Suzan walked into the restaurant, turning heads the moment she arrived. Her short gown shimmered under the lights, perfectly paired with matching shoes and a glittering purse. She carried herself with confidence, knowing she looked beautiful, and her eyes immediately found Ryan seated at a corner table.
"Ryan, baby, I came to meet you," she said sweetly, sliding into the seat beside him with a smile that could melt most men's hearts.
But Ryan wasn't most men. His dark eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "Why are you here, Suzan?" he asked, his tone cold.
"I came to see my baby," she replied, reaching out to touch him affectionately.
Ryan pushed her hand away sharply. His voice rose. "Suzan, I've told you countless times to stop calling me that. We are not dating!"
Across from him, Mia sat frozen, watching the exchange. She wasn't Ryan's girlfriend—just his assistant—but the way Suzan clung to him made something hot and uncomfortable stir inside her chest.
Suzan turned suddenly, her sharp gaze locking on Mia. She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "And you are?"
Mia straightened, trying to hide her unease. "I'm his assistant… and his friend," she said softly, forcing a smile.
Ryan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. Friend. She had chosen that word herself. A warm flicker of pride stirred in his chest.
But Suzan smirked, her tone dripping with venom. "Friend, you say? Don't kid yourself. You're just his assistant. Nothing more."
The words struck Mia like a slap. She felt the sting deep inside, though she tried not to show it. "Okay, sir," she said quietly, rising to her feet. "It's getting late. I'd like to go home now."
"Mia—" Ryan began, but before he could stop her, she had already hurried out, waving down the first cab she saw.
Fury burned through him. Suzan had deliberately humiliated Mia in front of him, and Mia had believed it. Ryan's wolf snarled inside him, restless and angry. Without a word to Suzan, he stormed out of the restaurant, jumped into his car, and sped away.
Suzan leaned back in her chair, smirking in triumph. Her plan had worked perfectly. Mia was upset, Ryan was furious, and she had successfully sown misunderstanding between them. Chuckling, she called a friend and ordered dinner, satisfied with her victory.
Mia arrived home and dropped her bag on the couch, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. She changed into something more comfortable and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Just as she was chopping vegetables, her phone buzzed.
"Hey girly, how have you been?" came Rachel's cheerful voice.
Mia smiled faintly. "I'm doing fine. How's everyone back home?"
"They're fine. Guess what?"
"You know I'm terrible at guessing. Just tell me."
"Dave proposed to me!" Rachel squealed.
Mia's eyes widened. Rachel and Dave had been dating for three years, and now he had finally asked the question. "That's so sweet," Mia said warmly. "I hope he's taking good care of you."
"Oh, he is. That's why I love him so much," Rachel replied with a laugh.
"That's good," Mia said softly.
"But enough about me," Rachel continued. "What about you? Do you have a boyfriend now?"
Mia chuckled. "Nope. Still single."
"What? Are you for real?" Rachel sounded genuinely shocked.
"Yeah," Mia admitted, then hesitated. "Well… except… I think I have a crush on someone."
Rachel gasped. "Who? Start talking! I want to know the man who stole my best friend's heart."
Mia hesitated again before confessing. "He's my boss. He's really handsome, and sometimes caring, though he can be bossy and mean at times. But… there's just something about him."
Rachel let out a dramatic sigh. "A boss-and-assistant romance? That's so cute!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Mia said quickly. "We're not dating. It's just a crush. And besides… he already has a girlfriend." Her voice grew sad.
Rachel scoffed. "Don't bother. Couples break up all the time. You still have a chance."
Mia shook her head firmly. "Oh no. I'm not praying for misfortune just because I like him. That wouldn't be right."
"Okay, if you say so, princess," Rachel teased.
The two friends talked for a while longer before saying goodnight. After the call, Mia lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her heart was heavy. She really liked Ryan, but Suzan was always there, making it seem as though he belonged to her. With a sigh, Mia closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.
Outside her window, a shadow stirred. A tall, powerful wolf stood in the darkness, its golden eyes fixed on the girl sleeping inside. Ryan.
He had followed her scent, unable to stay away. His wolf howled softly in his mind, aching for his mate. Seeing her lying there, peaceful and beautiful like a fallen angel, nearly broke him. He had overheard her conversation with Rachel, and though he was overjoyed that Mia had feelings for him, he was devastated that she believed he had a girlfriend. Suzan had poisoned her thoughts, and Mia thought he was just playing with her.
Curse Suzan, he thought bitterly. That woman is nothing but trouble.
Quietly, Ryan slipped into Mia's room through the window. He approached her bed, his eyes dark with longing. Gently, he leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against her cheek. She stirred slightly, letting out a soft moan, and his wolf growled possessively inside him.
He pulled the blanket over her shoulders, protecting her from the cold, then forced himself to leave before he lost control. Once outside, he shifted back into his wolf form and ran into the forest, his mind tormented with thoughts of her.
His pack had been under threat from unknown enemies, and his responsibilities as Alpha weighed heavily on his shoulders. But above all, he worried about Mia. She was human, and if she ever discovered what he truly was, would she still love him? Would she even survive the bond if he marked her?
He hated that fate had given him a human mate, but he couldn't deny her. The Moon Goddess never made mistakes. Mia was his, and he would cherish and protect her, no matter the cost.
When Ryan finally returned home, he was surprised to see his mother waiting in the living room.
"My son, how are you?" she asked, pulling him into a warm embrace.
"Mum, what are you doing here?" he asked, startled.
"Oh, so that's how you greet your mother now?" she teased lightly.
Ryan sighed. "Sorry, Mum. I just thought something happened in the pack."
"Nothing happened," she assured him. But then her expression turned serious. "Though… I hear you've been refusing Suzan lately."
Ryan's jaw tightened. "Mum, whatever you want to do with Suzan will never work. I have a mate, and I would never betray her."
His mother gasped, eyes widening. "You do? Why didn't you tell me? Who is she?"
Ryan hesitated before answering. "I didn't want to say anything because I wasn't sure you'd believe me."
"What do you mean?"
"My mate is… a human."
His mother froze, then shouted, "What?!"
It wasn't that she hated humans—it was just unheard of. Never in their pack's history had an Alpha been paired with a human.
"Are you sure, darling?" she whispered.
"Of course," Ryan said firmly.
His mother's shoulders slumped, but then she nodded slowly. "If the Moon Goddess chose her, then we must accept it. I give you my support. But your father… I'm afraid he won't. You know how he feels about humans."
Ryan sighed. He had expected as much. His father had always called humans weak. "I don't care what he thinks. Please, Mum, talk to him for me."
"I will," she promised, patting his shoulder. "But be careful, son. You have a difficult path ahead of you."
Ryan kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Mum."
After she left, Ryan went to his room and headed for the shower. Warm water poured over his body as he scrubbed away the dirt of the day, but his thoughts remained on Mia—her soft lips, her smile, her curves. A low growl escaped his throat. His wolf wanted her, and he was barely holding himself back.
Soon, he promised himself. Soon, he would claim her.
The next morning, Mia woke up with cramps twisting her stomach. Groaning, she dragged herself to the bathroom and realized her period had started. "No wonder," she muttered, clutching her belly.
After a hot shower, she changed into fresh clothes and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Her mind drifted to Ryan again, even though she scolded herself for it. He was her boss, her Alpha—though she didn't know it yet. And as much as she tried to deny it, her heart longed for him.
She sighed, shaking her head. "Get a grip, Mia. Don't fall for someone you can't have."
But deep down, she knew it was already too late.
The next morning she woke feeling pains all over her body, she entered her bathroom to see blood stains on her tigh, her period has started.
She freshened up and made way to the company.