Hermosa POV

I followed Cammy toward the VIP section, where most elite Alphas were allowed to stay and have sex with any stripper of their choice.

I kept wondering what my best friend was doing here. She never sold her body for a couple of extra bucks—that was the unspoken rule we had.

I snooped around, pretending to look for a particular room while my eyes trailed her every step.

Suddenly, she stopped in the middle of a hallway and opened a door. One thing about the VIP section was that each room was soundproof, making it hard to eavesdrop.

Luckily for me, the hallway was empty. There was no one to stop me or ask what I was doing—especially since the room Cammy entered was further down the hall, and I was still on my stripping clothes.

So, I bent down, staring through the keyhole. There was light in the room, so I could see clearly.

Cammy looked tense, her hands crossed in front of her as she knelt on the golden fur rug, still in her raunchy panties and bra. Her lips moved silently.

I leaned closer to hear what was happening inside.

“Tell me what I did wrong?” a familiar male voice boomed in the room, his figure hidden from view.

“Nothing…” Cammy’s eyes met the rug in obedience, unwilling to look up.

“I protected you and Hermosa,” his voice cracked. “Kept the both of you in the club for your damn good.”

“Why did you do it?” His voice dropped to a whisper.

“I didn’t do anything.” Fear tightened her tone.

“Spread your legs, Cammy,” he commanded.

“I can’t keep f*cking you…” She bit her lip. “I’ve paid back everything I owe.”

He laughed low and evil. “I say when to stop f*cking you.”

“Our debt’s been paid,” she stammered, her hands picking invisible dirt from her fingers.

I couldn’t get in, neither could I see the stranger whose voice seemed familiar.

“If I give orders, you obey, Cammy,” his tone grew dangerous. “Like the snitch you are.”

Her eyes widened. Fear danced in her pupils, and I could only imagine what she had gotten herself into.

“Last time, Cammy,” he drawled, his shadow illuminating in the light. “Stand up and spread those legs.”

“How did you know?” she asked quickly, fear lacing her tone. Her back faced him, legs apart—like she had done this before.

“I warned you, didn’t I?” His hand spanked her ass, and she screamed in pain. My heart caught in my throat as I watched everything unfold. I had to help my best friend before something terrible happened.

My phone wasn’t with me—it was in the changing room. If I could get there and call Rapheal, he would know what to do.

“Remove your damn clothes!” the voice ordered.

Cammy’s trembling hands pushed down her panties in fear. A male figure came into full view.

I gasped, taking in small bouts of air. It was none other than my mate—Rapheal.

My world spun as his image registered in my head.

His hands squeezed her ass as he bent her over, removing his trousers. I couldn’t believe it not in a thousand years. Rapheal, my forever, the man who promised to stand by and protect me, was f*cking my best friend.

“Please stop this, Rapheal,” Cammy’s voice broke in a plea.

“Why?” he growled. “You used to love it when I squeezed your ass this hard.”

I swallowed hard again. My best friend had been sleeping with my mate all along?

No wonder every time I mentioned him, she got uncomfortable and withdrawn. Now I knew why.

“I had no choice,” she cried, her frail voice cracking. “You know it!”

“Shut up!” He squeezed her jaw, pulling down his underwear. “You betrayed me, and I’m here to collect the favor.”

“I… I didn’t ” she stuttered, but he cut her off.

“Ssshhh.” He placed a hand over her lips, bending her across the table with a wicked grin. “I want to teach you a lesson.”

Without warning, he slammed his cock inside her. She groaned in pain, bending backward, holding the wall for support. Each thrust was rough against her body as he panted and cursed.

I held my breath. This felt unreal, like waking up to a nightmare. This couldn’t be my Rapheal the man who claimed to love me.

Her whimpering only seemed to drive him harder. He rode her like an animal, not caring if she was ready or not.

When he was done, he tossed her aside, panting heavily. I wanted to drive a knife into his chest, to make him feel the pain he had given us both.

This wasn’t love. It was abuse in its purest form.

“Let her go!” I banged on the door with every ounce of strength I had left. My emotions wailed inside me, but I kept going, tears streaming down my face.

Reality hit me hard—I couldn’t even save her. I bit my lip in frustration.

Then I heard Cammy’s voice. “I will tell Hermosa everything,” she sobbed, putting on her panties.

“You’ll do no such thing,” he warned, eyes bulging with anger.

“Yes, I will!” she said defiantly.

“No, you won’t!” He yanked her by the hair, eyes blazing as he spoke menacingly. “If I so much as hear a whimper from you…” his fingers grazed her jawline, “…you won’t live long enough.”

