Andy blinked, the corner of his mouth twitching. He pushed himself up with fluid, athletic grace, rising to his full height like a skyscraper unfolding. He adjusted his suit jacket, the movement sharp and precise, before reaching a hand down to her.

His hand was large, well-manicured, and steady. An anchor in the chaos.

"Ms. Salinger," he started, his voice regaining that cool, boardroom baritone. "If you wanted a performance review, an email would have sufficed."

Louise opened her mouth to apologize, to explain that she had just seen a ghost, but before she could take Andy's hand, a shadow fell over her.

"Louise!"

David.

He rushed forward from the cluster of stunned employees, pushing past a confused intern. He looked perfect-young, handsome, concerned. The very picture of a loving fiancé.

"Honey, are you okay?" David asked, thrusting his hand out to grab her arm.

The moment his fingers grazed her sleeve, instinct took over.

It wasn't the instinct of a loving partner. It was the instinct of a prey animal recognizing a predator. Louise didn't see the concerned fiancé; she saw the man who had stood over her bleeding body, calculating his insurance payout.

"No!" Louise screamed, scrambling backward on her butt like a crab, kicking her heels against the carpet. "Don't touch me! Get away!"

She curled into a ball, covering her head with her arms, trembling violently.

The gasp that went through the office was audible.

David froze, his hand hovering in mid-air, a look of utter bewilderment on his face. "Louise? It's me. It's David."

"I know who you are!" Louise choked out, peering through her fingers with wild eyes. You're a murderer. You're a gold-digger.

She had promised the Moon Goddess she would be a vengeful wolf. She had vowed to burn them to ash. But here she was, five minutes into her second life, cowering on the floor.

So much for the brave avenger, she thought bitterly. I'm an embarrassment to werewolves everywhere.

Andy frowned. His gaze darted from the terrified woman on the floor to the man reaching for her. The playful glint in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, hard steel.

He didn't say a word. He simply moved.

With a single, deliberate step, Andy placed himself between Louise and David.

He didn't shove David. He didn't need to. He just occupied the space, his broad shoulders creating a physical wall. He stood with his back to Louise, facing David down. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.

"Back off, Salinger," Andy said. His voice was low, dangerous. It wasn't a request.

David blinked, intimidated despite himself. "Mr. Finch, she's my fiancée. I'm just trying to help-"

"She said don't touch her," Andy cut him off. He didn't even look at David. He turned slightly, crouching down on one knee so he was at eye level with Louise, but still keeping his body angled to block David's approach.

"Louise?" Andy asked softly, his tone completely different from the one he used with David. It was gentle, almost... tender. "Look at me."

Louise lowered her arms slowly. She looked into those piercing blue eyes and felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. He smelled like sandalwood and pine-clean, expensive, and safe.

"Are you hurt?" Andy searched her face. "Did he hurt you?"

There was a hidden question in his eyes: Do I need to call security? Do I need to destroy him?

Louise stared at him, surprised. In her past life-her first life-Andy had always been distant, mocking. "Do you always fail to deliver on your promises, Mrs. Salinger?"

But this man? This man looked ready to tear the world apart because she was trembling.

Could he be her fated mate?

She took a deep breath, her heart rate slowly coming down from imminent cardiac arrest to mild panic attack. She realized how this looked. She was screaming at her fiancé in the office. If she claimed David was a murderer now, seven years before the crime, they'd lock her up in a padded room, not him.

She needed time. She needed a strategy. She needed to stop looking like a lunatic.

"I..." Louise swallowed, her throat dry. She grabbed Andy's offered hand. It was warm. "I'm okay. I'm fine."

Andy helped her up, his grip firm, supporting her elbow as her legs wobbled. He didn't let go immediately.

"You don't look fine," Andy noted dryly. "You look like you've seen a corpse."

I have. Mine.

"It was... a nightmare," Louise lied, the words tasting like ash. "I fell asleep at my desk. I was having a terrible nightmare, and I woke up disoriented. I didn't know where I was."

She forced a laugh. It sounded manic. "Sorry. I must have watched too many horror movies recently."

David let out a loud, performative sigh of relief. He stepped around Andy, reclaiming his territory.

"Oh, babe," David cooed, ignoring Louise's flinch as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her forcibly into his side. "You scared us half to death! A nightmare? Really? You have to stop stressing about the wedding planning."

He squeezed her tight-too tight. Louise felt nauseous. His cologne, which she used to like, now smelled like betrayal.

