Chapter 5

The air inside the Red Moon Pack’s Alpha’s office was thick with fury.

Alpha Arjun Maaran paced the stone floor like a caged predator, his tall frame exuding power and rage with every step. His six-pack abs, barely hidden under the half-buttoned black shirt, rose and fell rapidly as he breathed through clenched teeth. His usually composed demeanor had cracked, revealing the unhinged edge beneath.

A pale, trembling young man stood near the door, Venu Anaya’s rejected mate. His shoulders sagged, his face drained of all color. His eyes didn’t meet the Alpha’s, too consumed by the hollow pain of a broken bond and the fear coursing through his veins.

“You had one job,” Arjun growled, his voice cold as steel. “ONE SIMPLE JOB AND YOU FAILED MISERABLY. YOU LET HER GO.”

“She....... she rejected me,” the man stammered, his voice barely audible. “I..........I couldn’t stop her…”

“SHUT UP AND ENOUGH WITH YOUR NONSENSE!” Arjun’s voice thundered. He waved a hand sharply. The guards grabbed Venu by the arms.

“No......please...... Alpha, I didn’t mean....”

“Take him to the dungeon, his voice is irritating me.” Arjun ordered. The guards nodded understanding his meaning and began dragging the man away.

Just then, the door swung open without a knock. Kavin, the Beta stepped in, his brows furrowed at the sight of the struggling man being pulled from the room. His lean frame was tense, arms crossed over his chest. His angular jaw clenched as his sharp eyes darted from the guards to Arjun.

“What the hell’s going on?” Kavin demanded.

Arjun’s face tightened. “Nothing that concerns you,” he said coolly, turning away.

Kavin didn’t budge. “Really? Because I just saw your guards dragging a pack member out of your office like a criminal. You think that doesn’t concern the Beta?”

Arjun exhaled slowly, forcing calm into his voice. “He failed me. That's all.”

“Failed you… how?” Kavin pressed. “I wasn’t informed of any mission. And I certainly didn’t know he was involved in anything critical.”

Arjun’s eyes narrowed. “I don't owe you a detailed report of every decision I make.”

“No,” Kavin said, stepping closer. “But when people are being tortured on your orders without the Beta’s knowledge, I start wondering what you’re hiding.”

Arjun’s smile was slight but dangerous. “Watch your tone, Kavin.”

Kavin’s jaw clenched. His hatred for Arjun wasn’t new. It was born over years watching him rise through manipulation, cruelty, and use people like pieces in a game. He hated his thirst for dominance, the way he ruled with fear instead of respect.

But Kavin stayed, not because he trusted Arjun. Never that, because of his father the former Beta, a man of honour, who had once called this pack his life’s work. Kavin remained, for that legacy. For the hope that someday he could change things.

“Tell me something,” Kavin asked quietly.

“Why were you torturing that girl all these months?” Kavin questioned.

But Arjun didn’t answer him. Kavin continued, “And don’t give me the nonsense answer of you are trying to wake her wolf. I’m not buying that anymore. We have so many wolfless Lycans, but this has never happened before. Why are you doing this now, Arjun?”

“Yes, we have so many wolfless omegas in our pack making us weak. Don’t you think we need a solution?” Arjun shot back, his patience wearing thin.

But Kavin doesn’t believe his answer, “What are you hiding from me?” he asked with concern.

“I don’t need to answer you,” Arjun said sharply. “I’m your Alpha. You don’t question your Alpha.”

Kavin held his gaze for a long moment. Then, with calmness he didn’t feel, he nodded.

“Yes, Alpha," He turned toward the door but paused, glancing over his shoulder. His eyes said everything, his lips didn’t. He knows something’s wrong. And he won’t stop until he finds out what.

Arjun watched him leave, the door clicking shut behind him. He knew that look. He’d worn it himself once, before he clawed his way to the top.

And now, someone else was wearing it… aimed at him.

He pulled out his phone and dialed.

The line clicked. “Yeah?” a gruff voice answered.

“She escaped,” Arjun muttered.

Silence.

“Meet me at the usual.”

The call ended. He slipped the phone into his pocket, threw on his coat, and left the office without another word. From across the upper corridor, a shadow moved watching him disappear into the night.

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