“I should’ve told her when I had the chance,” she spat in his face.

I bit my fingers, terrified I would scream.

“You whore!” Rapheal slapped Cammy hard across the face. Her head hit the wall with such force that blood pooled everywhere.

I watched everything unfold, my knees weak. I pressed my trembling hands to my lips. I couldn’t recognize the man I loved.

This was too much for me.

He grabbed a hand towel from the wardrobe, cleaning himself as though he’d been contaminated, while Cammy lay motionless on the floor.

He had just killed my best friend—like it was nothing.

He didn’t even flinch.

“Serves you right,” he muttered, throwing the towel onto her body as he straightened his clothes and hair.

Her blood soaked the floor, her hair and clothes drenched. I stumbled backward in shock, her battered body haunting my every breath.

Hermosa POV

I covered my mouth with both hands, afraid that if I screamed, people would gather outside.

Every step I took, I felt my heart tearing—not just from fear, but from knowing the man I loved was a murderer.

Cammy lay in a pool of her own blood. Whether dead or alive, he didn’t care. All that bothered him was the stain on his shirt.

Rapheal always loved appearances in public—a clean image, the perfect Alpha. That was how I fell for him, without knowing he owned the very club I worked at.

“Hey! What are you doing out here?” a security guard asked, walking up to me.

I was so lost in what had happened that I hadn’t noticed my surroundings. My eyes gave me away—they were filled with fear, the kind of fear that comes from seeing something you should never witness.

It took forever to respond. The security man looked at me with stern suspicion.

“I was… looking for the—ehmm…” My mind went blank.

If Rapheal caught me outside, he’d kill me. If he could harm Cammy, then what was I to him?

Without thinking, I ran.

The security guard shouted after me. I knew it wouldn’t take long for them to catch up, but I still ran.

Fear, hurt, and confusion spread across my face. Where could I go? Who would even believe my story?

My thoughts raced as I navigated through the crowd, the sound of footsteps thundering behind me—a constant reminder I wasn’t alone.

I wanted to rush back to the changing room to switch into something decent, but they’d catch me.

So I did what I knew best—I ran, blindly, on heels, wearing only my bra and panties. Cold sweat stuck my hair to my forehead.

I had to get help.

But from whom? Rapheal wasn’t an ordinary Alpha. He commanded other Alphas—they all listened to him.

Except for the Alpha King.

He had banned strip clubs after several she-wolves were reported missing, most of them Omegas.

But where could I find him?

My heart pounded violently in my chest as I ran. Their boots echoed behind me, closing in.

“Stop running, whoever you are!” My mate’s voice pierced the night. Cold chills ran across my skin.

We were outside now, but he didn’t stop chasing me like an animal. I knew he would do anything to protect his image.

The night was dark, the streets empty and deserted. Around the corner, a flickering streetlight shone beside a large hotel.

I knew Rapheal wouldn’t dare hurt me in public, so I ran toward the light.

No—my mind screamed against the idea. That wasn’t just any hotel; it was a gathering place for elite members of the Blood Moon Pack.

Rapheal would find me easily after all, he was the Alpha of the pack.

This wasn’t the time to think. It was either go in there or die without anyone finding out about Cammy.

I braced myself as I heard his footsteps getting closer. I walked into the hotel calmly, pretending I was just looking for a room. Even I felt foolish walking in like this, half-naked.

“Hello?” the receptionist, a young-looking woman, said as I entered.

“Hi.” I faked a smile.

“You don’t have to come in dressed like that,” she said, scanning me from head to toe.

“I didn’t have time to change,” I lied, forcing a grin.

“You sure know how to make an entrance—for something that’s supposed to be discreet,” she muttered.

I didn’t know what she meant, but I played along.

“Ah, yes, I’m so sorry.”

“You girls always keep him waiting,” she pressed.

“It’s not my fault—I lost track of time,” I replied quickly.

“Yes, you always lose track of time.” Her eyes narrowed with disgust.

“Here, take the keys. He’s in Room 202.” She dropped them on the counter.

“Who?” I asked, glancing back just in time to see Rapheal entering the lobby, scanning the crowd for me. I turned quickly to the receptionist.

“You ask too many questions,” she snapped. “We all know what you do in there with him.”

“I’m sure you do,” I muttered, snatching the keys. I didn’t want to draw attention.

“Hey!” Rapheal’s voice echoed behind me as I hurried down the hall, keys jingling in my trembling hands.

I scanned the corridor, searching for Room 202. My heart pounded harder with every step. I threw quick glances behind me to see if he was near.

Finally, I gasped when I saw Room 202 engraved on the door to my left. I slipped inside, clutching my heaving chest.

