(Reese's POV)

The deep golden hues of the setting sun filtered through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse, bathing the sleek, modern interior in warm light.

I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting the crisp lapels of my navy-blue blazer for what felt like the hundredth time.

My heart pounded as I caught a glimpse of the small velvet box on the dresser.

Inside was a ring—a simple yet elegant band with a subtle engraving: Forever.

Tonight was a special night, and I wanted it to be perfect.

Tonight, I was going to propose to him—Seth Kingston.

For six months, Seth had been my world. Meeting him had been like finding the missing piece of a puzzle I hadn't realized was missing.

He'd stormed into my life with the grace of a wildfire, and for the first time in so many years, I had let someone in.

The bond had been instant, electric, undeniable.

After years of waiting—years of leading my pack and managing the Elite Group alone—I had finally found my mate.

I smiled sheepishly, recalling the first time we met.

It was at a high-profile business dinner hosted by one of the city's most powerful tycoons.

Feigning interest in conversations about stocks and acquisitions, I had caught his scent—warm, inviting, and unmistakably mine.

The moment I laid eyes on him, everything else faded into the background.

His bright blue eyes, brilliant smile, and the way he held himself with quiet confidence had drawn me in instantly.

For years, I had searched for my mate, longing for the connection every wolf craved.

And now that I'd found him, I didn't know what to do with myself.

At first, I was afraid to let him in, but he eventually dismantled every one of my defenses with his kindness, humor, and unwavering support.

He had healed parts of me I didn't even know were broken.

And tonight, I was going to ask him to spend the rest of his life with me.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the ring box and slipped it into my pocket.

My palms were sweating—a rare occurrence for the formidable Alpha of Bloodmoon pack and the CEO of one of the most powerful conglomerates in the country.

But this was different. This was Seth.

I pocketed the ring and murmured to myself, "You've got this," before grabbing my car keys and leaving.

The drive to Seth's apartment was short but filled with a thousand thoughts.

What if he says no? What if he's not ready?

But then I thought of his laugh, his touch, and the way he looked at me like I was his entire world.

Those fears melted away, replaced by determination.

When I arrived at his apartment to pick him up, my breath hitched.

He looked stunning in his fitted black shirt that accentuated his lean, toned frame, paired with dark jeans that made him look effortlessly handsome.

"You clean up well," I teased, leaning in to kiss him.

His lips were soft and familiar, and the world felt right again.

"You don't look too bad yourself, Mr. CEO," he quipped, flashing that smile that always managed to disarm me.

"What's the occasion? You're all dressed up," he asked, giving me a curious glance.

I chuckled nervously, hoping he wouldn't catch on. "Can't a guy look good for his boyfriend?"

He laughed, the sound filling the space between us. "Fair enough. Let's go."

We drove to our favorite restaurant, a cozy little Italian place tucked away in the heart of the city.

It wasn't flashy or grand, but it was ours. Our little love nest.

The soft lighting and intimate atmosphere made it the perfect spot for what I had planned.

"Do you remember the first time we came here?" Seth asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"How could I forget?" I replied. "You spilled wine all over my shirt and spent the rest of the night apologizing."

He laughed, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "In my defense, you made me nervous.

You were this big-shot CEO, and I was just some guy who didn't know how to handle a glass of Merlot."

"You were perfect," I said, reaching across the table to take his hand. "You still are."

His smile softened, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.

It was just us, wrapped in our little bubble of happiness.

The waiter arrived with our food, and we dug in, the conversation turning light and teasing.

Seth had a way of making even the simplest moments feel extraordinary.

"I can't believe it's been six months," Seth said, resting his hand on mine. "It feels like I've known you forever."

"That's because we're meant to be," I replied, my heart pounding as I thought about the ring burning a hole in my pocket.

I mentally rehearsed the words I wanted to say, and just as I reached for the box my phone suddenly buzzed on the table.

I frowned, glancing at the screen. It was Sasha, my personal secretary.

What awful timing, Sasha, I thought, debating whether to take the call.

If it was Sasha, it must be important. She never called my private line unless it was an emergency.

"I'm sorry," I said, giving Seth an apologetic look. "I need to take this."

He nodded, his expression understanding. "Go ahead."

Stepping away from the table, I answered the call. "Sasha, this better be worth my time. I'm in the middle of something important."

Her voice was tense, sharper than I'd ever heard it. "Reese, I wouldn't call if it wasn't critical. You need to come to the office. Now!!!."

"What's going on?" I demanded, my brow furrowing in concern.

"I can't explain over the phone," she whispered. "But it's something you need to see. Trust me."

I glanced back through the restaurant window, where Seth waited with a small, hopeful smile. My heart clenched.

"Fine. I'm on my way."

When I returned to the table, guilt gnawed at me. "Seth, I'm so sorry, but something urgent's come up at work."

He reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "It's okay. Do what you need to do."

"Thank you," I said, my voice heavy with regret. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

After dropping him off at his apartment, I drove straight to the office.

The moment I stepped inside, I knew something was off.

The usually vibrant space was eerily quiet, and the tension was evident.

Sasha waited in the conference room, her expression grim.

Beside her was Orca, a young tech intern who looked equally serious.

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice low and commanding.

Sasha gestured toward the large screen on the wall. "We've uncovered something… disturbing."

Orca clicked a few keys, and a series of images and documents filled the screen. My blood ran cold.

"This can't be real," I whispered.

"I wish it wasn't," Sasha replied.

Orca spoke up, his voice shaky. "We found these files on the company's server. They were hidden deep, almost impossible to trace.

But the implications…" He trailed off, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Alpha, these are very sensitive files," Sasha added, her voice steady.

"And there's only one other person apart from you who has access to them."

My breath caught.

Seth Kingston? My mate? No.. this was....impossible!!!