Four Iced Alphas, One Fate.

Chapter [1]

Chapter 1

Raven's Pov

It's been three years, that's how long it had been since Luna Winters supposedly died in Silver Pine Forest, executed for a crime she never committed.

But here I was, now Raven and very much alive, adjusting my black lace mask in the dressing room mirror of Crimson Velvet, the most exclusive gentlemen's club in the city. The girl staring back bore no resemblance to the broken, terrified creature the Derek twins had dragged into those woods.

My wolf had saved me that night. When the silver blade pierced my throat, something ancient and powerful had awakened inside me, healing the wound and giving me strength I never knew I possessed. I'd crawled from that forest feeling reborn and no longer the weak, cowering victim everyone believed me to be.

But surviving was expensive, from forging a new identity to finding an apartment, and most importantly, paying for the pre-med program at Bridgewood Community College and all of it required money I didn't have. Which led me here, to the one place where a girl with no past and no connections could earn enough to build a future.

The work wasn't what I'd imagined for myself but it paid well. More than well and enough that I could afford not just survival, but the education I needed to become what I'd always dreamed of…a healer. Someone who could use the mysterious power I'd discovered, the ability my wolf possessed to mend what was broken.

At school, I was Raven Winters again, I was quiet, studious and invisible. I kept my head down, earned perfect grades, and avoided notice. The other students saw me as just another nerdy pre-med student, thick glasses and baggy clothes hiding what lay beneath.

Turns out, I'm a lot harder to kill than anyone expected.

"Ivory, you're up in five!" Candy called me and that's my stage name, one of the other dancers was poking her perfectly made-up face into the dressing room.

"Thanks, babe." I slipped on my signature red stilettos, the ones that made my legs look endless and gave me just enough height to look predators in the eye. I was called Ivory in the club, I know right? I can't have anyone knowing my real name because I was a college student in Bridgewood.

The only difference between the men who came here and the ones who'd tried to kill me was that they paid for the privilege of looking but not touching.

Well, mostly not touching me.

I made my way to the main floor as the crowd went crazy, my hips swaying with the confidence I'd learned to fake until it became real. The bass thrummed through the floorboards, matching the rhythm of my heart as I scanned the crowd of suited businessmen and young professionals.

"Gentlemen," I purred into the microphone as I took the stage, "My name is Ivory, and I'll be your fantasy tonight."

The stage lights blinded me to most faces in the crowd and it's exactly how I preferred it. Here, I wasn't Luna Winters, the murdered orphan or Raven…the nerd student, I was Ivory, untouchable and in control.

My body moved with fluid grace around the pole, every twist and turn calculated to drive the audience wild while keeping them at exactly the distance I wanted. The money rained down like confetti, and I collected it with the same cold efficiency I'd learned to apply to everything in my new life.

After my set, I made my rounds through the VIP section, where the real money was. All I needed to do was a few lap dances, some flirtatious conversation, and careful boundary management. I'd learned quickly that confidence was ninety percent of the job, projecting strength, and weak men either cowered or threw money at you trying to prove their dominance.

"Ivory, honey," Kingsley, the club manager, appeared at my elbow as I finished with my last client of the night. "I need a favor from you"

I checked my diamond-studded watch, it was a gift from a particularly generous regular. "I'm done for tonight, Kingsley. I have classes tomorrow morning, and I can't afford to—"

"These are VIPs babe," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "They specifically requested our best girl and that's you, sweetheart. You're my biggest investment baby."

I sighed tiredly, already counting the extra money this would bring in. Community college wasn't paying for itself, and my carefully constructed new identity required constant funding. "How much?"

"Ten grand for each of them."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise and the draining energy left my body immediately. "Each? How many are we talking about?"

"Four guys Ivory, about College age, probably hockey players judging by their size so you know money's no object."

Something cold settled in my stomach, but I pushed it aside. Panic was uncertainty was a luxury I couldn't afford. "Fine but I set the boundaries, and I get half up front."

