1 Chapter 1 The Beginning of the End

Artemis’ POV

As I approach the door leading to Baltazar’s study, the scent of rain floats throughout London, and the wind roars through the corridors of the mansion like a wail accompanying my path. My black heels echo across the polished wooden floors.

Breathing in slowly, I grab the doorknob and enter without asking. I know he’s waiting for me.

"Artemis, I'm glad you've arrived. Come in!" he says.

Baltazar Hawk is the leader of my pack, the Red Moon. He is a ruthless Alpha who desires the power of London at all costs. But for me, he’s never been my Alpha.

After the death of my parents, he and his Luna have raised me, not as their child but rather as an assassin, as a soldier. I know quite well that, to him, I’m just a weapon. Similarly, he is just the means to an end for me.

Some years ago, we made a pact; if I kill for him and follow his orders, he would one day reveal my parents’ murderer and give me my freedom so that I can get revenge for my parent’s death.

"As you well know, Artemis, one last mission awaits you before you can go your own way. I hope you are determined to fulfill it," Baltazar says in a strong tone,

"I am," I affirm, and he nods. For Baltazar, there is no weapon more powerful than me, and as an extension of his power, I must always be perfect in every way.

I stand before him, silent and waiting. I know that today begins the end of everything.

"Then, let me introduce you to your next target." He pulls a photograph out of a folder and holds it out to me across the table along with a bundle of papers.

I take it while examining the face of my next target. He is tall, with well-shaped arms and broad shoulders, skin furrowed with tattoos, and ash-blond hair that's covered by a hood as rain falls on him. However, his face is not fully visible in the photograph.

"He is Owen Becker, better known as 'Beck.' He is the leader of Silver Moon, and your next target."

I have never seen this man face to face, but his bearing is familiar. My instinct tells me he is someone different from others, but I just can’t figure out why.

I press down my doubt, and try to get some clarification for my task from Baltazar. "Do you need me to kill him?"

However, Baltazar shakes his head.

"No. For now, I need him alive. We want you to infiltrate his pack so that we know how they work, since they are a mystery to the rest of the world." He looks me in the eye. "Therefore, we'll pass you off as an envoy of ours who will go to negotiate a truce between the two packs."

“But how do you intend for me to infiltrate? Both packs have been enemies since I can remember,” I ask.

"During the last few months, we have been talking to them. We made them believe that we have changed," he says proudly. "We want you to gain the trust of their leader, Beck. You must make him believe in you, make him see you as a friend, even as a lover if required."

I look at him, surprised.

During these years, Baltazar has used me as a pawn to achieve his wishes; however, this is different from anything he has asked of me before.

I know better than saying "no" to my Alpha, so I nod at his orders while taking the stack of papers he has handed me.

Suddenly, I feel discomfort on my neck. I frown as I run my fingers awkwardly across the crescent mark resting on my skin. It was pulsating and burning, and every time this happens, Sky, my wolf, wakes up inside of me, calling for our mate. It makes us feel desperate and frustrated because we’re not able to answer that call.

I press down Sky’s desperate growl and try to focus back on the paper in my hand.

"Are you done, Artemis?" Baltazar's voice brings me back to the present, and I nod as I turn to him. I tuck away the papers and get ready to leave when Baltazar utters his next words.

"It is worth mentioning that there is a special prize if you complete this mission correctly,"

I lift my gaze to look at him without moving, waiting for his explanation.

He smiles, seemingly satisfied with my patience, which is something any assassin should be good at, and then he continues, "I have kept the truth from you for years, but I think it is time for you to know. The target of your next mission is also the murderer of your parents."

At that moment, everything stops and my chest is short of breath. It is as if my soul has been taken out of my body, and at the same time, I am filled with venom.

Ten years, I have been waiting for this day for ten years! I could almost see my father pushing me away while my mother used her body as a shield to protect me. Their warm blood soaked my clothes...

For the first time in ten years, I feel tears welling up in my eyes, but this is not the time to cry.

I clench my fists, take a deep breath, and fight back my tears. The murderer will pay the price!!

"Are you surprised to learn this?" he asks while his eyes emanate joy. "Becker may look young, but he is a cunning wolf with many years of training. He's as lethal an assassin as you are, so you have to be careful with him."

"If he is who you say he is, then you should allow me to kill him," I say. "I can, and I will. I ask you to reconsider. I could enter his fortress tonight and assassinate him. You will then have power over all of London."

"That's not what I've asked you to do. Once I know what I want to know, you can do with him what you will. This is an order,” Baltazar says with an unyielding tone.

"Yes... Sir," I answer since I know he won't change his mind.

"Tonight, you'll leave. I will send someone to prepare you properly for it in due course." He dismisses me with a wave of his hand and turns around, waiting for me to leave and do his bidding like a docile, trained dog.

But if that's what he thinks I am, he is wrong, because for the first time I don't plan to follow his orders. I intend to take this matter into my own hands, and I'm going to do what I do best.

Tonight, I am going to assassinate Owen Becker, the leader of the Silver Moon pack.