Angela shivered in her short black dress and strappy heels, but the chilly autumn air was nothing compared to the butterflies in her stomach as she stepped out of the taxi with Sonya. They both stood in front of the colossal nightclub famously known as the Underworld.

"I never thought it'd be so big," Sonya said over the music that was booming even outside of the club onto the road.

She didn't either, Angela thought.

Under the night sky, the club stood as a monumental fortress for hundreds of people on the street. Many of them lined up waiting to go inside to just one night of pleasures this club offered. The red neon lights beamed onto the dark pavement under Angela's heels. Both of them crossed the road and went towards the club entrance with their exclusive bands already wrapped around their wrist, so they didn't need to wait in line. Sonya acquired them online yesterday after they were done doing their nails and had dinner.

"This is so exciting," Sonya squealed as they approached the door.

Suddenly, a hard surface bumped into Angela's shoulder knocking her back with the force. Sonya grabbed a hold of her so she wouldn't fall off the curb of the sidewalk.

"Are you okay?" Sonya alarmed.

"I'm fine, I wasn't looking," Angela answered before she looked up at the two guys who held irate expressions, which were most likely for her. "I'm sorry about that."

The one with dark brown hair, green eyes eased on the stern expression and he was quick to smile. "Don't worry," he said politely. "It was our fault."

Angela and Sonya passed them and went to the door where two massive men in black suits guarded the door. She didn't know if they looked at her or not because their eyes were hidden behind black sunglasses, even at night. They both were covered in tattoos and bald; they could even pass as twins.

"Wrists," one of them spoke sternly.

Sonya and Angela held their arms out and showed their bracelets. They scanned the little code on the edge of the red band and gave them a stamp on their wrist that was a red crescent moon. After that, they let them through the doors of this alluring domain.

They entered the loud, chaotic club with an exciting thrill in all of them. Angela smiled over at Sonya who was just as excited. Angela fixed her dress before they passed through the dark tunnel to the massive floor. Thousands of people gathered to dance the night away. The massive black enclave was shining like the galaxy with all the red-neon lights. She could barely see past the thick smoke and the walls that shook around them with the techno beats booming through the halls.

Passing through the long corridor into the club, it opened up with many people at the bar and on the dance floor. All the bartenders were hard at work earning their keep as people partied away. The Underworld nightclub was the spot for all shifters and humans to enjoy their night equally. Angela definitely noticed all the security around every part of the club too.

"This is even better than I imagined," said Sonya.

"It's impressive," she answered over the music. How could someone build such a beautiful nightclub, it was amazing. The owner must be very proud of their work.

"How about we get drinks," suggested Sonya.

They all got a round of tequila to start off the night with a blast. Neither of them wasted any time getting to the middle of the dance floor. The music was loud, the people were smiling and Angela felt her body awaken with the air in the club. The lights were dark but the colourful lasers helped them all see the floor and the person in front of them. Angela's body was taken away from the music that was exotic and dark, it made her forget everything and allowed her body to move to the music.

Eventually, Sonya and Angela met another group of girls on the dance floor and they joined them. All of them were having a blast dancing until their feet killed and Angela needed a drink.

"Do you want anything to drink?" she shouted over the music.

"What!" Sonya shouted and leaned towards her.

Angela found it hard to speak over the music, so she motioned towards the massive bar, Sonya nodded and let her go. She rushed off the floor and went towards the busy bar. But she was able to find a tall stool so she could rest her feet, that were aching in these heels. She ordered herself a Cherry Blaster that was just a cherry flavoured juice with a shot of vodka. The lovely bartender that had hair as pink as bubble-gum prepared it for her.

"Here's that Cherry Blaster for you, sweetheart," the bartender pushed the glass towards Angela with a wink and napkin.

Angela smiled back and enjoyed her drink that tasted like candy. This club truly was remarkable. Not only did it manage thousands of people but the massive space was beautifully designed. The place must mirror its owner. Who was the person that orchestrated this club and allowed thousands of people to forget their hardships? she wondered.

"Hi, again," a man's voice spoke right next to Angela's ear surprising her.

