Chapter 02: Mated To The Wrong Soul.

The tinted window of the sleek black car hummed softly as it wound down.

Elara leaned in instinctively, her heart beating a little faster.

The man inside wore dark sunglasses, his head slightly bent, revealing only the sharp, chiseled line of his jaw and the powerful breadth of his shoulders.

He hadn’t raised his head fully, yet something magnetic about him pulled at her. She tilted hers, trying to catch a clearer glimpse through the narrow opening.

Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light exploded from inside the vehicle, emanating from the large, ornate ring on his finger as it caught the sun.

The glare struck her eyes like a burst of fire.

“Ah!” Elara gasped, throwing her arm up to shield her face. She blinked rapidly, peering through the gaps in her fingers. “A ring?” she whispered in shock.

In that split second, the man’s hand moved, and the ring disappeared from view.

The car ahead began to roll forward. Horns blared impatiently from the vehicles lined up behind her, urging her to move.

Elara froze for a moment, torn between staring back at the mysterious stranger with the radiating ring and finding her way across the road.

Her pulse raced as she quickly grabbed her bag. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” she called out, rushing forward.

In her haste, one of her earrings slipped from her ear and tumbled into the car through the open window.

She reached out instinctively. “Oh, fuck it,” she muttered under her breath, but she was already crossing.

“Elara!” Jasmine’s voice rang out from a car parked just ahead.

Elara hurried over, breathless. “Jasmine? What are you doing here? I thought you should be at work.”

Jasmine grinned, her signature playful smirk lighting up her face as she leaned over and pushed the passenger door open. “You know I’m a foodie, babe. I was just heading to grab something decent before this evening turns into a disaster.”

Elara slid into the seat with a heavy sigh, the weight of the chaotic day pressing on her shoulders. Her eyes kept darting around, scanning for that black car.

But it had vanished into the sea of vehicles.

Jasmine noticed immediately. “Are you okay? Is everything alright?”

Elara groaned, rubbing her temple. “The traffic jam was insane. I had to walk my way out through that road without shoes!”

They both burst into laughter, the tension easing for a moment as silence settled comfortably between them.

Jasmine glanced over. “Your earrings… Did you miss one while trying to figure out your life on that road?”

Elara’s hand flew to her ear. “Oh my God, I almost forgot! There was this newspaper, it had this name called Eclipse Holdings Limited, a new company. And the man in the car… he was just so fine, Jasmine. I don’t even know.”

Jasmine gave her a knowing side-eye, one brow arched as if to say Finally. “So you can finally admit a man is fine, huh?”

Elara turned to her, laughing. “I am not gay. I am straight. When I see a fine man, I appreciate him. But I still love my Jordan. Love and like are not the same thing.”

They both dissolved into laughter again.

“But you know how Boss can be,” Jasmine continued, her tone turning serious. “She’s not just fashionable on the outside. Every little thing is important to her, You need to fix that missing earring. And don’t tell me you’re about to walk into her house without any, You know what that means.”

Elara rubbed her forehead in frustration. “Fuck, I totally forgot how particular she is. You can help me though. Lend me your earrings.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes dramatically. “Do I need to lend you a damn thing every single time?”

Elara looked out the window, pretending to sulk.

Jasmine shook her head. “I’m not your boyfriend. That won’t work on me. After tonight’s meeting, strictly bring my earrings back in an envelope to my table before I even arrive at the office. You know I don’t joke with my jewelry.”

“Sure, ma’am. I’ll do that,” Elara replied with mock seriousness.

They laughed once more as Elara removed her other earring.

They swapped quickly, Jasmine slipping on Elara’s while Elara put on Jasmine’s.

The rest of the drive passed in lighter spirits. Beyoncé’s voice filled the car as they turned up the music, vibing and singing along, their laughter echoing between choruses.

They arrived at the boss’s mansion a little late in the evening.

The grand estate glowed under soft exterior lights. Elara stepped out and turned back to Jasmine. “Wait for me, I’m not sure how long she’ll keep me but she might not want to waste time.”

