KNOX

The moment her hand gripped my arm, the world around me seemed to freeze. The sensation was electric and sharp. I hadn't expected it, didn't want to feel it. The last thing I needed right now was a distraction, and yet, her touch had brought something to life within me. Something raw. Something dangerous. I could feel my pulse quicken as her fingers curled around my sleeve, and I had to force myself to look away.

Her eyes were wide, and there was a tremble in her voice. "Sir," she said, and for a brief moment, I thought she might actually beg. "Please, you can't just call off the interview like that." Her words came in a rush, and I could see the desperation written across her face.

I didn't know why, but I felt an unsettling tug in my chest. Something about this woman was... familiar. Her scent. Her presence. It was like a memory I couldn't quite place.

I blinked, narrowing my gaze at her, the cold indifference I wore as a second skin falling back into place. "Let go" I said, my voice cold, detached, but it was sharp enough to make her flinch.

But she didn't let go. Instead, she took a step closer, and I could feel the heat of her body. The feeling of her hand on my arm became an anchor that I couldn't ignore.

"You can't just do that," she repeated, her voice now barely above a whisper. "I've worked so hard to get this far. Please, don't turn me away like this."

I looked down at the hand she was holding onto me with. It wasn't like the way Trisha, my secretary, would touch me-flirtatious, trying to get my attention. No, this was different. Her touch was firm, like she was trying to grasp at something, anything, to save herself. The quiet desperation in her eyes tugged at something I didn't want to acknowledge.

Her face softened, but the desperation didn't fade. "Please... just a chance. I've worked so hard for this. Please, don't let it go like this." Her words were almost a whisper, but they cut through me. I didn't know why, but something about her... it was pulling me in, against my will.

Before I could respond, a voice broke through the tension.

"Who are you to question Mr. Grey?"

I turned, and there was Trisha, my secretary, with her signature smug look. She was always so quick to insert herself into anything that might disrupt her perfect little world. I could tell she was already annoyed by Aria's presence, her eyes flashing with irritation.

Aria didn't back down. She stood her ground, her voice steady, but the vulnerability was still there. "I'm not questioning anyone. I'm just asking for a chance."

Trisha's eyes narrowed. "This is absurd. You think you can just waltz in here and demand special treatment?" She took a step forward, clearly trying to assert her dominance.

I didn't need this right now. I was already irritated, and the last thing I wanted was to be caught in some petty drama between my secretary and a woman I barely knew.

I turned to Mason, who had just stepped into the room. His presence was always a welcome relief in times like these.

I gave him raised eyebrows and Mason's voice echoed in my mind.

"Knox, we need to move. Ravena is at the manor. She wants to speak with you. It's urgent."

'Ravena?' I frowned, confusion flickering in my mind. Why would the priestess be at my manor?

I felt the heat in my chest rise. That familiar tightness gripped my throat. Damn it, I cursed silently to myself. Now?

Fenris stirred in my mind, but I quickly put a block to it. The thoughts of Ravena at my manor made me feel the wolf inside of me, restless, agitated, itching to be set free. But there was something else pulling at me-something I didn't want to acknowledge.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said to Aria, my voice hard, cutting through the air like a blade. Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and walked toward the door with Mason close behind.

But before I could leave, Aria's voice, soft but determined, called out to me.

"Please, Mr. Grey... I need this. I can't go home empty-handed. I've worked my entire life for this." Her voice cracked, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. Damn it.

I stopped in my tracks, my back still to her. There was something in her tone, in the way she spoke, that made it impossible to just walk away.

I looked over my shoulder, my eyes icy, but I could feel something flicker within me. "Fine," I said, barely above a whisper, but firm. "You'll be interviewed."

Trisha opened her mouth, no doubt ready to argue, but I silenced her with a look-cold, sharp, and final. "Mason will handle it. If she's still standing when this is over, I'll decide if she's worth my time."

I didn't wait for a response. I turned and walked out, my thoughts swirling, but the pull on my mind was stronger than ever. The sense of something unfinished. Something I couldn't quite put into words.

"You felt the spark. Don't you think-"

"Don't" I momered not ready to listen to Fenris. "You're running from the truth"

"I'm not running. I'm handling things my way."

Fenris growled, sharp and unrelenting. "Your way isn't working, Knox. You can't keep ignoring her warnings. The full moon is coming, and you're not ready."

I rubbed the back of my neck, frustration boiling over. "You think I care about her prophecies? I don't believe in that bullshit."

"If you don't find your mate..."

