LUCIAN'S POV

The moment I caught his scent in the hallway, I knew trouble had found me.

Eli never came here without a reason - and none of his reasons were ever good.

He stepped into my office without knocking, all sharp edges and defiance. "We need to talk."

I leaned back in my chair, suppressing a growl. "You forget who you're speaking to."

"Oh, I remember perfectly, Alpha," he said, spitting the title like it burned. "That's why I'm here."

I watched him, my jaw tightening. "Then say what you came to say."

"You're losing control, Lucian. I can smell it. The entire pack can."

My muscles tensed. "Watch your words."

"It's her, isn't it?" he snapped. "Tessa."

The name hit harder than it should've.

I didn't respond. Didn't have to. The silence said enough.

Eli stepped closer "You think no one notices the way your scent spikes when she's around? The way your wolf reacts like she's already yours?"

"She's human,"

"Maybe," he said, "but that doesn't change what's happening to you."

I stood, the chair scraping against the marble floor. "You think I haven't tried to stop it? You think I want this?"

"She's not Tessa from before," he said. "She doesn't remember you. And if she finds out what you are-"

"Then she'll run." My voice was quiet. Final. "Like everyone else."

Eli's expression softened, just for a moment. "You can't keep pretending this is under control. One wrong move, and you'll expose everything."

"I have it under control."

"Do you?" he challenged. "Because from where I'm standing, you're one heartbeat away from snapping."

I didn't realize my claws had extended until the faint scrape echoed against the desk.

I curled my fists, forcing them back. "Get out."

Eli didn't move. "I said, get-"

"Out!"

The roar tore through me before I could stop it, shaking the walls. The air in the room shifted, dense with power.

And that's when I heard it.

A soft gasp.

I turned toward the door.

Tessa stood there - frozen. Her wide eyes locked on mine.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved.

Her scent hit me again - warm, grounding, maddening.

But this time, it wasn't just attraction, it was recognition.

My wolf pressed forward, whispering one word that made my chest ache - mate.

No.

Not possible.

Eli swore under his breath, stepping forward, but I raised a hand to stop him.

"Tessa," I said, forcing my voice steady. "It's not what it looks like."

Her voice trembled. "Then what is it? Because every time I think I understand you, something else-"

Her gaze flicked to my eyes. "They were.....different. I saw it."

"Leave," I said quietly. "Please."

She shook her head. "You're hiding something from me."

I took a step closer before I could think better of it. "And you should thank me for it."

Her breath caught. "You're scaring me."

Those words cut deeper than claws ever could.

I froze, muscles locking, forcing my wolf back down where it belonged.

"Please," I whispered, softer this time. "Just go."

She hesitated, eyes searching mine one last time before she turned and left, her heels echoing down the corridor.

The moment the door closed, I slammed my fist into the wall out of rage.

Eli's voice came quietly behind me.

"You're going to lose her again, brother. And this time... I don't think either of you will survive it"

TESSA'S POV

I didn't stop walking until the elevator doors shut behind me.

My pulse was wild, my hands trembling as the last image replayed in my head - his eyes glowing like molten fire. That wasn't human. Nothing about that was human.

I pressed a palm against the wall, forcing myself to breathe. It must've been the lighting, I told myself. The stress. Anything but what I actually saw.

"Tessa."

I turned. Eli was there - leaning casually against the opposite wall, as if nothing had happened.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice sharper than I meant.

He smiled, too easily. "I was just passing through. Thought I'd check on my favourite workaholic."

"Don't." I shook my head, taking a step back. "Don't lie to me right now."

His smile faltered. "Tess-"

"I saw you," I said. "In his office. You were talking to him. Like you knew him. Like you've known him for years."

For a second, something flickered behind his eyes - a crack in that calm, joking mask. Then he laughed, forced and flat. "I think you're overreacting."

"Eli." I swallowed hard. "What's going on? Who is he?"

He looked at me for a long moment, then sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You shouldn't be asking questions you don't want answers to."

"That's not an answer," I snapped.

