He Stole My Breath Away

I walked through that epic door and my jaw literally hit the floor. This mansion wasn't just big, it was on another level. Everything was straight-up fire.

This wasn't just a house, this was a whole freaking palace!

My gaze darted around, searching for my obnoxious ‘brother’ from earlier, but instead landed on a group of men standing amidst the grandeur.

One was a tall and muscular figure with a mutton chops beard. He radiated an aura of power that instantly screamed ‘Alpha’. This had to be him, the one my mother had shown me countless pictures of – Alpha Viktor.

Behind him stood what appeared to be a guard detail – men in black suits with forbearing expressions. And then, there was him…

… standing closest to the Alpha was a man who truly stole my breath away.

He was definitely older than me, but still kinda young. And let me tell you, his face? It was flawless, as though it was sculpted by Michelangelo himself. I bet you money it's smoother than a filter. If only I could just touch it…

He had such gentle features that gave him an almost feminine beauty. His dark hair was styled in a messy, artfully topsy-turvy way that cascaded around his face like a gothic curtain. There was a melancholic air about him as well that made my throat suddenly dry.

It was like a touch of drama that screamed "tortured poet" more than a fearsome werewolf. An odd but undeniably captivating combination. I gulped down many times. What was this gothic beauty of a man?

Could it be every guy in this pack was drop-dead gorgeous? A traitorous part of me, the part that usually fawned over cute boys back in Ravenwood, felt a whiff of something… unexpected.

My Umbra wolf, the embodiment of shadows and chaos within me stirred with a peculiar interest. It was a sensation I didn't understand. She was usually a growling beast that was wary of strangers, but right now, she seemed strangely… curious.

She seemed – wanting. Longing. Drawn.

“Art.” She muttered a single word that left me clueless.

My Umbra wolf? If it had been my Luna wolf, I might have not been surprised. My Luna wolf was the most light-hearted one. She could make me laugh and even react to that jerk called my step-brother from earlier.

But my Umbra Wolf complimeting a man? This was interesting.

Sad that I had to push that feeling down. This guy reeked of trouble, and I wasn't sure I wanted any part of it.

As I gawked at him, his golden eyes suddenly met mine. My heartbeat ceased and my cheeks burned with heat at that moment. My heart did the jitters.

W-why was he looking at me?!

It felt like he could see right through me, analyzing my every thought. I quickly looked away, feeling incredibly uncomfortable under his gaze. Why was he unnerving me so? Why was my heart thumping so fast, I was sure it might leap out of my chest.

I couldn't find the answers yet as my mother strode confidently toward Alpha Viktor. He greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Luna Ulmer," he boomed gently. "Forgive me for not personally receiving you at the airport. I was unexpectedly caught up in…"

Airport? Oh, please, Alpha. You must think of us as wealthy and sparkly as you are in your city. Our pack was but a budget bin one and we came here in Dad’s old car. Pfft!

"No worries, Alpha Viktor," my mother replied, her smile unwavering. "We understand how things can get hectic. It's quite alright."

My inner voice scoffed. 'Quite alright'? She could have at least asked him why he didn't send someone to pick us up.

"Still, it wouldn't have hurt to send a couple of guards," she added to my utmost delight.

Now, that's my Mom!

The Alpha chuckled richly, stingy with his pitch. "Even that, Luna Ulmer, wouldn't have been a very hospitable gesture. You are a guest of honor, after all."

Just then, the beautiful young man leaned in and spoke something to the Alpha in quiet tones. I couldn't make out the words, but the Alpha's response caught my attention.

"Ah, yes, of course," he said, chuckling again. "Forgive my manners. Ulmer, Allow me to introduce you properly to my associate, Mr. Jin Kisaragi." He gestured towards Mom, then turned to me. "And pardon my earlier brusqueness. This is my daughter, Nimue."

Jin… so that was his name. Nice.

My mother's smile widened as she turned to Mr. Kisaragi. "Mr. Kisaragi, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

Mr. Kisaragi gave her a polite bow. "The pleasure is all mine, Luna Ulmer. I must say, the rumors surrounding your arrival have been quite intriguing. I am but a business associate of the Alpha, and also the Beta.”

Business partner? Hold up, what? This melancholic dude who looks like an anime character? No way he pushes pen and paper. Plus he looked too young to be both a Beta and a business associate. Shouldn't he be like a college senior or something?

My assface stepbrother from earlier quite fit the businessman theme though. Although, I’d say one with a bankrupt company, hence, the grumpiness.

Back to this gothic dude. He was a Beta too. Didn't that mean he would be around in this mansion more often? Oh, gosh. My Umbra wolf was happy. She was glad we would get to see him more often.

Was I?

“But why?” I asked her mentally but I’d be damned if she answered that.

She was a snub. With her, it came naturally.

“And I suppose this must be your daughter," Mr. Kisaragi’s gaze turned to me and I almost melted into the ground.

My cheeks burned hot. I hated being the center of attention especially in such a grand setting. And he wanted to know about me? I shouldn't have been so shocked since my special nature seemed to always demand for attention everywhere I went.

"Yes, Nimue," Mom confirmed, gesturing toward me. "Come say hello, dear."

M-me?!

I wanted to move. It was only of good behavior for me to answer my mom’s call. This was the part where I would plaster the fake smile on my face and act like I didn't wish to cut the Alpha’s throat in his sleep for daring to want to take my father’s place.

But my body seemed to have a mind of its own. My feet felt rooted to the floor as shyness crashed over me.

"Mom," I whispered, feeling utterly ridiculous, "I think I left something at the…"

Just as I was about to concoct a believable lie about a lost—not-so-lost luggage, the Alpha boomed with laughter.

"Ah, Nimue! I have heard so much about you since your mother started raving about the special she-wolf with both Umbra and Luna within her. I said such is only a myth until I see it myself. Time to check you out, I think.”

Who the hell was that bloody Alpha trying to objectify? Now, I saw where his arrogant son got the attitude from.

Great, just great. Now everyone was looking at me. Even Mr. Kisaragi’s eyes widened in surprise at the declaration.

"Such a wolf truly exists?" he gasped, his eyebrows puckered.

Mom seized the opportunity to showcase her daughter. "She does, indeed," she declared proudly. "Nimue was the pride of our pack back in Ravenwood. A rare she-wolf blessed with both the Umbra and Luna wolf.”

Oh, please. Save me the theatrics. This was what I had to face back at home and now, here too?

Mr. Kisaragi's face was a whole movie. Dude looked equal parts shook and curious. Guess he wasn't expecting a teen with a beat-up backpack to be the legendary freaking dual-wolf everyone's been yapping about.

His eyes remained fixed on me and my skin prickled under his scrutiny. The attention was overwhelming, and the way his gaze was mysterious was not helping matters either.

My discomfort intensified when the Alpha beckoned on me, "Nimue, come forward, child. Let's get a good look at the she-wolf everyone's been whispering about."

A stern look from my mother urged me to comply. It was a coded command to behave, to not create a scene. Sighing self-consciously, I attempted to push past the awkwardness that had solidified in my stomach and plastered a fake smile on my face.

My brain was a whole entire mess. Mr. Kisaragi was definitely suspicious, but like, in a cool way? But then there's Mom just throwing me under the bus like that.

Thus, as I stepped forward, my foot got stuck on the edge of my duffel bag, sending me sprawling nastily onto the floor. The sound of my thud reverberated through the hall, spiced by my horrified gasp.

So now, I fell. Could this day get any worse?!