Chapter One

Kade swept into the club, his black trench coat swirling behind him.

‘Ghost’ was packed tonight, like it always was but he wouldn’t know. He had never been here before, if anything he steered clear of the Dark Ring in general.

The Dark Ring was a patchwork of a city, it didn’t actually have an authority in charge. Well, it somewhat did, considering that was the aim of his trip tonight.

To pay a visit to the most powerful mob boss in the Dark Ring.

Rome.

It was a name that sent shivers down the backs of authorities and powerful figures, power threading the single syllable.

He had left his shoulder length, silver blond hair down tonight, foregoing his crown as well.

He wasn’t exactly undercover but he wasn’t planning on announcing his presence either.

Designer black shirt underneath his coat with matching black fitting pants, he always left a couple buttons undone, his throat needed to breathe.

The bouncers at the entrance had done a double take when they saw him, hesitating slightly like they weren’t sure if to turn him away or let him in.

He didn’t give them the chance to do either, brushing past them with a calm stare in his ice blue eyes that dared them to try to stop him.

He also didn’t want to give them the chance to warn their boss, although he knew that Rome would be immediately informed the moment he stepped into the club.

He didn’t want him to have an upperhand. It was always best to have the element of surprise on your side.

Kade stepped forward, gyrating bodies parting for him to pass through, almost like they could sense the dark intent and authority rolling off him in waves.

His trench coat swept behind him as he cut through the dance floor to make his way to backrooms of the club.

Even more irritating than the people in his personal space, were the intrusive scents.

He wasn’t really surprised when he caught the scent of a few humans, which he had somehow caught through the overwhelming scent of booze and questionable substances.

Halfway through the crowd a unique scent washed over him, it didn’t mix with the rest of the terror that was the scent of alcohol, gritty perfume and body fumes, grabbing his attention.

He had a very important matter to address with Rome but somehow the scent had snagged onto him and wasn’t letting go.

Without thinking, he swerved around, heading deeper into the crowd, letting the scent lead him.

He had no idea what it was about the scent, he definitely hadn’t come across it before but the intrigue of who owned it didn’t dwindle the closer he got.

Even through the swarm of gyrating bodies and strobe lights, he could see a figure slowly moving through the crowd with grace.

The scent was even stronger now, dark chocolate with hints of a poisonous night flower. The scent clouded his head, compelling him forward.

|~**~|

Rome did a routine survey of his most successful club at the moment, contrary to most, walking through the blaring noise and the suffocating crowd helped him think.

Inky black hair slicked back, his six feet one tall form was draped in a body hugging turtleneck and fitted pants which were adorned with enough pockets and buckles to hold the arsenal of weapons he always carried on him.

Anyone else would have worn voluminous clothing or at least thrown a coat over their outfit to conceal their weapons, but not Rome.

He was the fucking law in the Dark Ring.

His phone rang when he was almost done with his inspection, making his way towards the wall in an attempt to find somewhere quieter.

He picked up the call and went quiet, whoever was on the other end knew better than to keep him waiting.

It was his personal line, only a select few even had access to it.

“Boss, I’ve just gotten information that Alpha King Kade is in the club, the men speculate that he’s coming for you.”

Rome’s eyebrows went low on his head when his second in command Draken dropped the piece of information on him. “Is he alone?”

“Surprisingly, yes, I have men on lookout at the moment and a couple more keeping their eyes on him, he seems to be alone.” Draken filled him in.

Rome gritted his teeth, sliding his thumb and forefinger over the butt of his gun. “Attend to him but stall, I need to do a couple of things first.” He grinded into the phone hanging up.

Rome glanced at the flashing screen of his phone, he wasn’t surprised that King Kade had shown up all alone, he could pretty much guess what he wanted.

A dangerous smile ghosted across his face, startling gray eyes going cold and calculative.

The Alpha King had to be pretty desperate to come knocking on the doors of his terrain, he would have his fun with him.

He pushed off the wall to continue his journey when a rich smoky leather scent caught his attention and in the next moment he was pinned against the wall.

The action caught him by so much surprise that he was frozen for a few seconds, staring into piercing ice blue eyes.

The other person was clearly a werewolf, an Alpha just like he was but he couldn’t recognize them.

The other Alpha was right in his personal space both of his hands placed against the wall on either side of him, bodies brushing.

Rome had to applaud his moxie, everyone else simply knew better but not this asshole apparently.

He spun them around, pinning the other Alpha to the wall this time, the barrel of his gun up against his heart in the next moment.

“I don’t know who you are but you’re lucky I’m in a shitty mood and I don't have the time for this bullshit.” He half growled at the other Alpha, clicking his gun.

It was dark so he couldn’t make out his features all that well but he couldn’t shake off the sensation that the other Alpha was staring down at him with an odd look in those ice blue eyes even though they were roughly the same height.

It unsettled him.

"Pull a stint like that next time and it'll be the last thing you do." He stated calmly, stepping back and holstering his gun.

He didn't have time to attend to wannabe gangsters who felt like all they had to do was take Rome down to gain control of the Dark Ring.