Andy took a step back, his hand falling to his side. His face shut down, the mask of the aloof CEO sliding back into place. But his eyes remained fixed on David's arm around Louise's waist.

"A nightmare in the middle of the workday?" Andy raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I wasn't aware Moonlit Tech was paying you to nap, Ms. Salinger. Perhaps you were up to no good last night?"

It was a dig. A challenge. Why are you so tired?

David grinned, a smug, oily thing. "Guilty as charged, boss. I just got back from my business trip yesterday evening. Louise missed me so much... well, let's just say we stayed up very late. Being affectionate."

David winked.

Louise felt her stomach turn. Liar. Last night-seven years ago-when David came back from his business, they had ordered pizza and watched TV. There was no marathon of passion. David was just posturing. He was pissing on his territory because he sensed a bigger Alpha nearby.

Andy's expression darkened instantly. His jaw clenched so hard a muscle feathered in his cheek.

"I wasn't asking you, David," Andy snapped. The venom in his voice was palpable.

The office flinched. Even David looked taken aback by the ferocity of the retort.

Andy turned his glare to the sea of heads popping up over cubicles.

"What is this? A theater production?" Andy barked. "Don't you people have code to write? Unless you all want to join Ms. Salinger in hallucinating unemployment, I suggest you get back to work."

The crowd dispersed like roaches under a kitchen light. Heads ducked, chairs swiveled, and typing resumed at a furious pace.

"And you two," Andy pointed a finger at David and Louise. "Keep the domestic drama out of my hallway. This is a billion-dollar tech company, not a soap opera."

With one last, unreadable glance at Louise, Andy spun on his heel and stormed toward his office, slamming the door shut with a definitive click.

Louise let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Sheesh," David muttered, loosening his tie. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. What a tyrant."

He looked down at Louise, his eyes gleaming with false concern. "Are you sure you're okay? You really freaked out."

"I'm fine," Louise said, deftly stepping out of his embrace. "Just... shaken. I need some water."

"Louise!"

A high-pitched squeal came from the direction of the breakroom.

Louise froze. She knew that voice. It was the voice that had whispered 'Goodbye, Louise' as a foot pressed down on her heart.

Natalie.

The young woman bounced over, clutching a stack of orientation papers. She looked different-younger, less polished. She was wearing a cheap off-the-rack suit instead of designer silk, and her hair was in a messy ponytail. She was currently an intern, having just been introduced to the company via Louise's referral.

"Bestie!" Natalie cried, rushing over and grabbing Louise's hands. Her grip was clammy. "I heard someone screaming! Was that you? Are you okay?"

Louise stared at her hands being held by her murderer.

A violent urge surged through her. She wanted to strangle her. Right here. She wanted to wrap her hands around Natalie's neck and squeeze until the light went out.

Calm down, Louise told herself. Rule Number One: Seven years ago.

She looked at Natalie's face. It was wide open, concerned, innocent. Or was it?

Louise realized she didn't know the timeline. Had they started sleeping together yet? Was Natalie already plotting against her, or was she still just the annoying, needy stepsister?

Louise needed intel.

"I'm okay," Louise lied, pulling her hands away slowly, wiping them on her skirt as if she had touched slime. "Just a nightmare."

"A nightmare?" Natalie's eyes widened. "In the middle of the day? Was it scary? Tell me! You know I'm into dream interpretation."

Louise looked from Natalie to David. A dark idea formed in her mind.

"It was... vivid," Louise said quietly, watching them both like a hawk. "I dreamt I was the Moon Goddess."

"Ooh, fancy," Natalie giggled.

"And a she-wolf came to me," Louise continued, her voice steadying. "She was crying. She was dying of a terrible illness. She thought her wolf was weak because of the sickness."

David checked his watch, looking bored. "Sounds depressing, babe."

"But," Louise raised her voice slightly, locking eyes with Natalie. "Later she found out her wolf wasn't weak because of the illness. It was weak because her heart was broken. It turned out... her husband was cheating on her."

David didn't flinch. He was looking at his phone.

"With who?" Natalie asked, leaning in, her eyes full of gossip-hungry glee.

"With her best friend," Louise said coldly. "The she-wolf begged me for justice. She wanted them to suffer."

Louise held her breath, waiting for a reaction. A twitch of the eye. A nervous glance between them. Guilt.

