Ryan left his house that morning with heavy thoughts sitting on his chest. The sun had barely risen, casting a pale glow over the vast land of his pack. As he stepped into the compound, several wolves who were training outside immediately noticed him.
"Alpha," they greeted, bowing their heads in respect.
Ryan gave a small nod, acknowledging them. His mind was too full to linger with them. He walked straight toward the large stone house at the center of the pack grounds — the Alpha's residence, where his father lived.
When he stepped inside, the familiar scent of home wrapped around him. Still, it felt colder than usual. His mother wasn't there, and the absence pricked his chest with longing. He sighed quietly. He always wished she was around whenever things grew complicated.
In the main room, his father was waiting. A tall, broad man with a face hardened by years of battle and leadership. His sharp eyes landed on Ryan the moment he entered.
"Ryan," his father said, his voice deep and commanding.
"Yes, Father," Ryan replied, bowing his head slightly in respect.
His father leaned forward in his chair, expression stern. "You know why I sent for you."
Ryan inhaled slowly. "Yes. It's about my mate."
The older Alpha's jaw tightened. "Exactly. So, what are you going to do about it? You can't possibly accept a human as your mate."
Ryan's fists clenched, but he kept his voice firm and steady. "Father, nothing you say will change my mind. I love her. I believe the Moon Goddess chose her for me for a reason."
"Are you a fool?" his father thundered. "She's a weak human! She will only serve as prey to your enemies. Do you not understand the danger? Do you not see how this makes you vulnerable?"
"I know the risks," Ryan said quietly but firmly. "But I won't leave her. She's worth it."
His father's face twisted in disgust. "Worth it? She is nothing but a human. How could she possibly bear your pups? How could she stand beside you as Luna?"
Ryan's patience snapped. His wolf stirred within, anger boiling in his veins. He met his father's glare without fear.
"Father," he said, his voice cold, "I love her. And if you try to do anything foolish — if you dare try to harm her — I will not be merciful. I won't spare anyone. Not even you."
Silence filled the room. His father's eyes widened slightly, not from fear, but from shock at his son's defiance.
Ryan didn't wait for a reply. He turned and strode out of the house, his heart pounding with anger and determination.
As he walked toward his quarters, he nearly collided with someone.
"Hey, cous," a familiar voice said. It was Lucas, his cousin. "Didn't know you were around."
"Yeah," Ryan muttered. "Just came because of Dad."
Lucas studied him curiously. "So, is it true? That your mate's a human?"
Ryan's jaw tightened. The rumors were spreading faster than he expected. "Yeah. It's true."
"And how's your dad taking it?" Lucas asked carefully.
Ryan gave a humorless laugh. "Mad, as usual. But I don't care. I won't leave her. I love her, and she's my life."
Lucas nodded slowly. "I get it. I know how strong the bond feels. I just… I pray the elders will agree with you. It won't be easy."
Ryan muttered something under his breath and walked past him. He needed space. He needed Mia. Only she could calm the storm inside him.
Back in his room, he lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Thoughts of Mia filled his mind — her smile, her laughter, the way her eyes softened when she looked at him. No matter what anyone said, he knew she was his.
Meanwhile, in the city, Mia was at the company.
Ryan had looked so stressed that morning before leaving, so she decided not to disturb him. Instead, she took it upon herself to handle the major meetings for the day. She sat at the long boardroom table, discussing contracts and schedules with calm professionalism.
She was signing off a document when the door opened.
Suzan walked in, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.
"The boss isn't around," Mia said without looking up. Her tone was polite but distracted.
"Oh, I know," Suzan replied, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I didn't come for him. I came for you."
Mia finally looked up, frowning slightly. "For me? Okay… what can I do for you?"
Suzan crossed her arms, her expression sharp. "Leave Ryan alone. He loves me and only me."
Mia blinked, irritation sparking in her chest. "Miss Suzan, Ryan already told you he doesn't love you. So what exactly are you talking about?"
Suzan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I see the way he looks at you — with love. Don't deny it."
Mia's patience thinned. She closed the file in front of her with a soft thud. "Miss, I didn't ask Ryan to like me. And right now, you're disturbing me. Please, leave me alone."
"Oh? Now you're yelling at me?" Suzan sneered.
"Get out," Mia snapped, raising her hand to call security. Two guards appeared at the door, and Suzan stiffened.
"You'll regret this," Suzan hissed before storming out.
When the office finally grew quiet again, Mia leaned back in her chair. Her heart was racing. Why did Suzan's words get under her skin like that? Was Ryan really…? No. She shook her head. She couldn't allow herself to overthink. She had work to do.
Suzan, on the other hand, left the building fuming. That girl had guts. Too much guts.
Ryan was hers. Only hers.
Her lips twisted into a smirk as she walked away silently. She would make Ryan hate Mia. She would make him despise her with every fiber of his being.
Later that afternoon, Ryan returned to the company. His heart calmed the moment he saw Mia in her office, working diligently.
"So, Mia," he asked softly, leaning against her desk. "What's my schedule today?"
Mia looked up at him, cheeks flushing faintly. "I already handled all your meetings while you were away. Now, you only have a dinner with Mr. Li by six."
Ryan's chest swelled with gratitude. "Thanks, baby."
She looked away quickly, blushing harder. "O-okay, sir. That will be all for now."
She left the room quickly, her heart pounding. Why did the way he said "baby" affect her so much?
Ryan smiled to himself, then pulled out his phone and dialed his beta. Within minutes, the loyal man arrived.
"Sir, you sent for me?" the beta asked.
Ryan folded his arms. "Tell me something. Can an Alpha truly be mated to a human?"
The beta hesitated. "In some rare cases, yes. But it's unusual."
Ryan nodded. "Well, my mate is Mia."
The beta's eyes widened. "Really? Wow."
"My father wants me to reject her," Ryan said darkly. "He says I can't have a human as a mate."
"Your father is just… concerned," the beta said carefully. "Many might see this as a weakness. Enemies could use it against you."
"I don't care," Ryan growled. "I will never leave my mate." His wolf stirred, his voice laced with raw power.
The beta bowed his head in respect.
"I want you to go," Ryan ordered, "and tell everyone in the pack that Mia is my mate. Spread the word."
"Yes, Alpha," the beta said before leaving.
Ryan exhaled heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. He had made his choice, and nothing would change it.
After a moment, he left his office and walked to Mia's.
She looked up when he entered, her eyes wide.
"I'm going for lunch," Ryan said softly. "Care to join me?"
Mia blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Sure."
Ryan's chest warmed at her smile. Without another word, they left the company together.
They sat across from each other at a quiet restaurant, sunlight streaming through the large windows. For once, Ryan felt at peace. Mia's presence calmed him in a way nothing else could.
He leaned forward, his voice low and sincere. "Mia… thank you. For everything you've been doing."
Her eyes softened. "It's nothing, Ryan. I just want to help" she said.
" Um I wanted to ask you, can you follow me to a business trip" he asked her.
"Of course sir, I'll love to" she said.
He was happy, he planned the trip so he could make mia fall for him, and he would confess his love for her.