Soraya's POV
There was something strange about him.
His power hummed in the air—familiar enough to stir recognition, yet strange enough to keep me on edge. I could feel the strength of his wolf, fierce and untamed, thrumming just beneath the surface, ready to break free.
He walked in with an easy confidence, his dress shirt pulling slightly across his chest. The sleeves were rolled up, showing strong, veined forearms and a hint of tattoo. His tie hung loose around his neck, and even in business clothes, the shape of his muscles and the faint outline of his abs were impossible to miss.
He looked like temptation wearing a business suit.
But it was his eyes that made my breath catch. Golden — unnervingly so — glowing faintly in the light like molten metal. They were watchful and focused, like he was reading something in me I didn't even know I was showing.
I rose to my feet, instinctively trying to appear composed. "Please have a seat," I said, motioning to the chair across from me.
He took it without breaking eye contact. "Thank you," he said in a calm, low tone.
"What's your name?" I asked, reaching for the top file in the folder.
"Kael Brandon."
The moment I opened his CV, my brows creased. Every detail was perfect. Too perfect. He graduated with highest honor from NovaVale Business Institute—one of the most competitive elite schools in the city. Studied Business Strategy and Multinational Operations. On paper, he was every CEO's dream PA.
But everything about him felt off. And there was something in the way he sat there, still as stone, waiting for my questions like he'd already heard them before, that made my instincts twitch.
He wasn't just a werewolf. He was something else. Something not quite understandable.
Maybe a rogue? No… that didn't feel right either.
I must've been staring too long, because then — he smiled.
"You're a strange wolf," he said suddenly and I froze.
My pen stopped mid-stroke. I blinked, staring at him.
"What... did you say?" I asked, trying to sound casual, even though my heart dropped into my stomach.
"I said," Kael leaned forward slightly, his voice lower, more intimate, "you're a strange wolf."
My breath caught.
For a second, I looked around—checking if anyone else was nearby. My scent was always masked. No one had ever smelled it. Not even Ethan, my CEO.
"You're mistaken," I said quickly.
Kael chuckled under his breath. "You can pretend all you want, but you can't hide forever. Not from me."
"What are you?" I whispered, my voice colder now.
"I'm observant," he said. "And you're... hiding."
That was it.
"Interview's over," I said sharply, standing and closing the file. "You didn't get the job."
Kael didn't seem surprised. He rose to his feet with leisurely calm, pushing the chair back. "Are you sure that's a professional judgment?" he asked. "Or just your way of avoiding me?"
"I said leave," I snapped.
He smiled again—slow and infuriating. "I hope to see you soon, Soraya."
It took me a second, then I remembered — my ID badge was clipped to my blouse. So, of course he knew my name. But still… the way he said it felt different.
He walked out, but his scent remained, a haunting reminder of his presence.
I sank back into the chair, pulse still spiking.
Who the hell was that?
How did he know what I was?
Today was definitely the worst day of my life.
The moment the door clicked shut behind him, I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
My palms were damp. So I wiped them on my skirt, annoyed at myself—for reacting, for being unsettled, for letting him get to me. I'd dealt with countless wolves before. Alphas. Betas. Rogues. But none of them had ever peeled away my composure like that.
How did he know?
His voice echoed like a warning bell in my mind.
No one was supposed to sense it—my wolf.
"Strange wolf," he'd said, like he was expecting to meet me.
I pushed away from the table and began pacing the office, unable to sit still.
Why did he want this job?
A man with credentials like that didn't just walk in and ask to be a personal assistant—unless he was sent. Unless it was a mission. Unless…
I stopped pacing, my heart thudding.
Unless he came for me.
I snatched his CV off the table again, skimming it for anything I missed. Impressive schools. Clean record. It was all airtight. Too perfect.
Then I heard a knock.
I stiffened, startled. Maybe another recruit, I thought.
The door creaked open and Maya peeked in with a mischievous grin on her face.
"I had to sneak in before Mr. James comes back," she whispered, slipping in and closing the door. "Connor's around, so I figured I'd say hi to my best friend and also..." her eyes sparkled, "see the CEO."
I blinked at her. "You snuck out of your department?"
"Mr. James went out for lunch." She repeated as she sat on the client seat opposite mine. "And besides Connor was around. I only came to say hi to my best friend... and maybe catch a glimpse of the CEO while I was here. Is that a wrong thing to do?"
I groaned as I finally sat down. "You're incorrigible Maya."
"Tell me something I don't know." Maya's eyes sparkled. "So? Is he in?"
I nodded reluctantly.
Her expression lit up. "Ooooh. Did he say anything yet? Did he smile? Breathe in your direction? Did he..."
"Maya," I cut in sharply. "Don't dream."
"Too late," she whispered, biting her lip as she tilted her head toward the ceiling, sighing dramatically.
Before I could respond...
"Soraya!"
The voice cut through the air, deep and commanding.
We both jumped on our seat.
Maya clutched her chest. "Dear Moon, even his voice is Alpha-grade," she whispered.
I was already standing, smoothing my skirt. "Go back to your floor."
"I could just come with you..."
"Maya." I glared.
She smiled, backing toward the door. "Fine. But wow… that voice."
"Soraya!" Again. Sharper this time.
I flinched and hurried out, closing the door behind me and cutting off Maya's giggles.
No time to think. No time to breathe.