The woman writhes in pain, burying her fingers in the back of the man above her as they both reach their climax, groaning in pleasure.
He rolls off her, both heaving in unison as she gathers her disoriented memories.
As her blue eyes meet the dangling chandelier on the ceiling, it reminds her she shouldn't be here.
But if there's one thing Artemis Antonio loves, it's being in the wrong place, regardless of the time.
***
Few Hours Earlier
****
A phone buzzes, the screen illuminating to reveal a message notification.
[Where are you?]
Artemis groans before grabbing a drink from the counter, just as another text comes in from the same sender saved as "Annoying B*itch":
[The Alpha is threatening to kill me, Artemis Eliza Antonio. Come back to the castle this instant!]
Artemis glances at the texts with a sigh before turning off her phone completely, downing her drink as she screams in delight when the DJ cranks up the music—the heavy bass thrumming through the ground like a heartbeat, urging partygoers to sway along with the beat.
She's fully convinced that Bellatrix, her personal maid, is only trying to scare her into returning home. The Alpha wouldn't kill her—maybe cut off her arm or gouge an eye, but she'll live.
Artemis expects this. After all, her nineteenth birthday party is currently held at the palace—a ceremony she finds too boring. She seeks freedom and life: something fun, vibrant, and uplifting that doesn't involve networking with the next available suitor or being asked about political issues she knows nothing about. The crown is heavy, especially as her father's heir. What better way to ease the tension than clubbing?
The worst that could happen, Artemis thinks, is her father gives a short lecture. Her meddlesome stepmother, whom he married last year, might offer etiquette lessons—or she could have another credit card blocked. None of that matters as long as she can get the fun she craves. It's only a matter of minutes before she returns to the castle.
Her body sways smoothly as a man settles behind her. Raising her hand, she lets their hips move in sync as he wraps his hands around her waist, pulling her closer and tighter.
The sensation of his growing bulge against her causes her to shiver, just as she feels his fingers brush her thighs, inching underneath her dress.
That's her cue to leave. Gently, she pushes him away, just as one of her friends, Rebecca, pulls her from the crowd.
"I've been searching for you! We're about to play truth or dare!" Rebecca shouts above the music.
"Sounds fun!" Artemis giggles, raising her voice to be heard over the din.
"Artemis, are you drunk?" Rebecca asks, with a knowing look in her eye.
"Not yet!" Artemis laughs.
They weave their way back through the throng to the private lounge Artemis rented for her friends' celebration. The air inside is thick with alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes—just Artemis' kind of celebration.
There are two women and two men in the lounge, all seated on the carpet, leaving room for Artemis and Rebecca to lounge on the couch.
They're all three years older than Artemis except Cole, who's four years older. The group has been inseparable since Cole and Dave's fathers, members of the werewolf council under Artemis' father, grew up together, even before they met Rita, Rebecca, and Daisy in middle school.
Artemis is sure she can trust them they're like family, and she could trust them wholly with her life and wellbeing.
Rita, the first woman, with both sleeves tattooed and her blonde hair streaked with pink turns to Artemis. "Where did you go? I thought you needed the bathroom," she comments, tossing her cigarette butt into an ashtray that her boyfriend, Cole, is holding.
"I get carried away! Bellatrix keeps texting me," Artemis groans, flopping onto the couch as Rebecca pops open a bottle of beer and hands it to her.
Their second female companion, Daisy, scoffs just as she finishes snorting a decent amount of cocaine. "She should relax! You're not a baby anymore!" Daisy whines, resting her head on her boyfriend Dave's lap.
"I know, right? She's so annoying. I'd have to go back earlier than usual," Artemis says, taking a sip of her beer, her forehead creasing with brewing rage.
"Why go early, Artie? The night just started," Dave grins.
The smile on his face as he says this is enough to send chills down anyone's spine, if only his audience weren't determined to get wasted. The night has truly just begun, because in one move, Artemis' life will take turns she least expects.
"Okay, let's kick this off," Dave says with a dramatic clearing of his throat as he puts out his cigar. "Let's start with the birthday girl." He grins.
"Hell no, Dave. Someone else should go first. I'll take second," Artemis interjects with a laugh, lighting a cigarette.
"You don't have to be scared," Rita chuckles. "Alright, I'll go first."
"Okay, Rita. Truth or dare?" Dave prompts.
"Truth," she replies.
"Way to be a coward," Artemis teases, blowing out smoke.
"Whatever," Rita rolls her eyes.
"Did you lose your virginity to Cole, or did you give it to some stranger?" Dave asks, smirking.
"That's your question?" Becca snorts.
"What? I'm just curious," he shrugs.
"You're such a d*ck. And no, I lost my virginity to Cole," Rita smirks, and Cole kisses her forehead while flipping Dave the middle finger. "Saw the blood myself," he chuckles.
"How noble of you! It would've been more thrilling to lose it to a total stranger instead of keeping it for your boyfriend like some saint," Artemis taunts.
Aside from loving to get under Rita's skin, she knows Rita is never the one to play it safe or simple so hearing this is new.
"Really, Artemis? Like you could do that. You can't even be naked in front of a boy," Rita bites back.
"Try me," Artemis shrugs, sitting up and locking eyes with her.
The laughter fades from Rebecca's face as she grips Artemis' hand a warning sign she uses whenever she's about to talk sense into her, but Artemis ignores the gesture. The drugs and alcohol have taken full control of her reasoning, giving her enough boldness to keep being audacious.
"Truth or dare, princess?" Rita asks, sitting up with her arms crossed.