The rest of his sentence remained unspoken, but the weight of it pressed down on me. It's been four years since I started losing control of my wolf form and the only way to tame me was to find my mate. Well that's what the priestess said. My control was slipping. I could feel it. The wildness clawing at the edges of my sanity.

I slammed my fist into the nearest wall, the sharp sting grounding me for a moment. "I'm not looking for a mate. I don't need one."

"You can't outrun this, Knox. Ravena warned you. Do you want to lose control again?"

His voice softened, but the urgency was still there, cutting through my stubborn denial.

I exhaled sharply, trying to push the doubt away, but it clung to me like a shadow. Few days. That was all I had left to prove her wrong. Or fail.

ARIA

I pushed the stack of papers closer to the edge of my desk, my hands trembling from exhaustion. It had been three days since I started working here, but it already felt like three years. Knox Grey, my so-called boss, was nowhere to be found. In his absence, Trisha, his secretary, had taken full advantage of me

"Aria, why is this report still here?" Trisha's sharp voice sliced through the quiet office, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she approached my desk. I looked up, startled, holding back a sigh.

"It's not my job to-"

She cut me off before I could even finish. "Not your job? You're Knox's PA, aren't you? That means you assist. And right now, I need assistance."

I clenched my fists under the desk. This wasn't part of my role. I was Knox's PA not Trisha's PA, but how could I argue? Trisha carried herself with the air of someone untouchable.

Swallowing my frustration, I forced a polite tone. "I'll take care of it."

Hours later, the office was silent, the kind of silence that pressed against your ears and made your breathing sound loud. Everyone else had gone home hours ago, but here I was, still at my desk, finishing tasks that weren't even part of my job. My body ached from sitting too long, my fingers stiff from typing and filing all day.

I glanced at the clock. 10:55 p.m.

Great, I thought bitterly. Missed the bus again.

Trisha had piled more work on me just before she left, her perfectly manicured nails tapping on my desk as she smirked. "Don't stay too late, Aria," she'd said with mock concern. "But if you don't finish, I'm sure Knox will want an explanation."

Knox. My elusive boss, who I'd barely seen in three days. It was hard to tell if Trisha spoke for him or just used his name as a weapon. Either way, I was too tired to care.

I packed my things slowly, rubbing my temples as I tried to push down the rising frustration. By the time I stepped outside, the streets were nearly deserted.

The cool night air hit me, making me shiver as I pulled my scarf tighter. I scanned the road for a taxi or a bus. Nothing. The city felt unnervingly quiet, the distant hum of traffic too far to be of any help.

"Of course," I muttered under my breath. "Just my luck."

With no other option, I started walking. The house wasn't exactly far and still not close either, but the idea of trekking through dark streets alone wasn't exactly comforting.

The city looked different at night-harsher, colder. Streetlights buzzed faintly, their yellow glow casting long, distorted shadows. Every sound felt amplified: the rustle of leaves, the distant hum of an engine, even the echo of my own footsteps.

I took a shortcut through an alley I'd used before during the day. It was faster, but tonight, it felt... wrong. The light overhead flickered, casting strange patterns on the walls.

Keep walking, I told myself, gripping the strap of my bag tightly.

But then I felt it. A prickle at the back of my neck, like I was being watched.

I stopped abruptly, my heart pounding as I turned to look behind me. Nothing. The alley stretched out empty, the faint glow of the distant street barely reaching where I stood.

It's just your imagination, I thought, forcing myself to move forward. But my steps quickened anyway.

The light flickered again, then went out completely. I froze, every instinct screaming at me to run, but my feet felt glued to the ground.

A low growl broke the silence.

It wasn't loud, but it was enough to send a wave of fear crashing over me. I turned sharply, my eyes straining to see in the darkness. That's when I saw it.

My breath caught. The shape of the creature was unmistakable. A wolf. No, not just a wolf-a werewolf.

"No," I whispered, backing away slowly. "This can't be happening."

The werewolf stepped into the dim light, its fur matted and its teeth bared in a snarl. Its eyes locked onto mine, and I knew it was no ordinary rogue.

"Stay back," I said, my voice trembling. I reached into my bag, frantically searching for the silver pocket knife I always carried. My fingers fumbled through papers, pens, and keys, but the knife wasn't there.

"No, no, no," I muttered, panic rising. I must've left it at home.

The rogue lunged. I barely had time to throw myself to the side as its claws slashed through the air, catching my shoulder. Pain exploded, and I stumbled, falling hard onto the ground.

