Eternal Bond

Anna Wheeler’s fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel, the rhythm of her favorite song, "Beginning, Middle, and End" by Leah Nobel, pulsing through the car speakers. The sun filtered in through her windshield as she sang along, her voice catching slightly as she belted out the lyrics. "Will you be mine..." "Five years later and I’m still yours..." "Ten years later and I’m still yours..." Anna grinned, thinking about how, despite her chaotic love life, she still believed in true love. She was a hopeless romantic through and through. Sure, her relationships had been... less than stellar, but that didn't stop her from dreaming of the real thing, the kind of love that would sweep her off her feet and last a lifetime—or longer. Her mind was lost in the melody when a sudden thud jolted her back to reality. Her car lurched forward slightly, and the smile immediately slipped from her face. "What the hell?" she muttered, her heart racing. She quickly pulled over and stepped out, her eyes narrowing as she examined the damage to her bumper. Livid, Anna stormed over to the car behind her, her heels clicking furiously against the asphalt. "Why the hell would you hit my car, Mister? We’re in the middle of a traffic hold-up, and that’s when you decide to test your driving skills?" Her voice rose with each word, drawing attention from other drivers. A frazzled man stepped out of the driver's seat, his hands raised in surrender. "I’m so sorry, miss. Really, I didn’t mean to—" "Where’s your boss?" she interrupted, her voice sharp. She wasn’t in the mood for excuses. Marching past the driver, she approached the backseat, ready to give this ‘boss’ a piece of her mind. But as the door swung open, her breath caught in her throat. He stepped out, and for a split second, Anna forgot how to speak. He was tall, his dark hair falling effortlessly into place, sharp features perfectly sculpted as if a master artist had carved him from marble. His eyes—piercing and cold—held an intensity she hadn’t seen before, and something about him made her stomach flip. Her gaze traced his strong jawline, down to his broad shoulders and muscular arms that strained against his fitted shirt. She found herself imagining what it would feel like to rest against that chest, to feel those arms wrap around her. But then he opened his mouth. "You, young lady, what gives you the right to talk to my worker like that?" His voice was deep, authoritative, dripping with arrogance. Anna blinked, her fantasy shattered. Any trace of attraction disappeared, replaced with a flood of anger. "Excuse me?" she snapped, regaining her composure. "How dare you speak to me in that tone? You’re the one at fault here!" He arched an eyebrow, clearly unbothered by her fury. "Do you know who I am?" Anna scoffed. "I don’t care who the hell you are. You could be the richest man on earth, but nobody talks to Anna Wheeler like that—especially when they’re the one in the wrong." For the briefest of moments, something flickered in his eyes—amusement, maybe—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He stepped closer, towering over her, his presence both magnetic and menacing. "How much will it cost to fix your car? Since money is clearly what you’re after." A crowd had gathered by now, their phones out, recording every word. Anna’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Money? You think throwing cash around fixes everything? I don’t want your money. I have my own. What I need from you is an apology—for denting my car and for being a pompous jerk." Her eyes blazed with indignation. "Or I’ll make a scene." The driver, clearly sensing the tension, hurried over and tried to apologize on his boss's behalf, but Anna wasn’t having any of it. She waved him off, her gaze locked on the man in front of her. "You," she said, pointing directly at him. "I want it from you." The man’s lips curled into a smirk, and without another word, he tossed a wad of cash at her feet. Anna’s eyes widened in disbelief as he turned on his heel and got back into his car, the door closing behind him with a soft click. The driver, looking flustered, scrambled into the driver's seat and drove off, leaving Anna standing there, stunned. It took her a few seconds to gather her thoughts. The gall of that man! Tossing money at her like she was some kind of beggar. Her fists trembled as she clenched them tighter. "This man doesn’t know who I am," she muttered under her breath, fire igniting in her veins. "I’m going to show him I’m not some random lady to be toyed with." With a sharp inhale, she dashed back to her car, her heart thudding in her chest as she revved the engine and sped after him. As the sleek black car pulled into the driveway of the imposing glass building, the man in the backseat checked his watch. Everything about him screamed control—from his meticulously styled hair to the tailored suit that clung to his powerful frame. He stepped out of the car with fluid grace, his presence demanding attention from anyone nearby. This wasn’t just any building; it was the headquarters of one of the largest conglomerates in the country, a gleaming tower of wealth and power. And he, Nathaniel Voss, was at its helm. As the CEO of Voss Enterprises, he had built an empire, spanning multiple industries: tech, real estate, pharmaceuticals, and more. But that wasn’t all. Behind his business success lay a far more significant title—Nathaniel was the heir to the throne of his pack, a lineage of vampires that had ruled in the shadows for centuries. Today, however, wasn’t about the pack or his hidden life. Today, he was set to close a multi-billion dollar deal with foreign investors, a deal that would further solidify his standing in both the human and vampire worlds. His calculated mind was focused on the meeting ahead, knowing that success meant more influence, more control. He strode into the towering glass building, his shoes clicking against the marble floor as he moved through the grand lobby. The polished steel and glass walls reflected his every step. Security guards, assistants, and employees alike turned their heads as he passed, recognizing the quiet power that emanated from him. Most were too intimidated to even meet his gaze, but they all felt his presence. "Good morning, Mr. Voss," his assistant greeted him, practically jogging to keep up with his long strides. "Everything set?" Nathaniel asked in a low, commanding voice. "Yes, sir. The investors are waiting in the boardroom, and all documents are prepared. The contract is ready for signatures," she replied, handing him a sleek black folder as they approached the elevator. Nathaniel gave a curt nod as they ascended to the top floor. His mind was already running through the finer points of the deal. There was no room for error. Not now. The elevator doors opened directly into the executive floor. The air seemed crisper here, the silence heavier. As Nathaniel made his way toward the boardroom, his assistant handed him a tablet with the updated figures. His eyes scanned the numbers briefly before looking up as the large oak doors of the boardroom swung open. Inside, the foreign investors stood, murmuring amongst themselves as they took in the room’s view of the sprawling city below. Their voices hushed as Nathaniel entered, their postures stiffening in recognition of who had just walked in. "Gentlemen," Nathaniel greeted, his voice as smooth as it was commanding. The investors turned to face him, offering firm handshakes. These were men of power and influence in their own right, but in this moment, they understood that they were in the presence of someone far greater. Even without knowing his true nature, they felt the weight of his dominance. It wasn’t just his position as CEO that commanded respect; there was something else, something ancient and dangerous, lurking beneath his cool exterior. "Mr. Voss, we’re honored to be finalizing this deal with you today," one of the investors said, his accent thick. "Your company’s reputation precedes itself." Nathaniel smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Voss Enterprises only partners with the best. I’m sure this will be a mutually beneficial relationship." They all took their seats at the long, polished table, documents spread before them. Nathaniel’s fingers brushed the surface of the contract, ready to make history with a few strokes of his pen. But just as he was about to speak, the door to the boardroom burst open. "YOU!" Anna Wheeler stormed in, her face flushed with rage.