CHAPTER 41- Varick

Chapter three 

Rowen's POV

I sped out of the house, my anger still burning. The engine of my favorite sports car roared to life, its tires screeching as I pressed on the accelerator. I wasn’t heading to my usual bar tonight—Scott would surely follow me there, dragging me back into yet another pointless argument. I needed to escape. So, I drove further away, outside my community, to a smaller area I rarely visited.

This community, though quiet, depended on the protection of my father and mostly, my  uncle Zarok. Their influence kept it intact, with residents offering their first virgin daughters in exchange for safety. It was a dark arrangement, but it kept the peace.

I arrived at a lounge, and it was much grander than I had expected. I thought it would be a small, intimate place, but it turned out to be a sprawling establishment with loud music, neon lights, and a vibrant crowd—exactly what I needed. 

I made my way to the VIP area. “Clear the VIP lounge. I need it empty,” I told the manager, who looked startled at my request.

“Sir, that’ll cost you a lot, 30 grand!”  he hesitated, unsure if I could afford it.

“I’ll pay double. Just clear the area,” I said, already transferring the funds to his account. His eyes widened when he saw the transfer, and within minutes, the space was cleared. 

I sat down at a sleek table, already set with drinks. The plan was simple: I wanted to be alone, to drown out the chaos in my head. I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the night.

The manager came up to me again, clearly eager to please. “Would you like me to bring over the finest company, sir? On the house?”

I glanced at my phone, seeing Scott's name flashing across the screen. "Not interested."

I ignored the phone calls, focusing instead on my surroundings. That’s when I saw her.

She walked into the lounge with an air of innocence about her. Her long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her bright blue eyes shimmered under the club lights. She had an ethereal quality to her, almost out of place in this loud, busy environment. Her movements were cautious, as if she was unsure of herself in such a place.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. There was something magnetic about her, something I hadn’t experienced before. I set my drink down, unable to look away.

I called the manager over. “Who is that girl?”

“I’m not sure,” he said, scanning the room. “She’s new here, I think.”

“I want to meet her. Bring her to me,” I instructed, my voice firm.

He nodded, disappearing to relay my request. A few moments later, she approached, walking slowly, her eyes still darting nervously around the room. I gestured for her to sit beside me.

As she got closer, I noticed how her presence seemed to calm the chaos around me. Her beauty was even more striking up close, though there was a shyness in her posture that made her seem out of place in the lounge. She was different from the women I was used to seeing here.

“Don’t be afraid,” I said gently, trying to ease her nerves. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

She gave a small, uncertain smile, her eyes studying me carefully.

“What do you drink?” I asked. “Champagne or whisky?”

She blinked, clearly unfamiliar with the options. “I’ve never had alcohol before. Just... give me something. I trust you.”

Her voice was soft, a quiet sound that tugged at something deep inside me. I poured her a glass of champagne and handed it to her. She took it without hesitation, drinking it quickly.

“Whoa, slow down,” I said with a chuckle. “You’ll get drunk if you drink that fast.”

She smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.”

I studied her for a moment before asking, “What’s your name?”

“Pamela,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Pamela… why are you here alone? This place isn’t safe for someone like you.”

She shrugged slightly, her eyes distant. “Where I come from is worse. I’ve learned not to worry too much.”

I was intrigued by her calmness, by the way she carried herself despite the obvious discomfort of being in such a place. There was something captivating about her, something I couldn’t quite explain. I found myself wanting to know more.

We talked for a while, about trivial things at first, but there was a strange connection between us. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so drawn to someone. It was as if I was discovering something new and exciting about life that I hadn’t known existed.

As the night went on, we moved closer, drawn to one another in a way I couldn’t fight. She smiled more easily now, her nervousness starting to fade as we continued to talk. At some point, I noticed her growing more tipsy, the alcohol clearly affecting her.

“Are you okay?” I asked, concerned when I saw her swaying slightly.

“I’m fine,” she said, but her words were slow, and her eyes seemed a bit unfocused.

“Maybe we should get you somewhere safe,” I suggested, knowing she wasn’t in any condition to stay out much longer.

“I don’t want to go home,” she whispered, looking up at me with a strange, trusting gaze. “Take me somewhere... somewhere quiet.”

I led her to my car, the cool night air hitting us as I helped her into the passenger seat. The drive to a nearby hotel was quiet, and I could sense that she was deep in thought, her eyes half-closed as she drifted in and out of awareness.

When we arrived at the hotel, I booked the presidential suite, hoping it would offer her the comfort she needed. I carried her inside, feeling an overwhelming protectiveness toward her. She clung to me as I walked, and when I laid her down on the bed, I couldn’t help but pause for a moment, looking at her. The light in the room cast a soft glow on her face, and in that moment, something inside me shifted.

I didn’t know what it was about her that had such a hold on me. But I knew I wanted to learn more. I wanted to be close to her, to understand who she really was. I kissed her gently, feeling a deep connection that I hadn’t felt before with anyone.

When I pulled back, I gazed at her, my heart pounding. She was everything I never knew I needed. In that moment, I realized that I wanted to protect her—no matter what it took.

As I stroked her hair, I knew that this night, this chance encounter, was the beginning of something I couldn’t walk away from. She was different. She was the one I had been waiting for.

The silence in the room was palpable, until she spoke, her voice husky and confident. "Make love to me." I hesitated, unsure if I was ready to take that step. But before I could respond, she pulled me in, her lips crashing against mine in a deeper, more passionate kiss.

We tumbled onto the bed, our clothes shed in a flurry of desire. Pamela was tipsy, but her eyes sparkled with awareness, and I knew she was fully conscious of her actions.

As I slid into her, I was surprised to discover she was a virgin. But it was too late to stop now; we were both lost in the moment. A soft moan escaped our lips as our bodies merged, and suddenly, my inner voice whispered, "Your mate! Your mate!"

I'd never believed in love at first sight, but this was different. I was drawn to Pamela with an intensity I'd never experienced before. My heart beat for her, and I knew in that moment, she was the one.

"She's the one," I whispered to myself, already making plans to take her back to the palace with me by dawn. I would make her my queen. I found a wife.