"Dare," Artemis answers, and Becca's grip on her hand tightens a little.
"Ooh, I like this," Daisy jests.
"I dare you to go into any private room here and give your virginity to a total stranger. Film it as proof," Rita smirks. "What's holding you back, Artemis? Are you really going to be a virgin forever? At this rate, you'll never know what it's like to… you know, suck a c*ck before you get the real thing!"
"Watch me," she replies, smirking back as she rises to her feet.
Becca holds her back. "Are you serious right now, Artemis? What would the Alpha say? You're the heir—"
"Shut it, Becca," Artemis cuts her off sharply, infuriated by the idea of Rebecca sounding like her mother and voice of reason when she helped her sneak out of the palace. Through gritted teeth, she adds, "I've got this under control." Artemis frowns, rolling her eyes and pulling her hands from Rebecca's. "Cole, hand me your camera."
She walks out of the room with the camera in hand. Deep inside, Artemis can't find a plausible reason for her actions—except that to her, it's just sex—nothing more, nothing less.
She's heard about it from friends and has had quite the experience watching pornographic movies and reading scenes from romance novels. All of which she has sneakily acquired after Rebecca and the others introduced them to her. Rebecca also taught her a thing or two about self-pleasure, so she assumes it'll be the same, just with the real thing.
Artemis pauses in the hallway, contemplating which room to enter. There are no plans, just pure spontaneity. She takes a deep breath, scanning for a door until her gaze lands on one directly across from her: Room 149.
She's not a believer in myths or fate, but her birthday is today—September 14, 2034. The fourteenth day of the ninth month. With a sigh, she chooses the room, praying it's a man inside. She walks up to the door and finds it slightly ajar.
Inside is another VIP lounge, but this one has a more personalized touch. She notices the golden jaguar symbols adorning the furniture, sheets, and wallpaper. A shiver runs through her, but she pushes past it.
"Dante, is that wh*re here already? I need to ease myself into an actual p*ssy," a deep male voice growls from the bathroom. The pitter-patter of feet pacing on the tiled floor tells her she's arrived right on time.
Everything seems to be falling perfectly into place.
Her heart races as she steps into the dimly lit bathroom, steam swirling around her and creating a surreal atmosphere.
She didn't initially realize what she's gotten herself into when she accepted that dare, but here she is tearing off her clothes with boldness, drooling over the muscular man standing under the cascading water of the shower.
His eyes meet hers, surprise morphing into a smoldering gaze of lust and admiration for her body, causing her breath to hitch.
She considers her next lie: "Dante... he err... sent me here."
"Wait for me in the bedroom," he says sharply.
Artemis isn't used to being ordered around, but she manages to obey his command.
She picks up her dress and leaves the room, positioning the camera properly while waiting for the man.
In a few minutes, he's in the room, closing the distance between them and showering her with kisses that make her eyes roll back in pleasure, making her entrance perfect as he slides inside her, the sharp pain causing her to gasp.
The man, though surprised that she's a virgin, presses on hesitation. It's either she's a desperate girl seeking to make money or Dante, his assistant, wanted him to try something new. The man is none other than Vincenzo Russo, the Capo of the Russo Mafia and owner of the club where Artemis finds herself, surrendering herself to him
..
She writhes in pain, burying her fingers in the back of the man above her as they both reach their climax, groaning in pleasure.
He rolls off her, both heaving in unison as she gathers her disoriented memories.
As her blue eyes meet the dangling chandelier on the ceiling, it reminds her she shouldn't be here.
But if there's one thing Artemis Antonio loves, it's being in the wrong place, regardless of the time.
Vincenzo stares at her, examining her beauty as he had while they were at it. She has given him a peculiar kind of pleasure, her high-pitched sounds echoing in his mind. She's different, he can tell.
Breathless, Artemis glances at the camera, realizing her head feels heavy, and the room seems to tilt. She can't risk dozing off and leaving it unattended. She has to leave immediately.
"Why don't you clean up first? I'll wait for my... umm... payment outside," she suggests raspily as she sits up.
"Let's clean up together, okay?" Vincenzo replies, too calmly, almost convincingly. It stuns him that he cares, but it feels like an obligation, especially since it's her first time. He wants to leave a good impression and memory for her.
Artemis rises to her feet, starts gathering her clothes and shoes, wincing at the sight of blood on the sheet and the remnants trickling down her legs.
"No, no, there's really no need. I'll be outside," she laughs nervously, throwing her dress over her head and completely disregarding her underwear.
Vincenzo crosses his legs, enjoying the view of her dressing. "First time, huh?" he chuckles. "What's your name?"
He shouldn't care. He knows, but maybe it's pity or just good sex.
She grabs the camera next to her purse, stops the recording, and slips on her shoes. "I'd love to chat about this, but I really have to go, okay?" she says quickly.
Despite the throbbing pain between her legs, she rushes outside before he can say another word. Luckily, he doesn't follow her.
Artemis dashes straight back to the lounge. The music has stopped, and she can only imagine how much time she spent in there with him.
"She's back!" Becca exclaims.
"So... did you—"
Artemis cuts Rita off by tossing the camera at her, eager to see her reaction as she opens the video.
"So how was it? Your moans probably could've brought down the whole club; I bet it was incredible," Daisy adds, scooting closer to watch the video.
Becca approaches Artemis with a gasp.
"You're bleeding, Artemis. I can't believe you actually did this."
"Sh*t! On all fours?!" Dave exclaims before Artemis' legs finally give way, and everything goes black. 1A