CHAPTER 3 – THE MAN WHO OWNS THE NIGHT

The chaos at the gala slowly faded.

Security guards rushed into the ballroom and quickly dragged the rogue wolf away. Guests whispered nervously while gathering their coats and bags. What had started as a glamorous evening had suddenly turned into a frightening memory.

Sylvie stood near the balcony, still trying to calm her racing heart.

Alexander Knight stood in front of her like a wall, his tall figure shielding her from the crowd.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Alexander turned to face her.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

His voice was low but steady.

Sylvie blinked, surprised by the question.

“No… I’m fine.”

Alexander studied her carefully, as if checking every detail.

“You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

Sylvie hesitated before adding, “Thank you… for stepping in earlier.”

Alexander gave a small nod.

“That situation shouldn’t have involved you.”

Sylvie frowned slightly.

“He pointed at me.”

Alexander’s expression darkened.

“I know.”

“Do you know him?” she asked.

Alexander paused for a moment.

“Someone who made a mistake.”

Sylvie raised an eyebrow. “That’s a very calm way to describe someone who just caused chaos in a party.”

A faint hint of amusement appeared in Alexander’s eyes.

“You’re braver than most people.”

Sylvie crossed her arms lightly.

“I wouldn’t call it bravery. I just like answers.”

Alexander looked at her for a moment longer.

Then he said quietly, “Some answers are dangerous.”

Sylvie tilted her head slightly.

“I’ve already lived through dangerous things.”

Alexander’s gaze sharpened.

For a second it felt like he wanted to ask something else.

But instead he stepped back.

“You should leave,” he said.

Sylvie blinked.

“That suddenly?”

“This place isn’t safe tonight.”

She glanced around the room again.

“Will you be okay?”

Alexander almost laughed at the question.

“Miss Hart,” he said calmly, “I’m rarely the one in danger.”

Sylvie gave a small smile.

“I suppose that’s true.”

Alexander turned slightly and signaled to one of his men.

“Escort Miss Hart to her car.”

The bodyguard nodded.

Sylvie hesitated before walking away.

Just before reaching the exit, she looked back.

Alexander was speaking quietly with another man, his expression serious.

For a brief second, their eyes met again.

Sylvie quickly turned away.

“Why does he feel so… intense?” she murmured softly to herself.

Later that night…

At the top floor of Knight Corporation.

The massive office overlooked the entire city skyline.

Alexander stood near the large window, staring at the lights below.

Behind him, Lucas Carter entered the room with a tablet in his hand.

“You asked for a report, Alpha.”

Alexander didn’t turn.

“Tell me.”

Lucas glanced down at the screen.

“Sylvie Hart. Twenty-three years old. Works at a small finance firm. No criminal record. No connections to supernatural packs.”

Alexander finally turned around.

“Family?”

Lucas continued reading.

“Father remarried years ago. Stepmother and stepsister live with them. The family seems… complicated.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

“Complicated how?”

Lucas hesitated.

“There are rumors of tension in the household. Neighbors have reported frequent arguments.”

Alexander’s eyes darkened slightly.

“And the rogue wolf?”

Lucas shook his head.

“We’re still investigating him. But one thing is clear.”

“What?”

Lucas looked directly at Alexander.

“He specifically pointed at Sylvie.”

Alexander leaned against the desk.

“Meaning?”

Lucas sighed.

“That wasn’t random.”

Alexander was silent for a moment.

Then he asked quietly, “Did you feel anything unusual about her?”

Lucas frowned.

“I sensed something… but I couldn’t identify it.”

Alexander nodded slowly.

“My wolf recognized her instantly.”

Lucas blinked.

“You mean—”

“Yes.”

Alexander’s voice was firm.

“She’s my mate.”

Lucas leaned back slightly in surprise.

“That’s… unexpected.”

Alexander smirked slightly.

“You’re usually better at hiding your reactions.”

Lucas shook his head.

“Forgive me, Alpha. It’s just that… she smells human.”

Alexander folded his arms.

“That’s what makes it interesting.”

Lucas thought for a moment before asking, “What do you want me to do?”

“Watch her.”

Lucas nodded.