My blouse tore, the scarf around my neck slipping just enough to reveal the mark I'd been hiding.

The rogue paused, its gaze fixating on the bite mark. A low, rumbling growl escaped itstime throat, and it seemed to hesitate for a moment before advancing again.

I scrambled backward, clutching at my torn blouse as blood seeped through the fabric. My bag lay a few feet away, out of reach. My mind raced.

Think, Aria. Think!

The wolf lunged again, and this its claws caught the edge of my skirt, dragging me closer. I kicked out wildly, my shoe connecting with its snout. It yelped, momentarily stunned, but the sound only seemed to enrage it further.

"Someone, help!" I screamed, my voice echoing off the walls of the dark alley. My heart pounded like a drum as the rogue bared its teeth, ready to lunge again.

Tears blurred my vision, and I clutched my scarf tightly, a silent prayer falling from my lips. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the inevitable.

But instead of claws tearing into me, the sound of a growl-deeper, more menacing-filled the air. It was followed by a sickening thud, then another, like the jamming of fists against flesh.

I froze, too terrified to open my eyes. The growling continued, a mix of rage and pain, until finally, there was silence.

I hesitated, my hands trembling as I peeked through my lashes.

The rogue was retreating, its injured body limping back into the shadows. It cast one last glare over its shoulder before disappearing into the darkness.

And then, I saw him.

Knox stood a few feet away, his broad shoulders tense and his breathing heavy. Without a word, he strode forward, each step deliberate.

When he reached me, he crouched down, his piercing gaze dropping to my exposed shoulder.

The scarf had fallen, and the bite mark was clearly visible. His jaw tightened. "We need to talk," he said with his voice low and dangerous.

KNOX

I drove silently as I recalled Ravena's word.

"You should have met your mate by now. The full moon will prove it."

My mate?

Was she referring to the spark I felt with the applicant days ago?

But why? There were lots of werewolves olin the pack who needed one but not me. I didn't need a mate. Why can't the moon Goddess understand that.

'I need one' Fenris chipped into my thoughts.

'Why one when you can have anyone when you're in heat?' I asked annoyed already.

Fenris was about to speak when I suddenly stopped the car.

I knew he felt it too. He could perceive it even more intoxicatingly than I did.

I step out of the car as I traced the scent.

Rose. It was so intoxicating.

Why was my senses sharp to pick this sc-

"Help"

The scream broke through my thoughts as I followed the sound only to find a rogue attacking a lady whom seemed familiar. It lunged, his claws grazing her shoulder and tearing through her blouse. The fabric shredded, exposing the mark on her skin.

My world tilted.

The bite.

The sight of it hit me like a freight train. Memories of that night came rushing back clearly-the full moon, the haze, the uncontrollable hunger. I hadn't been myself then, but now there was no denying it.

She wasn't just anyone.

She had the bite..

My bite.

She was the one I bit

My attention returned to the rogue who had felt my presence.

Scar. A werewolf from a rival park. He knew better than to attack an Alpha like me as he retreated.

My eyes returned to the bite mark on her shoulder, my blood ran cold. It wasn't fear, not exactly. Fear wasn't something I entertained-not in the boardroom, not in the wild, and certainly not with her. No, this was something Fenris wouldn't stop growling about in the back of my head.

"We need to talk," I said, my tone clipped, leaving no room for argument.

Aria blinked at me, her wide eyes shimmering with fear and exhaustion. For a moment, she looked as fragile as the crystal glasses in my penthouse-delicate but holding the potential to shatter. Still, she nodded and stood, clutching the torn fabric of her blouse as though it could protect her from whatever she thought I was as she rushed after me.

The car ride was silent. She sat quietly but I could see he hands shaking uncontrollably on her laps, her gaze fixed on the window. Her rose scent filled the confined space-soft and maddening, like something designed to break my control. Fenris stirred again, his restless growl a constant hum in the back of my mind.

When we arrived, I led her into the penthouse, the cool marble floors and sleek, modern furniture reflecting the life I'd built for myself.

"Stay here," I instructed, my voice firm.

She nodded timidly, her gaze darting around the room. She looked out of place, her vulnerability stark against the backdrop of opulence.

I left her standing there and made my way to the bedroom, grabbing a balm from the nightstand. My chest felt tight, though I refused to name the emotion. She was a problem to solve, a complication. Nothing more.

'She's more than that'

Fenris growled. 'Stop lying to yourself.'

'Shut up' I said silencing him. I wasn't ready for some sort of arguments.

