The office was unusually quiet that afternoon. Mia was seated at her desk, typing up reports, her mind drifting between the numbers on the screen and Ryan's absence. She tried to stay focused, but her thoughts betrayed her.
"Excuse me," a deep, unfamiliar voice broke the silence.
Mia looked up, startled. Standing at her office door was a tall man in a crisp navy suit. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his warm brown eyes carried a kindness she hadn't seen in a long while. He smiled as though they had known each other for years.
"Yes? Can I help you?" Mia asked, her professional tone slipping back into place.
He stepped forward, extending a hand. "I'm Daniel Carter. The board asked me to stop by for a quick consultation regarding the company's expansion project."
Mia stood and shook his hand, her polite smile matching his. "Ah, right. The secretary mentioned a consultant might be coming by. Please, have a seat."
Daniel sat across from her, but instead of diving into documents immediately, his gaze lingered on her. Not in a rude or invasive way, but as if he was… intrigued. "You must be Mia," he said softly. "Ryan's assistant, right? Or should I say… the one keeping everything running while he's away?"
Mia chuckled, though a blush warmed her cheeks. "Something like that. It's been hectic, but I'm managing."
"That's impressive," Daniel said genuinely. "Most people would crumble under that kind of pressure. But you—you seem calm. Strong."
His words made her heart flutter unexpectedly. No one had said that to her before. Ryan always expected her to manage, but he rarely complimented her for it.
"Thank you," she replied, smiling a little brighter than before.
As they went through the files, Mia found herself noticing the way Daniel listened attentively, the way he asked questions with genuine curiosity, and the way his eyes lit up when she explained something. It was refreshing, comforting even.
By the end of their meeting, Daniel stood and buttoned his jacket. "You've been wonderful to work with, Mia. I hope I get to see more of you during this project."
Mia hesitated, her heart tugging strangely. "Yes, of course. I'll be around."
As Daniel walked out of her office, he glanced back once more, his eyes softening. Something about Mia—the kindness in her smile, the quiet strength in her voice—had already left a mark on him. He knew it was dangerous to think this way, but he couldn't help it.
Mia, unaware of the feelings slowly blossoming in Daniel's chest, sat back at her desk. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, but the warmth of his compliment lingered.
...
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting golden streaks across the training grounds. The air was thick with energy — growls, the thud of bodies colliding, and the sound of feet pounding against the dirt echoed through the clearing.
Ryan stood at the center, his arms folded across his broad chest. His wolf stirred restlessly within him, proud and eager to test his warriors.
"Again!" Ryan's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
Two young wolves circled each other, their bare feet kicking up dust. With a snarl, one lunged, but the other dodged too slowly, ending up flat on his back.
Ryan shook his head, stepping forward. "Too predictable. If you hesitate, you die. Get up."
The warrior scrambled to his feet, panting. Ryan moved like a blur, sweeping the boy's legs out from under him and pressing a boot against his chest before he could recover. His icy gaze scanned the others, his voice low but carrying across the field.
"This is what happens when you hold back. Rouges won't show you mercy. Neither will I."
The pack members nodded, eyes locked on their Alpha. Respect. Fear. Loyalty. They felt it all in his presence.
Ryan removed his boot and stepped back. "Now, shift. Both of you."
Bones cracked, fur rippled, and within moments two wolves stood before him — one silver-gray, the other dark brown. Ryan's own wolf pushed against the surface, eager to be let out. He gave in, his body shifting effortlessly. A massive black wolf stood in his place, towering and radiating power.
The two younger wolves lowered their heads instinctively, tails dipping. But Ryan growled — not for submission, but for them to attack.
They lunged at him together, snapping and clawing. Ryan met them head-on, strength unmatched. He dodged one bite and slammed his shoulder into the brown wolf, sending him rolling. The silver-gray leaped at him, but Ryan caught him midair, pinning him down with brutal efficiency.
The fight lasted only minutes. Ryan overpowered them both, standing tall, his black fur gleaming under the sun.
He shifted back smoothly, his breathing even, as if he hadn't just taken down two wolves at once. "You're improving," he said, his tone slightly softer now. "But improvement isn't enough. You fight to protect this pack — your family. You fight because if you fall, others will suffer."
