CHAPTER 2: MET HIS ALPHA

The ballroom of the Aurora Grand Hotel sparkled under warm golden light.

Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the tall ceiling, casting reflections across the polished marble floor. Gentle classical music drifted through the air while servers walked between guests carrying trays filled with wine and champagne.

It was one of the most important business gatherings of the year.

Influential investors, powerful families, and well-known business leaders filled the hall, chatting and exchanging polite smiles.

Sylvie stepped inside quietly.

The silver dress she wore moved softly around her legs as she walked. Compared to the bold and luxurious gowns worn by many of the women present, her dress was simple.

Yet it suited her beautifully.

Her long dark hair rested over her shoulders, shining faintly under the ballroom lights.

A few people turned to watch her pass.

There was something calm about her presence.

Elegant.

Graceful.

A little mysterious.

But Sylvie paid little attention to the looks she received.

Instead, her gaze slowly traveled around the large ballroom.

Everything here felt strangely familiar.

She had attended this exact gala once before.

Five years ago.

But back then she had followed Vanessa and Daniel everywhere, staying close behind them like a quiet shadow.

Trying to fit in.

Trying to make them happy.

Trying to feel accepted.

Now the feeling was completely different.

Sylvie moved toward the balcony, where the crowd was thinner and the air was cooler.

From that spot she could see most of the room.

Guests laughed and talked while discussing deals and investments.

Sylvie rested her hands lightly on the railing.

The night breeze brushed gently against her hair.

For a brief moment, she closed her eyes.

Five years.

She had been given five years to change everything.

This time she wouldn’t beg for affection.

And she certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to ruin her life again.

When she opened her eyes again, the atmosphere inside the ballroom had suddenly shifted.

A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.

“He’s here.”

“Alexander Knight.”

“The CEO of Knight Corporation.”

Sylvie glanced over her shoulder.

Across the ballroom, a tall man had just stepped through the entrance.

He walked forward with quiet confidence, as though the entire room naturally belonged to him.

His black suit fit him perfectly, outlining his strong frame. His posture was straight and commanding.

His silver-gray eyes were sharp and unreadable.

Alexander Knight.

Even in her previous life, Sylvie had heard his name many times.

A billionaire.

A brilliant businessman.

A ruthless competitor.

Some even referred to him as the king of the city’s business world.

But there was something about Alexander Knight that most people didn’t know.

Behind the title of CEO…

He was an Alpha.

The leader of one of the most powerful wolf packs.

Alexander rarely attended social events like this.

But the moment he stepped into the ballroom tonight, something unusual happened.

His wolf stirred inside him.

Uneasy.

Alert.

Alexander slowed his steps slightly.

That reaction was strange.

His wolf had never behaved like this before.

Then he caught a scent.

Soft.

Sweet.

Completely irresistible.

His wolf reacted instantly.

Mine.

Alexander’s expression darkened slightly.

His heartbeat quickened as the scent became stronger.

Mate.

The word echoed clearly in his mind.

Alexander slowly lifted his head, his sharp gaze scanning the crowded room.

Searching.

Then he saw her.

Standing near the balcony.

A woman dressed in silver gazed quietly out at the city lights.

Her dark hair moved softly in the night breeze.

She seemed peaceful.

Almost distant from the lively crowd.

Yet to Alexander, she shone brighter than anyone else in the room.

His wolf rumbled softly inside him.

Mate.

After years of waiting…

He had finally found her.

Without hesitation, Alexander began moving toward her.

People instinctively stepped aside as he passed.

His presence was impossible to ignore.

Across the room, Sylvie suddenly felt an odd sensation.

Her heart skipped a beat.

It felt like someone’s eyes were fixed on her.

Slowly she turned her head.

And their gazes locked.

For a brief moment, the noise in the ballroom seemed to disappear.

Sylvie looked directly at the tall stranger across the room.

His gaze was intense.

Focused.

Almost dangerous.

Something about him made her feel unexpectedly nervous.

She quickly looked away.

Why was her heart beating so quickly?

She didn’t even know who he was.

Yet his presence felt overwhelming.

Alexander, however, couldn’t look away.

Now that he was closer, her scent surrounded him completely.

Warm.

Sweet.

Addictive.

His wolf rumbled with satisfaction.

Mine.

A faint smile appeared on Alexander’s lips.

After searching for so long…

He had finally found the woman destined to be his mate.

Just then, someone approached Sylvie.

“Sylvie.”

She turned.

Daniel stood beside her, smiling warmly.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he said.

Sylvie remained calm.

“Hello, Daniel.”

Daniel blinked slightly, confused by her reaction.

Usually Sylvie greeted him with a shy smile.

Tonight she seemed distant.

Before he could continue speaking, another voice interrupted.

“Excuse me.”

Daniel turned around.

And immediately stiffened.

Alexander Knight stood behind him.

His tall figure towered over them.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Alexander’s cold silver eyes were focused solely on Sylvie.

Daniel suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

“I believe you are standing in my way,” Alexander said evenly.

Daniel stepped aside quickly.

“O-of course.”

Alexander ignored him completely.

His attention remained on Sylvie.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Alexander studied her carefully.

Her eyes.

Her face.

Her scent.

There was no doubt.

She was his mate.

He slowly extended his hand.

“May I know your name?”

Sylvie hesitated briefly before answering.

“Sylvie Hart.”

Alexander repeated the name softly.

“Sylvie.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Sylvie nodded politely.

But her heart was beating faster.

Something about this man felt powerful.

Dangerous.

And strangely familiar.

Alexander stepped closer.

His voice lowered slightly.

“I’ve been searching for you.”

Sylvie frowned in confusion.

“Searching for me?”

His silver eyes seemed to glow faintly in the ballroom lights.

“Yes.”

Inside him, his wolf stirred again.

Satisfied.

Possessive.

Alexander leaned closer and whispered quietly.

“My mate.”

Sylvie’s eyes widened slightly.

Before she could respond—

A sudden scream shattered the atmosphere of the ballroom.

Everyone turned.

Near the center of the room, Vanessa stood frozen, her face pale.

The glass of wine she had been holding had fallen and shattered across the marble floor.

Behind her stood a man with glowing golden eyes.

A wolf shifter.

But something was wrong.

Very wrong.

His eyes were wild with rage.

“Alpha Knight!” he shouted suddenly.

The entire ballroom fell silent.

The rogue wolf stepped forward and pointed directly at Sylvie.

“She belongs to the pack!”

Alexander’s expression instantly hardened.

His wolf roared with fury.

Sylvie felt a strange energy stir deep inside her chest.

Before anyone could react, Alexander pulled her behind him.

His silver eyes flashed dangerously.

“You dare challenge me?”

The rogue wolf snarled.

The ballroom lights flickered.

Guests began screaming and rushing toward the exits.

And in that moment Sylvie realized something terrifying.

She had just stepped into a world far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.

And somehow…

She was right at the center of it.