Chapter 2

EVE.

I should have stayed home that night.

I should have totally ignored Ashley’s stupid idea about going to that club.

It’s been eight months, and I’m still haunted by them. Not just in my dreams, no. This is worse.

It’s the feeling I get every time I turn a corner or see a dark SUV parked too long near the street or every time a stranger stares a little too hard.

Why are they searching for me?

Sure, I stole that cold bastard’s wristwatch. But how was I supposed to know it would matter? Men like him don’t chase women over jewelry. At least, I thought they didn’t.

But that shouldn’t have been enough to make both of them hunt me like I committed murder. Especially not the second one – the one with the teasing smirk and eyes that stripped you bare. He didn’t even blink when they made the deal, like sharing a woman was just another Tuesday night for them.

They made me feel like I was a toy they just picked off a shelf.

My tuition was due, rent overdue, and the man who was supposed to be my father didn’t give a damn if I ended up on the streets. There was no other alternative, and that was when Ashley said she could "help" me.

I swear on everything, I had never stepped foot inside a strip club before that night.

That was the first, and it will always be the last.

It still baffles me how I caught their attention, even with the mask I had on.

Yeah, some ladies that work at the club were allowed masks because it adds a touch of mystery to the whole game. Ashley had always told me about how the club works. So, I decided to go with a mask. But my reason was different… I had to conceal my identity as it was a small town. If Mum ever found out that I was at the club, she’d have a heart attack and die instantly.

Those men were so rich and out of place.

They barely glanced at the stage. Their eyes locked on me like they already knew what they wanted.

They seemed to be best friends. Because how on earth would two men be comfortable sharing the same woman at the same time?

I felt sick and disgusted when they made me the offer.

Two men. At the same time. It wasn’t just unthinkable... it was humiliating.

But it was also tempting.

Usually, the club charges $1,000 per hour for each client. They split the money. Half for the house and half for the girl.

But imagine doing an "outdoor" with two men at the same time, which wouldn't just give me $2,000 per hour but $12,000 for the whole night!

And the juiciest part was the fact that I would keep the entire money to myself because I had planned on sneaking out without Harris, the club manager, knowing.

And for reasons best known to these strange men, they offered me an additional $3,000, if I'd be completely willing to let them do whatever they wanted without protest.

Don't get me wrong... I was never used to such a life. I’ve only ever had one boyfriend in my life. And sex? Maybe three times, tops. It was clumsy, soft, and predictable.

But I took the deal.

Because sometimes, when your back’s against the wall, you start convincing yourself that anything is survivable.

So, I left with them, with my mask still on.

That night fucked me up.

There’s no other way to say it.

I had barely survived... Barely.

I thought I knew what I was agreeing to.

Rough sex? Sure. Maybe a little pain and a little degradation? Fine. I could brace for that. I needed the money.

But nothing... Absolutely nothing prepared me for what they did to me.

The moment we got to the hotel, everything shifted. And the moment the door closed shut... That was the last time I had a choice.

They weren’t gentle. They didn’t even care one bit about how I felt. There was no patience, no taking turns, no pretending it was about pleasure.

It was all about power. Pure, savage power.

The bed shook, the floor thudded, my knees burned from the rug, my scalp ached where their fingers had twisted into my hair and yanked.

I hadn’t even gotten my wolf yet, while they had theirs.

They threw me around like a toy and used me until I didn’t know where one of them ended and the other began. I was gasping, crying, and tearing into the sheets, trying to make it stop.

But It didn’t.

At one point, I remember the one with the weird silver-grey hair and steel-grey eyes, who had that condescending look on his face each time he looked at me, dragging me to the mirror and forcing me to look at myself while the other one with the warm hazel eyes, whose calm look was deceptive, took me from behind. “You wanted this,” the first one growled. “So, fucking take it.”

There were real terrifying moments when I kept thinking I’d pass out, that my body would give out before they did. But I didn’t even get that mercy.

“Wait… Please... Stop…” Those words left my mouth before I could stop them, but they just looked at each other and kept going.

They were violent. And worse than that, they enjoyed every bit of it... The struggle, the sound of me breaking, my fear... Everything.

And I think – I think that’s what made it worse.

I made sure to leave while they were still asleep.

And now, I'd been living in fear all these months, watching where I go, who I spoke to, and most importantly, never admitting I was ever at the club that night or any other night.

I shouldn't be so scared, right? I mean, they hadn't even seen my face. But something deep down still made me feel unsafe.

But thankfully, in two days from now, I'd be leaving this town for good. Mum had finally found the courage to leave her abusive mate – my father. And she had won the heart of the former Alpha of the Night Shade pack.

Even though I'd only heard stories about that pack, I couldn't tell how the people there were or who their current Alpha might be... But I was certain we'd be welcomed into their pack.

I could finally leave this town, my abusive father, and the men who wouldn't stop looking for me.

Just 48 more hours, and I'd be free forever.