Sweets for the Wolf

Alex Donovan

Alex strode into his office, the door clicking shut behind him as the city skyline stretched out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The space was as polished and immaculate as its occupant—sleek black furniture, glass surfaces, and the faint scent of leather and cedarwood. But the opulence did nothing to quiet the storm inside him.

He shrugged off his coat, tossed it onto a nearby chair, and sank heavily into the high-backed leather seat behind his desk. The usual calm that he prided himself on was gone, replaced by a swirling confusion that unsettled him.

Elena.

He let out a slow breath, his fingers steepled under his chin as he replayed the events of the morning. What had compelled him to see her again? The moment she crumpled to the ground last night, he’d felt it—a jolt, like electricity, surging through him when his hand touched hers. It wasn’t just a reaction to the accident. It was something deeper. Something primal.

Alex Donovan, vice president of KK Corporation at the age of twenty-nine, had always maintained control. He had wealth, power, and the stoic charisma that made women eager for his attention. Yet he had never once been tempted. The admiration, the subtle advances—it all rolled off him like rain against stone. He was untouchable.

Until her.

She was ordinary by most standards. No designer clothes, no practiced charm. Just a girl with scraped knees and defiance in her eyes. And yet, he couldn’t stop thinking about her—about the protective instinct that had flared to life the moment she winced in pain. He hadn’t eaten the breakfast his staff prepared. He hadn’t even thought about it. He had only one thought: Sweet Haven Bakery. He needed to see her again, to make sure she was okay.

But she had met his concern with cold indifference. And somehow, that only made him more determined. What was wrong? Why was she so guarded?

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. Why do I care so much? The question haunted him. Was it connected to the secret he carried, the beast within that had stirred at her touch? Was this something more than coincidence?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of the door swinging open. He glanced up, irritation flashing in his eyes before it softened. Evan, his closest friend and right-hand man, strolled in with his usual carefree grin.

“Knocking’s overrated, huh?” Alex drawled, his voice cool but laced with amusement.

Evan laughed, dropping into the chair across from Alex’s desk. “Please, like you’ve ever cared about formalities with me.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Rough morning?”

Alex smirked, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Something like that.”

Evan raised an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate? Or should I guess? Bad coffee? Stock market crash? Or…” He paused dramatically. “A girl?”

Alex’s jaw tightened just a fraction, but Evan caught it. He grinned, triumphant. “A girl. Now I’m intrigued.”

“Don’t you have work to do?” Alex deflected, but there was no bite in his tone.

Evan laughed, unfazed. “Touché. But I actually came in here to deliver some real news.” He pulled out his phone, scrolling through emails. “You know that big client we were expecting at the end of the month? The one whose contract could push us past this year’s revenue targets?”

Alex’s gaze sharpened. “Yes. What about them?”

“They’ve had a change in schedule,” Evan said, glancing up. “The CEO is coming next week instead. We’ll need to move the meeting up.”

Alex leaned back, his expression instantly shifting to one of icy resolve. “No.”

Evan blinked, surprised. “No? What do you mean, no? This is the deal we’ve been chasing for months. We can’t just tell them we’re unavailable.”

“I won’t be here,” Alex said flatly, his voice brooking no argument. “Next week is my scheduled time for… hunting.”

For a moment, the room went still. Evan stared at him, disbelief clear in his expression. “You’re joking.”

Alex’s jaw clenched, and his expression darkened. “I’m not.”

Evan sat back, running a hand through his hair. “Alex, I know this hunting thing is your sacred ritual or whatever, but this client is a big deal. We’re talking about millions on the line, a partnership we’ve worked hard to secure. Can’t you—just this once—reschedule your trip?”

“No.”

The finality in Alex’s tone left no room for negotiation. Evan exhaled, exasperated. “So you want me to meet them instead?”

“Yes. You’ll handle the meeting,” Alex said, his voice calm but firm. “I trust you.”

Evan shook his head, still baffled. “I don’t get it. Why is this so important to you? It’s not like you even need the money.”

Alex didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he gazed out the window, his face unreadable. “Some things are more important than business, Evan.”

Evan studied him for a long moment, then sighed, throwing his hands up in defeat. “Fine. I’ll meet them. But you owe me for this.”

Alex allowed a faint smirk. “I’ll add it to your tab.”

With a muttered grumble, Evan stood and headed for the door. “One day, you’ll tell me what this ‘hunting’ really is,” he called over his shoulder. “And when you do, it better be worth missing a multi-million-dollar deal.”

As the door closed behind him, Alex’s smirk faded. He turned his chair back toward the window, the city sprawling below. Evan didn’t understand, couldn’t understand.

Next week was the full moon, and no meeting, no matter how important, could interfere with what he had to become.