Chapter one

I walked into the crime scene, under the police tape, to face a crowded group of police crowded around a solitary body on the ground with marks on her body. People were crowded around the area murmuring to themselves but none of them knew what really happened. The victim was identified as Natalie Gray, my best friend. I stood dumbstruck and couldn't move. The well-worn sound of sirens echoed around. My best friend was brutalized in the worstest way. I went closer to her body and noticed her eyes were swollen. Tear streaks were on her face. There were signs of marks on her body to indicate struggle. She begged but the murderer took no pity on her. 

I was awoken to the sound of my favorite theme song this morning as I received a call from Agent Kevin (Manager of CSI unit) informing me of a murder. I arrived and met my best friend as the victim to the murder. I should have followed her yesterday. Her body was pale. 

"When was her time of death". I asked Alex, one of my members in my department.  

"Her time of death was estimated to be around 11:00 pm yesterday". He said, looking at me with concern. 

"I demand an autopsy". I turned away from the dead body and walked a little distance away from the scene. I can't handle this. Natalie has been like a mother and my closest friend. Who could do this?

"This will go a long way. Definitely a big case". I looked up and saw Jason, my rival in this system. Jason has hated me to the core due to the fact that I was more favored and I got a lot of big cases to handle. I am a crime investigation officer and I have my own department and officers. 

"Mm… Isn't she your best friend?" He said, biting his lips. 

"Yes. She is. So?" Alex replied. I rolled my eyes at him and turned to leave. I'm in no mood for this.

"I would take up the case then". He said loud enough to my hearing while I ignored him. I walked over and hopped into my car. 

"Let me drive". He suggested. 

"No. I'm okay". My voice came out weak and more like a whisper. 

"I insist". 

I glanced at Natalie's body who was being carried into the ambulance. I can't believe this. Never have I imagined this would happen. I was trying to act strong, to be strong. I've seen cases like this and solved it. This is not new to me. This isn't my first time seeing this but to my best friend, it's getting new and strange to me. 

"Drop me at home. I will come over to the station. Later." I said and  relaxed on the seat. Natalie called me yesterday. She wanted us to go out but I was too tired to. I slept early last night due to so much stress. She went alone. If I had known, I would have followed her. 

"Hy". I glanced up and saw that we've arrived at my house. 

"Thanks Alex. I will come over". I got down immediately and rushed into the house. The first thing I did was to gulp down a large quantity of water. My throat felt dry and sore. I picked up a photo frame which we made recently consisting of us. I stared at her picture and realized one thing. 

*She's dead*

*It's all real*

I gasped and dropped the frame. The glass broke into pieces while the photo flew out. The photo flew away from me. Natalie left me. She left me. 

Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't control it anymore. I buried my head on my lap and my emotions took control over me. I must find out who did this. He or she won't go Scot free. He or she would feel my wrath. He or she took away my best friend, someone who's like a mother to me. 

I got down from the cab after paying his money. I walked into the station with the determination of bringing justice to Natalie. 

"Lucinda, you're here". Alex has always cared about me. He is my junior, one of my members. 

"Is the chief around?"

"Yes, he asked of you. You should go see him". I nodded and walked towards his office. I knocked on his door awaiting his reply when a scent hit me. A dominant scent. Our Alpha is here. Did he get to know about the case? 

I walked in and saw the Alpha sitting right in front of the chief while Jason stood beside them. I bowed to the Alpha and the chief respectively. 

"I heard you are the deceased best friend". The Alpha asked, looking at me with seriousness. I nodded painfully. 

"Then, you are in the best position to take up this case. I want you to get to the bottom of this". He said. 

"Sir. This is wrong". Jason protested. "She is the deceased friend which makes her unqualified for the case". 

"She is qualified Jason". The chief butts in immediately preventing him from talking further. 

The Alpha scoffed loudly, obviously enraged by his intrusion.

"Are you trying to drag words with me?"

"No Alpha". He said and bowed to him, unable to look him in the eye. 

"Then LEAVE!". He said with so much venom in his voice while Jason scurried away without giving me a deadly glare. He has always hated me. Always took himself as my rival. 

"Thank you sir for entrusting me with this case. I promise I will get to the bottom of this". 

"Immediately". The Alpha added. 

"And you should begin now. You can take your leave". The chief said.

I'm glad I was assigned this case. 

"Alex, have they delivered the deceased properties". 

"Yes. It was delivered just now. I dropped the box on your table". 

"What's in there". 

"Her clothes, strands of hair and nails for fingerprints". 

"Okay?" 

"And her phone was found at the scene. It's in the box". I nodded and proceeded to my office. 

"So, what should we do?" 

"Does everyone know who has taken up the case?" 

"Yes. Jason came out all red. It's obvious he was really angry. Defeated." I sighed tiredly and opened the box. As much as I don't want this case, I still want it. It's terrific investigating your best friend case. So terrific! I feel drained and tired. I feel alone!. But I have to find the murderer. I have to keep my emotions at check and find the murderer. Natalie can't die in vain!

The phone screen has cracked and it wasn't switching on. I dropped the phone on the table and kept staring at it. I bought this phone for her on her birthday. It wasn't even up to one year. What can I do with this? I opened the case and removed the Sim. 

"Take. Check out her recent contacts. Who she calls often and her messages. We should start from here". I said handing it over to him.

He nodded and walked out. I closed the box and took my seat with a heavy heart. Natalie is all I got. Now, she's gone and I feel alone. I was in distress. My wolf is in distress but feeling the need to avenge her death. Justice. I became a cop so I could protect and bring justice. I failed to protect my best friend but I must not fail to bring justice to her death. If I fail to do that then I am worthless. Worthless! 

It was late in the evening when I got a call from the hospital.

"Hello".

"Lucinda, the autopsy has been carried out. The report is here". That was pretty fast and that's because the Alpha is interested in this case.

"Bring it to my office". I said and dropped my cell phone. We are getting somewhere. When I get the reports, I will know where to start from. And the phone! I hope something important will be found. 

Alex walked in and stretched out the reports to me with a frightened expression. I furrowed my brows and collected it from him. 

"Did you check it on your way here?"

"I'm sorry. I was just curious". I scoffed and dropped the reports in front of me.

"Is it that bad?". I asked, looking up at him. He stayed silent and kept looking at the reports. I tore my gaze away from him and opened the reports. I read it and my eyes fell on one world *Sexually Assaulted*. I felt sick instantly. I felt like throwing up. I rested my head on the table and tried breathing heavily. 

"Lucinda, are you okay?" Alex asked, rushing towards me.

"Relax, okay. Relax!". He held me tightly and whispered to my ear. Tears welled up in my eyes. She was sexually assaulted. Natalie was sexually assaulted. No wonder there were marks all over her body. She struggled. She fought. She begged. But he didn't heed to her pleas. He ripped her of her innocence and killed her. Why? 

I felt tears streaming down my eyes. 

"You should go home and take some rest, Lucinda". Alex said. I took my head off the table and picked my bag while I wiped my tears. I'm emotionally drained and need some rest. 

"See you later Alex. Thank you for today". I kissed his forehead and walked out of the station. I'm glad I have a junior like him.