Chapter 1

Steven's POV

I fixed my gaze on the large screen with intense scrutiny, a wave of disappointment churning in my stomach like a twisted vine. I scoffed, unable to conceal my disdain.

"Is something wrong, Sir?" Mr. David, my fashion director and the presenter to the board, inquired, his voice trembling slightly under my intense stare.

"Actually, yes, something is wrong," I responded, causing the room to fall silent, all eyes now focused on me, their faces expressing a blend of curiosity and fear.

"Is this really the grand end-of-the-month plan you've been going on about?" I questioned, my tone laced with disbelief.

"Yes, Sir," he answered, his assurance clearly faltering.

"Well, it doesn't seem so impressive; your—"

"But, Sir..."

I slammed my palm on the table, the noise reverberating through the room, and I noticed everyone flinch, their eyes wide with surprise.

"Don’t you dare cut me off when I’m speaking!" I yelled, my anger boiling over.

"I apologize, Sir," he mumbled, his voice shaky, mirroring the tension in the room.

"This is a fashion and modeling firm, and you boldly assured me you’d develop an outstanding new line of men’s clothing by the end of the month, and this is the best your stagnant mind could produce?!" I tossed aside the presentation folder, the papers scattering like autumn leaves, a clear sign of my disapproval.

"Develop a better line by next week, or prepare to lose your job. I will not tolerate ineptitude," I proclaimed, rising suddenly. "I assume this meeting is over." I walked out, my heart racing with the rush of my outburst.

My secretary, Debby, hurried to match my stride, her footsteps ringing out against the polished floor. "We have hired a new team of fashion designers for the company as you requested, Sir. They'll start tomorrow," she informed me, her tone sincere yet cautious, as if trying to calm my rising anger.

I nodded, still immersed in my thoughts, the burden of the day weighing heavily on me. "I don’t have any further meetings scheduled, do I?" I asked, hoping for a moment of peace.

"No, Sir, you don’t," she replied, a look of relief lighting up her face.

"Good. I’m heading out then," I said as I got into my car, thankful for the quiet that surrounded me.

"Goodbye, Sir," Debby said with a slight bow, the respect in her demeanor evident.

"The mansion?" Liam, my driver, inquired, and I nodded, sinking back into the plush leather seat.

As the car drove away, I shut my eyes, allowing the humming of the engine to envelop me like a comforting embrace.

"Tonight is the full moon," Liam remarked, breaking the silence, but I feigned disinterest, retreating further into my thoughts.

"Will you be attending the Moon Goddess's shrine with us this time?" he pressed, his tone light yet insistent.

"Not interested," I replied tersely, using my silence as a shield against his cheerful probing.

"Maya has arrived at the mansion to join you for the ceremony," he mentioned, trying to ignite a spark of interest.

"What?!" I snapped, and a grin spread across his face.

"I suppose I finally said something that piqued your interest."

"When did she arrive at the mansion?" I inquired, my irritation simmering just beneath the surface, but I couldn’t shake the tension it caused me.

"Just this morning," he replied, and I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"To be honest, I don't believe Maya is the right mate for you. She's as relentless as you are, no offense intended, but you might want to consider someone more."

"The only reason you are still breathing is that you are my blood relative, but if you continue to ramble on, I won't hesitate to cut off your tongue," I warned, my tone cold and steely.

"Sorry, Steven," Liam muttered, and the rest of the ride passed in tense silence, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.

"Steven!!" Liam shrilled as she rushed toward me, her arms wrapping around me in an exuberant hug. I stiffened, discomfort prickling at the edges of my patience. 

"Can you not do that each time you see me?" I said, stepping back, my irritation barely contained as I walked toward my room, and she followed like a shadow.

"Why not? You are my mate," she said, her voice light, as if it should somehow erase the tension in the air.

"Mate to be," I corrected, my tone clipped as I sank onto the couch, the weight of the day still heavy on my shoulders.

"That'll change soon. We are getting married next week," she said, her excitement palpable, but I struggled to mirror her enthusiasm.

"Right," I replied, trying to muster some enthusiasm but failing miserably.

"When will you announce our wedding to the media?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"I've already asked my media aide to do that this morning," I said, attempting to sound casual.

"Our wedding will be amazing, right? Promise me you'll make it spectacular," she insisted, and I scoffed, the pressure of expectations mounting in my chest.

"You know an Alpha's promise is unbreakable. I'm always bound to fulfill the promises that I make, so I don’t make promises; I don’t take that risk." My voice was firm, a warning against the expectations she placed on me.

"Fine," she said with a sigh, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice.

"Yeah, so what are you doing here?" I asked, redirecting the conversation to escape the weight of her hopeful gaze.

"Tonight's the full moon night," she said, her voice almost pleading.

"And?" I replied, feigning indifference, my irritation simmering beneath the surface.

"Come on! I told you we'll join the ceremony tonight and seek the Moon Goddess's blessing for our union," Maya implored, her eyes wide and earnest.

"And I told you I care not about that fanatic Goddess's blessing, and therefore I am not going with you to seek any forsaken blessing," I said, removing my jacket with deliberate calmness, but inside, my heart raced with agitation.

"Steven!!" she yelled, her frustration spilling over. "The Moon Goddess is a respected being in my pack, and I won't tolerate you speaking ill of her. The next time you say something like this, I'll make you regret it."

I walked toward her, my anger bubbling to the surface as I gripped her throat, my fingernails extending and digging into her skin. "Don't you dare threaten me!" I said slowly, my voice laced with menace.

"Ste... Steven, you... you're hurting me," she stuttered, her eyes wide with fear as she struggled to break free from my grasp.

"You should know that the only reason for our union is to unite our packs and increase my stronghold over all the werewolves, so do not cross your limit, Maya," I warned, pushing her aside with a sharpness that echoed the tumult inside me.

"You want to seek your dear Goddess's blessing, right? Fine, I’ll go with you, but you'll be the one doing the seeking," I said, the resolve hardening in my chest as I turned and walked out, leaving her standing there, a storm of confusion and resentment brewing between us.