I could barely get any sleep last night, but that didn't stop me fro waking up early to get ready for my first day. After what happened last night, I had to impress Mr Vale today.

 I stared at my reflection for the tenth time that morning, tugging at the hem of my skirt. It was tighter than I remembered, too tight. Now I was wondering if it was actually professional at all or it just says "hire me daddy." I should have gotten new corporate wears too.

I sighed and reached for the blazer draped on the bed, hoping it covers my butt a little bit. Not wasting anymore time, I headed to my car and drove straight to Wolfe Enterprises.

By the time I reached the compamy's glass door, my palms were already sweaty, my confidence was thining. I made my way to his office, but he was already there when I walked in. He didn't look at me immediately but the atmosphere had already changed the moment I stepped in.

"You're late" he said flatly.

"But it's 8:59-"

He finally looked up. One look. That's what it took to make my throat dry up God, his eyes did something to me and I couldn't just understand it..

"I said 8;45. Early means prepared." he replied.

Right. Great start, Tessa.

"I'm sorry sir." 

"There's a file from accounting I need on my desk in 30 minutes. Third floor. Ask for Mr Jasper, get the file sorted."

"Right away sir." I said and left immediately.

My heels clicked gently on the marbled floor as I made my way to accounting department. I colleted what I was sent to get and sorted the file. Just as I was about to head back I heard laughters by the corner. I didn't mean to eavesdrop.

"-honestly, I don't get it," one voice saud, feminine and amused. "His last PA was flawless, effecient. Never a single complaint."

"Exactly," another voice replied. "And then he fred her and brings a Bimbo with zero experience. Have you seen her? Looks like she wandered in from a modelling gig."

"Maybe that's the point."

"Or maybe she's is new entertainment."

I froze. My chest tightening. Their words hurt but they were true. Why would he just hire me, a nobody that came out of nowhere? Was it because of my looks and body? 

I tried to shake the thoughts off. None of that mattered now. I have the job now. I have to prove to all of them that I am just as efficient or more because I am Tessa freaking Morgan!

By the time I got back to his office, my palms were slick with sweat again - though I blamed that on the elevator, not the whispers I'd just overheard.

I pushed the door open quietly. Lucian was still behind his desk, head bent over some documents like the world outside didn't exist. I hated that he looked so calm, like nothing ever got to him.

"Sir, the file from accounting," I said, setting it down carefully on his desk.

He didn't even glance up. "Leave it there."

I should've just dropped it and left, but for some reason, I wanted it to look neat - wanted him to see that I could do something right. So I leaned forward, aligning the folder edges with the others. The faint click of my bracelet echoed in the silence.

That's when I felt it. The weight of his stare.

I froze, my pulse stumbling. His pen had stopped moving. His hand, the one holding it, flexed once against the desk.

"Sir?" I asked quietly, glancing up.

"Don't."

The word came out sharp, rough - not loud, but it hit like a slap.

I blinked. "Don't what?"

His jaw tightened. He still wasn't looking at me. "Just... give me a minute."

I frowned, straightening up. "I'm sorry if I did something wrong-"

"Wrong?" he muttered under his breath, finally looking at me. For a second, I almost forgot to breathe. His eyes were darker than I remembered - like there was something fierce burning just beneath the surface.

"I'll just..." I took a small step back, trying not to sound nervous. "I'll sort the files on the side table instead."

I reached forward again, and my sleeve brushed his arm - just barely, but it was enough.

A low sound rumbled from his chest.

A growl.

I froze, heart leaping to my throat. "Did you just-growl at me?"

He didn't answer. He was staring at me like I was something he couldn't quite name - or maybe something he shouldn't want.

"Oh my God," I blurted, backing up a little. "You're one of those creepy, dominant boss types, aren't you? Look, I really need this job, but if you think-"

"Tessa."

My name rolled out of him like thunder - deep, low, and not humanly calm.

I swallowed hard. "What?"

His chest rose and fell once, like he was fighting to hold himself together. Then:

"Go home."

I blinked. "Sir, I haven't even spent up to two hours-"

"Go. Home."

This time it wasn't a request. It was a warning.

I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes made my words die instantly. Something about him scared me - not in a danger way, but in that weird, spine-prickling, heart-racing way I couldn't explain.

So I nodded, grabbed my bag, and slipped out.

