The night was quiet, the only sound in Ryan's apartment being the steady rhythm of his breathing. He was fast asleep, his arm slung lazily across Mia's waist, his face softened from the usual seriousness it carried during the day.
Mia, however, was wide awake.
She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, her mind circling the same question over and over. Where does Ryan go every night? He always had an excuse—business trips, late meetings, important clients. And she believed him. At least, she tried to. But in the deepest corner of her heart, doubt had started to bloom like a stubborn weed.
Her eyes drifted back to him, sleeping so peacefully beside her. She sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. He wouldn't lie to me, she told herself. Not Ryan. He loves me. Still, the unease wouldn't leave.
Eventually, exhaustion weighed her down, and she closed her eyes, drifting into sleep.
---
Morning sunlight spilled across the curtains, waking Mia gently. She stretched, shaking off the heaviness of the night's thoughts. Ryan's side of the bed was empty, and when she checked the time, she realized why. He had gone early for a conference meeting.
She bathed quickly, dressed neatly for work, and made her way to the company. The receptionist greeted her warmly when she walked in, and Mia forced a smile in return. She headed to her office and busied herself with filling files. Work was her safe space—something to keep her mind from wandering where it shouldn't.
After organizing a few documents, she picked one up that required Ryan's attention and walked toward his office. She raised her hand to knock, but then paused. Voices floated from inside. Low. Urgent.
Curiosity got the better of her. She leaned slightly closer.
"Alpha, the rogues attacked us again," Damon, Ryan's assistant, said in a whisper. "We managed to capture a few, but I think they'll come back stronger."
Mia froze. Alpha? Rogues?
"Then tighten the security," Ryan replied firmly. "I'll hunt them down tonight."
Mia's heart raced. Hunt them down? She pulled back slightly, confusion clouding her mind. Rogues? Alpha? This wasn't business talk. This wasn't even normal. Her thoughts scattered. Was Ryan… was he…? No. No, that's impossible. Werewolves don't exist. That's just in stories. Right?
Her palms were sweaty, but she gathered her courage and pushed the door open. Ryan and Damon instantly went silent, their eyes snapping toward her in surprise. For a moment, the room was filled with thick, suffocating tension. Then Damon cleared his throat, shifting quickly.
"So, sir," Damon said, voice suddenly louder, "the company will be having a meeting in Los Angeles next week."
Ryan didn't miss a beat. "Tell them I won't be available for that."
"Of course, sir. That will be all," Damon said, bowing slightly before turning to leave.
But Mia's voice cut through the room, sharp as a blade.
"Damon, what about the rogues attacking? Ryan won't be around if he goes to Los Angeles."
The room went still.
Ryan's blood ran cold. His mind spun. She heard us.
Damon flicked his eyes toward Ryan, waiting for instruction. Ryan quickly mind-linked him, his tone urgent. Ignore her. Leave. I'll handle this.
"Okay, Alpha," Damon muttered under his breath before walking out, his face carefully neutral as if Mia's words meant nothing.
Ryan turned slowly to her, his expression unreadable. "Mia… what are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Ryan," she snapped, her heart pounding. "I heard everything. So start talking."
His jaw tightened. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, so that's how it's going to be?" she said bitterly, her voice breaking with hurt. "Fine. Don't talk to me until you're ready to tell me the truth." She spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
---
Ryan sank into his chair, pressing his hands to his face. His chest ached. He wanted—God, he wanted—to tell her everything. To let her know who he truly was. But how? How could he explain that he wasn't just a man, but a werewolf? That he wasn't only her lover but her destined mate?
Would she accept him? Or would she run?
He spent the next hour pacing, torn between duty and love. Finally, he gathered his courage and walked into her office.
"Baby," he said gently, "how about we go for dinner tonight?"
Mia didn't look up from her desk. "Nope. Until you tell me that secret of yours, I'd like to be by myself."