She turned to find the guy from outside who bumped into her. "Er- hi," she said.

"Are you here alone?" he asked.

"No," she answered. "I'm here with my friend."

He slipped on the stool next to her and motioned towards the bartender. "Let me buy you a drink," he asserted more than asked.

Angela was stumped. Were people always bold? she wondered. "No, it's okay," she said.

The man ignored her. "Another Cherry for the lady and a beer for me," he told the pink-haired girl from earlier. "So, what brings you here tonight?"

Angela didn't want to be rude and tell the guy to leave her alone, because she really wasn't interested. But how was she supposed to do that without causing a scene. "I'm just here to have some fun, so can you just-"

"Do you come here often?" he interrupted her.

She shook her head as she didn't touch the drink he offered her. "This is my first time," she said.

"I come here a lot," he said. "This is the only nightclub worth all the buzz."

"You can say that again," said Angela. "This nightclub is really beautiful."

"Sadly, the owner's a scary guy," said the man.

Angela frowned. "I don't know anything about the owner, so I can't say anything." She doubted that the person who owned such a beautiful nightclub could be scary.

"Oh, believe me, the man's one tough son-of-a-bitch," the man grumbled.

Angela's night was definitely going south with this guy who wasn't leaving her alone. He even offered to exchange numbers and bought her another drink to convince her, but she diverted his attention and was able decline. Angela looked down into her purse, pulling out her phone secretly. She looked up and met the guy's unwavering smile and the Cherry Blaster in front of her.

"My friend is looking for me," she said. She grimaced that the guy was being a bit forward and she really wasn't feeling it.

"Oh," the man frowned. "We can't even share a drink?"

"No, I'm okay," she said. "Give someone else that drink. I'm sure there are many here that are willing." Angela slipped off the stool and went to the back hallway where the washrooms were too cool off and fix her lip-gloss. She splashed some cold water on her hands and wiped it off before she grabbed her phone then texted Sonya to meet her near the washrooms.

Angela stepped out into the hallway, that was entirely black and dim lights only showed the long path ahead. There weren't any guards here since it was only the washrooms and an exit door. Angela thought she heard someone when she turned, when suddenly, a hand shoved her against the wall and she slammed her head on the hard marble. Angela's eyes blanked and she fell to the ground losing her balance as the pain grew inside her skull. She looked up at the man from the bar earlier. He bent down and pinned her with his weight.

"You're beautiful, baby and I'm about to have so much fun with you," he smiled like a vile monster.

"Get off me!" she screamed but he held her mouth shut and his big palm covered her nose. She couldn't breathe and as tears rolled down her eyes. She tried to push him off her, but he was too strong.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a white syringe. Instantly, her body stiffened from fear and she didn't know what to do once she saw that needle. Her wolf howled to let her come out and kill this guy, but there were humans here and they couldn't see her transform.

Angela did what she knew best. She rammed her knee into his groin and he hollered in pain and dropped his grasp on her body. However, it didn't end there. He was relentless and grabbed her again when she tried to run away. This was bad, thought Angela. She tried her hardest to get him off of her and she used the sharp heel, kicking him in the leg, but he was persistent. She reached for her phone, but he quickly grabbed it and flung it at the wall smashing it to pieces.

Angela couldn't do anything when he restrained her wrists and put the syringe into her neck. Her heart stopped beating and she knew that she was going to get killed or raped and taken from here. She thrashed around and the needle fell out of his hands. Angela's heart was pulsing hard like a rapid drum. Her breath grew heavy and her whole body felt like it was on fire.

"God, you're a tough one," his voice slithered down her body. "I bought you a drink, so you think that I'd just let you go."

Angela's body was giving up on her, she was losing her grip and her wolf was coming out. God, help me! She didn't know what to do. How was she supposed to get herself out of this? Oh god, someone save me! The man's eyes exposing his intentions clearly to her. Angela struggled against the restraints as he dragged her towards the exit door. Her head was blanking on her and every touch was painful. Her skin was raw, her body was melting. She needed to scream and call for help, but who would hear her in the club? Angela's closed her eyes tight as the man dragged her. She dug her nails into her palms as she needed to prepare herself of what was going to happen, otherwise it would just be harder to resist. He'd probably let her live after raping her.

