Blood And Bets

The woman scoffed as she picked up the wad of cash from the floor. Her hair was a mess, her lipstick smudged, and the thin sheet wrapped around her barely covered anything.

Alpha Killian didn't spare her a glance. He sat on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his thick, dark hair, frustration etched into every line of his face.

"Get out." His voice was cold, low, and final.

She let out an annoyed huff but didn't argue. She had heard the stories—every woman in Las Vegas had. You didn't push Alpha Killian. You took what you were given and left.

She rolled her eyes, sauntered to the door, and slammed it shut behind her.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Killian exhaled sharply, elbows resting on his knees. The lingering scent of sex clung to the air, but it didn't do a damn thing for him. It didn't erase her scent.

The woman from that night.

The one who had disappeared into thin air, leaving nothing but a lingering trace of her intoxicating smell in his mind.

It had been two weeks, and still, he couldn't forget her. They had searched every corner of the city, combed through every street, every alley, but it was as if she had never existed.

Killian growled under his breath. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was Alpha Killian, ruler of the River Stone Pack, feared mafia leader of Las Vegas. No one escaped him. No one haunted him. And yet… she did.

A sharp knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

Killian rose to his feet, still shirtless, wearing only his black trousers. His muscles flexed as he walked to the door and pulled it open.

Caden stood there, his Beta, his right-hand man.

"Morning, boss," Caden greeted, stepping inside. His sharp eyes flicked to the crumpled sheets and the scent of perfume lingering in the air. He smirked. "Busy night?"

Killian ignored the comment, walking past him toward the bar at the far end of the penthouse. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, then turned back to Caden. "What do you want?"

Caden's smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Mafia business."

Killian took a slow sip. "What kind of business?"

Caden's eyes darkened. "The casino. The event is tonight. Your rivals will be there. This is our best chance to take them out."

Killian's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. Now this was something he could focus on.

"I've assembled the men. All the weapons are ready," Caden continued.

Killian nodded, pleased. The underworld of Las Vegas belonged to him, but there were always fools trying to challenge his reign. That would end tonight.

But there was still one more thing on his mind.

"Any word on her?" Killian asked, swirling the whiskey in his glass.

Caden's jaw tightened. "No. It's… strange. For some reason, her scent is masked. It's like something is covering her tracks."

Killian's grip on the glass tightened. Impossible.

"She's human," he muttered. "She shouldn't be able to hide from me."

Caden sighed. "I don't know what to tell you, boss. It's like something supernatural is shielding her."

Killian's jaw ticked. He hated things he couldn't control.

"Enough," he snapped. "We leave for the casino in two hours."

Caden nodded and left the room.

Killian downed the rest of his drink and set the glass aside.

He would deal with his woman later.

But tonight? Tonight, Las Vegas would burn.