CHAPTER ONE
"THE MAN IN THE GLASS ROOM"
Rain hammered against the tall windows of Luca Industries, drowning the city in silver. At exactly 9:15 AM, Ariana Vale pressed her ID card against the scanner, her fingers trembling, Not from the cold but ..... from the voices whispering inside her mind, the forces trying to take over
"Don't be nervous, Ari… he can smell fear."
It was Ryn, the sharper, colder alter. The protector.
Ariana swallowed hard. "Please… not now I really need this job, we really need it."
She pushed open the massive glass doors leading to the CEO's private floor,also called The Glass Room, because everything, from the walls to the ceiling, reflected your soul back at you. No hiding.
No lying.
Everyone feared meeting the CEO including Ariana.
Anderson Luca.
The youngest billionaire in the city. Silent. Calculating. Cold.
But no one knew the truth hiding under his skin… the silent monster breathing inside him,the one that has been quiet for more than half a decade ...
Ariana stepped inside. The air changed immediately.... thicker, warmer, charged.
And then she saw him.
Tall,Broad shoulders, Dark hair with a trail of silver falling over dangerous eyes. He didn't sit like a normal man...he lounged, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.
His voice was velvet and steel.
"You're late."
Ariana froze. Her lips parted, but before she could speak, a different voice slipped outsoft, sweet, childlike.
"I'm sorry… the rain scared me."
Ariana's eyes widened in horror.
Lila.
The youngest alter.
Not now. God, not now... She said in her head fighting for control again..
Anderson's fingers stopped mid-air as he reached for a document. His eyes..Dark, sharp, glowing faintly gold for half a second,lifted to her.
He didn't blink, didn't move ,Didn't breathe just kept his eyes on her
He just… listened.
As if he heard more than her voice.
As if he smelled fear, confusion… multiple heartbeats.
"Ariana Vale," he said slowly. "You have… an interesting presence."
Seemed like her pulse went on a quick shut down . "I I I'm sor sorry .. I c can explain".. she stuttered
"No need."
He stood. His shadow swallowed her completely.
She gulped
"I don't need perfect people. I need useful ones."
He stepped close enough for his warmth to brush her cheek.
"And you…" His voice dropped to a whisper, almost animal.
"…smell useful.".. he whispered while getting his head dangerously close to her neck
Her breath caught.
Ryn growled inside her mind, furious.
"Step back! He's dangerous!"
Ariana stumbled a step away.
Anderson's eyes followed her with the calm animalistic hunger
"You start tomorrow," he said ,regaining his composure ... "Don't disappoint me."
Ariana turned, heart pounding, but before she could leave..
"Ariana."
She froze.
His next words felt like claws tracing down her spine:
"Whatever voices you're hiding…"
A slow smile curled at his lips—dark, knowing, impossible.
"…tell them I'll be watching."
Her blood turned to fire.
Anderson Luca watched her unsteadily walk away, his eyes glowing faintly gold again.
Because for the first time in years…
the wolf inside him stirred
And it whispered one thing...
Mate.