Chapter 6: Whispers of Betrayal
"Emma! There's a party tonight!" Zara squealed, practically bouncing in the doorway.
"Ugh, shut up, Zara. I know," Emma snapped, rolling her eyes. "I'm not going with you guys anyway. I have my own plans, and someone special to go with. Byeee!" She gave a dramatic wave and slammed the door shut behind her.
Turning to face Alena, Emma's mischievous grin spread like wildfire. "Hey, Alena! There's a party tonight. You should come! It'll be so much fun. I promise."
Alena looked up from her desk, her brow furrowed. The thought of going to another party, especially with everything going on, didn't sit right with her. "That sounds great, but… I'm not going, Emma."
"Come on, don't be like that. You'll love it. Everyone will be there!" Emma's tone was light, persuasive, but there was something almost too eager about it.
Before Alena could respond, a voice whispered in her mind, firm and insistent: Don't go.
She shook her head, trying to push it away. "I just don't feel like it," she said, standing up and gathering her books. "Besides, I don't really have anything to wear."
Emma waved off the concern with a flippant gesture. "Oh, please. I've got the perfect outfit for you!" she said with a grin that was somehow both charming and unsettling.
"Emma, I'm serious. I'm tired. I have class tomorrow. I just want to rest." Alena's voice was quieter now, filled with a subtle finality.
Emma's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered, her eyes hardening slightly. "Alena, please. I don't want to feel lonely at the party. It's not too much to ask, is it? You're my best friend. I need you there."
Best friend? Alena's mind raced, unsure of when things had shifted so dramatically. But with Emma's eyes fixed on her, she felt a pull she couldn't ignore. The pressure in her chest tightened, making it harder to breathe.
"Okay, fine," Alena said reluctantly. "Just to keep you company."
Emma's face broke into a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes! Just to keep me company," she repeated, her voice laced with something almost predatory. Under her breath, she muttered, "Gotcha."
---
The party was already in full swing when they arrived. The bass of the music pounded through the air, reverberating in Alena's chest as bodies moved in chaotic rhythm under the blinding, flashing lights. She fidgeted with the hem of her borrowed dress, feeling like an outsider, her every step awkward and hesitant in the crowd.
"I don't know, Emma. This doesn't feel right," Alena murmured, her voice tight with nerves, the noise only amplifying her discomfort.
Emma, looking every bit the part in a daring purple gown, smirked confidently. "Relax. You look amazing! Everyone's staring because they're jealous."
The energy in the room was overwhelming. Alena's skin crawled as she noticed the lingering stares and whispered conversations. She felt like a target, exposed and vulnerable.
"I'm grabbing us some drinks," Emma said with a wink. She turned and disappeared into the crowd without waiting for a response.
Alena, left alone among the strangers, scanned the room, her pulse quickening. That's when she saw him—the enigmatic figure she'd heard so much about. Alexo. The rumors about him were unsettling, about how unpredictable he could be, and how few dared to cross him.
Why was he here? And why was he staring at her like that? His green eyes locked onto hers with unnerving intensity, sending a chill through her spine.
Alena quickly turned away, her heart racing. I shouldn't have come here. The voice in her head screamed at her to leave, but she couldn't.
Emma returned soon after, a sweet smile plastered on her face, but her eyes glittered with something darker. She handed Alena a glass of orange juice. "Here, sweetheart, just for you," she cooed, the tone syrupy and insincere.
"Thanks, Emma," Alena replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She trusted Emma—she had to, right? So, she drank it without hesitation.
But as the cold liquid slid down her throat, something felt wrong. A wave of dizziness hit her almost immediately. Her vision blurred, and her head felt light, like she was floating.
"Emma… I feel dizzy," she whispered, gripping the back of a nearby couch to steady herself.
Emma's smile faltered, but only for a moment. Her eyes darkened, the concern on her face exaggerated and fake. "Oh no! Do you want me to help you? You don't look so good," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
"I… I'll find the restroom," Alena mumbled, pushing herself to stand. But the world tilted dangerously, and she stumbled forward.
"Suit yourself," Emma replied with a barely concealed smirk, watching Alena wobble through the crowd, her voice laced with something cruel.