As the elevator doors closed behind me, I finally let out the breath I'd been holding.

"What the hell was that?" I whispered under my breath, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was still racing. My skin still tingled where my sleeve had brushed him.

And for the life of me, I couldn't tell if I was terrified...

or drawn to him.

Lucian's POV

The door slammed behind her, and the silence that followed was deafening.

Tessa Morgan.

Of all the damn people..... it had to be her.

I'd recognized her the second she stepped that morning - those eyes, that voice. Older now, more guarded, but still her. The girl I used to know. The one I ruined everything with.

But she didn't recognize me.

Not even a flicker of memory.

And maybe that should've been a relief.

It wasn't.

The wolf in me had gone wild the moment she entered the room. I'd told myself it was just attraction - human, simple, controllable. But when she leaned over my desk, when her scent hit me, when her heartbeat synced with mine...

It wasn't attraction. It was recognition.

My chest tightened painfully. The wolf stirred, whispering one word that chilled me to the bone.

Mate.

No. It couldn't be. Not her. Not after everything.

I slammed my hand against the desk, cracking the wood. "Get out," I'd told her - not because I was angry at her, but because I was angry at myself. Because the sound of her breathing, the way her lips parted when she was nervous, was enough to make me lose every ounce of control I'd built over the years.

She left in a hurry, confusion written across her face.

Now, standing there, I could still feel her in the room - her scent, her presence, the ghost of her laughter from years ago echoing somewhere deep inside me.

I'd promised myself I'd never go back to who I was back then. I'd keep to that promise.

"Tessa," I whispered to the empty office.

"Why did you have to come back?"

Tessa's POV

The diner looked brighter tonight - or maybe I was just desperate for something that didn't scream "total disaster."

I sank into a booth by the window, hair still slightly frizzy from the rain, and stirred the melting ice in my soda. The day had been a trainwreck. I'd been scolded, humiliated, and-God help me-growled at by my boss.

Growled.

What kind of man does that?

"Rough day?"

I looked up to see Eli sliding into the seat across from me, wearing his usual grin and a plaid shirt that made him look annoyingly comfortable.

"You have no idea," I sighed.

"Try me. You look like you're about to murder someone with that straw."

I gave a small laugh despite myself. "My boss. He's... ugh. He's impossible."

"Hmm?" His brow arched. "You know, people around here talk about him like he's the damn Pope and the devil rolled into one."

"Yeah, well, today he was definitely the devil." I leaned closer. "You won't believe what happened. He literally-growled. At me. That's so disgusting and perverted."

Eli froze, his easy smile faltering for a second.

I caught it. That flicker of something-fear? shock?-before he forced a laugh. "Growled? Like, actually grrr?"

"Yes!" I said, frustrated. "I was reaching for a file, and he just-snapped. I don't know what's wrong with him."

Eli cleared his throat and glanced around the diner before leaning in. "And what were you wearing when Mr. Ice King lost his mind?"

I frowned. "A pencil skirt and a blouse. Why?"

He smirked, eyes twinkling. "Because if you walked into his office looking like that," he gestured vaguely toward my hips, "I don't blame the man for forgetting how to act human."

I threw a napkin at him. "Eli!"

"What? I'm gay, not blind." He laughed, then his voice softened. "But seriously, be careful, Tess. He's not like other guys in this town."

I rolled my eyes. "You mean rich, arrogant, and allergic to fun?"

He hesitated, his expression briefly serious. "No. I mean different. Just-trust me, okay?"

 "You sound like you actually know him."

"Maybe I do." He forced a grin again, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Anyway! Forget him. Tomorrow's a new day. You'll kill it."

"Yeah," I muttered, taking a sip of my soda. "If he doesn't fire me first."

When Eli left to take another order, I glanced out the window. Across the street, a sleek black car was parked - engine running, lights off. For a second, I could've sworn I saw someone watching.

But when I blinked, it was gone.

Just as I was about to leave, a message popped up on my screen.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: We have a meeting with a client by 7 p.m. I'll send you the location.

"Eli!" I shouted as soon as I saw the message, holding out my phone.

"Ouuu, a date," he smirked.

"It clearly said with a client, dumbo."

"You need a wardrobe change. Let's go to-"

"Hell no. I'm not getting scolded for dressing casually to what's supposed to be a meeting. I have to think three steps ahead," I said, cutting him off.

