Liam- First Date Material

The rhythmic clang of weights and the faint scent of rubber mats mingled with the steady thrum of music. It was just another day at Iron Haven Gym—except for me. It never was. Not when he was here.

I adjusted the barbell on my shoulders, my body moving automatically through squats when my focus flickered across the room to where Alex was correcting someone’s form. His voice, calm but firm, carried over the low buzz of conversation. That damn voice—it could command a room without raising an octave.

He smiled then, a flash of white teeth, and I felt my knees weaken. Fortunately, I was mid-squat, so it just looked like part of the exercise.

Alex had no idea what he did to me. How could he? He saw me as another client. A quiet, dependable one and maybe a little too intense with my workouts.

He didn’t know I showed up for every early morning session and stayed late most evenings just to be near him. He didn’t know I caught my breath every time his hand accidentally brushed my arm. And he definitely didn’t know what I was hiding.

Because if he did, he’d run. They always did.

The werewolf thing wasn’t exactly first-date material, and it wasn’t something I could casually drop during a water break.

"Hey, Alex, great tips on deadlifts today. By the way, I turn into a monster once a month." Yeah, that’d go over well.

I shifted the barbell back onto the rack and wiped my face with a towel, letting out a low growl of frustration under my breath. Alex glanced my way, and for a heartbeat, I froze. His sharp green eyes locked onto mine, and I swore there was a flicker of curiosity or was it suspicion? In his gaze.

“Liam,” he called, gesturing me over. “Let’s work on your form for those squats. You’re leaning too far forward.”

I swallowed hard, wiping my sweaty palms on my shorts as I approached. The pull of him was magnetic, but the closer I got, the louder the voice in my head screamed, This is dangerous.

But I ignored it, as I always did. Because no matter how risky it was to be near him, walking away felt impossible.

"That's better," Alex said, his voice low and warm, almost too close to my ear. His hands brushed my shoulders as he adjusted their position, sending a jolt through me that I prayed he didn’t notice. "Keep your back straight, core tight. Got it?"

"Got it," I managed, though my voice came out rougher than I intended.

I focused on the floor, on the pattern of the rubber mats beneath my feet, anything to keep myself grounded. But it was useless. All I could feel was his presence—steady, commanding, and far too intoxicating.

I squatted down again, his hand lingered at the small of my back, applying the slightest pressure to correct my posture. My senses went haywire, every nerve ending hyperaware of his touch. The wolf in me stirred, restless and hungry, not for blood but for something infinitely more dangerous.

"You're stronger than you look," Alex remarked, stepping around to face me. His piercing greenbeyes studied me with an intensity that made my stomach flip. "I’ve been meaning to ask—what’s your secret? You barely break a sweat no matter how hard I push you."

I hesitated, the question hanging in the air between us. He meant it casually, probably expecting an answer about protein shakes or a strict routine. But the truth was clawing at the edges of my control, desperate to be let out.

"Good genetics," I said with a tight smile, hoping he’d let it go.

Alex tilted his head, unconvinced. His gaze lingered, searching my face for something I couldn’t let him find. Then, just as the silence began to stretch too long, he nodded.

"Alright, mystery man," he said with a grin, slapping my shoulder lightly. "But one day, I’ll get it out of you."

He walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding and my hands trembling at my sides. My wolf growled in the back of my mind, frustrated with my cowardice.

"I know," I muttered under my breath, dragging a hand through my hair. "But if he knew the truth, he wouldn’t smile at me like that."

I turned toward the weight rack, needing to burn off the surge of energy racing through me. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex glance back, his expression thoughtful, as if he sensed something wasn’t quite right.

And that terrified me. Because if Alex started digging deeper, he’d uncover the monster I was so desperately trying to hide.

The hot water poured over my skin, washing away the sweat and tension from the gym session. Steam filled the small locker room shower, but it did nothing to clear the storm brewing in my chest. I braced my hands against the tile wall, letting my head back, and the water cascaded down my back.

Alex.

The way he touched me, even in the most innocent of ways, sent my mind spiraling. His scent, that perfect mix of cologne and sweat, still lingered in my senses. It was maddening. Dangerous. I had to get a grip before I made a mistake I couldn’t take back.

Finishing up, I turned off the water and grabbed my towel, drying myself off quickly. My reflection in the fogged-up mirror stared back at me—broad shoulders, defined muscles, and a jawline that could cut glass. People always said I looked like I had stepped out of a fitness magazine, but all I saw were the sharp edges of the beast hiding beneath my skin.

Dressed in a tailored suit that hugged my frame perfectly, I left the gym. The dark charcoal fabric stretched just enough across my chest and shoulders, hinting at the power underneath. My black tie was perfectly knotted, and my polished shoes clicked against the pavement while I stepped into the sleek black car waiting outside.

“Good morning, Mr. Kane,” my driver greeted as he opened the door for me.

I nodded, sliding into the backseat. “Morning, James. Straight to the office.”

“Yes, sir.”

The ride to Kane Industries was short, and I spent it scrolling through emails on my phone. A multi-billion-dollar company didn’t run itself, and as CEO, every decision came back to me. It was a position I’d fought for, clawed my way up from nothing to achieve. Ruthless in the boardroom and relentless in my vision, I was known as a man who didn’t compromise.

But being a leader, a dominant force in the business world, came with its price. It meant I was always in control, always masking my emotions and instincts. My wolf was never allowed to surface here.

The towering glass skyscraper that bore my name loomed ahead, its sleek lines reflecting the sunlight. I stepped out of the car, adjusted my cufflinks, and entered the lobby. Heads turned, like they always did when I entered. All the employees greeted me with polite smiles, but their gazes were a mix of admiration and intimidation.

“Good morning, Mr. Kane,” my assistant, Caroline, said, falling into step beside me while I headed to the elevator.

“Morning,” I replied briskly. “What’s on the agenda?”

“You’ve got a meeting with the board at nine, followed by a conference call with the European division. And there’s a lunch appointment with Mr. Harlow from Sterling Tech.”

I nodded, mentally organizing my day. “Clear my afternoon. I’ll need time to review the quarterly reports.”

“Understood,” she said, stepping back, and the elevator doors closed.

The lift ascended, I adjusted my tie and stared at the reflection in the mirrored walls. The image was flawless, dominant, confident, and untouchable. Exactly what the world needed to see.

But beneath my polished exterior, my wolf growled, restless and caged. And no matter how many empires I built or how much power I wielded, one thought haunted me.

Alex.

He was the one thing I couldn’t control, the one temptation I couldn’t resist. And it was only a matter of time before my carefully constructed world began to crack.