Mate????

William's POV

Sleep refused to claim me last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him—the boy from the beach.

Why him? I didn’t even know his name. But there was something about him, something that had sunk claws into my thoughts and refused to let go. His eyes had been stormy with pain, his aura fractured yet oddly compelling. Most people avoided me, but he… he had almost walked toward me, like he was drawn in.

That thought unsettled me.

I growled under my breath and threw the sheets aside. Enough. I was Alpha of the Moonlight Pack. I had an empire to run, enemies watching for any weakness. I could not afford distraction—not from a stranger on the beach, not from anyone.

I showered, letting the icy water snap me awake. The mirror fogged as I ran a hand through my damp hair. My reflection stared back: sharp cheekbones, eyes so dark they often looked like polished obsidian, and the weight of leadership etched into every line of my face.

I dressed quickly—black shirt, black pants, black shoes. My favorite color. A mirror of who I was: sleek, commanding, dangerous. Even my wolf was the same—pure black fur, massive, powerful. The kind of wolf others instinctively lowered their heads to.

By the time I reached the pack house, my Beta, Nut, was already waiting.

“The prisoner still hasn’t confessed,” he reported grimly.

I narrowed my eyes. The traitor had been caught spying for a rival pack, but he refused to speak. “Keep pressing him,” I ordered. “He’ll break eventually.”

Business concluded, I headed to my garage. Rows of sleek cars gleamed beneath the lights, but today I chose my BMW. As the engine roared to life, I felt that familiar surge of control. The city blurred by, skyscrapers bowing in silent acknowledgment of my presence.

When I arrived at the company headquarters—a fifty-story glass monument that bore my name—I parked in my private space and stepped inside. Heads bowed as I passed, whispers following me. William Knight. Alpha of the Moonlight Pack. CEO of Knight Enterprises. The richest man in the country. The most dangerous, too.

And still… my thoughts drifted back to the boy on the beach.

I cursed under my breath. I needed focus today. My assistant interviews were scheduled.

Nut approached me again. “It’s time. We’ve selected a group of applicants.”

I sighed. My assistants never lasted. Some tried to seduce me, others wanted power, money, or status. None of them understood boundaries. This time, I’d made a rule: only male candidates. Less complication. Or so I hoped.

“Fine,” I said curtly. “Send them in.”

Est's POV

After my mother was discharged, I knew I needed a change. Something new, something stable. And then I saw it: an ad for William Knight & Co. They were looking for a personal assistant.

I almost didn’t apply. Me? For a job in the richest company in the country? I was just a tailor-shop worker. Wolf-less. Outcast. But something in me whispered, try.

So I did.

And when I got an email saying I’d been shortlisted for an interview, I almost dropped my phone in shock.

The morning of the interview, I barely slept. My mother insisted on making me breakfast even though she should’ve been resting. “You’ll do great,” she told me, squeezing my hand.

“I doubt I’ll even pass the first question,” I muttered, adjusting my too-small tie.

“Est, have faith in yourself,” she said firmly. “The Moon Goddess sees you, even if others don’t.”

Her words gave me just enough courage to leave.

The bus ride was a blur of nerves. I clutched my bag, replaying answers in my head. By the time I arrived, it was still early. I ducked into a small coffee shop across the street, sipping slowly, trying to calm my racing heart.

At 8:50, I walked into Knight Enterprises. The building towered above me, glass glinting like a jewel against the sky. Inside, marble floors stretched endlessly, and the receptionist’s polished smile made me feel even smaller.

“Interviews for the assistant position?” she asked.

“Yes.” My voice cracked.

“Fiftieth floor. Elevator to your left.”

The elevator ride felt eternal. My reflection stared back at me in the mirrored walls—nervous eyes, messy hair, cheap suit. Everyone else in the waiting area looked expensive, polished, like they were born for this.

One by one, candidates went in. One by one, they came out with disappointment carved on their faces. My stomach twisted.

When the secretary called my name, my knees nearly buckled.

“Mr. Ester? You’re next. Please knock before entering.”

I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

I knocked once.

“Come in,” a deep voice commanded.

I opened the door—

And froze.

The office was vast, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. But that wasn’t what stole my breath.

It was him.

The man from the beach.

He looked even more breathtaking under the daylight—his black hair gleaming, his suit perfectly tailored to his broad frame. His presence filled the room, heavy and electric.

“Have a seat,” he said, his voice like velvet over steel.

I sat quickly, my heart thundering. My eyes betrayed me, tracing the line of his jaw, the depth of his green-hazel eyes. The Moon Goddess herself must’ve crafted him.

“So, Mr. Ester,” he began, and the way he said my name made my knees weak.

“Yes, sir,” I answered, too quickly.

“Why should I employ you as my assistant?”

I forced myself to focus. Words stumbled out—about my work ethic, my experience helping manage Thomas’s company, my dedication. I spoke of my ability to stay calm under pressure, my willingness to learn.

He studied me silently, every second stretching like an eternity.

Finally, he nodded. “You’ll hear back within twenty-four hours.”

Relief and disappointment warred in me. I thanked him and left, my legs trembling.

That night, my mother called. “How did it go?”

“I… don’t think I got it,” I admitted.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not qualified enough. Everyone else looked… perfect.”

“Est,” she said gently. “Believe in yourself. You’ll see.”

I wanted to believe her. But doubt gnawed at me.

I googled him instead. William Knight. Alpha of the Moonlight Pack. CEO of Knight Enterprises. Richest man in the country. No wonder he had felt familiar—everyone knew his face.

I prayed to the Moon Goddess that night. Prayed for a chance.

Morning came. No call.

Afternoon. Nothing.

Evening. Still nothing.

I gave up. Of course, I wasn’t chosen. Who was I kidding?

But the next morning, my phone rang. Unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Ester? This is Knight Enterprises. We’re pleased to inform you that you’ve been accepted as Mr. Knight’s personal assistant. You’re required to start tomorrow at 8 a.m.”

For a second, I couldn’t breathe.

“Really?!” I shouted.

“Yes. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, thank you so much!”

I ended the call, laughter bubbling out of me. I rushed to tell my mother, who hugged me tight despite her frailty.

The entire day, I shopped frantically for office clothes. Nothing fancy, but enough to look professional. I couldn’t afford mistakes. Not this time.

The next morning, I arrived early—7:55. My hands trembled as I knocked.

“Come in,” came his deep voice.

I entered. He was already there, looking like power itself in a dark suit.

“You’re early,” he observed.

“Yes, sir. I didn’t want to be late on my first day.”

He gave a slight nod. “Good. Here’s what you’ll do—coffee, scheduling, replying to emails, managing appointments. Your office is next to mine. Everything you need is there.”

I listened intently, committing every word to memory.

Then he stood, extending his hand. “Welcome.”

I reached out.

Our hands touched—

And a spark shot through me, racing down my arm, exploding in my chest. My breath caught. His eyes widened the same instant mine did.

And then I heard it. A voice, clear and undeniable, echoing in my soul:

MATE.