Suddenly, the heavy weight on top of her was thrown off and flung to the side like a rag hitting the wall and fell in a thud.

Angela slumped in relief when the hold on her disappeared. Her breath released in heavy gasps and she couldn't believe she was saved. The man was restrained by security and her vision was covered by another person- the one who saved her. A pair of electric blue eyes gazed into hers. A frown clear on his face and his lips held in a dangerous sneer.

"Axe, lock him downstairs," he growled at the one behind her. "Darius, get a doctor to my office now."

Angela witnessed the man being dragged behind a set of doors, his screams and grunts vanished shortly after. Her grip on the man who saved her tightened. She closed her eyes in relief and the only thing her mind focused on was the man's dark scent, which only brought her comfort.

"Thank you," she tipped her head back against the wall when he shifted her up.

He ran his hand through her hair softly. "You may have a concussion," he grumbled. "Did he do anything? Did he touch you-"

She shook her head. "No," tears pricked her eyes. "But I knew that he was-" going to touch her and rape her.

"Okay, shhh, breathe for me, sweetheart," he embraced her into his strong arms as her tears dripped onto his jacket. She felt herself surrendering to his strength and couldn't pull away. "Where's your cellphone?" The man's calm voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"He broke it," she bit out.

The man's blazing blue eyes looked into hers firmly. "I'm not going to hurt you, but I need to move you from here," he said.

Angela looked at his eyes, searching for evil but found none. The man swept her off the floor into his arms. She rested her head on his strong shoulder. He moved with controlled ease as he carefully held her.

Angela's mind reeled back. "Why are you helping me?" she asked.

"You don't remember me?" he retorted.

Angela found herself opening her eyes. The golden light of a chandelier showed her the face of her saviour. Blazing blue eyes stared down at her as the harsh masculine lines of his face made him extremely handsome, those lush lips and the artfully styled dark hair was sexy as hell. Angela didn't need more to figure out who this man was now.

"Mr. Sexy Macchiato," she gasped out.

His lip lifted into an amused smirk. "You think I'm sexy?"

"Why are you here?" she asked as they entered a room and he shut the door behind him.

His blue eyes danced under the low light. "This is my club," he said. "I'm Trez Luciano."

Angela's entire world turned upside down, and this time it wasn't because she was attacked by a lunatic. It was finding out that the scariest man who came to her cafe was the owner of this nightclub. Trez positioned her on a plush black couch, her back rested on the cushions, but she wasn't relaxed at all. She stayed sitting stiffly on the couch but every part of her body ached from the touch of that creep. She couldn't take her mind off the way his hands gripped her breasts and his hips thrust into her, it was sickening.

"Here," she looked up at Trez Luciano who stood with a glass of water in his tattooed hand.

"Thanks," she took the glass and tried to get a sip down her tight throat. Thankfully, it was ice-cold and freshened her burning stomach instantly.

Suddenly, the door opened and Angela flinched from the sudden intrusion, she almost dropped the glass. Trez moved closer to her side and took the glass from her and put it on the table.

"Mr. Luciano, good evening," a woman spoke.

Angela was able to get a look at the elderly woman who was dressed in a lab coat and held a briefcase. The people in the room exchanged a few words about the attack, Angela wasn't really paying attention since everything was muffled to her.

The physician came and took a seat beside her. "Hello, Angela, I'm Katy Anderson," her smile was kind and showed the wrinkles around her mouth and eyes. "Are you feeling okay? Any pain or discomfort?"

Angela shook her head. "I can't seem to stop shaking," she said.

"It's the adrenaline," Katy answered. "Will you be okay if I take a look at the bump on your head?"

Angela's hand lifted to her head since she didn't realize that she had an injury there, but that would make sense why her skull was pounding. "Go ahead," she said.

Katy felt the bump and looked around her hair to see if there were any other injuries, but she found nothing. "You seem fine," she said. "But you'll probably have the headache for a few hours."

Angela nodded. "Okay."