He met my gaze - and for a heartbeat, his eyes glimmered faintly under the lights.

My chest tightened. "Eli..."

"I'll take care of this," he said quietly. "Just... stay away from him. Please."

"Why?"

His lips parted like he wanted to tell me everything - then he just shook his head. "Because if you don't, Tess... you'll remember."

"Remember what?"

"Never mind, we'll talk better tomorrow," he said, snatching my car keys from my hand.

"I'll drive, no complaints." he added

And I was left standing there - heart pounding, mind spinning, knowing that whatever secret they were hiding... somehow, I was part of it.

The ride had been painfully silent, except for the faint hum of some pop song he'd turned on halfway through to "lighten the mood."

I wasn't in the mood.

Not after that.

Lucian's voice, the look in his eyes - the way he'd acted like I was nothing but another employee. I clenched her fists as I got out of the car.

"Tessa, wait-"

"I'm fine, Eli."

"You don't look fine."

"Good thing I didn't ask for your opinion."

I slammed the door before he could respond and marched up the steps.

By the time I got inside, I was shaking, half from anger, half from something I couldn't name. I paced around my tiny living room, took off my heels, threw my bag on the couch, and then finally exhaled.

Five minutes. That's all I needed. Just five minutes to breathe.

But then-

A knock on the door

My head snapped up.

Another knock. Firmer this time.

"Eli?" I called out.

No answer.

When I opened the door, my heart nearly stopped.

Lucian stood there tall and composed.

For a moment, my brain refused to connect the dots.

He'd left the building after me.

There was no car following us.

No time for him to get here.

My throat went dry. "How-how did you-?"

He didn't answer. His eyes dragged over my face like he was memorizing every detail.

My words caught in my throat before I could speak. Then he said it, like a confession and a threat all at once.

"I can't stop thinking about you, Tessa."

He stepped into the house without waiting for an invitation. Before I could process it, his lips brushed against mine, passionately like he had been hungry for them for ages.

The argument we'd just had dissolved on my tongue, replaced by the taste of him and the pressure of his hard erection hard on me as he moved even closer.

Oh, how I have longed for this moment.

He didn't break the kiss as he lifted me and carried me towards the stairs, into the bedroom.

He wasted no time. His shirt came off first, the sight of his sculpted chest made my breath hitch. Good gracious, I could get used to this.

He placed me gently on the edge of the bed and carressed my face. My panties already soaked, heavy and hot wth the sudden, undeniable excitement. I didn't care about the world or the consequences. Every part of me yearned for him right now.

It feels so wrong....yet so right, I couldn't explain.

Leaving trails of kisses on my neck, making soft moans escape my from my mouth.

He removed what was left of our clothing, reaching into his back poclet and pulled out a sachet. It was a detail so surprising. He had come prepared. I loved it.

He tore the packet open - my mind, the last tiny rational voice screamed no, stop this insaniy, but my body was already arching towards him, screaming yes.

He hovered over me, his large, beautiful c**k hot against my thigh. Just as he was about to go in - the moment of no return - he stopped.

His eyes lost as if he was just called back to reality. The passion drained away, replaced by a terrible empty look.

"Lucian....Please don't stop," I whispered, reaching for him.

"I shouldn't be here. This is wrong. "

Oh, now you know it's wrong.

"Wait," I cried, trying to sit up, but he was already moving, gathering his clothes with haste. Before he could even cover myself, he was already gone.

He left. Leaving me there, naked and burning and angry.

I felt so stupid. How could I have let him in just like that? All it took was a kiss to weaken my resolve. Damn it, Tessa! I cursed inwardly.

I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could feel was the ghost of his touch ......and the cold reality of how fast he pulled away. It made me wonder if something was wrong with me. Was I not good-looking?

My body still aches for him, but my mind keeps replaying the way he looked at me before he left, like I was some forbidden fruit.

Like he wanted me... but couldn't have me.

By morning, the embarrassment had settled like a stone in my stomach.

Still, I force myself to go to work.

Maybe he'll explain.

Maybe he'll at least look at me.