When I returned, she was staring at a painting on the wall-an oil portrait from a corporate gala. My face stared back at me, cold and detached, the way it always did in those damn things.

"You have a lot of these," she said softly, not turning to face me.

"It's for appearances," I replied briskly, setting the balm on the coffee table. "Sit."

"I... I'm fine, really. It's just a scratch-"

"Sit," I repeated, my tone sharp enough to cut through her hesitation.

She flushed, her cheeks pinking as she shuffled to the couch and sat, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.

"I can do it myself," she murmured when I knelt in front of her, unscrewing the balm.

I raised an eyebrow. "With your shaky hands?"

She hesitated, her silence answering for her.

"Thought so."

The balm was cool against her skin or so I thought. She flinched when I first touched the wound, and I bit back a growl.

"Hold still," I ordered.

She bit her lip, nodding as her hands clenched the edge of her skirt.

"Why were you out so late?" I asked, breaking the silence.

She blinked, caught off guard. "I... I was working."

"Until midnight?"

"Tasha gave me extra tasks," she said, defensively but quiet. "I couldn't leave them unfinished."

My frown deepened. "Tasha isn't your boss. I am."

"Well, you weren't there," she muttered, looking away.

My jaw tightened. "You're my PA, not hers. If she gives you more work, you report it to me."

"I didn't think it was a big deal," she said, her voice small.

"It is if you're wandering around at night getting yourself attacked."

She flinched, her shoulders shrinking under my hand.

"Do you always make such reckless decisions?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Her apology shouldn't have affected me, but it did. I capped the balm, standing.

"You said we needed to talk." She stared up at me

I turned away, dismissing her words. "There's a guest room down the hall. Second door on the left. You'll stay there tonight."

"But-"

"It's late, We'll talk tomorrow" I said, my tone final as I walked away.

In my room, I slammed the door shut, the sound echoing louder than I meant it to. I leaned against it, running a hand through my hair.

'I think she's-'

"Not now, Fenris," I muttered under my breath.

'You can't keep running from this', he pressed, ignoring me as always. 'You know what this is.'

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "She's human," I said, as if that was reason enough. "She doesn't belong in our world."

'She belongs with us', Fenris snapped, his words firm, unwavering. 'What if the priestess was right? What if when she said our mate was already here she meant her? You can tell by her intoxicating scent'

I froze at that. The priestess's words had haunted me since the day she said them. "You should have met your mate by now. The full moon will prove it."

"No," I said, my voice tight as I started pacing the room. "We were just driving home, Fenris. That's it. Then you caught some random scent and lost your damn mind."

'Random?' Fenris's laugh was sharp, almost cruel. 'You're lying to yourself. That scent wasn't random. You felt it too. You didn't just change direction for no reason, Knox. You followed it straight to her.'

I clenched my fists. "It doesn't mean anything. Your senses are sharper, that's all. You're overthinking it."

'Overthinking? Fenris growled low, his anger bubbling beneath the surface. You can't ignore this forever. What if she's really our mate, Knox? What if-'

"She's human," I snapped, cutting him off. "Do you understand what that means? She's fragile, weak-"

"That's not an excuse. Why are you doing this? Why can't you just move on from the past? Do I have to suffer for it?' Fenris interrupted, his voice rising in a furious snarl.

"Don't go there." I shouted, my chest heaving. "Even if-if-she were our mate, she'd never survive in this world. A mate is supposed to make us stronger, Fenris, not drag us down."

'Just because you loved someone before doesn't mean you get to deny what's in front of us now. You know it, Knox. Deep down, you know. You're just too much of a coward to admit it.'

I recoiled as if he'd struck me, the sting of his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. "You don't know what you're talking about," I said coldly.

'I know exactly what I'm talking about' Fenris fired back. 'You're the one who's blind. She could be everything we've ever needed, but you're too damn stubborn to see it.'

"She's not," I said, my voice quieter but no less firm. "She can't be."

Fenris let out a low, bitter growl, the sound vibrating through me. 'You're not just denying me, Knox. You're denying fate.'

Then, just like that, he was gone.

The silence hit me like a punch to the gut. Fenris had always been there, even when I didn't want him to be. Usually, I was the one to shut him out. But this time, he'd pulled away.

The empty space in my mind felt heavier than his presence ever had. I slumped against the wall, staring blankly ahead as the priestess's words echoed again.

"The full moon will prove it."

I swallowed hard with my throat tight. "This changes nothing," I whispered, but the words felt empty.

Because deep down, I knew everything had already changed.