Hermosa POV

I followed Cammy toward the VIP section, where most elite Alphas were allowed to stay and have sex with any stripper of their choice.

I kept wondering what my best friend was doing here. She never sold her body for a couple of extra bucks—that was the unspoken rule we had.

I snooped around, pretending to look for a particular room while my eyes trailed her every step.

Suddenly, she stopped in the middle of a hallway and opened a door. One thing about the VIP section was that each room was soundproof, making it hard to eavesdrop.

Luckily for me, the hallway was empty. There was no one to stop me or ask what I was doing—especially since the room Cammy entered was further down the hall, and I was still in my stripping clothes.

So, I bent down, staring through the keyhole. There was light in the room, so I could see clearly.

Cammy looked tense, her hands crossed in front of her as she knelt on the golden fur rug, still in her raunchy panties and bra. Her lips moved silently.

I leaned closer to hear what was happening inside.

“Tell me what I did wrong?” a familiar male voice boomed in the room, his figure hidden from view.

“Nothing…” Cammy’s eyes met the rug in obedience, unwilling to look up.

“I protected you and Hermosa,” his voice cracked. “Kept the both of you in the club for your damn good.”

“Why did you do it?” His voice dropped to a whisper.

“I didn’t do anything.” Fear tightened her tone.

“Spread your legs, Cammy,” he commanded.

“I can’t keep f*cking you…” She bit her lip. “I’ve paid back everything I owe.”

He laughed low and evil. “I say when to stop f*cking you.”

“Our debt’s been paid,” she stammered, her hands picking invisible dirt from her fingers.

I couldn’t get in, neither could I see the stranger whose voice resembled my mate’s.

“If I give orders, you obey, Cammy,” his tone grew dangerous. “Like the snitch you are.”

Her eyes widened. Fear danced in her pupils, and I could only imagine what she had gotten herself into.

“Last time, Cammy,” he drawled, his shadow illuminating in the light. “Stand up and spread those legs.”

“How did you know?” she asked quickly, fear lacing her tone. Her back faced him, legs apart—like she had done this before.

“I warned you, didn’t I?” His hand spanked her ass, and she screamed in pain. My heart caught in my throat as I watched everything unfold. I had to help my best friend before something terrible happened.

My phone wasn’t with me—it was in the changing room. If I could get there and call Rapheal, he would know what to do.

“Remove your damn clothes!” the voice ordered.

Cammy’s trembling hands pushed down her panties in fear. A male figure came into full view.

I gasped, taking in small bouts of air. It was none other than my mate—**Rapheal.**

My world spun as his image registered in my head.

His hands squeezed her ass as he bent her over, removing his trousers. I couldn’t believe it—not in a thousand years. Rapheal, my forever, the man who promised to stand by and protect me, was f*cking my best friend.

“Please stop this, Rapheal,” Cammy’s voice broke in a plea.

“Why?” he growled. “You used to love it when I squeezed your ass this hard.”

I swallowed hard again. My best friend had been sleeping with my mate all along?

No wonder every time I mentioned him, she got uncomfortable and withdrawn. Now I knew why.

“I had no choice,” she cried, her frail voice cracking. “You know it!”

“Shut up!” He squeezed her jaw, pulling down his underwear. “You betrayed me, and I’m here to collect the favor.”

“I… I didn’t—” she stuttered, but he cut her off.

“Ssshhh.” He placed a hand over her lips, bending her across the table with a wicked grin. “I want to teach you a lesson.”

Without warning, he slammed his cock inside her. She groaned in pain, bending backward, holding the wall for support. Each thrust was rough against her body as he panted and cursed.

I held my breath. This felt unreal, like waking up to a nightmare. This couldn’t be my Rapheal—the man who claimed to love me.

Her whimpering only seemed to drive him harder. He rode her like an animal, not caring if she was ready or not.

When he was done, he tossed her aside, panting heavily. I wanted to drive a knife into his chest, to make him feel the pain he had given us both.

This wasn’t love. It was abuse in its purest form.

“Let her go!” I banged on the door with every ounce of strength I had left. My emotions wailed inside me, but I kept going, tears streaming down my face.

Reality hit me hard—I couldn’t even save her. I bit my lip in frustration.

Then I heard Cammy’s voice. “I will tell Hermosa everything,” she sobbed, putting on her panties.

“You’ll do no such thing,” he warned, eyes bulging with anger.

“Yes, I will!” she said defiantly.

“No, you won’t!” He yanked her by the hair, eyes blazing as he spoke menacingly. “If I so much as hear a whimper from you…” his fingers grazed her jawline, “…you won’t live long enough.”

“I should’ve told her when I had the chance,” she spat in his face.

I bit my fingers, terrified I would scream.

“You whore!” Rapheal slapped Cammy hard across the face. Her head hit the wall with such force that blood pooled everywhere.

I watched everything unfold, my knees weak. I pressed my trembling hands to my lips. I couldn’t recognize the man I loved.

This was too much for me.

He grabbed a hand towel from the wardrobe, cleaning himself as though he’d been contaminated, while Cammy lay motionless on the floor.

He had just killed my best friend—like it was nothing.

He didn’t even flinch.

“Serves you right,” he muttered, throwing the towel onto her body as he straightened his clothes and hair.

Her blood soaked the floor, her hair and clothes drenched. I stumbled backward in shock, her battered body haunting my every breath.