Maybe I wasn't completely delusional last night.

I was wrong.

Lucian was already there when I walked in.

He doesn't glance up.

Doesn't flinch.

Doesn't acknowledge me.

It's like he took all the heat from last night and replaced it with ice.

"Good morning," I try.

Nothing.

He doesn't even breathe differently.

I feel the sting behind my eyes, but I swallow it, keeping my voice steady.

"About last night..."

"Drop it, Tessa."

His voice is low. Quiet. Deadly calm.

Like he's afraid of what will happen if he lets it crack.

My chest tightens. "Lucian, I just-"

"I said drop it." he shouted, cutting me off. "It's Mr Vale to you." he added.

He obviously regrets everything.

I don't say another word. I just go through the motions of my day, pretending not to notice the way he keeps avoiding my gaze like it burns him.

After what felt like days, I left. I spent my day working....working and working with the cold CEO who wants nothing to do with his assistant, his freaking assistant!

Maybe I should talk to him again.

Maybe I should go to his house.

Maybe-God, I don't even know what I'm doing anymore.

I sighed and started walking, trying to convince myself that the night wasn't a mistake. That he didn't run because of me.

The road is quieter than usual.

Too quiet.

Footsteps echo behind me.

Slow. Heavy. Intentional.

I stop.

They stop.

"Lucian?" I call out, half hope, half fear.

No answer.

I take one more step-

Not Lucian.

Strangers.

Ragged clothes.

Wild eyes.

Predators.

A shiver crawls up my spine.

"Can... can I help you?" I whisper.

One of them smirks, revealing teeth that look a little too sharp.

"Well, well," he says, voice low and amused. "The Alpha's little human."

Alpha?

Before I can react, the second one grabs my wrist.

"H-hey! Let go of me-!"

The first man steps closer, inhaling, eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "He'll come running when he realizes we took his girl."

"I'm not- I don't-!" I struggle, heart punching my ribs. "I'm not his anything!"

"Sure," the man chuckles darkly. "Keep telling yourself that."

A cloth slams over my mouth.

Sharp chemicals burn my throat.

"No-stop-!"

Then, suddenly, everything fades to black, as I passed out.

>>>>>>>>

I jolt awake to the smell of damp concrete and rust. My wrists ache-tied. My head throbs.

Where am I?

Shadows move in the corner.

"Finally awake," one of the creatures says. He squats in front of me, looking pleased. "Don't worry. We won't hurt you. Not yet."

I yank against the ropes. "Let me go! I don't even know what you want!"

"Relax, sweetheart," he says with a shrug. "You're bait. Simple."

My blood freezes.

"B-bait?"

"For the Alpha."

He grins.

"For Lucian."

God.

Lucian.

Why?

Why would they think-

He leans closer. "Tell me. Does he know you're missing yet? Is he tearing the whole town apart for you?"

I bite my lip so hard I taste blood.

I don't even know if he'd notice.

"I'm not his girlfriend," I whisper.

He laughs. "Right. And I'm the Queen of England."

Footsteps echo outside.

Could it be him?

The men-like things turn, annoyed.

"Who the hell-"

The door bursts open.

A figure steps inside-fast, dark, sharp.

His eyes lock onto me immediately.

"Get away from her."

For a heartbeat, no one moves.

Then everything happens at once-

He shoves one of them into the wall, claws flashing, movements too fast, too precise for a human.

The second one lunges at him-he twists, snaps his arm, and drops him like a bag of flour.

I stare, breath caught in my lungs.

The room goes silent.

He turns to me, chest rising and falling, eyes glowing faintly under the dim light.

He breathes, stepping toward me. "Are you hurt?"

His hands are gentle as he cuts the rope binding my wrists.

My throat tightens. "Why... why did they take me?"

"Because they thought you were his," he says quietly. "Lucian's."

My heart stutters painfully.

I open my mouth to speak but his gaze move to my neck, lingering for a fraction too long.

Then he says it.

Then softly, almost to himself.

"You smell like me."

My heart stops.

I don't even know what that means.

And I'm terrified to ask.