"Suit yourself," he said, grinning. "Just be careful not to stare too much."

One minute later, the location and name of the restaurant came in - The Velvet Room. The name sounded expensive, the kind of place that only existed in glossy magazines. It was on the outskirts of town. More driving for me. Bummer.

By the time I arrived, the sun had already set. The restaurant glowed in shades of gold and deep wine-red, soft music floating through the air. I spotted him instantly - seated in a private corner, one hand wrapped around a glass of red wine, the other scrolling through his phone. He didn't look up until I was standing right in front of him.

"You're late," he said, voice cool as ever.

"I, uh-"

"You were invited for dinner, not back to the office," he cut in smoothly after scanning my outfit. 

Great. Eli was right. Definitely not telling him that.

"What about the client, sir?" I asked, hoping to change the subject.

He set his phone down. "He canceled."

"Oh."

"Yeah. So I figured I'd use the opportunity to talk about your first day."

Ah. There it was. A setup.

He took a slow sip of his wine, eyes on me the entire time. "You seemed... tense. I thought dinner might help."

"You thought dinner might-wait." I blinked. "Are you saying this is a make-up dinner?"

"If that's how you want to call it."

"You yelled at me. Growled, actually," I said before I could stop myself.

His jaw tightened, but his eyes softened slightly. "That was... unfortunate."

"Unfortunate?" I scoffed. "I thought you were about to bite me."

Something flickered in his eyes - sharp, wild, almost dangerous. Then it was gone.

"You're safe with me, Miss Morgan."

I wanted to believe that. God, I really did.

The waiter came and went. Conversation stayed light - work, weather, small talk - but beneath it all, tension coiled tight. When he leaned forward, his cologne - dark spice and smoke - wrapped around me. My pulse skipped.

"Why did you really hire me?" I blurted suddenly.

He lifted a brow. "Excuse me?"

"You barely interviewed me. You didn't even check my résumé. So what gives? Pity hire? Temporary distraction?"

He smirked faintly. "You're blunt."

"I'm curious."

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, softly, "I hired you because you reminded me of someone."

That made me blink. "Someone?"

He nodded slowly, gaze distant for half a heartbeat. "Someone I once knew."

"Oh," I said, unsure how to take that. "Should I take that as a compliment?"

"Take it however you want."

Before I could say anything else, a sharp voice cut through the hum of the restaurant.

"Well, well, if it isn't Tessa Morgan."

I froze.

A tall blonde in a red dress stood beside our table, smiling like a viper. "Didn't think you'd crawl out from under that scandal."

My stomach dropped. Lydia. My ex-boss's assistant.

"What do you want, Lydia?" I asked quietly.

"Just saying hi. Didn't know Wolfe Enterprises was hiring... homewreckers."

The words sliced through me. My lips parted, but before I could reply, Lucian rose to his full height.

"Miss Morgan," he said evenly, his hand landing over mine - steady, protective, commanding.

This man was messing with my ovaries. Seriously. Whatever hormone switch he just flipped needed to be turned off.

I looked up at him, startled. "Sir-"

"Please." His tone made it sound less like a word, more like law.

Then, in a voice so calm it was terrifying, he turned to Lydia. "You have three seconds to walk away, or I'll make sure no one in this city ever hires you again."

Lydia blinked, color draining from her face. "I-Mr. Vale, I didn't mean-"

"Two," he said, his voice dropping an octave.

She paled, muttered something incoherent, and stumbled away.

Lucian's jaw stayed tight for a moment before he sat back down. "People like that feed off drama. Don't give them a reason."

I swallowed. "You didn't have to do that."

He looked at me - really looked at me - and for the first time, his eyes weren't cold. "Yes. I did."

The tension in the room after that moment could have been cut with a knife.

"Eat," he said after a moment, breaking the silence. "You haven't touched your food."

I picked up my fork, fingers trembling slightly. "You didn't even deny it," I murmured. "About the scandal."

"I don't care about rumors, Tessa."

I looked up, meeting his gaze. "You really don't?"

"Not when I can see the truth for myself."

My breath caught. The restaurant faded into nothing. Just his eyes - sharp, heavy, unreadable - locked on me.

Then the waiter appeared, and the spell broke. Lucian stood, buttoning his jacket. "I'll have my driver take you home."