“At last,” I muttered under my breath, scanning the room.

The room was dark. I couldn’t see anything. I groped around for the light switch. Everything felt strange—yet strangely comforting.

“Have you forgotten the rules?” a deep male voice rang out across the room.

I froze. “No, I haven’t. I just…” I stammered, my heart hammering against my ribs.

*Whose room is this?* I whispered to myself.

“You just what?” Footsteps approached.

“Nothing. I’m sorry,” I said, my voice shaking.

“The rules were—you’re not allowed to see my face,” he whispered near my ear.

“Yes, I understand,” I replied, trembling.

“You know exactly what you came here to do,” he continued, his warm breath brushing my skin.

I swallowed hard. I wasn’t a whore like the rest.

ALPHA KING RAGAL POV

At the Warehouse

I sat on the opposite chair under a dim light. A man was strapped tightly to a chair across from me, his mouth sealed with cellotape.

His fingers dripped blood onto the cold concrete floor. My wolf, Leo, growled with satisfaction. He had always loved the metallic scent of blood—it fed his inner hunger, satisfied his darker urges.

Carefully, I peeled the tape off my captive’s lips. Sweat drenched his forehead, his skin pale from blood loss. I wasn’t about to let him die—not yet.

My Beta, Morgan, rushed outside. The smell of blood always made him gag like a weak child.

I groaned. The only reason I kept him around was his usefulness in investigation. He was good with evidence, not torture.

“Tell me,” my voice deepened, thick with danger, “who keeps reopening those damn clubs?”

“I swear—I don’t know!” the werewolf shivered, eyes darting toward the knife I twirled lazily in front of him.

I sighed. “You’re making this hard for me. If you won’t talk, then you can’t leave…” I paused, eyes glinting with mischief. “…alive.”

“Really?” His eyes widened, desperation flashing in them as he stared at the keys to his shackles dangling from my hand.

“Yes.” I grinned.

He hesitated, trying to read whether I was serious or not.

“Your time starts now,” I said, dropping the keys into his lap—a cruel taste of freedom. “On the count of five. I’ll take them back if you don’t decide.”

“One… two… three…” I counted on my fingers, watching his panic bloom.

“Okay! Okay!” he panted, trembling. “There’s a club and a hotel that open at night.”

“Go on.” I smiled, the kind that promised no mercy.

“He… he opens the club, and we take some girls and f-fu—” He stopped short under my glare, choking on the rest of the word.

“Should I milk you more?” I drawled, gripping one of his bloody fingers.

“No! Please!” he screamed.

“I need a name.” My hand tightened around his finger.

“It’s Alpha Raphael… of the Blood Moon Pack,” he said with effort.

“Thank you.” I smiled darkly. I had always suspected that cunning snake. Raphael’s name had been whispered in too many shadows. Now, I had confirmation—and tonight, my informant would bring the evidence I needed.

“Please, let me go.” His pitiful voice made my skin crawl.

I threw the key at him. “Only if you can catch it.”

The key clattered to the ground. I gasped in mock surprise. “Oops. You can’t.” I covered my mouth theatrically, the knife gleaming in the light.

“Don’t kill me! I can help you!” he screamed, but the blade had already sunk into his throat. Blood spurted, pooling beneath his chair.

I’d be damned if I let a rapist walk free. I didn’t trust anyone—so why would I trust him?

*Yes, yes… kill him. Feed us,* the shadowed voices hissed in my mind for the first time tonight. My skull pulsed, the pressure unbearable.

Quickly, I pulled a small vial from my breast pocket and drank. The voices quieted, retreating into the darkness of my mind. They loved it when I killed. The more blood I spilled, the louder they grew.

Losing control over both Leo and the voices made me cold.

“Morgan!” My roar echoed through the building, fueled by frustration. What kind of Beta was he?

He came rushing in, face pale, eyes wide at the sight of the corpse.

“Prepare the car,” I ordered. “And call one of the men to clean this up.”

He nodded stiffly, unable to look away from the blood.

“We’re going to the Blood Moon Pack’s elite hotel,” I said, striding toward the car parked outside. I had no time for pleasure or love. My loyalty was to my rule—to my packs.

It didn’t matter how many I killed or how many voices haunted my head. Order would reign under my command.

And I ruled with fear.

Morgan started the car with trembling hands as we drove into the night to meet my informant.

With this evidence, I would finally have what I needed to bring down Alpha Raphael of the Blood Moon Pack.

I couldn’t act without proof—my own law bound me—and that infuriated me.

“Raphael,” I muttered, my voice low and sharp, “I’m coming for you.”