"Already handled," Kingsley slapped an envelope into my hand. "It's room Seven and they're waiting eagerly."

I tucked the money into my purse and headed toward the private VIP rooms, mentally preparing myself for another performance. Rich college boys were usually the worst and entitled, handsy, and convinced their daddy's money bought them anything they wanted.

I paused outside Room Seven, adjusting my mask and checking my reflection in the mirrored wall. The black lace covered the upper half of my face, leaving only my lips and jawline visible. Combined with my new hair color and the dramatic makeup, my own mother wouldn't have recognized me.

If she were still alive.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door with a sultry smile. "Good evening, gentlemen. I'm—"

The words died in my throat hard that only thing I could jar right now was the heavy bass beat of my heart.

Four pairs of eyes stared back at me from the plush leather seating area. Eyes I recognized, despite the years that had passed. Eyes that belonged to the elite hockey players of Bridgewood Academy….the pack's golden boys.

Damon Ashworth, the team captain with his trademark smirk and silver eyes. Kai Blackthorne, quiet and intense, with dark hair and storm-gray eyes. River Nightshade, the playboy with auburn hair and emerald eyes that missed nothing. And worst of all, Zane Moonfire, the enforcer with his brutal reputation and midnight-blue eyes.

"Wow, well…. very sexy." Damon drawled, leaning back in his chair with that predatory smile I remembered from school. "Looks like our entertainment has arrived."

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I forced myself to stay in character. Maybe they wouldn't recognize me. Maybe the new look was enough.

"I'm Ivory" I managed, my voice only slightly breathless. "I understand you gentlemen are looking for some... private entertainment?"

Kai's eyes narrowed slightly, studying my face with uncomfortable intensity. "Ivory? Interesting name choice."

Shit! s**t, s**t.

"Shut the door," River commanded, his voice silk over steel. "We want to make sure we have complete privacy for this conversation."

My hand hovered over the door handle. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but where could I go? They were blocking the only exit, and even if I made it out of the room, they could easily outrun me in the club.

"I... the club has policies about closed doors," I lied, grasping for any excuse.

Zane stood slowly, his massive frame unfolding from the chair like a predator rising to hunt. "Close….The door."

The alpha command in his voice hit me like a physical blow, and before I could stop myself, my hand was turning the lock.

Fuck my wolf's instincts.

"There's a good girl," Damon purred, and the condescending tone made my skin crawl. "Now, why don't you come over here and dance for us? We've heard you're the best this place has to offer."

I forced my legs to move, sauntering toward them with false confidence while my mind raced for an escape plan. "Of course. Any particular song preferences?"

"Oh, we don't need music for what we have in mind," River said, his green eyes glittering with something dangerous.

Kai leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Tell me, Ivory, do you take special requests?"

"Depends on the request," I replied, stopping just outside their reach. "And the price."

"We want you to dance," Zane said, his deep voice rumbling through the room. "Naked….Start with the mask."

"The mask stays on," I said quickly. "Club policy please."

Damon chuckled. "We're willing to pay extra for policy violations. Aren't we, boys?"

The others nodded, and my blood turned to ice as I saw recognition dawning in their eyes. I think they knew…maybe not completely, but they suspected.

"I'm not comfortable with—"

"Strip," Kai interrupted, his voice deadly quiet. "Now."

The alpha command crashed over me again, stronger this time, and I felt my hands moving toward my top before I could stop them. My wolf, the traitorous b***h, wanted to submit to the authority in their voices. She seemed so happy doing this but I'd learned a few things about control in the past three months.

I let my hands fall to my sides and smiled…a real smile this time, sharp and dangerous. "Sorry, boys, but I'm not that kind of girl. You want a show, you follow my rules."

"Your rules?" River laughed, but it wasn't a pleasant sound. "Sweetheart, I don't think you understand the situation you're in."

All four of them stood now, forming a loose circle around me. Predators closing in on their prey.

"See, we know exactly who you are," Damon said softly. "Don't we, Raven?"