CHAPTER 22
The last person I wanted to see in places like this was going to be any Beta or their children. And now, it’s Marvel. The guy who almost broke the cubicle on the campus because he sniffed me.
He had a killing stare, dangerous enough to blow me away. His arms were similar to any wild animal in the forest. I doubt he’ll kill me in a public place like this, but of course, he can do that. He was lion-faced, not because he has a lot of facial hair—because he does not. His nose wasn’t pounded and his eyes were like scars. I never thought of encountering Beta children in this palace.
I tried not to mind him and walked away towards the chili powder when he grabbed the back of my shirt. I stopped moving and faced him.
“Do we have a problem?” This guy has anger issues. I had to keep myself calm while talking to him if I still want my life. He should’ve ignored me yet he pulled me towards me.
“Why does the half-blood princess roam around the town as if she owns this place?” He smirked at me. His hands balled into a cannonball.
I shot a glance at Gwen who looked worried after she witnessed me with Marvel. “I’m fine,” I muttered. Gwen won’t be able to help me if something happened. Her family would turn up dead if she defended me from Marvel.
“I’m not a princess. I don’t want to talk to you. I just need things to bring for our meal later. And I should be the one to ask why a rich son of a Beta is buying something inside a store as if their house didn’t have any groceries.”
Marvel cursed. I hit his point—it looked like he had a lot of sensitive points. Sensitive guys with anger issues are red flags. “You shouldn’t care whether I buy or not in this place. That woman.” He pointed at Gwen. “Her family is just a slave of Glitter’s family. You shouldn’t compare my life to you, bastard.”
“I never compared my life to you. I even didn’t want to talk to an annoying man like you. I need things. You pulled my shirt. And now you’re angry at me!”
“You!” He was about to punch my face when I guy grabbed his arms.
It was Gelo! But no. It was another guy, taller than Marvel and even maybe Gelo. He’s the same age as Sage, I thought. I don’t know him but he looked rich with his outfit similar to a KPOP star.
“I never saw you calm, Marvel. And you even dared to punch a lady’s face in a public place. Your parents must be ashamed of you right now,” the guy said. He had a deep but not mysterious voice. He let go of Marvel’s hands and tucked his arms inside his pockets.
“Railey…” I never heard that name even on campus. He must be someone Marvel knew. He looked like a college student that’s why I haven’t seen him anywhere. “I’m sorry but this half-blood annoys the hell out of me.”
Marvel at least respects him. He must be a Beta’s child as well.
“You’re similar to my sister Akisha. The both of you don’t care whether you are going to hurt a person or not. The two of you are rascals.”
He must be Akisha’s older brother. But he’s the opposite of these Beta children. He protected a half-blood like me. No, he just stopped Marvel from creating violence.
Railey glanced back at me. “Go on now, lady. Get the things you need and don’t mind the two of us.”
I staggered from my place. I clutched a small pack of chili powder and headed back to Gwen to pay for everything. When I glanced back at Railey and Marvel, it seemed that the older one was teaching Marvel the discipline and attitude he shall possess.
“I thought he’s gonna kill you,” Gwen said, punching the chili powder and the five lemons. She placed it inside a paper bag. She pulled something from the counter. A bar of chocolate! “Eat this on your way to calm yourself. My Dad brought it when he visited. I thought I’d give it to you tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re lucky Railey came. He’s Akisha’s older brother and he’s the least dangerous among all of the Beta children. No one can stop Marvel from hurting you except that guy or any Beta children.”
Gwen said he’s the least dangerous. That means, being with him wasn’t safe at all. I should keep my senses alive when he’s around. No one knew if that guy would attack me.
“I should go now. My brothers are already hungry at this point. Thanks for the chocolate.”
I waved goodbye and smiled at Gwen when I left the store. A few meters walking away from the store, I glanced back. I was relieved when neither Marvel nor Railey followed me. Who knows if the two of them are faking it and they will attack me once I left the store? I should stop reading mystery and thriller books at this point. I’m imagining things.
Who can stop thinking things when I’m in an unusual town where everyone is a shifter and I’m a half-blood? And the only pure humans in here are my brothers and Mila. Mila, who’s in front of her house watching leaves passing by. I didn’t notice her outside when I passed earlier.
Gelo said she’s crazy. I’m afraid she’ll suddenly attack me. I could run but I wasn’t fast enough with the things I’m carrying.
Mila gazed at me. My knees turned to jelly. Every step I took was spiking.
Please don’t attack me. Please don’t hurt me.
My slippers are scratching through the ground. Hunger and hopelessness were reflected in Mila’s eyes. She doesn’t look dangerous. She looked like she was asking for help. They said not to stare at crazy people. Because they’re going to attack you if you do. This woman doesn’t look crazy at all. She looked like I needed to help her.
A few feet from her, I stopped, pulled the bar of chocolate, and handed it to her. “It’s sad that everyone in this town decides to judge you instead of helping a person who turned crazy.”
After she received the bar of chocolate, I walked past her.
“I’m not crazy,” she said in a serious and human-like voice. Though I wasn’t sure, I knew she was telling the truth.