Jasmine smirked. “What if she’s calling in to assign you to one of those billionaire clients again? Especially that new one you mentioned.”

“I forbid it,” Elara said firmly. “The last CEO I worked for… I knew what I saw. I didn’t even love him, but he acted like one of those arrogant mafia guys in book series. I was not ready for that. I am not that Elara for the book. I slap men for a living.”

They both burst into laughter as Jasmine teased, “Says the girl who cries for Jordan every night.”

More laughter followed.

Have fun,” Jasmine said warmly.

Elara smiled and winked. “I bet.”

She hurried inside, her heels clicking against the polished floors. The house was a masterpiece of modern elegance.

She glanced around, searching for her boss.

From the side of her personal bar area, Orella emerged, a glass of wine in hand.

Her skin glowed radiantly under the warm lighting, her hair perfectly styled in an elegant updo.

Every detail...her tailored loungewear, flawless makeup, poised posture, was impeccable. As a renowned fashion designer, she carried perfection even indoors.

“You’re late,” Orella said calmly, her voice smooth and measured, without a trace of rashness. “What happened?”

Elara stammered. “I’m so sorry, ma. The traffic jam was serious. I wasn’t able to get here on time.”

Orella took a slow sip of her wine, her expression composed. “Tell whoever brought you to leave. We are not ending this meeting anytime soon. I need to let you know something important.”

Elara’s heart raced with a mix of fear and curiosity. She quickly pulled out her phone and called Jasmine. “Jas, I don’t think you can wait for me, she said this meeting is going to be long but I’ll text you when I’m done.”

“Alright,” Jasmine replied before the call ended.

***

Outside the mansion, a sleek, obsidian-black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided silently to a stop behind Jasmine’s car.

Its presence alone commanded attention....expensive, powerful, and understated in its luxury.

In the back seat, Alpha Kael sat like a king on his throne, his aura dark and commanding. The driver, a loyal beta, glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

“Boss,” the driver said carefully, “Do you think it’s actually a good idea walking in to see Miss Orella?”

Alpha Kael’s voice came low and deliberate, each word measured with the weight of authority. “There is no way I am walking in to see a woman. She will join us in the back seat when she is ready for business.”

The driver hesitated. “But, sir… do you trust Orella to handle the fashion matters for the hundred days of your stay here?”

Kael released a heavy sigh, his gaze distant. “I think she is the least of my problems now.” His tone remained calm, yet laced with unmistakable ruthlessness. “My ring… it radiated when that lady came near.”

The driver swallowed hard. A tense silence filled the car, thick enough to cut with claws.

“Do you think she is the one?” the driver asked quietly, his words calculated.

Kael’s nod was slow and certain. “I do not think. I know that.”

The driver kept his voice steady. “So what do you think we should do now?”

“We should wait a little longer.” Kael replied. “And I will have to pull off my ring when we visit public places.”

The driver looked at him through the rearview mirror, eyes cautious.

Kael met his gaze sharply. “Is there something you want to say?”

The driver swallowed hard. “Not necessarily, Alpha. But I think there is no use pulling out the ring.”

Kael’s voice remained low and commanding. “I need to. She saw the light shine, and I do not need her asking terrible questions. You know how inquisitive women can be. The idea is to keep it hidden, and I am looking for a mate, not a therapist.”

The driver nodded in acceptance. “Yes, but how are you going to locate her now that we have found out she is your mate?”

Another heavy sigh escaped the Alpha.

His presence filled the car with raw, restrained power. “Her earring. She left one of her earrings behind. I think we can use that.”

As he spoke, a knock sounded on the driver’s window.

The driver rolled it down smoothly. “Good day, ma’am,” he greeted politely.

Jasmine stood there, smiling. “Hello, I think I need to reverse. Can you move away from the road a bit? I’m trying to move backward.”

While she spoke, Alpha Kael’s sharp eyes darted toward her. His gaze locked onto the earring glittering in her ear. A primal recognition surged through him.

He whispered to himself, voice dark and possessive, “She is the one.”