---
The hallway felt like it stretched on forever as Alena stumbled, her body sluggish and disoriented. Her head swam, the walls blurring into pools of color, and the sounds of the party faded into a distant hum.
"Need some help, darling?" a voice drawled from the shadows.
Alena turned slowly, her vision swimming. A middle-aged man with a slick smile and leering eyes stood in front of her, his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol.
"I… I can't find the restroom," she slurred, trying to steady herself, but her legs were giving out beneath her.
"My pleasure to assist," the man purred, his hand sliding too close to her waist as he tried to guide her down the hall.
But before he could take another step, a deep, commanding voice rang out, sharp and authoritative.
"Take your hands off her."
The man froze, his eyes flicking to the source of the voice.
A tall, imposing figure stepped out from the shadows, his green eyes gleaming with a menacing edge.
"Who the hell are you?" the man sneered, trying to mask the unease in his voice.
Alexo's jaw tightened, and his voice was like ice. "Someone you don't want to mess with."
The man chuckled mockingly, clearly trying to regain his bravado. "Oh, really? And who's going to stop me?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Alexo closed the distance in a blur of motion. His fist connected with the man's jaw with a sickening crack, sending him stumbling backward.
"Please, stop!" Alena cried weakly, still dazed, clutching Alexo's arm as she swayed unsteadily on her feet.
Alexo's hard gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. Without another word, he wrapped his arm around her waist, steadying her with ease.
"Let's get you out of here," he said firmly, his voice low and reassuring.
Before Alena could protest, he scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her against his chest.
"Who are you?" she whispered, her voice shaking with confusion and fear.
Alexo's gaze flickered down at her, unreadable. "Someone you're better off staying close to," he replied quietly, his tone almost protective as he carried her away from the chaos.
---
The room Alexo took her to was quiet, the sounds of the party muffled, almost like another world entirely. He gently set Alena down on a soft bed, his green eyes scrutinizing her as if reading her every thought.
"Rest here," he commanded, his voice firm but with an undercurrent of concern. His hands lingered on her shoulders for a brief moment before he stepped back, running a hand through his dark hair in frustration.
Alena blinked up at him, trying to make sense of the situation. Her mind was foggy, her body too heavy. "Why… why are you helping me?" she whispered, barely able to form the words.
Alexo's jaw clenched as he stared at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Because someone has to," he said bluntly. "And you clearly can't take care of yourself right now."
His words stung, but Alena was too disoriented to argue. She tried to sit up, but the room spun, forcing her to collapse back onto the bed. "I—I shouldn't have come here," she murmured, tears starting to well up in her eyes.
Alexo's expression softened, just for a moment. He crouched down in front of her, his green eyes intense. "You're right," he said quietly. "You don't belong in a place like this. But I'm here now, and nothing else is going to happen to you. I promise."
Alena stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of his words, his gaze—it was almost too much. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and yet, there was a strange sense of safety in his presence.
"Who are you?" she asked again, her voice trembling.
Alexo hesitated, his expression conflicted. For a moment, he seemed to battle with something internal before he sighed and leaned closer. "I'm Alexo," he said simply, his voice softening. "And you're someone who deserves better than this."
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Alena blinked back the tears threatening to spill, her heart aching. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking as the weight of the moment settled in.
Alexo nodded, standing up. "Rest. I'll stay here until you're feeling better." He leaned against the wall, his tall form casting a shadow in the dim room.
Alena felt the pull of sleep tugging at her eyelids, but her thoughts were racing. She walked toward him, her body moving before she could think. In a swift motion, she kissed Alexo, a desperate gesture of gratitude. Without a word, she pulled back and left, leaving him standing speechless in the quiet room.
---
Back at the party, Emma searched the crowd, her irritation growing with each passing moment. "Where is she?" she muttered under her breath, her perfect plans unraveling.
Zara appeared beside her, a drink in hand. "Looking for your new friend?" she teased, her smirk knowing. "You really have a soft spot for the churchy type, don't you?"
Emma forced a laugh, masking her frustration. "Oh, please. She's just a project. But don't worry, I'll find her soon enough."
As she scanned the room again, a cold feeling settled in her chest. Something wasn't right. This wasn't how the night was supposed to go.