CHAPTER 102: _LET’S SING OUR HEARTS OUT

Elian’s POV

*****

[Well, this is not looking good at all.]

Elian’s body surged with pure dread as he scanned his gaze around the now pitch black room, his legs touching the edge of the bed.

[You could always lie on it as self-defence.]

’Not helping!’

He swallowed hard, glancing at Axel, who lit up the room with his golden lightsaber.

The darkness in the room only seemed to surge more and more until it became even thicker than night, painting everything like ink.

But eventually—

It all disappeared faster than it came, leaving the room in silence and Elian’s heart inches away from jumping out of his throat.

But even then, he had the unnerving feeling that something was watching his back.

"Phew..." Axel set aside his sabre with a flick of his wrist, the weapon’s light disappearing before he placed it behind his belt. "I guess it’ll stay away as long as we’re together."

Lucian, on the other hand, still seemed pissed, glaring at the Beta with molten eyes before trailing his gaze to Elian, who scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

Just when the tension was about to stretch into an uncomfortable silence, a knock sounded on the door.

"Is it safe to come in?" Aurora’s voice echoed, forcing Lucian to finally turn his head to the door.

"Yes, sister. There are no threats."

The door opened and Aurora stepped in, dressed in a beautiful icy blue gown, her silver hair left to cascade like a waterfall down both sides of her shoulders.

"I meant unholy activities, not threats," Aurora remarked, raising her chin as she stepped in further without closing the door. "Are we going down for drinks or what?"

Elian’s heart finally started relaxing, his face heating up. "W–Where did you get new clothes from?"

Aurora smiled, folding her arms in front of her chest. "The new team of guards my father sent brought them. And I..."

She paused, finally noticing the tension.

"What happened here?"

Lucian let out a sigh, waving his hand at her. "That Umbra beast is still out there and we have no clue if it’ll come for just Elian or all of us. We need to stay alert."

Aurora blinked for a moment before furrowing her brows. "Staying alert doesn’t involve being locked up in our rooms, right?"

Lucian closed his eyes for a beat, clearly exhausted. "Aurora—"

"Nope. No way, brother." Aurora shook her head, her eyes fierce. "You promised drinks on you and I’ve already slept throughout most of the day. The last thing I need is moping around my room wondering where I went wrong with..."

Her words died in her throat, sadness flashing past her eyes.

It didn’t take a genius to know she was about to talk about Magnus.

Lucian probably noticed this, his eyes softening. Little did the Alpha Prince know that Elian was subtly staring at him.

[Aw, seeing his soft spots is always so cute. Makes him less of a Douchebag, doesn’t it?]

’I... Guess.’

[Maybe even husband material?]

’Let’s not get carried away...’

"Fine." Lucian brushed his black hair back, nodding. "Let’s go. I heard they’re having some kind of Echo music night."

[Ouu, like karaoke!]

’Kar... What?’

[Never mind. It’s an off-world term.]

Elian shrugged, grabbing Axel’s hand with a small smile before fixing his gaze on Lucian. "Let’s go sing our hearts out."

[Or destroy some innocent bystanders’ eardrums while at it...]

.

.

The bar downstairs was dimly lit, with a few yellow crystals placed in different corners of the room.

It was surprisingly packed with people compared to when they arrived at the hotel earlier, wolves with simple backgrounds laughing, drinking, and two already on stage singing a cheesy love song with bottles of beer in their hands.

Aurora led the way to the counter, placing her hands on it and flashing a sweet smile at the bartender. "A glass of your strongest stellar whiskey, please."

The bartender, a pretty girl who seemed to be at least twenty, raised her head from the drinks she was mixing, her green eyes flashing with surprise when she saw the unlikely crew.

"P–Princess Aurora... Alpha Prince..."

She quickly bowed her head, causing Lucian to rub the bridge of his nose while Aurora and Axel smiled.

[It’s remarkable how these people outside always seem to gloss over you.]

’I’ve only been the Alpha Prince’s mate for what? Three days?’ Elian rolled his eyes.

"Please, just hurry up with their orders," Lucian remarked, pointing at the rest of them. "In the meantime, I’ll find us a table."

Elian arched a brow while Axel spoke up. "You’re not joining us to drink?"

"Someone’s gotta stay sober to watch the rest of you." Lucian smiled sarcastically, patting the Beta on his shoulder.

He gave Elian a quick side glance before heading to search for a table.

"Goddess, I can’t believe you all are here in this bar.." The bartender was surprisingly chatty as she made Aurora’s drink. She glanced at Elian and Axel. "What can I get you two?"

Elian was quick to speak. "A bottle of moon dew would be quite okay for me."

She raised a brow. "Oh, someone’s got taste. Well, of course you do."

[She’s surprisingly nice...]

Elian couldn’t agree more.

He couldn’t spot the usual contempt on her face due to his Omega status.

"Moon dew, eh?" Axel wrapped his arm around his shoulders just then, giving him a teasing wink. "I guess I’ve influenced you."

Elian smirked in return. "Maybe just a little."

"We’ve never had any royals here in... Well, ever." The bartender continued, handing Aurora her drink. "The Industrial district hasn’t been the same ever since the Dark Hand came in weeks ago."

Elian frowned and so did Axel and Aurora, all three of them exchanging glances.

"The dark hand?" Axel repeated, drumming his fingers on the counter. "You know about it?"

Elian gazed at him with surprise.

Why did that sound like HE knew about it?

"Everyone in the industrial district knows about it at this point." The bartender leaned in and whispered before tapping a button on the counter.

That made a round hole to open on the marble before a bottle of moon dew popped out of it.

"I just hope the royals do something about them." The bartender remarked with a weary tone.

Elian nodded slowly before locking his gaze on Axel and Aurora with a "someone fill me in" look.

Axel instantly understood and sighed before gesturing at the tables behind them. "You might want to sit for this one."