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.”

Hermosa POV

The expensive perfume of the stranger filled the air—it was strong, commanding. He was definitely an Alpha. Maybe he mistook me for one of the whores.

Moon Goddess, I wasn’t even one. I needed to find help for Cammy before she died—if she wasn’t already dead.

What have I gotten myself into? I breathed heavily.

“Did you come here to mope?!” the stranger’s voice thundered, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“No!” I replied quickly, startled by his harsh tone.

“Undress,” he ordered, voice low and husky.

“I… I can’t,” I said, my voice trembling. Fear crawled under my skin.

“Are you challenging me?” he asked, surprise flickering in his eyes.

“I don’t even know who you are, dammit!” I snapped before catching myself.

“No, I wouldn’t dare,” I corrected hurriedly. If I had a gun, I’d blow his brains out and run, I thought bitterly.

“You don’t need the money?” he pressed, skeptical.

“What… money?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. Too late—I’d given myself away.

I wanted to explain, but a sudden knock interrupted me.

*Bang! Bang!*

“Who is that?” the stranger growled, his patience thinning.

“So sorry, Ragal,” came a voice from outside, deferential and nervous.

“Speak, Morgan!” he barked, irritated.

“It’s a matter of urgency, sir. I can’t say it outside.”

My knees weakened. *Raphael might have found me.* My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears.

“Go away, Morgan,” the stranger snapped. “I’m with the informant.”

“That’s the problem, Ragal. She’s not the informant!”

“What?!” His voice boomed, shaking me to my core. I froze, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

“I’ll get back to you later, Morgan,” he growled.

Then his eyes turned to me, sharp and burning. “Were you trying to trick me?”

“No! I’m not!” I stammered.

“Oh, yes, you are. You wanted to steal my money and run, didn’t you?” His tone dripped with menace. “Turn on the light. I want to see your face.”

My hands shook as I searched for the switch. “Moon Goddess, please,” I prayed silently.

The light flickered on. My heart sank.

“Who are you?!” he barked.

“I—I’m a stripper,” I whispered.

“You’re lying,” he said coldly. “And I hate lies.”

My mouth went dry. I knew that voice. I knew that face.

“Answer me!” he thundered. His brows knitted, his piercing blue eyes burned into mine. His tousled hair framed a dangerously handsome face that could stop hearts—and lives.

My knees buckled. I dropped to the floor, sweat dripping down my face.

He wasn’t just any Alpha. He was the Alpha King—the ruler of all, Ragal, the Lycan King.

My tongue felt frozen. If he knew what I was, he’d kill me. Strip clubs were forbidden in his territories. Rumors said he was hunting them down.

But maybe… maybe he could help me escape Raphael.

“That doesn’t answer my question, little one,” he said, his voice low and cold. “Tell me what the hell you’re doing in my hotel room.”

I hesitated, trying to choose my words carefully. “I’m running away from my mate, my lord,” I said, keeping my eyes on the floor.

“And why would you do that here?” He raised a brow.

“I… I mistakenly came up here,” I lied, praying he wouldn’t see through me.

He scoffed. “You don’t ‘mistakenly’ walk into *my* room unless you have a reason. Are you wearing a wire? Is that why you refused to take off your clothes?”

“It’s the truth,” I said, voice trembling, sweat beading on my forehead.

“I don’t believe you,” he said coldly. “You reek of lies, little wolf. I’ll have your mate brought here to repeat everything you just said.” He turned toward the door.

“Please, sir! I’ll do anything you ask—just don’t call him!” I cried, panic rising in my chest.

“Who is your mate?”

“Raphael… the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack,” I said quietly.

His eyes narrowed. “What are you scared of?”

“He’ll hurt me if he finds me here—with you,” I whispered.

“He won’t hurt you. I won’t allow it.” His tone softened as he reached for the doorknob.

I jumped up, pressing my back against the door. “Please, I’m scared of him. I don’t trust him.”

His gaze softened for a heartbeat, then hardened again. “You should know your place,” he muttered.

“I’m sorry, my King,” I said quickly, bowing.

“You should head back home and settle your differences with him,” he said, suspicion still lacing his tone.

“Yes, my King.” I raised my head, desperate to leave before he changed his mind.

I turned the knob, relief flooding through me as I stepped into the hallway. My breathing began to steady.

“Stop!” Ragal’s voice rang out behind me.

My heart stopped cold.