Chapter 1: The Last Mission

The scent of cigar smoke and whiskey hit my nose as I sat down on the leather chair in the Alpha’s office. The place had a wooden desk, black walls, and glass windows offering a view of the Paragon pack below.

Alpha Viktor stood by the window, his shoulders blocking the moonlight. Even at forty, Viktor was a force: dark hair slicked back, eyes like ice, and a presence that made my wolf want to bare her throat. Too bad I’d learned long ago not to trust him.

“You’re late, Nyx,” he said, not turning around. His voice was smooth, like a blade wrapped in silk.

“Traffic,” I lied, crossing my legs. The tight red dress I wore rode up my thigh, and I didn’t bother pulling it down. Viktor liked his mercenaries to look the part, and I’d played this game for years.

“You gonna tell me why I’m here, or do I have to guess?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled dangerously, finally turning to face me. “Always so mouthy. That’s why I kept you around for so long.” He slid a manila folder across the desk. “I have a new mission for you, Nyx. Do this for me, and you get what you’ve always wanted.”

I narrowed my eyes, refusing to touch the folder. “I’ve already done everything you asked, Alpha, and you said that was the last job.”

He took a step closer, fingers steepled, eyes gleaming with that familiar cold amusement. “And you did well. Better than anyone else ever could.”

“So what?” I snapped. “I held up my end, what about your promise?”

“If you really want to know who your real mother is,” he cut in sharply, “you better stop asking questions and do what you do best.” He tapped the folder once. “You’re the only one I can trust to get this done, so make me proud.”

My heart kicked hard, but I kept my face blank. ‘My real mother,’ those words felt heavy, like stones in my heart. Nineteen years ago, Viktor had found me, a scared kid, covered in my father’s blood. My mother had run off when I was just a baby; I never knew her, but my father had raised me until that night of the massacre.

Alpha Viktor took me in and raised me alongside a handful of others. He turned me into a killer, a weapon for his political and vicious plans. All the while, he kept me on a leash with the promise of reuniting me with my real mother if I served him well and completed all the missions he had for me.

I grabbed the folder, flipping it open to see a photo of a guy with dark hair, a stubbled jaw, and eyes like liquid gold. Kael Blackwood, 25, height: 6 '1, alpha of the Crescent pack. The details were sparse but the order was clear: kill him.

“He’s young,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Most of your targets are old bastards with too many histories to their name. What’s his deal?”

Viktor’s eyes narrowed as he replied. “Kael Blackwood is a threat. His pack’s been sniffing around my territory, stirring up trouble. I need you to eliminate him, and the Crescent pack will crumble before me.”

Nothing with Viktor was ever simple. I shut the folder, leaning forward. “And after this, I’m done. You’ll tell me who my mother is and where I can find her.”

His gaze flicked over me for a few seconds longer. “You have my word, Nyx.”

I snorted. “Your word is worth about as much as this chair.” I stood, tucking the folder under my arm. “I’ll do it. Where’s he at?”

“My intel said that there’s a bar he frequents at Warehouse District. Find him there tonight. Seduce him, kill him, make it quick and clean.” Viktor stepped closer. “Don’t get soft, Nyx. You’re my best, and I don't expect you to fail me.”

I met his stare, my lips curving into a grin. “Don’t worry, alpha. I won’t fail you.” I said and walked out with the folder in my hands to carry out my last mission.

I arrived at Warehouse District by dusk. Rusty Claw was a dump bar tucked between crumbling warehouses on the outskirts of Crescent Pack. The neon sign flickered, buzzing like a dying bug.

Inside, the air was stuffy with the smell of people’s sweat and cheap beer. I slid onto a barstool, ordering a vodka soda.

The bartender, a grizzled guy with a scar across his cheek, barely looked at me as he poured my drink.

I scanned the room, my eyes searching for my target. Kael wasn’t hard to spot, he was in a corner booth, nursing a beer, his long fingers tapping the bottle. Dark hair, and golden eyes, just like the one in the photo.

My wolf perked up at how hot he looked. Easy, girl, I told her, sliding off the stool. I sauntered over, hips swaying, and dropped into the booth across from Kael.

“This seat taken?” I asked, flashing my sexiest smile.

He smirked, leaning back. “Depends. You gonna make it worth my while?”

I laughed, low and flirty. “Oh, I’m worth it, sweety, trust me.” I extended a hand. “Gwen.” I lied.

“Rowan,” he said, shaking it. His grip was strong, and a spark shot through me, unexpectedly.

I frowned, pulling back. Rowan? But the file said Kael. Maybe Rowan was his nickname, I assumed.

“You come here often?” he asked, sipping his drink.

“Uh—No, what about you?” 

“Enough to know you’re not a regular,” Rowan said, slowly. “Why don't you tell me why you are here and who you're looking for?”

I laughed, tossing my hair. “Oh, you know. I'm just a girl looking to have a good time.” I lied yet again.

We started talking about the kind of bullshit you do when you’re sizing someone up. He was charming, funny with a grin, and way too easy on the eyes.

A few drinks in, Rowan leaned closer, his voice dropping. “You’re horny, Gwen. I can smell it,” he said.

I grinned, flashing my boobs across his face. “Then stop talking and do something about it.” My wolf was pacing now, clawing at me, but I ignored her. This was a job, not a date.

Rowan's smirk widened. “Wanna get outta here and do something fun?” he asked.

“Don’t think I can wait,” I purred, nodding toward the back of the bar.

His eyes darkened, and he stood, grabbing my hand. “Follow me.”

Rowan led me through the crowd, past sticky tables and drunk patrons, to a narrow hallway behind the bar. A door marked STORAGE creaked open, revealing a cramped room with a sagging couch, a flickering bulb, and stacks of crates. The room smelled like dust and stale beer, but it was private enough to get the job done.

Immediately Rowan shut the door, his hands grabbed my waist. “You are so sexy,” he murmured, his lips brushing my ear.

I smirked, pressing myself against him. “Shut up and kiss me.”

His mouth crashed into mine, hot and hungry. I kissed him back, my fingers tugging at his shirt and popping a button.

His hands slid up my dress, rough on my thighs, and I arched into him, my wolf purring despite my orders to stay quiet. The dagger on my thigh pressed against my skin, reminding me of my mission.

He fumbled with my dress straps, cursing softly, and I laughed, pulling them down myself. “Slow down, sweety,” I teased, but my voice was breathy.

“Fuck, you’re killing me,” he growled, his lips finding my neck. His hands were everywhere, and I let him touch me. My body responded to his touch even as my mind remained sharp.

He pressed me against the couch, mouth trailing along my neck, sending hot breath against my skin. I played along, arching into him, keeping his attention fully on me.

Just as he started fumbling with his belt, I slipped a hand into my purse, pulled out a syringe, and administered a swift jab to the side of his neck.

Rowan groaned. “Wh—” But he never finished. His body jerked and then went limp within seconds, the sedative knocking him out cold. He went slack in my arms, collapsing on top of me.

I checked his pulse, it was dead. Now that he was unconscious I needed to get the job done and get the hell out of here as soon as possible. I was tugging my dress back into place when the door slammed open.

A man stood there, his frame filling the doorway, his aura was like a storm. Same dark hair, same golden eyes, same face as the lifeless man on the couch.

Twins? Shit! I had gone for the wrong guy.

“Who the hell are you?” he growled, stepping into the room. His voice was deeper than his twin's.

My wolf surged, screaming one word: Mate. I froze, my breath catching as his eyes locked on mine. He felt it too, the bond was raw and undeniable.

“Kael?” I whispered, my voice shaking as I realized that my target was my mate and that I had mistaken him for his twin brother.