"I'm going to give you a relaxant that will help you get some sleep," Katy explained. "I want you to go home and take it before you go to bed."

"I will," Angela said when she remembered that Sonya was left all alone.

"What's wrong?" Trez's voice was stern when he spoke to her.

Angela looked up at his blue eyes. "I came with my friend. She's probably looking for me," she tried to get on her feet but the pain in her head didn't let her.

"I'll get my brother to find her," Trez said as he pulled out his phone and talked to someone named Axe.

Angela slumped back on the couch in relief and hoped Sonya would come soon. She needed her friend more than ever. "Thank you, Katy," she said.

Katy smiled as she put the blue bottle of medication on the table and closed her briefcase. "I'm sorry this happened," she said. "But you're a strong young lady and I know you'll get through this."

Angela felt a smile peek over her lips.

The doctor was escorted out of the room and that left her alone with Trez Luciano. It allowed her to wonder why such a successful businessman came to a random cafe in Brooklyn to get his morning coffee. He could probably have a professional brew him a cup whenever he needed.

Angela's eyes caught the large black glass behind his great oak table, it allowed her to see the entire club below them.

Trez leaned back on his table, his arms by his side as his hands gripped the edge of the wooden table. She could see the tension in each part of his body, his muscles strained against his back suit that he always wore so well. His hair had been tousled like he had been running his fingers through it all night and the exhaustion was evident in his eyes too.

"How did you know I was in danger?" she asked him.

Trez's blazing blue eyes bore into her. "My eyes were on you from the moment you stepped into my club," he answered.

Her stomach did a flip and she took a deep breath. "Why?" she asked.

He stood to his powerful height and stood in front of her. "You already know," he answered.

Angela felt his wolf reach out to her in his powerful grip and laying his claim over her own wolf. He identified the bond and so did she. He was her mate and she didn't know what to do. This couldn't be happening to her right now? How did she not sense the bond before when they'd meet at the cafe all these times? Why now?

-Sonya Sharma's POV-

Sonya hurried off the dance floor when she got her friend's panicked message. The booming music didn't allow a moment's peace for her as she glanced over the bar and saw hundreds of people drinking and chatting around each other. She squeezed past them and crossed the club just to reach the bathroom area. However, that part had been blocked off and two massive guards stood in front of the entrance, so no one could go in.

Sonya's stomach sank with a terrible feeling. Where was Angela and why were the bathrooms closed off? she wondered as she approached the guards.

"This hall is closed," the man said sternly.

Sonya knew that it wasn't a good idea fighting these men. She pulled out her cellphone and tried calling Angela over and over again. But there was no answer and it just told her that this caller wasn't available, which was impossible since Angela always had her phone on her.

Something definitely wasn't right. Maybe, Angela left to get some fresh air outside the club.

Sonya strode around the crowds of people as she finally made it outside in the crisp air of the night. There were people around the streets too and taxis crossing up and down the road dropping people or picking them up. She quickly tried to look for Angela through the crowd of faces, when suddenly, in the alley next to the club, she spotted a girl in a black dress and that chestnut-brown hair who was pushed against the wall with a man on top of her.

"Angela!" she exclaimed rushing to her friend's side. She pushed the man off her with all the force she could summon in her arms.

"What the hell?" The woman slurred while she was intoxicated.

"Oh," Sonya stepped back because this woman wasn't Angela. "Sorry, I thought you were my friend." The woman staggered away with her hand in her hair.

Sonya sighed in defeat and she was about to leave, when someone grabbed her arm with bruising force. She turned and found the drunkard holding onto her.

"You cost me my whore," he said through hazy drunken eyes.

Sonya tried to pull her arm free. "Let me go, idiot," she astonished.

He yanked her arm forward and she felt onto him. His hands grabbed her waist and she slammed her fist into his ugly face and he toppled back. She was about to turn and leave when his meaty hands grabbed her long hair. His fingers fisted the curls and she felt the sharp sting in her scalp.

She glared at him furiously. "You should never touch an Indian woman's hair without permission," she said as she was about to punch his face again.