"I have a car-"

"I wasn't asking," he said smoothly. "I'll send someone to get it later. It's a long drive back to Greendale, and I can't have my PA drooling on my desk tomorrow."

Something in his tone - teasing, protective - sent a flutter through me.

I followed him outside into the cool night air. As I stepped off the curb, my heel caught and I stumbled

But before I could fall, his arm was around me, firm and warm, pulling me close.

Our eyes met again.

"Careful," he murmured, his breath brushing my cheek.

I swallowed, pulse racing. "What? You'll growl again?"

A faint smile ghosted across his lips - dangerous, knowing. "Go home, Tessa."

He opened the car door for me, his gaze lingering just a moment too long before turning away.

As the driver pulled off, I glanced back through the window. He was still there, hands in his pockets, watching until the car disappeared into the night.

And for the first time... I couldn't tell who he really was anymore.

But worse - I couldn't stop wanting him to touch me again. I wanted to hear him say my name over and over again. 

Because I think I might actually like my boss.

Lucian's POV

The scent hit me before she even entered the restauraunt - soft, familiar, maddening.

Vanilla and rain.

Tessa Morgan.

I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. I'd spent the entire night trying to forget the sound of her laugh, the way her eyes softened when she smiled at me. The way my wolf stirred every damn time she was near.

My control was a thread stretched thin, and one wrong move, one wrong word, I'd snap.

"Alpha Lucian," Damon's voice broke through my thoughts. He stepped into my office, closing the door behind him. "You called?"

I nodded, turning toward the window. "Something's... wrong," I muttered.

"Wrong how?"

"My control," I said quietly. "She's throwing it off."

Damon arched a brow. "The human PA?"

A low growl escaped me before I could stop it. "Don't call her that."

His smirk faded. "Then what should I call her?"

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Tessa." Her name came out like a confession. "She was before all this, she was mine."

Damon's expression softened. "You mean that Tessa? The one from before you shifted?"

I gave a single, sharp nod. "Yes. And now she's here again. Working for me. Looking at me like I'm a stranger."

He was silent for a moment, then said carefully, "Maybe it's not a coincidence, Lucian. Maybe the Moon Goddess-"

"No." My voice cut through the air, harsh and final. "She's human. It's not possible."

"Are you sure?" Damon's gaze was steady. "Because the way your wolf's acting says otherwise."

I turned back toward the window. My reflection stared back; cold eyes, clenched jaw, the ghost of a boy who once believed he could love freely.

"She's human," I repeated, quieter this time. "And humans break."

Damon sighed, crossing his arms. "Then you'd better find a way to control yourself, Alpha. Because if she really is your mate-denying her might destroy you faster than claiming her."

The words lingered long after he left.

And for the first time in years, I wasn't sure which would destroy me more. Staying away from her... or giving in.

Tessa's POV

I heard something outside.

At first, I thought it was just my car being returned.

But then it stopped.

The night was unnervingly quiet. No crickets. No wind. Just... stillness.

Curiosity got the better of me. I grabbed my cardigan and stepped onto the porch. The air was cool, laced with the faint scent of rain and pine. I glanced around, only to see nothing but the familiar outline of the driveway.

No one was there.

Still, I could feel that prickle at the back of my neck, like I was being watched.

Something shifted in the woods. The bushes moved once, twice deliberately.

I swallowed, trying to convince myself it was just the wind, or maybe a deer. But the moment I turned to go back inside, the door refused to budge. It had jammed.

Panic tightened in my chest.

And then I saw them.

A faint glimmer between the trees - eyes. Not one. Not two. Dozens.

All glowing, low and golden in the dark, like predators lurking just beyond the line of shadow.

My brain screamed run.

Run inside, lock the doors, call someone.

But my body stayed frozen, caught between disbelief and fear, until, one by one, the eyes blinked out of sight.

For a long time, I stood there, the silence pressing in, heartbeat loud in my ears. All this time, I thought I had been seeing things... but I wasn't.

I made up my mind. Tomorrow, I was going to ask Eli about the eyes.

Then I locked the door twice - and went to bed.

Tomorrow was my second first day at work.

The next morning, I woke up feeling like I hadn't slept at all. My head was pounding, my mind replaying last night - those eyes, that silence, the feeling of being watched. But today wasn't the day to fall apart. Today I had to look.... normal.

