I took a few steps when suddenly a man stepped in front of me.
"Because of you, I lost my job," the man said angrily.
As soon as he spoke those words, I looked up and realized it was my former department chief.
"It was your fault. You always treated everyone horribly," I replied without hesitation.
"They deserve to be treated that way. That's what they deserve," he snapped.
I couldn't help but laugh—after all, he was desperate after losing the job that had given him so much power.
"You have nothing to do here anymore. Please, just leave," I told him as I started to walk away.
Suddenly, I felt a strong pull on my arm. The man threw me down onto the grass, pressing my hands behind my back so I couldn't get up.
"Let me go! What are you doing?" I asked, terrified.
"I'm only doing what I should. I know you were interested in me—and now I'll give you what you wanted."
"That's not true! Let me go, or I'll scream so loud someone will hear me!"
He covered me with all his might. I was almost unable to breathe, until something happened I didn't see coming.
A wolf leaped at him in anger and threw him across the grass.
It was a black wolf, with brown eyes, shiny black fur, wide, clawed paws, and sharp fangs. I'd never seen one like it, not even in my pack.
I heard the wolf growl, so much so that my former boss was so scared he fainted.
That wolf turned its gaze toward me. I was speechless, not knowing what to say.
"I didn't transform because I don't want to raise suspicion," was the first thing that came to mind. But the truth was, I had never been able to shift. That was a secret I kept deeply hidden.
The wolf said nothing; it simply leapt away and vanished from my sight.
I stood up quickly and walked back toward the light. When I turned, I saw my former boss running away in terror. At that moment, I knew he would never bother me again.
While I stood waiting for a taxi, a black car stopped beside me. The window lowered slowly. At first, I couldn't see anyone—until his face appeared.
"Get in. It's too late for you to be out here alone. I'll take you home," he said kindly.
Before answering, I stepped closer with equal politeness.
"Mr. Frost, that's not necessary. Thank you," I replied.
But he didn't respond. Instead, he got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door.
"Get in. That's an order," he said.
Without another word, I obeyed. He returned to the driver's seat, started the car, and began to drive.
"Where do you live?" he asked.
"I live in the most isolated mansion in the center of the city—you probably know which one."
"Everyone talks about that mansion," he said. "But I wonder—how can a woman like you live there?"
I looked at him, slightly embarrassed. I didn't want to expose anything about my private life, especially not to my boss.
"It's my home."
"Who do you live with?" he asked with curiosity.
"I live alone," I answered simply.
After that, Mr. Hakon Frost said nothing else. About half an hour later, he stopped in front of the mansion.
"Thank you for bringing me home," I said politely as I unfastened my seatbelt.
"It was nothing. I'll see you tomorrow at the company."
I didn't answer. I stepped out of the car and walked inside the mansion.
Once inside, everything still looked eerie. I couldn't understand why everything had to be gray—the walls, the decorations—it was as if I lived surrounded by mist.
"Good evening, ma'am," one of the maids greeted kindly.
"Good evening. I won't have dinner tonight; I'm very tired," I said as I climbed the stairs.
When I entered the bedroom, I set my bag aside. I was about to head to the bathroom when a deep voice stopped me.
"I've been waiting for you."
I flinched slightly, but then I recognized it—it was my husband, the oldest werewolf, the one who never showed himself.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to sound firm.
A faint breeze brushed my hair back. He was close again, just like the night before.
"You must fulfill your duties as my wife. You must give me a child, Leticia," he said.
I stepped back, startled by his request—though it was only natural that the oldest of all werewolves would want an heir.
"I'm sorry, but that won't happen. My body isn't ready to be a mother yet," I answered, unable to hide the tremor in my voice.
A low, unsettling laugh escaped from deep within his chest.
"I didn't ask you, Leticia. You're my wife—you must give me a child."
"I'm your wife, but not by choice. I would never have married an old werewolf with a long beard. I only did it because my parents' pack forced me to. Besides, I was supposed to be someone else's mate," I said, not caring how dangerous that confession might be.
A heavy silence followed. I heard a loud thud against the wall, then his shadow appeared before me once more.
"Who was this wolf you were destined to be with?" he asked curiously.
I took a deep breath before answering. "Someone from my pack—but they insisted I had another destiny."
"That's in the past. Now you're my wife—until my time finally ends."
"How long will that be?" I asked angrily.
I felt his cold hand rest on my neck; his mouth was close to mine as he whispered,
"You're mine, Leticia. And no one else's. I'll never reveal when that time will come."
Unexpectedly, without waiting for answers, I felt him carry me to bed.
I felt his long beard run over my breasts. And his hands explore as if the previous night hadn't been enough.
Although I didn't want to hear any of his caresses, my body eventually gave in.
His mouth kissed mine. I didn't want to reciprocate, but I felt the need to.
I fell for his passionate charms; I couldn't stop him, much less stop him.