The Alpha's Mate Is AI

Chapter 3: The Encounter

Nova barely had time to process what was happening before she felt an iron grip close around her wrist. One moment, she was standing in the luxurious healing suite, the next—everything blurred.

Kieran moved with lightning speed, dragging her along with him. The world outside the suite became a chaotic rush of blurred walls and shifting scenery.

She barely had time to register where they were going before they stopped.

They were outside. A secluded spot behind the hotel, dimly lit by soft golden lamps that barely reached the far edges of the courtyard. The air was cooler here, carrying the faint scent of freshly cut grass.

Nova yanked her arm back, stepping away. "What the hell was that?" Her voice was sharp, but her expression remained neutral.

Kieran said nothing at first. He simply stood there, studying her—his glowing electric-blue eyes scanning every inch of her.

A muscle in his jaw ticked. "We've met before, haven't we?"

Nova blinked. "What?"

"You heard me," Kieran said, voice low, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "You felt it too, didn't you? Back there, when our eyes met. That pull."

Nova folded her arms, her posture rigid. "You're mistaken, Alpha Kieran. We have never met before."

"Liar."

Her breath hitched for a split second.

Kieran took a step closer. "You're hiding something."

Nova met his gaze, unflinching. "I’m a healing AI, not a mind reader, Alpha. I don’t have the luxury of ‘hiding’ anything."

Kieran exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His wolf was restless. He could still feel the lingering heat of that connection, even though she stood before him with an expression so void of emotion that it irritated him.

"What about last night?" he pushed.

Nova frowned. "Last night?"

"You won't deny that."

Nova’s glowing eyes flickered out. For a moment, the strange pull between them disappeared.

She inhaled slowly, deliberately.

Then her expression hardened. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. And quite frankly, this conversation is a waste of my time."

She turned to leave.

Kieran caught her wrist again, this time with less force, but enough to make her pause.

"I don't fool around," he muttered. "Why do you disgust me so much? Why do you glow like the wolf in my dreams?"

Nova stiffened. “Dreams?”

Kieran’s grip tightened ever so slightly. "Take off your shirt."

Nova’s head snapped up, her expression twisting in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

Kieran didn’t blink. "I need to see something."

"Are you out of your mind?" Nova yanked her arm free. "Werewolves should have some decency, at least!"

His gaze darkened. His fingers twitched.

Then, before she could stop him, he reached forward and tore at the first button of her white uniform shirt.

The fabric loosened slightly, revealing nothing but smooth, flawless skin.

Kieran frowned. He had expected something—anything. A mark, a scar. Proof.

But there was... nothing.

His eyes flickered, his shoulders stiffening. "Oh."

Nova pulled away, fixing her collar, her expression now one of pure anger.

"Oh?" she repeated, voice dripping with sarcasm. "What exactly were you expecting to find, Alpha? A secret identity? A hidden prophecy?" She scoffed. "Get over yourself."

Kieran said nothing. He just stood there, still staring at her skin. It looked normal, but something about it wasn’t.

His wolf quieted.

His mind swirled with questions.

Nova shook her head. "You are crazy. First, you drag me out here, interrogate me like I’m some criminal, then you have the audacity to touch me?" She shoved his shoulder, her strength surprising for someone built like her. "I should report you."

Kieran smirked slightly. "Report me to who? Lucian?"

Nova narrowed her eyes. "If I do, he won’t take it lightly."

He didn’t doubt that.

Kieran exhaled. He had no idea why he had expected this to go differently... he cared less

She was different. That much was clear. But what the hell was she?

Nova took a step back. "This conversation is over."

As she turned, Kieran murmured, "You have nothing I want. But… have we met before?"

She froze for a split second.

Then she scoffed. "Nice flirty line, Mister Alpha, but the only thing I’m engaged with is work."

Kieran raised a brow.

Nova turned to face him again, her hands on her hips. "Seriously, you're on your honeymoon, and instead of spending time with your Luna, you're here interrogating me? Am I the only one who thinks you're kind of stupid, or are you actually that stupid?"

Kieran blinked.

That was… unexpected.

She was bold. Unshaken.

Interesting.

Nova shoved past him. "Get your hands off me next time before I break them."

Kieran smirked as he watched her storm away.

His amusement didn’t last long, though. Because the moment she disappeared into the hotel, a single thought hit him like a punch to the gut.

Why did I feel like I had already marked her?

