Chapter 16

Davien P. O. V

I wasn't particularly liked by any of the other Alphas in the southern district, but that didn't mean I was disliked either. However, after my slight shoulder brush with Zach, I was a stepping stone away from getting hated.

Not that I gave a fuck.

The sound of thunder, and the smell of rain pulled me out of my thoughts. My fingers instinctively gripped tightly onto the steering wheel, while I alternated glances between the traffic lights and the pup sulking in front.

He hadn't so much as said a word to me since the seminar, and as much as I hate to admit it, I wouldn't mind hearing a snarky retort on my brutal living.

"Hey," I said, taking the initiative to break the ice, he didn't respond and kept his head slanted against the tinted glass, his eyes closed.

"Don't take what those Alphas were saying to heart, it isn't all shifters who think that way, y'know?" I thought that I had this pup all figured out, and had gotten a good read on his personality.

But seeing how he passionately fought for what he believed in, I couldn't silence the voice nagging at the back of my mind, convincing me I had misjudged him.

The kid was only nineteen, he shouldn't have to go through any of this.

"They're all jackasses, I don't see anything wrong with wanting a change."

The yellow light swiftly turned green, and all the cars around us started speeding ahead. The clouds above us were grey, hinting that a storm was headed out way.

A big one.

I joined the drivers, desperate to get back home and take a shower to get my mind off of things.

"Have you forgotten about our plans? We were supposed to discuss our next line of action at the museum. Or have you already forgotten?" Kian asked, pulling out his phone from his front pocket.

This kid…"I think we've had enough outing for one day, we can talk about things at home." It didn't occur to me that I had referred to my apartment space as a home, and more so, one that we both shared.

Staring into his phone he retorted, "There's a special exhibit at seven, I want to see it."

"Special exhibit? It looks like the rain's going to be heavy, you can come see it tomorrow. Can't you?" The weather had been unpredictable for the past days, and I didn't want to take chances with my new car.

A storm gave rise to a bunch of reckless drivers, claiming they were too 'overwhelmed' not to have seen where the fuck they were going.

"If it's too much trouble then stop the car, I don't intend to exploit you, I'll get to the museum myself." He replied with indignation in his words.

I rolled my eyes, "Is that pettiness I sense? Has your indifferent facade finally wavered?" The tease came naturally, I honestly just wanted to know if he was fine. But, Ralph, that bastard never ceased to want to be on top of things.

And people.

Kian turned off his phone and casted a glance at me, he didn't say a word for half a minute, but I could feel his raw stare directed at me.

I wanted to steal a peak and see what sort of expression he was making, but I didn't want to run this baby into an accident, not after the hefty sum I payed for shipping and import duties.

"Why are you looking at me?"

"Because I like to look at you. It helps me empty my mind…seeing as you have nothing occupying yours." He said, muttering the latter part to himself, just loud enough for me to catch it.

Without thinking, I pulled on the brakes, with every intention to bend him over and teach him a lesson or two. And I would've done it thoroughly, but that pup took advantage of the situation and stepped out of the car.

"Where the fuck you think you're going?" I yelled over the thunder claps, Kian slipped his phone back into his pocket and gave me a plain look.

"I'll see you at the exhibition." He said, before walking away, mixing well with the sea of people waiting to cross the street.

I sighed and sunk my head into my car seat, "It's just a fucking exhibition, why could he care so much about it?" I asked myself while watching him cross the street with a bunch of strangers, allowing their scent to stick on him.

I bit my cheeks…I didn't like that at all.

Just like at the restaurant, Kian didn't stop surprising me with his good taste in places. I had lived in this city all my life, but I never would've found this place on my own.

The museum's decor was intricately detailed, with an oriental vibe and soothing music playing in the background. It had a bright yet charmingly subdued atmosphere.

Above us, a golden glass ceiling stretched out, adorned with delicate patterns. Every step I took immersed me further in the museum's captivating and elegant charm.

It was an art museum, with a wide range of paintings and sculptures. Everyone present seemed very invested in the works on display, chattering and chuckling to one another.

This was far from my ideal night at a club.

Thankfully, I wasn't bored for very long, because a pretty blonde guide walked over to me, and offered to show me around.

I looked at my phone, it was six thirty, there were still thirty more minutes until that exhibit Kian wanted to see so badly. Since I had enough time to dwindle, I let the little lady lead the way.

"This painting here was just brought in last week," the woman known as Mira told me, referring to a landscape painting in front of us. It looked like a barn on a country side, but I'm certain art enthusiasts would have a field day relating that to societal struggle.

"It must cost a lot of money just maintaining these paintings."

She huffed, "You don't know the half of it! The owner plans to auction off his favorite collection of portraits tonight…" she broke from conversation and stared at her watch.

"It's almost seven, I have to get going, there are a lot of last minute checks to be made." Mira said, already turning to leave.

"Auction?" If I remembered correctly, Kian did say that he was eager to see an exhibition, but he never said anything about an auction.

Not placing much thought into his reasons, I decided to go find him myself. The place was large but easy to navigate, especially since everyone flocked to the auction room.

A mixture of strong scents messed with my sense of smell, some alcohol, some perfume, and an underlying scent of paint and old frames.

"Where the hell did that…" I was on the verge of cussing him out, when my eyes caught sight of a group of men march into the room, all in matching navy blue suits.

I didn't read too much into it at first, but my interest was piqued, the moment a certain black haired man stepped into the room, balancing a thick cigar in-between his fingers.

Mira, broke apart from the other staff members and rushed to welcome him, holding a silver tray with the number 6, written boldly on it.

"Mr Fabri, it's wonderful to see you again, please come this way, the bidding is about to begin." She said, paving way to the section where the bidders sat.

I took out my phone and shuffled through the articles about him, zooming in on his photo, to make sure I got the right guy.

There was no mistaking it, Caesar Fabri was currently at this museum, and he was going to be taking part in the auction tonight.

At that moment, Kian's words resounded in my head. —"There's a special exhibit at seven, I want to see it."—

From where I stood, it was clear as day that Kian had planned all this from the start, there was no frickin way this was a coincidence.

The real question now was, why. Why had he lured me into coming here? And more importantly…

What exactly did he want me to do?