Ryan's jaw clenched. Anger simmered inside him—not at her, but at himself. He was trying to protect her, yet she thought he was pushing her away. He exhaled sharply. "Okay," he said flatly and turned, walking back to his office.
Mia's chest tightened. She dropped her pen and pressed her forehead to the desk. Her heart felt heavy, torn between love and suspicion. Why can't he just tell me?
---
In his office, Ryan's wolf stirred impatiently.
"Tell her already," the wolf growled inside his mind. "She's our mate. She deserves the truth."
Ryan shook his head. "If I tell her now, we'll scare her away. She needs time."
"Every moment we hide, we hurt her," the wolf insisted.
Before Ryan could answer, a knock sounded on the door. His heart leapt, hoping it was Mia. But when he opened it, his face fell.
Suzan.
"Ryan," she purred, stepping inside with a sly smile. "How are you? I've missed you so much."
He frowned. "What are you doing here, Suzan?"
"I came to see you," she said, walking closer, her fingers brushing against his shirt. "And I came with news."
Ryan stepped back, keeping distance. "What news?"
She tilted her head. "The king has been searching for his lost daughter. An old seer confirmed she's still alive, living among humans. She wears a necklace—an old one tied to her bloodline. That's how they'll find her."
Ryan's brows drew together. "And why are you telling me this?"
"Because the king asked me to. If you recognize her, you're to help find her." She smiled, eyes glinting.
Ryan nodded stiffly. "Fine. I'll keep that in mind."
"And besides," Suzan continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "there's a party tonight with one of the Omega families. They invited you. Will you come?"
"Sure," Ryan said curtly, though his thoughts were far from parties.
---
Mia, meanwhile, had been heading to the restroom when she saw Suzan slip into Ryan's office. Suspicion flared immediately. Against her better judgment, she lingered near the door, listening.
Her heart sank when she heard Suzan mention the party. So that's where he's been going at night. To parties. With her.
Anger and hurt burned in her chest. She rushed back to her office, slamming the door shut. When Suzan emerged from Ryan's office minutes later, Mia didn't even spare her a glance.
---
A while later, Ryan sent for Mia. She went reluctantly, her face pale from too much thinking.
"Baby," Ryan said softly, pulling her onto his lap. "Have you eaten?"
"No, I haven't," she said, her voice flat.
"Then let's grab lunch together," he suggested, kissing her forehead.
Mia pulled back sharply. "No thanks. Why don't you join Suzan? Since you'll be going to meet her tonight anyway."
Ryan blinked. "What? Meet her where?"
"I heard you two," Mia snapped, tears stinging her eyes. "Planning on going to a party. Go on, Ryan. Don't let me stop you." She pushed away from him and stormed toward the bathroom, slamming the door shut and locking it.
Ryan's chest tightened painfully. He knocked gently. "Baby, please, come out. Let's talk about this."
Her voice came muffled through the door, broken with sobs. "No! You don't love me anymore. You want her. Go to her!"
Ryan pressed his forehead to the door, his wolf howling inside him. "Mia, please. I only love you. You're my mate. My everything."
Her sobs grew louder. "No! Leave me alone!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Ryan used the spare key, unlocked the door, and swept her into his arms despite her resistance. He carried her to his office, settling her gently on his lap. She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking his shirt.
"Listen to me," he whispered, stroking her hair. "Suzan was talking about a party hosted by my parents' friends. It's for their son's return. That's all. It's nothing like what you think."
Mia sniffled, pulling back slightly. "Really?"
"Yes," he said firmly, cupping her face.
"Then… I'd like to go," she whispered.
Ryan hesitated, his expression darkening. "No, baby. Not yet. It's not a good idea. One day, I'll take you there. But for now, it's better you don't."
Her heart sank again. She pushed off his lap, anger and hurt swirling in her chest. "So you want to keep secrets? Fine. Continue." She stormed out, leaving Ryan staring after her, torn apart inside.