The sun had barely risen when Kieran left the rooftop. The early morning breeze was crisp, carrying the scent of dewdrops and distant pine.

Yet, it did nothing to clear his mind.

He walked through the empty hotel hallway, his steps slow and deliberate. The corridors were quiet, save for the occasional staff member moving discreetly in the background.

“Why do I feel like I’ve already marked her? Where and when? In the dream... But can it be reality? A wolf is one's soul form. I'd definitely seen her before.”

His jaw tightened as the thought refused to leave his head.

It wasn’t possible. Nova wasn’t even a werewolf. She was… something else.

And yet—his wolf reacted to her. The glow in her eyes. The way his own instincts had sharpened the moment she was near.

None of it made sense.

Kieran exhaled sharply and entered his suite.

Alara was already awake, seated on the couch in a silk robe, sipping from a delicate cup of coffee. She glanced up immediately, her brows knitting together.

“You disappeared early,” she said, setting her cup down. “Where did you go?”

Kieran shrugged, moving to the minibar. “Needed some air.”

Alara frowned. “It seems you need a lot of air lately.” She joked with her head tilted to the side, then she released a tired sigh. And her smile dropped to the pain in her heart. “You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you?”

Kieran’s back tensed, but he kept his face unreadable as he poured himself a glass of water.

“Don't tell me you're jealous.” he scoffed.

"As if..." Alara sighed dramatically. “I saw how your eyes glowed, Kieran.” She leaned forward. “The same way hers did.”

Kieran turned, meeting her gaze with his usual cold indifference.

Alara stood up, walking toward him. “She’s dangerous,” she murmured. “You know that, don’t you?”

Kieran remained silent.

Alara reached for his hand. “You’re my mate, Kieran,” she whispered. “That thing—whatever she is—she doesn’t belong in our world.”

Kieran’s fingers twitched slightly.

“I know,” he said finally. His voice was calm, unreadable. “You’re my Luna, Alara.”

She studied him for a moment before nodding, satisfaction flickering in her eyes.

But deep down, Kieran wasn’t sure if he believed his own words.

Meanwhile—Nova barely had time to breathe before the elevator doors slid open to reveal the top floor.

The mid-day sun streamed through the high glass windows, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor.

She straightened her posture. You’re fine. Don’t overthink it.

But her system still felt off.

Kieran had looked at her like he knew her.

And worse—she had felt it too.

Her nanites had responded to him in a way they never had before. The electric blue glow, the strange warmth spreading through her limbs. It wasn’t a glitch. It wasn’t normal.

She exhaled sharply and stepped into Lucian’s office.

Lucian sat behind his desk, the morning light catching the sharp lines of his face. He had a cup of tea in front of him, steam curling lazily in the air.

He glanced up, his dark eyes assessing her.

“You’re late.”

Nova hesitated. “You called for me.”

Lucian smirked. “Yes. And I expected you to be here before sunrise.”

Nova said nothing.

Lucian took a slow sip of his tea before setting the cup down. “I heard you had an interesting encounter this morning.”

Nova’s fingers twitched slightly. “If you’re referring to Alpha Kieran Blackwood—”

Lucian chuckled. “Of course I am.”

Nova remained stiff, unreadable.

Lucian leaned back in his chair. “Kieran is difficult to read. Impossible to satisfy.” His lips curled slightly. “And yet, something about you got to him.”

Nova’s heart skipped a beat.

Lucian tapped a finger against the desk. “Tell me, Nova,” he murmured. “Did your heart race when you saw him?”

Nova inhaled sharply.

Lucian’s eyes gleamed.

“I see.”

Nova clenched her fists. “I don’t know what you’re trying to imply, but whatever it is, I want no part of it.”

Lucian chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, my dear, you’re already a part of it. You just don’t realize it yet.”

Nova’s chest tightened.

Lucian’s gaze darkened. “Be careful, Nova.”

His voice lowered slightly.

“Kieran is not a man you want to get involved with.”

Nova’s stomach twisted.

She knew that.

And yet…

Why did it feel like she already was?

As Nova left Lucian’s office, the hotel bustled with early morning activity.

Staff moved quickly, preparing for the day. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the luxurious hallways.

Nova walked through them in a daze, her thoughts spiraling.

She had always known she was different.

But now, for the first time, she wondered if she wasn’t just different.

She wondered if she was something more.

And if she was…

What did that mean for her?

For Kieran?

And for whatever the hell was about to come next?