The Alpha Target

Seven

Her lungs constricted and ice flowed into her veins, her blood flaking into ice chips. She stared at the card as if it's a slumbering python and could snap and bite her at any moment. Her heart thundered in her ears as she tentatively reached out and grabbed a petal, inspecting it as if it's a Magic 8 Ball and going to reveal the person who left it. But she already knew who had done this. The mere thought had fury erupting within her.

But Cora’s irritation was overshadowed by the excitement creeping over her, as much as she hated it. A contradictory concoction of shock, anger, and – for a reason unknown – happiness hit her, almost stealing her breath as she reread the card. Why did the gods hate her? She was a decent person, or so she thought. She ridded the world of criminals on a daily basis, and this was her thanks?

Her shock-filled eyes scanned the room once more. She’d never seen anything like it, and she had seen many things during her lifetime. She knew she should feel fear, she should be petrified that somehow the devil was gaining in on her, lurking right under nose, but panic was difficult to find when his lingering scent called to her on such a raw, primal level.

She couldn’t fathom how he managed to achieve such a thing, once again finding his way inside a supposedly impenetrable building. Eeriness creeped along her skin, it was a restless feeling knowing the man who was both the face of her dreams and nightmares could so easily get to her. Though she didn’t think he would hurt her, at least not yet. Perhaps a naïve thought, but a confident thought nonetheless.

He’d now had two opportunities, yet here she stood unharmed. So what exactly did he want from her? But then another thought occurred. Was he just doing this to prove he could get to her? He’d known she was lying to him, perhaps he was enduring her to psychological torture before finally making his move. Albeit breaking into a building filled with experienced agents - where he was on the wanted list – just to fill her room with roses seemed rather extreme just to scare her. But was there any such thing as extreme when it came to the devil?

Cora hated herself for being so maddeningly and desperately attracted to the man. Her moral compass should know better. He was a murderer, a psycho, an alleged abuser for crying out loud. But she was so irresistibly drawn to him like a moth to a flame. It was sickening and she hated herself for it. She needed to focus on who this man was, what he was capable of, what he has done. It did not matter how he happened to be the most beautiful man she had ever seen, for the devil was only the prettiest sin.

She chanted the same words over again. Psycho, murderer, abuser. Psycho, murderer, abuser. Psycho, murderer, abuser. She repeated this over and over while she began clearing the rose petals off her bed, trying to steady her shaky breath. Twice, he'd violated her privacy and snuck into her room like a f*****g creep. She hated feeling vulnerable, it reminded her too much of her past to allow such a thought. But he was in her head now, cemented in her thoughts, just like he f*****g wanted.

She’d deal with disposing of the petals tomorrow, she was too tired to explain to Rocco why she was carrying several trash bags filled with flowers, it would only stress him further.

She hid the card in her dresser, slamming it shut as if that would revoke its existence. Then she checked her windows which, of no surprise to Cora, were securely locked, before confirming for the third time she had locked her bedroom door. He’d proven twice now that it’d make no difference, yet she felt comforted by the security nevertheless as she laid her head down to sleep.

***

Lucien couldn’t wipe the smirk off his face as he searched the castle for Rex. He’d wished he could have stayed to witness her reaction by watching her through the window, but he’d have plenty of time in the future to pull as many reactions out of her as he pleased. Besides, her heavenly lavender and vanilla scent still fresh in her room had satiated him enough for the time being. Not nearly enough, but the necessary amount for him to walk away.

He could already see the clocks turning in his little rose’s head as she tried to decipher how he’d managed to access her room and pull off such a stunt. Little did she know that nothing could possibly get in his way when it came to her. Would she feel fear? Or would she feel excitement? Lucien assumed both, the perfect concoction of contradictory feelings. Fear mixed with lust was how all the best stories started. How their stories would start.

Finally arriving outside Rex’s personal living area door, he knocked once before striding inside like he owned the place. His friend smiled warmly at Lucien’s entrance, relaxing back into his velvet crimson sofa and bringing the glass of whiskey to his lips.

“Rex,” Lucien greeted as he sat across from the King.

The corners of the King’s lips twitched. “There’s an unusual spring in your step today, Knox.”

Lucien chuckled, resting his arm against the back of the sofa. As he thought of how to respond, he studied his friend closely. His usually vibrant, red hair had a rather dull appearance to it, his creamy skin wearing a greyish tint and his typically spirited green eyes appeared tiresome. Lucien had never seen his friend look so terribly glum. At the young age of thirty, Rex’s youth seemed to have diminished as he resembled somewhat a much older man.