But Natalie just gasped, clutching her chest. "Oh my god! That is horrible! What a bitch!"

Natalie shook her head furiously. "That poor woman! The best friend is the worst part. Stealing your bestie's husband? That's violation of the Girl Code! She deserves to be... I don't know, shaved bald and kicked out of the pack!"

Louise blinked. Natalie's outrage seemed genuine. Or she was a Meryl Streep-level actress.

"Yeah," David chimed in, finally looking up from his phone. "Sounds like stress, Lou. You're worried about the wedding, so your brain is making up worst-case scenarios. Just anxiety. You need more sleep."

Louise looked at them. David was dismissive. Natalie was indignant on her behalf.

They haven't done it yet, Louise realized.

The affair hadn't started.

Relief washed over her, followed immediately by a wave of nausea. They were still innocent in this timeline. But the seeds were there. David's selfishness. Natalie's envy.

"So, what did you do?" Natalie asked. "As the Moon Goddess? Did you punish them?"

Louise looked at Natalie's young, eager face.

"I didn't get to finish the dream," Louise said softly. "But I agree with you, Nat. The best friend... she deserves severe punishment."

"Totally," Natalie nodded vigorously.

"I agree," Louise repeated, a small, cold smile touching her lips. "And she will get it."

"Ms. Salinger!"

The sudden bark of her name made everyone jump.

Everlyn, Mr. Finch's terrifyingly efficient secretary, was standing ten feet away, holding a tablet like a weapon.

"Mr. Finch wants to see you," Everlyn said, her face impassive. "In his office. Now."

"Ms. Salinger?"

Andy's voice snapped her back to the present. He was looking at her with a mix of confusion. "You've been staring at my stapler for two minutes with a terrifying grin on your face. Are you planning to murder it?"

Louise jumped, smoothing her skirt. "Sorry. Just... thinking about the wedding. It's going to be... expensive."

Andy raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure."

Louise hesitated. She looked at this man-her boss.

The Moon Goddess had said her Fated Mate was wealthy, handsome, and devoted. Andy Finch was certainly wealthy and handsome.

And today... in the hallway... he had protected her. He had stood between her and David like a shield. For a moment, she had felt safe.

Could it be? Louise wondered, a tiny spark of hope igniting in her chest. Could the jerk boss actually be the one?

She needed to test the waters. She needed to know if that gentleness was real, or if it was just him being a controlling Alpha protecting company property.

"Mr. Finch," Louise ventured, standing up. "Since you're the CEO, and David respects you so much... I was wondering if you'll be attending the wedding?"

Andy stiffened. The pen in his hand stopped moving. "I'm afraid my schedule is quite packed, Louise. I generally avoid... employee nuptials. It blurs the lines."

"Oh," Louise said, trying to hide the hurt. "That's a shame. We would have loved a gift from the company."

Andy looked at her, his jaw tightening. "I will have Everlyn send a standard registry gift. A blender, perhaps."

"Actually," Louise took a step closer to the desk, her heart pounding. She decided to gamble. "I'm not really a blender person. But I love flowers. If you were going to send something... I'd love a bouquet of purple tulips."

She watched his face closely.

Purple tulips were rare. They were her favorite. That's a hint given by the Moon Goddess. If he's her fated mate, he'd definitely have a say about these flowers.

Andy froze. His eyes widened a fraction of an inch. His knuckles turned white around the pen.

For a second, silence hung heavy in the room.

Then, Andy let out a short, derisive scoff.

"Tulips?" Andy sneered, his lip curling in distaste. "A bit pedestrian, isn't it? I would have pegged you for a roses woman. Or perhaps lilies. Tulips are for... Dutch tourists and roadside motels."

He shook his head, looking back at his papers with a dismissive wave. "If that's your taste, Ms. Salinger, perhaps a blender is the safer bet."

Louise felt the spark of hope extinguish instantly. It was like dousing a match in ice water.

Of course, she thought, feeling foolish. He doesn't care. He mocked my taste. He thinks I'm pedestrian.

The protection in the hallway wasn't love. It was just management. He was the CEO, and she was a screaming liability he had to calm down. That was all.

"You're right, Mr. Finch," Louise said, her voice hollow. "You probably have better taste than I do. After all, I'm the one marrying David."

The double meaning hung in the air, but she didn't wait for him to catch it.

"You should go, Ms. Salinger," he muttered without looking up. "I have work to do."

"Goodbye, Mr. Finch," Louise said.

