Tension in the room escalated. It was evident that the tension between Raven and Alaric, as well as between Raven and the other youths, was mounting.
"Where's this devil's ID?" Alaric reached his hand towards Aiden.
Aiden handed over Raven's wallet and ID to Alaric. "It's weird that he's the same age as us. He should be two years older than us," Aiden whispered.
Alaric furrowed his brows upon realizing their matching birth years.
"Acceleration. Surprised I'm too perfect for you?" Alaric gazed at Raven with a sardonic smile. He conducted a quick search on the internet about Raven's past and found news of swimming championship victories and physics Olympiad.
"High-intelligence swimmer. Unfortunately, the title of athletic guy is held by Dhimas as the national Judo athlete three months ago. The smart guy title is held by Gavin as the winner of the Southeast Asia and East Asia coding championship this year. Furthermore, your achievements are outdated; you've been inactive for too long. I'll put your profile on our host club app with the pretty boy label."
"Evil guy suits better," Aiden chimed in, followed by laughter from the entire room.
"Why not handsome guy?"
"Because you're not handsome, buddy," Ryder retorted.
"What's your label? Trash guy?" Raven fired back at Ryder.
"Dog, pig..." Ryder rose to fight, but once again Alaric stopped him with a gesture.
"See, his mouth is really wicked," muttered Aiden as he sucked on his juice box again.
Raven observed with a sense of curiosity why every guy in the room seemed to defer to Alaric's authority.
Despite Alaric's lack of an imposing presence—unlike Dhimas, whose bulging muscles exuded dominance, or Ryder, whose aggressive demeanor hinted at a desire for control—there was an undeniable aura of respect surrounding him.
To Raven, Alaric appeared like an ordinary guy, albeit with a solid and well-built physique. His facial features weren't exceptionally striking, yet there was a warmth in his expression, a charm that seemed to draw people in.
As the discussion turned to labels, with Ryder being dubbed the "bad boy" and Aiden the "cute guy," Raven couldn't help but question Alaric's uniqueness.
"And what sets you apart?" Raven interjected, his curiosity piqued.
Without missing a beat, Gavin, the usually reserved member of the group, spoke up. "The Alpha," he declared. "Alaric embodies the qualities of an Alpha male—he commands respect, possesses a natural authority, and has a rare ability to influence others. It's a trait that sets him apart in a league of his own."
The acknowledgment of Alaric's status as the Alpha male resonated throughout the room, reaffirming his dominance and leaving Raven to ponder the dynamics of power within their group.
"Indeed," Aiden chimed in, his admiration evident as he offered a supportive thumbs up to Alaric, cementing his role as the undisputed leader among them.
Two individuals who harbored animosity towards Raven grinned triumphantly upon hearing Gavin's declaration. Their eyes gleamed with satisfaction as they exchanged smug glances, reveling in Raven's discomfort. "Serves you right, pansy," they sneered in unison, their voices dripping with disdain as they clinked their glasses together in mock celebration.
Alaric's gaze bore into Raven's with an intensity that sent a shiver down Raven's spine. It was as if Alaric was trying to assert his dominance over him, just like he had done on the rooftop. Raven couldn't help but wonder if he had been unwittingly swayed by Alaric's influence during that encounter.
"The Alpha alpha, my ass," Raven muttered under his breath, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.
"Give back my ID now. I never promised to join your club," Raven asserted, his voice firm and unwavering.
Alaric's grin widened as he withdrew the ID that was caught between his fingers, taunting Raven with his possession of it. "This belongs to me," he declared, his tone laced with smugness.
Raven's jaw clenched in defiance, his resolve unyielding. "Whatever, I can make another one," he retorted, refusing to back down.
"One month. If within one month you feel unsuitable for this club, you can leave. I won't bother you again," Alaric offered, his tone almost conciliatory.
"Not even for an hour. Do you think I'm so desperate for money that I have to become a gigolo?" Raven shot back, his frustration boiling over.
"Do you think everyone here is struggling with money?" Aiden countered, his tone incredulous. "Except for Gavin and Dhimas, that is," he added hastily, sensing the disapproving glares from his companions.
"Hey!" Gavin and Dhimas raised their hands simultaneously, ready to rebuke Aiden for his hasty generalization.
"This isn't just about money," Alaric reiterated, his voice carrying a mix of authority and persuasion. "Sure, managing this club requires financial resources—I can rent out this space using the earnings from entertaining clients, purchase all these items, and cover various expenses. But it's more than that. This club is about camaraderie, trust, and a shared sense of purpose. You'll come to understand that once you become a part of it."
Raven remained steadfast in his refusal. "I still don't want to. Let me go. Now," he demanded, his tone resolute.
With a practiced motion, Alaric signaled to his fellow club members.
Dhimas, who had been perched at the bar, rose from his seat and entered a password to unlock the door.
As Raven strode past him, a sense of triumph evident in his demeanor, he believed he had emerged victorious.
But as he crossed the threshold, Alaric's voice shattered the silence with a resounding declaration. His words were charged with determination and possessiveness, creating an electric tension in the room.
"I'll get you, Raven, just wait!" Alaric's voice boomed, cutting through the air like a thunderclap. "You're mine!" his declaration echoed, imprinting itself into Raven's consciousness as he stepped out into the world beyond the club's confines.
*