However, she didn't need to do that because the man's grip loosened and he went flying against the brick wall. Sonya's scalp eased from the stinging pain as she felt an intense presence behind her. The rich cologne that was deep and dark drifted around her, like it was seeping into her skin. She couldn't move her body that had been taken under control to the predator behind her.

The thug that was grovelling in pain on the ground moved again and tried to reach for her leg. But that was a huge mistake. The one with the intoxicating scent came around Sonya and stepped on the thug's hand breaking every single bone in his fingers. He let out a scream of agony but no one in the alley did anything to stop the tall, broad-shouldered stranger.

She faced him as his back was towards her. The dim lights from the street casted a grim shadow over his dangerously muscular figure that was towering over everything in the alley. He reached down and grabbed the thug's head before he twisted it viscously to an angle that wasn't normal. The thug flopped onto the ground next to the trash can.

The man who protected her turned and that was when her breath stopped in her lungs. She couldn't look away from his untamed blue eyes that were alert with trained focus, it was intimidating as he controlled the air around her. She didn't feel as if her own body was her own, it was like he owned her and influenced every move she would make. He stared down at her with those sapphire eyes that seeped into her memory and she knew that she'd never forget them. However, there was something else that stared at her through his eyes. A raging animal that turned her blood cold and her heart hammered uncontrollably.

"Are you okay?" his tone was forbidding.

"Ye-yes," she managed to use her voice. "Thank you."

He lifted his tattooed hand to rake his tousled black hair. "Are you Angela's friend?" he asked.

Sonya's attention ignited again. "Do you know where she is?" she asked in a hurry.

"This way," he answered sternly.

She followed him back towards the club as he took his phone out and called someone to pick up the body in the alleyway. Sonya really didn't know who this club belonged to but these people weren't normal citizens. They didn't play by the rules, they made their own and no one could challenge them on it.

He opened the side door to the club and let her in to face a series of stairs that they climbed together. He led her down a great red and black hallway before he brought her to the massive office space. Behind the door was her friend.

"Angela!" she rushed into the room where she found her friend sitting on the couch.

"Sonya," Angela tried to get up but couldn't.

Sonya went and hugged her friend. "What happened?"

"I was attacked," she said.

"What? How?" Sonya astonished.

"I'm fine," Angela calmed her. "He saved me."

Sonya finally noticed the other threatening aura in the room that belonged to the man leaning against the table. She couldn't believe her eyes. Mr. Sexy Macchiato was here.

"I'll give you two a moment," his voice was deep, the same tone he had when he came to the cafe too.

The door shut behind him and Sonya freaked. "What's going on?" she exclaimed but in a hushed whisper.

"He owns the club," Angela explained.

"How did he save you?" Sonya asked.

"This random loser wouldn't leave me alone and tried to drug me," Angela explained. "I barely got away when Trez came and helped me out."

"Trez, you're on first name basis already," Sonya said.

"I'll tell you more when we get home," Angela answered.

Sonya nodded. "Yeah, let's go home," she said. "I've had enough of this place." She helped her friend onto her feet just when Mr. Sexy Macchiato returned to the room.

"Everything alright?" His eyes glued onto Angela.

"I'd like to go home," Angela said as she stared back up at him.

"Of course, I'll drop you off," he offered.

"No, you've done enough already," Angela said.

"We'd love that," Sonya intervened as she smiled at her friend.

Mr. Sexy Macchiato led them through the hall and towards his black Rolls Royce that was gleaming under the city lights. Both of them sat in the back as Mr. Sexy Macchiato and Sonya's mysterious saviour got in the car too. Sonya told them their address and they took off down the city traffic. Although, those two got in discussion privately at the front.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" she whispered.

"No," Angela answered. "I'm just a little shaken up."

Sonya held her friend close and kept their hands laced together. "I'm sorry this happened," she said.

Angela sighed as she laid her head on Sonya's shoulder. "I just want to go to bed," she said.

Finally, they reached outside their house and the two men escorted them to the front door. Sonya quickly unlocked the door. Both the girls turned and faced the men that dropped them off and basically saved them tonight.

"Thank you for helping us," Sonya said as she smiled at them. Her eyes lingered on the one who protected her in the alley.