A chorus of "Yes, Alpha!" rose around him.
Ryan looked at his warriors — tired, sweating, but determined. Pride swelled in his chest, though he didn't show it. He needed them strong. The rouges were growing bolder, and deep down, he knew the coming battles would test them like never before.
"Rest for ten minutes," Ryan finally ordered. "Then we run drills until your legs feel like breaking. No excuses."
The warriors dispersed, grateful for the short break. Ryan remained in the center of the field, staring at the tree line, his mind already elsewhere. Protecting the pack was his duty… but part of him longed to be somewhere else, with Mia.
He clenched his fists. One mistake, one distraction, and lives could be lost. He couldn't afford that. Not again.
The Alpha's mansion was dimly lit, the fire in the hearth crackling softly. Ryan's mother sat in her favorite chair, her hands folded in her lap, while the alpha paced the length of the room, his heavy footsteps echoing.
"She is human,"his father growled at last, his voice thick with disapproval. "Fragile. Mortal. What business does she have tied to the Alpha of a pack? Our Luna should be strong — a wolf who can stand beside him in battle, guide the pack, command respect. A human will never be accepted."
Ryan's mother's gaze was steady, calm as always, but her voice carried steel, you're thinking like a leader but forgetting to think like a father. Ryan didn't choose this. The Moon Goddess chose Mia for him. Who are we to say the Goddess made a mistake?"
The alpha's jaw tightened. "The Goddess would never tie a wolf to someone so… weak."
"Is she weak because she's human? Or do you call her weak because you do not know her?" his mother countered softly. "You've never spoken to Mia. You've only judged her. But I've seen her, She has kindness, she has spirit — and she has Ryan's heart. That is not weakness."
The alpha stopped pacing, his hands curling into fists. "A pack is not led with kindness. It is led with strength, with fear when needed, with the knowledge that our Alpha and Luna are unshakable."
"And what of love?" his mother's voice rose, just a little. "Will you deny your son happiness? Will you chain him to a she-wolf he does not love just for the sake of appearances? Do you want him to resent you — and this pack — for the rest of his life?"
Before his father could answer, the door opened. Ryan stepped in, his tall frame tense, his eyes sharp. Clearly, he had overheard enough.
"You don't have to talk about me like I'm not here," Ryan said, his voice low but firm. "I know what this is about."
His mother stood, worry flashing in her eyes, but Ryan's gaze was fixed on his father.
"Father," Ryan began, trying to keep his tone controlled, "I know you think Mia is unworthy because she's human. But you're wrong. She's everything I want — everything I need. She grounds me, she makes me better. I've never felt like this before."
Ryan's father lips pressed into a thin line. "Love makes you blind, Ryan. You risked this pack once already. You cannot let a human be your downfall."
Ryan's chest tightened, but he stepped closer, his voice rising. "I did not risk this pack because of her. I risked it because I am not perfect — because the rouges are relentless. But don't blame her for that. If anything, she gives me a reason to fight harder."
His father shook his head. "You're too young to see clearly. One day you'll thank me for stopping this madness."
Ryan's fists clenched at his sides, anger flashing in his eyes. "Madness? You call my mate madness? You raised me to be strong, to lead, but now you want me to reject the one thing that makes me feel whole. If being Alpha means giving up Mia, then maybe I don't want this title at all."
His mother gasped softly at his words, but Ryan's father's face hardened like stone.
"You will be Alpha," his father said coldly. "And you will not make a human your Luna. That is final."
The words cut deeper than claws. Ryan's wolf snarled inside him, but he held himself together. His voice, when it came, was quiet — too quiet.
"Then you're not only challenging me, Father. You're challenging the will of the Moon Goddess herself."
With that, Ryan turned sharply, his shoulders stiff with restrained fury, and stormed out of the room.
His mother stood frozen, her heart breaking for her son. She looked at her husband, disappointment heavy in her eyes.
"You've just pushed him further away, Damien," she whispered. "And one day, that choice may cost you your son."
Ryan's father turned toward the fire, his face shadowed, but he said nothing.