chapter one

**********

The first thing Noah Vale noticed was the man watching him.

Not the kind of watching you get from reporters or investors or people hoping the youngest CEO in ValeTech history might slip up and give them a headline.

Nah this was really different.

This was the kind of watching that made the back of your neck itch.

And also the kind that made instinct whisper danger before your brain could catch up.

Noah kept his expression calm as he stepped out of the black SUV car and into the cool night air of Manhattan. Cameras began to flash immediately, reporters shouting his name as security pushed them back.

“Mr. Vale! Over here!”

“Is the acquisition confirmed?”

“Are the rumors about the board true?”

He smiled politely, the same practiced smile he’d been giving the world for years.

Confident, calm, and controlled

But his eyes moved across the crowd again.

Searching like he lost something or someone out there.

************

Across the street, leaning casually against a streetlight like he owned the damn city, stood the man.

Looking tall,with his dark hair and his brown coat, he was dang handsome.

And still as a statue.

Everyone else in the street moved—talking, walking, arguing, living.

But him?

He was just… there.

Watching.

Noah felt something strange coil low in his stomach.

It wasn’t fear, it was far worse, interest.

What the hell is that about?

“Sir?” his assistant whispered beside him.

Noah blinked, dragging his attention back to reality.

“Hmm?”

“Board members are waiting.”

Oh right the meeting.

The one where half the old executives were about to try and challenge him again.

Thirty years old

Youngest CEO ValeTech had ever had.

To the public he was a prodigy.

To the board he was a threat.

Noah straightened his tie and walked into the glass tower without another word.

But the strange feeling in his chest followed him.

Like eyes still pressed against his back, he felt all the emotions and all he could think about what that stranger he saw.

Three floors underground, Marcus Blackwood watched the elevator numbers change.

10,11,12

Hmmmm,so that’s the NOAH VALE???

He’d expected arrogance.

Most billionaire heirs carried it like cheap cologne.

But Noah Vale?

He moved differently.

Too calm,very oobservant

*********

Marcus had seen the exact moment the man noticed him across the street.

Not many humans caught Marcus watching.

Even fewer kept their composure afterward.

This will be interesting.

Marcus leaned back in the shadows of the parking garage, arms crossed loosely.

He could still picture the man clearly, he was tall, looking devastating handsome.

Dark hair slightly messy like he’d run a hand through it one too many times.

Expensive suit clinging perfectly to a body that clearly worked out more than any CEO had time for.

But that wasn’t what caught Marcus’ attention.

It was the eyes, dang those Grey Cold eyes.

And hiding something dangerous underneath.

Marcus exhaled slowly.

No wonder the Elders are worried.

Because if the information they’d uncovered was true…

Noah Vale wasn’t just a billionaire CEO.

He was a war waiting to happen.

Marcus pushed away from the wall and walked toward the elevator.

Mission parameters replayed in his mind like a familiar song.

Get close.

Gain trust.

Confirm identity.

Kill him before the prophecy activates.

It was supposed to be clean,simple and necessary.

Marcus had done worse things before breakfast.

The elevator doors slid open.

Meanwhile, thirty floors above, Noah Vale was bored out of his damn mind.

“Mr. Vale, with all due respect,” one of the older board members snapped, “you’re pushing the company too fast.”

Noah leaned back in his chair.

God.

These meetings were torture.

“You mean profitable,” Noah said calmly.

The man flushed red.

Another board member cleared his throat.

“Rapid expansion creates instability.”

Noah drummed his fingers on the table slowly.

Every pair of eyes in the room watched him.

Waiting.

Judging.

Hoping the young CEO would finally show weakness.

Instead Noah smiled.

And it wasn’t polite this time.

“Gentlemen,” he said softly, “ValeTech’s stock has risen twenty-three percent since I took over six months ago.” Please you can all confirm if you think am just blabbing.

“Global partnerships are expanding.”

Everyone kept quiet.

“And unless one of you plans to magically produce better numbers…”

His smile sharpened.

“…I suggest trusting the man actually making you richer.”

The room went quiet.

One by one, the older men looked away.

Noah stood.

I guess meeting is over, Noah said.

Another small victory.

But as he walked out of the conference room, the strange feeling from earlier returned.

That itch, his heart flushed.

Like something invisible tightening around him.

He frowned.

Thats weird.

He’d been having those dreams again too

The Howling wolves.

A battlefield soaked in something dark, and that woman.

Always the same woman.

Silver eyes, with her eyes filled with tears.

Run, Noah.

The memory made his chest tighten.

God, he needed a drink.

The executive elevator doors opened into the underground garage.

Noah loosened his tie as he stepped out, exhaustion settling into his shoulders.

The garage was quiet.

His driver was nowhere in sight, probably he went to the restroom.

Noah’s footsteps echoed softly as he walked toward his car.

Then—

A voice, very low, smooth and dangerously calm.

Dangerously calm.

“You handled them well.”

Noah froze. The omg part.

The voice came from the shadows behind him.

Slowly, he turned.

And there he was again.

The man from the streetlight.

Up close he looked even more dangerous.

His dark eyes sharp enough to cut glass.

The kind of man who carried power without even trying.

Noah’s pulse kicked up.

Not fear.

Something else.

Something darker.

“Well,” Noah said casually, shoving his hands into his pockets, “I assume you didn’t follow me down here just to compliment my corporate strategy.”

The man’s mouth twitched.

Almost a smile.

“Marcus.”

Noah raised an eyebrow.

“That your name or a threat?”

“Name.” Mr Vale..

The silence between them stretched for some minute it was very heavy.

Marcus stepped closer.

Just… close enough.

And suddenly Noah understood something about himself he’d never quite admitted out loud.

He liked control, he likes so rough

But deep down?

There was a darker part of him that liked the idea of someone else taking it.

The thought made heat slide through his chest. Made his Cock get so hard in his pants.

Marcus’ eyes flicked over Noah slowly.

Like he was studying him.

Evaluating.

“You always this calm around strangers in empty parking garages?” Marcus asked.

Noah smirked.

“You always stalk CEOs after dark?”

Marcus didn’t answer.

He just watched Noah.

Long, intense.

And something about the look made Noah’s skin prickle.

Like a predator circling.

But instead of stepping back…

Noah leaned slightly closer.

Lowering his voice.

“Alright,” he murmured.

“What do you want?”

Marcus’ gaze darkened.

For just a second.

Then he spoke quietly.

“I’m trying to decide something.”

“Oh?”

“Yes.”

Marcus’ eyes locked onto his.

Cold, focused, and dangerous.

“Whether you’re worth the trouble.”

Noah blinked.

Then laughed softly.

“Wow. Bold opener.”

Marcus stepped even closer.

Close enough now that Noah could feel the heat of him.

Close enough that the air between them changed.

“You have no idea,” Marcus said quietly, “how much trouble you are.”

Something in Noah’s chest tightened.

That strange pull again.

Like fate had just walked into his life wearing dark clothes and dangerous eyes.

He didn’t know why.

He didn’t know how.

But the moment their gazes locked, one thought crossed Noah Vale’s mind.

This man is going to ruin me.

And somewhere deep inside Marcus Blackwood, a far more dangerous thought formed.

I’m supposed to kill him.

But looking at Noah Vale standing there under the cold garage lights…

Marcus wasn’t sure he wanted to anymore.

***********