Angela stared at the one in front of her. "Thanks again," she said.

"Make sure you take the medication you were given," Mr. Sexy Macchiato instructed.

"I will," Angela said. "Goodnight."

They both went inside and shut the door locking the men out of the house, but something still didn't feel right. Sonya knew that those two men were dangerous and could get in this house if they needed.

Angela and Sonya took off their heels and their feet stopped aching immediately. They walked in together and went straight for the couch in front of the fireplace. Both of them flopped down onto the cushions and groaned in pain, relief and just disappointment.

"Oh no!" Angela yelled.

"What? What?" Sonya got up again.

"I lost my purse," she astounded.

"Was anything important in it?" Sonya alarmed.

"No, but it was vintage," she groaned as she fell back on the couch.

Sonya shook her head. "This was officially the worst day ever," she said.

Both of them went upstairs and into their own bathrooms to freshen up. Sonya stripped out of her dress and jumped under the hot spray of water, letting it cascade down her body. She needed the water to wash away this entire day. First, they had to quit their job at Clark's cafe, which wasn't a bad decision since their boss was a lunatic. But then, they also got attacked at a nightclub.

As Sonya rinsed the suds off her arms, she thought that perhaps they weren't the unluckiest girls yet, since they were saved. The man who protected her still stayed in her thoughts and she couldn't erase them. She didn't know why but his focused eyes were imprinted in her memory and she found herself searching to see them again. For some reason, even now, she could smell his cologne on her.

Sonya let the water clean her and then she tipped her head back under the shower head, letting her hair get soaking wet. The slight sting caused her to wince, she remembered when that loser grabbed her hair. She absolutely detested when anyone touched her hair and that man had his meaty fingers all tangled into it. She grabbed more shampoo and rinsed her hair out twice just to forget about his touch.

After the lengthy shower, she stepped out and patted her body dry with the fluffy towel when she noticed that her anklet was missing. Dread filled her and she stared at her bare ankle that felt naked and vulnerable. Those were first and only pair of anklets that she got for herself. Annoyed for losing it, she got dressed in her nightgown so she could go check on Angela. She crossed the hallway over to her friend's bedroom and she found her sitting on her bed alone.

"Did you take the medication yet?" Sonya asked as she joined her on the bed.

"I did," Angela answered.

"How are you feeling?" she asked as she saw the distress burrowed deep into her friend's hazel eyes.

"Tired," Angela said as she rubbed the temples of her head.

Sonya put her arm around her friend's shoulders and leaned supportively.

Angela managed a smile. "I can still feel that man's touch all over me," she said. "I don't know what I'm going to do to forget it."

Sonya knew that feeling too. "It'll get easier with time," she replied. Angela yawned and Sonya figured the medication was taking its affect. She got to her feet. "Come on, get some sleep," she tucked her friend in bed and under the blanket.

"Leave the light on," Angela mumbled.

"I will," Sonya left the lamp beside the bed on for her before she left.

She returned to her own room and went to the window near her bed, she slid the window up and let the crisp air into the room. Leaving her own lamp on too, she laid in bed and snuggled under the warm duvet. The house was eerily quiet as she stared up at the light fixture on the ceiling.

Five years had passed already since she came to New York after living with her grandma in a small house in Mumbai. So much had changed since then, but the fact that Sonya was an orphan always remained constant. She never knew her parents, and her grandma was not related by blood either. An old woman took pity on a young girl and took her in as her own. Sonya never was able to repay her before she passed away, and even then, she left all her fortunes to Sonya.

After that, Sonya couldn't live in that house all alone. Seeking adventure and change, she booked a flight to New York and found Angela at the airport who had the same vision to build a new life. Both of them lived in this house together and it was everything Sonya hoped for them. But now, something else tugged at the emptiness in her heart.

Turning the lamp off, Sonya turned onto her side and looked to the empty pillow next to her own head. She didn't know what she sought but the cold bed wasn't helping her anymore. She grabbed the extra pillow and hugged it close to her body.

Just as the soft caress of sleep drifted over her eyes, she remembered that mysterious man again hoping to see him in her dreams...

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