“You want protection?”

Alexander’s expression turned thoughtful.

“No.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“No?”

“I want answers.”

Lucas smiled slightly.

“That’s more like you.”

The next morning…

Sylvie woke up slowly as sunlight filled her room.

She stretched and sat up.

For a moment she simply stared at the ceiling.

Last night kept replaying in her mind.

Alexander Knight…

His intense silver eyes.

And the way he had whispered the word mate.

“This is getting complicated… ahhhh!” she muttered in frustration, grabbing handfuls of her hair as she squeezed her eyes shut.

After getting dressed, she left the house and walked toward the nearby park.

The fresh air helped clear her thoughts.

People jogged along the paths while children played near the fountains.

Sylvie sat on a bench.

“This life is supposed to be my second chance,” she murmured quietly.

“Then why does it already feel like fate is interfering?”

Across the street, a black car was parked quietly.

Lucas Carter sat inside, watching her.

He lifted his phone.

“Yes, Alpha,” he said.

There was a pause while Alexander spoke.

Lucas nodded.

“She’s currently in the park. Alone.”

Another pause.

Lucas looked back at Sylvie.

“She doesn’t appear dangerous.”

Alexander’s voice came through the phone.

“Danger isn’t what I’m looking for.”

Lucas smiled slightly.

“You want to meet her again.”

Alexander didn’t deny it.

Lucas chuckled softly.

“You know, Alpha… stalking your mate is a little dramatic.”

Alexander’s voice remained calm.

“I prefer the word investigating.”

Lucas laughed.

“I’ll keep watching.”

That evening…

Sylvie left her office building after work.

The sky had already turned dark.

Streetlights illuminated the sidewalks as cars passed by.

She walked toward the bus stop while checking her phone.

Then suddenly—

“You shouldn’t walk alone at night.”

Sylvie stopped immediately.

She turned around.

And there he was.

Alexander Knight.

Standing under the streetlight.

His tall figure looked even more intimidating in the quiet street.

Sylvie blinked.

“Mr. Knight?”

Alexander walked toward her slowly.

“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” she said.

Alexander tilted his head slightly.

“Didn’t you?”

Sylvie crossed her arms.

“Are you following me?”

Alexander thought about the question.

Then he answered honestly.

“Yes.”

Sylvie stared at him.

“You’re surprisingly open about that.”

Alexander shrugged slightly.

“You asked.”

Sylvie sighed.

“Most people would lie.”

“I’m not most people.”

“That’s obvious.”

Alexander stepped closer.

“What are you doing out here alone?” he asked.

“I just finished work.”

“You should be more careful.”

Sylvie raised an eyebrow.

“Are you offering to be my bodyguard?”

Alexander’s lips curved slightly.

“If necessary.”

Sylvie laughed softly.

“That sounds expensive.”

Alexander looked directly at her.

“You’re worth it.”

Sylvie froze for a moment.

Her heart skipped a beat.

“That’s a strange thing to say to someone you barely know.”

Alexander’s voice lowered.

“My wolf knows you.”

Sylvie swallowed.

“You keep saying that.”

Alexander leaned closer.

“Because it’s true.”

She took a step back.

“And what exactly does your wolf think I am?”

Alexander’s eyes flashed.

“My mate.”

The word hung in the air between them.

Sylvie felt that strange warmth spread through her chest again.

Alexander noticed instantly.

His expression changed.

“That energy…”

Sylvie frowned.

“What energy?”

Alexander stepped back slowly.

Then he said something that made Sylvie’s heart stop.

“You’re not just human, Sylvie Hart.”

Sylvie stared at him.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Alexander smiled slightly.

“That’s the interesting part.”

He turned and began walking away.

Sylvie called after him.

“Wait!”

Alexander stopped.

“What?”

Sylvie hesitated.

Then she asked quietly,

“Why do you look at me like you already know me?”

Alexander looked back at her.

His silver eyes glowed faintly.

“Because my wolf does.”

He paused.

“And my wolf is never wrong.”

Sylvie stood frozen as he disappeared into the darkness.

Her heart was beating wildly.

Because deep down…

A small part of her was starting to believe him.