She turned and walked out of the office, closing the heavy glass door behind her. So much for the Fated Mate theory, she thought as she walked away. Back to square one.

Inside the office, the silence was deafening.

Andy Finch sat perfectly still for ten seconds.

Then, he moved.

He swept his arm across the desk in a violent arc.

CRASH.

The stack of files, the tablet, and the expensive crystal stapler went flying, crashing into the wall.

He slammed his fists onto the mahogany desk, his head dropping between his shoulders.

"Tulips," he growled, his voice a ragged whisper of agony. "She asks for purple tulips."

He reached under his desk and pulled out a long, rectangular delivery box. He ripped the lid off.

Inside lay two dozen perfect, deep purple tulips. He had ordered them this morning, the moment he woke up with a strange, inexplicable urge to see her smile.

He stared at the flowers, feeling like the universe was playing a cruel joke on him. He had panicked. He couldn't let her know he knew. He couldn't let her see how obsessed he was. So he mocked her.

"Damn it!" he roared, kicking his chair. "I am an idiot."

Knock. Knock.

The door opened tentatively.

Andy whipped around, his eyes blazing. "I said I have work to do!"

It wasn't Louise.

A young woman stood in the doorway. She looked to be about twenty-two, with messy hair, oversized glasses, and a hoodie that said 'I Code, Therefore I Am.' She was clutching a thick binder to her chest.

This was Mia Finch. His younger sister. The bane of his existence, and currently, an unpaid intern in Product Development because their father insisted she learn the value of hard work.

No one in the company knew they were related. Andy preferred it that way. It kept the nepotism accusations to a minimum, and it kept Mia humble.

"Bad time?" Mia squeaked, eyeing the stapler on the floor.

"Terrible time," Andy snapped, running a hand through his hair. "What is it, Mia? Did the coffee machine gain sentience again?"

"No," Mia said, stepping into the room and closing the door. She marched up to his desk and slammed the binder down on top of the tulip box, oblivious to the flowers. "I have a proposal. A real one."

Andy sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Mia, you're an intern. Your job is to debug the legacy code and fetch donuts."

"I'm a genius, Andy, and you know it," Mia huffed. She flipped the binder open. "Look. I've been working on the quantum displacement algorithms. The theoretical physics holds up."

Andy glanced at the title page.

PROJECT CHRONOS: The Time Button.

Andy stared at it. Then he laughed. It was a harsh, barking sound.

"Time travel?" Andy scoffed. "Mia, this is a tech company, not a sci-fi convention. We make apps that help people find dog sitters. We don't break the space-time continuum."

"It's not sci-fi!" Mia argued, her face turning red. "It's possible! If we can harness enough energy from witches-"

"It's ridiculous," Andy cut her off, his patience at absolute zero. "It's a waste of resources. It's childish. Grow up, Mia. Focus on something realistic."

He pushed the binder back at her, knocking it off the desk.

Mia stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes. "You're just like Dad. You have no vision. You're just a... a corporate suit!"

"And you," Andy sneered, taking his frustration with Louise out on the easiest target, "are delusional."

"You're a horrible brother!" Mia shouted.

She grabbed her binder and turned on her heel, sprinting for the door.

She threw it open and blinded by tears, ran full tilt into the hallway.

SMACK.

"Oof!"

Mia collided with a solid body just outside the door.

Papers flew everywhere. The binder hit the floor, spilling its contents. Schematic drawings of a silver button with a red center scattered across the carpet.

Louise, who had been lingering near the water cooler trying to calm her nerves, stumbled back, catching the sobbing girl before she fell.

"Whoa, easy there," Louise said gently, steadying the intern.

Mia looked up, sniffling, pushing her glasses up her nose. "I'm... I'm sorry. I wasn't looking."

Louise looked down at the papers at their feet.

Her eyes locked onto a drawing. It was a technical sketch of a small, silver device.

Louise's heart stopped. She looked from the drawing to the crying girl, and then to the open door of the CEO's office where Andy was fuming.

"Are you okay?" Louise asked, her voice trembling.

"No," Mia sobbed. "My boss... he's a monster. He said my idea was trash."

Louise bent down and picked up a page. The header read: Phase 1: Time Reversal Prototype.

Louise looked at Mia with wide, realizing eyes.

This wasn't just an intern. This was the architect of her salvation.

"He said it was trash?" Louise whispered, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Well... maybe he just needs a little convincing."