Lucien found himself suddenly very concerned. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Rex?” His brows drew together as his eyes penetrated every toned-down feature on the King’s face.

Rex sighed, waving his hand dismissively. “Don’t look so bothersome, Knox. It doesn’t suit you.”

Lucien gave him a pointed look. “This doesn’t suit you. You look like s**t. What’s going on?”

Rex chuckled at his friend’s honesty. He had always appreciated that about Lucien. King or not, he could rely on the Alpha to only ever bore him with the truth. Even as children, Lucien had always been brutally out-spoken, never caring to please others with superficial personas and pretences. Rex admired that about him. He was also thankful Lucien never treated him any differently once he took on the title of King. To Lucien, Rex was still the annoying kid who kept challenging him to duals whenever he got a chance.

“It’s nothing but a common cold, I’ll be fine in a few days.”

The Alpha frowned, eying Rex cautiously. “Shifters don’t get colds.”

Rex shrugged. He didn’t know what else to say. “Apparently this one does. Being King takes it out of you, I was bound to need a rest sooner or later.”

Lucien hmphed. “You’ve had tests?”

“Calm down, father,” Rex sniggered. “I’ll have tests done in a few days if I don’t feel any better. Now would you just shut up, this isn’t why I asked to see you.”

Lucien couldn’t help but grin as he sunk back into the sofa. Not many would dare speak to him in such a way, yet Rex never minced his words when they spoke. He was the only person Lucien allowed to confront him in such a manner, anyone else would have been dead. Except his mate, of course. “What is it?”

Rex set down his drink, his usual cheery demeanour turning serious. A rare occasion Lucien had only witnessed a handful of times. “I’ve received word regarding an illegal auction organisation. My sources tell me hundreds of omegas across the country are being taken for bidding and breeding purposes, before being brutally murdered once they have served their purpose. It is despicable and absolutely unacceptable, those poor women do not deserve such a horrific fate.

Unfortunately, I do not know who is running this monstrosity but they will be taken care of, along with any other Alpha or Beta who have encouraged such a violation to happen to the women at these auctions. I need you to take care of this for me, Knox. There is no way I can handle it myself, the leaders will run a mile the second even a whiff of my scent is near the trail.

With your reputation, as much as I hate to say it, you’re likely to be granted access to these exclusive events. These bastards deserve what’s coming to them, and I know you’ll happily participate in their demise.”

Lucien had received word about these auctions not too long ago, very shortly after women were being targeted in his establishments. Since that day, he’d stepped up security in each of his bars, restaurants and hotels, ensuring it would be virtually impossible for someone to be taken while enjoying themselves in one of his franchises. He took his customers safety extremely seriously and no one would use him as a scapegoat for their crimes. If they did, he’d ensure they suffered the most dire consequences personally.

Since learning about the s*x trafficking ring, Lucien and a team of his men immediately began investigating the organisation and he’d built a team of significantly trained men who were dedicated to solely bringing the culprits down. So far, they’d managed to save over seventy women from heinous outcomes and he had no intention of stopping until he’d destroyed everyone who worked for the organisation.

Unfortunately, it seemed whoever the leader of the merciless business was kept themselves as far away from the auctions as possible. Lucien had tortured many men who he’d found out to be involved, but they’d all told him the same thing. They’d never met the man in charge. But Lucien would, he was sure of it. He wouldn’t stop until he did.

“It’s being handled already, Rex,” Lucien assured him. “My team and I have been working on bringing the fuckers down since I first heard, but unfortunately we’re struggling to find the head fucker who manages the whole thing. I won’t give up though, I can promise you that.”

Rex smiled, nodding in understanding. “I know you won’t. There’s no one I trust more with this.”

“We’ve saved nearly a hundred women and we will continue to save every last one until we find the man in charge. Sooner or later, he’s going to slip up and when he does, I’ll be ready and waiting.” There was an evil glint in Lucien’s eyes that promised nothing but death. “There’s another auction tomorrow, I’ll update you with the outcome.”

“Excellent, keep me updated. I want the bastards dead,” Rex nodded. “Now, what aren’t you telling me?” he knew his Alpha friend too well. He’d sensed a difference in him the moment he stepped through the door.

Lucien smirked. “I’ve found my mate.”