I stood in front of the mirror, pulling on a plain white blouse and dark slacks. My hair stayed in a loose bun. No excessive make-up, a gentle spray of perfume. The goal was simple: blend in, disappear.

I got to the office 30 minutes early. Didn't want to upset the cold boss today. Whispers followed me as I walked in, fake smiles masking judgement. So much for blending in.

When I reached his floor, I nearly turned my back, but when his eyes lifted to mine, something in his gaze snapped. For a moment, I didn't breathe, neither did he.

He looked at me from head to toe, as if he was checking me out. He didn't hide it, he just stared.

"Miss Morgan," he finally said.

"Sir," I said quietly, refusing to meet his eyes. Silence stretched between us, thick and awkward.

Then, just as the elevator chimed, he said, "You'll be moving offices today."

"Moving?"

He nodded once, leading me out when the doors opened. His stride was confident - the kind that dared you to keep up. I followed, heels clicking softly against the marble.

"To where exactly?"

"Closer to mine."

I stumbled a step. "Why?"

He glanced over his shoulder, a hint of amusement in his tone. "It's easier for me that way."

That was all he said, but the words lingered easier for what, exactly? Easier to see him? Easier to call my name or look into my eyes? I don't know how I'm supposed to concentrate like that.

He stopped by a smaller glass-walled office beside his and gestured toward it. "You'll work here from now on."

It was neat, modern, and far too close to his. I could practically see straight into his space.

"Right." I forced a smile. "Because nothing says professional boundaries like shared walls."

The corner of his mouth curved just slightly. "Don't worry, Miss Morgan. I don't bite."

"Good to know." I replied sarcastically.

He stepped closer, close enough that his shadow brushed mine as he adjusted something on the desk. His scent hit me again, stronger this time.

"You cut your hair," he said suddenly.

I blinked. "What?"

He looked up, catching my gaze before I could look away. "It's shorter than it used to be."

Something flickered in his eyes - warmth, familiarity.

"How would you know?" I asked, confused.

He froze for a heartbeat, then turned away. "Company records," he said too quickly, straightening the papers on the desk. "Old ID photos."

"Oh." I nodded slowly, though something about the answer didn't feel right.

He cleared his throat. "You'll start with the shipment reports. I'll send you the files shortly."

And just like that, the warmth in his voice was gone.

But as he brushed past me to leave, his arm grazed mine - deliberate or not, I couldn't tell and my breath caught. This man was driving me crazy and, unsurprisingly...... I loved it.

He paused at the door, his tone lower this time. "Welcome to your new office, Miss Morgan."

And then he was gone.

I spent the entire day working. At least I finally had a productive day at work. It was past my closing hour, but I didn't want to go back to that cottage.....at least not yet.

By the time I finally sat down to relax, I was a mess of nerves, so I did what any sane woman would do - I called Eli.

He picked up on the first ring.

"You sound breathless," he said. "Please tell me it's because of stairs and not your boss again."

"I'm at work, Eli," I whispered. "And no, I didn't run up the stairs. I'm just-"

"Flustered by Mr. Tall, handsome, hot - ?"

I groaned. "Don't start."

He laughed softly. "Girl, I've seen the man. If I worked under him, I'd literally quit HR for harassment prevention."

"This isn't funny. He.....he moved me to a new office right next to his."

"Of course he did. Men like that always want proximity to their favorite distraction."

I sighed. "It's not that. Something's off. Last night, I saw eyes in the woods again. Dozens. I thought I was imagining things, but-Eli, it felt real. Like I was being watched."

That wiped the humor off his tone instantly. "Tessa... what kind of eyes?"

"Golden. Or silver. I couldn't tell."

There was silence on the line for a beat. Then, carefully, "You need to be careful. And maybe... keep your distance from your boss."

I frowned. "Why are you saying it like that?"

He hesitated, then forced a laugh. "Just my instincts. They're rarely wrong, honey."

"Eli-"

"Promise me you'll call if anything weird happens again. Promise."

"I promise," I said softly.

But even as I hung up, my gaze drifted through the glass wall - and straight into Lucian's eyes.

He was already looking at me, expression unreadable.

For a second, it felt like the world went still.

And something deep inside me whispered - he's not just your boss.