08. The Human

Ethan Greenwood

I took a sip of my drink while staring intently at the photo of Mia Miller on my computer. It was a recent image, but it still captured her essence; that defiant look, mixed with a vulnerability that intrigued me. How could a mere human awaken something in me? Something I hadn’t felt in years?

I wasn’t the type to get involved easily. If I did get involved with someone, it was usually with handpicked women, and always wolves.

It was easier that way—no complications, no surprises. But Mia… Mia was different. From the moment I saw her, something changed. Her scent, that soft yet electrifying touch… it completely disarmed me.

I knew I was crossing a dangerous line when I got involved with her. That night, I forgot everything and just let myself be carried away by desire. I believed it would be just a moment, a fleeting memory. But now, two years later, here I was, dealing with a surprise I never imagined. A child.

Anger boiled in my chest. How dare she hide from me that I was the boy’s father? I was never the sentimental or merciful type. To me, the world was simple: you reap what you sow. And Mia would pay dearly for this. She became my property the moment she decided to hide this truth from me.

“Sir,” I heard two firm knocks on the door, interrupting my dark thoughts.

“Come in, Nick,” I ordered, still fixated on the photo of Mia.

My beta entered the room with firm, yet hesitant steps, sensing the tension in the air. He knew that bringing bad news today was no easy task.

“We’ve got news,” he began, trying to keep his voice steady. “The police gave us access to the security cameras, and we managed to identify a car speeding away, the same one that approached Mia and her friend on the day of the kidnapping.”

Slowly, I placed the glass on the table and leaned forward, my eyes narrowing. “And?” I asked, raising an eyebrow impatiently. “What else did you find out?”

Nick hesitated for a moment, knowing that what would come next wouldn’t be to my liking. “Nothing conclusive. They changed the plates, the color, even the chassis. That car, sir… it doesn’t exist anymore.”

Rage exploded inside me. With a swift movement, I slammed my fist on the table with such force that the glass toppled, spilling the drink. “Sons of bitches!” I roared, my eyes gleaming with contained fury. “Track every possible escape route along that road. I want to know every inch where that car might have passed!”

Nick quickly nodded, aware of the gravity of the situation. “Yes, sir. We’ll focus on the routes and…”

“One more thing,” I interrupted. “I want you to investigate Mia’s friend. Something tells me she’s not trustworthy. I want to know everything about her, every detail. I’m not leaving any loose ends in this story.”

Nick swallowed hard, realizing the icy tone in my voice. “Understood, sir. We’ll get on it immediately.”

He quickly left, leaving me alone once again. I sat back in the chair, taking a deep breath to try to calm the whirlwind of emotions that was consuming me. My mind was racing, formulating strategies, thinking about how to recover my cub and, at the same time, punish Mia for her betrayal.

I was Ethan Greenwood, a relentless Alpha. Nothing and no one stood in my way. Mia would learn that the hard way.

I needed to take care of a few things with the wolves. I lived in two worlds.

I had the life of a respected CEO, and the life of a wolf, which was particularly my favorite.

The human civilization would never know our secret. NEVER.

I impatiently tapped the steering wheel; there were too many cars ahead of me. As I waited in the chaotic traffic, my thoughts drifted back to who could have done this. Did they know I had a cub? I had enemies all around me, and I was well aware of that.

I drove for hours until I left the urban chaos and entered a less-traveled road, surrounded by towering trees and the scent of pine. As I approached the hidden entrance to the property, something within me began to calm down. Here, I was in absolute control.

Here, I was the Alpha, and everyone else bowed to my command.

The dirt road led me to a complex of rustic cabins, built in such a way that they blended perfectly with the surrounding forest. The tall, dense trees formed a natural barrier, protecting the territory from prying eyes. To an unsuspecting observer, it might look like just a preservation area, but to us, it was the center of our world.

I got out of the car and took a deep breath of the fresh, clean forest air. The smell of damp earth and leaves enveloped me, bringing out the wolf within me. My senses became sharper, as if my body automatically tuned in with the wild environment around me.

I loved this place.

Nick was waiting for me at the entrance, alongside other members of the pack. “Everything is in order, sir,” he said, lowering his head in respect.

“I want you to check the security around the territory,” I ordered, my voice unmistakably authoritative. “And reinforce the patrols. We can’t take any risks.”

“Yes, sir,” he replied promptly, already preparing to carry out my orders.

I walked through the grounds, observing the familiar faces that greeted me with reverence.

I felt every gaze, every gesture, and I knew that despite the apparent calm, there was a silent concern running through us. They sensed when their Alpha was troubled, and things could get very complicated quickly. We were sensitive beings. But I wasn’t going to tell them about accidentally getting a human pregnant, not yet.

I closed my eyes for a moment, praying to the Moon Goddess to help me find him.

But the calm was fleeting. I knew that time was against us. Lorenzo was somewhere, in the hands of someone who wanted to hurt me. And I couldn’t, wouldn’t, let that go unpunished. Mia still didn’t know who she was dealing with, but she would soon find out.

The scent I knew all too well filled the forest, and our eyes met. One of the she-wolves followed me to the room. Amber looked at me and winked, signaling that she wanted to go to the room with me.

She was a slender she-wolf with blonde hair, brown eyes, cunning and clever, but that was all she was. Sex.

I signaled for her to follow me to one of the houses, and I circled the forest, reaching the same place.

“My lord. I missed you so much,” she whispered.

“I don’t have much time to waste, Amber. I’m busy,” I said, taking off my pants.

She was already used to my ways, so she quickly removed her clothes and stood up for me.

I wanted to be with her and have sex. But even seeing the she-wolf bending over for me, I could only think of one thing.

Mia Miller.

What the hell was that damn human doing to my subconscious?

“Another time, Amber,” I said, pulling up my pants and fastening the belt.

I left there dazed, with one certainty… I didn’t know why this woman had been making me nervous since the first day my cold gaze met hers.