C H A P T E R S E V E N

{World's collide...and fall to ruins}

Hesperia hummed along to Madonna's 'Like A Virgin', playing at the concert on the beach, scanning all of the little stalls, trying to pass some time and stopping at a few to look at some jewelry before moving on again.

She was alone. Something she had begged Cas to reconsider but he hadn't budged. The plan was to use her 'feminine charms' to attract the bikers and bring them to a small ally away from everyone else where Cas would be waiting.

"As if I even have any charm to use." She muttered, dejected and only for her ears, before she was consumed with her thoughts once more.

The idea of being alone in a place she didn't know didn't sit well with her in the first place. Add some dangerous hot bikers and it was not a good situation.

Something about them just made her so nervous, and she didn't like how weird they made her feel.

She'd felt a sense of emptiness ever since she'd left the boardwalk that night, as if she'd almost left a part of her behind.

'Stop being stupid, just focus. Dumb shitty brain always thinking when I don't want you to.' She hissed to herself in her head, trudging along.

Heavily sighing as boredom hit her once again, she had to admit that without Cas it was no fun; they'd done things together for so long, she was discovering that she was no good at doing things alone.

She was even debating going into that comic shop again just to laugh at those two weird kids.

That plan was put on hold when she spotted the doughnut stand.

Gasping with excitement, she rushed over, eager for a cinnamon sugar doughnut. It felt like years since she'd last had one—they were her absolute favorite.

She thanked the man as he handed her the sweet treat, warmed by his smile, walking only a few steps away and biting into it with enthusiasm.

She smiled, happy, reminded of fond childhood memories as she enjoyed her favorite treat and walked absent mindedly.

Her peace was shattered. She could feel their stares, stopping in place. That feeling she'd been dreading was back and, following her gut, she turned her head to the side, her eyes connecting with those same icy pools that had captivated her that fateful night.

She tried to take the advice Cassius had given her and struggled to remain calm, studying them all again.

They were watching her in return, so closely that she nearly turned and left then and there.

Instead, she tilted her head and was sort of...fascinated as she watched them follow her loose hair that blew in the breeze.

She never received this kind of attention normally, none that she noticed anyway. So this was very new for her. She had no idea how to react as they stared at her with a predator's unwavering attention.

Finally, her nerves got the best of her and she turned, head dizzy, practically bolting in her haste to get to the ally.

She could see it in her sight and tried to increase her pace; the crowd of mismatched people was making it very difficult.

'Just a few more steps. Just a few.' She chanted to herself. Body nearly turning the corner, her heart jumped in her throat and she was forced to stop in place. Something was gripping her wrist with a firm hold. Not strong enough to hurt, but she couldn't get out of it.

"Hello, princess."

She pivoted on the balls of her feet with a loud scrape from the heel of her boots, the deep husky voice that rang in her ears sending a shiver right to her soul.

She just stared at the four men that now surrounded her, skittish as a new born deer.

Marko, Paul and Dwayne moved to form a circle around their leader and their anxious mate, blocking her from escaping as she seemed so eager to do.

They felt bad about scaring her, petrifying her as they did so many, but they couldn't allow her to get away again.

David felt the pull completely leave him as he held her wrist and was relieved to be rid of the strange feeling for a short while. They all stood, silently bewitched, finally taking her in up close.

He looked her over, frowning at the sight of her body convulsing with shakes and small trembles. Without realizing why, he rubbed his thumb against the skin of her wrist to try and comfort her.

His eyes trailed slowly over her, keen to commit every part of her to memory.

The deep green dress she wore hugged her slim curves perfectly, the deep cut neckline exposing her chest that rose up and down rapidly, small breasts straining against the silky soft fabric. He struggled to contain a groan at the sight.

Her leather jacket swamped her small form and Dwayne felt his protectiveness grow. She looked so...vulnerable. Afraid—of them. It was bitter. All he felt at this moment was the need to protect her, moving slightly closer to block her from the view of anyone else.

She took a small step back and Paul's eyes travelled to her legs, her black boots making them look deliciously long and he sucked in a sharp breath as he felt his need for her warp to unimaginable levels.

Her nervous amber eyes locked with Marko's and were almost gold under all the lights of the boardwalk. Her hair was pulled away from her face and his eyes nearly flashed a similar yellow as he stared at her pale neck and collar bones decorated with a single silver locket.

She had freckles on her chest, specked over her nose and he wanted to draw her. Wanted to make her his new muse—but her beauty couldn't be captured.

Taking advantage of their shock she yanked her wrist from David's grasp and escaped around the corner. He stared at where she'd been stood for a moment. And then he growled, horrid and bone chattering like a Rottweiler.

Consumed by the aching fear of losing her again, they moved to follow her. It was a dead end and she was leaning against the wall, looking around her—desperate. Frantic.

They stopped only a few feet away from her, considerate enough to give her space so she wouldn't be so afraid. David stared. Cautious, debating what to do next. They had acted without thinking and now he had no idea what to do. He opened his mouth and went to speak but he was cut off as they finally heard her voice for the first time, though it was tinged with fear.

"Cassius!" She yelled as she looked around her. Searching, begging, pleading to something they couldn't see.

They furrowed their brows at this, but what happened next changed the situation entirely.

There was a loud pop, black smoke clouding their vision. When it cleared Marko and Dwayne hurled out vicious snarls.

Stood as a wall between them and their girl—sturdy, strong, already evident he wasn't going to back down was that stupid little pest that seemed so adamant on keeping her from their sight.

David released a condescending chuckle as blue and green honed into a battle of wills.