,” I let out a cry of pain, the impact knocking the wind out of me. I raised my head to yell at the driver, be it his Majesty or anyone who was sitting his wicked ass on the driver’s seat, but then the car was gone, speeding away without a second glance in my direction.