THE LYCAN'S STRIPPER MATE

CHAPTER 1

KIERAN BLACKWOOD

I walk through the corridors of the company, my steady pace echoing off the empty walls as the workday comes to a close. I know there's something different about me, something that sets me apart from the other employees, something I carefully keep hidden.

My heart beats fast, not just from physical exertion; there's a nervous tension inherent in my condition. As a Lycan, I possess heightened senses that make me aware of things ordinary humans don't perceive.

As I walk, I hear the whispers of my employees, noticing how they quickly move away when they see me approaching. It's as if they instinctively know there's something different about me, something that makes them fear.

I slowly turn my head, observing the people around me as I continue on my path. The employees are busy gathering their belongings, shutting down computers, and getting ready to leave. Some exchange furtive glances with me but quickly avert their gaze as if they fear what they might find in my eyes.

As I progress down the long hallway of the company, the silence seems to deepen around me. The hum of computers grows increasingly distant, replaced by the muffled sound of my footsteps. It's as if fear hangs in the air, a palpable presence that surrounds me wherever I go.

I know I can't blame them for their reaction. After all, they don't know the truth about me, they don't know I'm a Lycan. To them, I'm just the CEO of the company, perhaps a bit more reserved than most, but nothing more. And I intend to keep it that way.

However, being a Lycan comes with its challenges. There are moments when I feel like I'm living a double life, keeping my true self hidden behind a carefully constructed facade. I have to constantly remind myself to control my instincts, and not to let my true nature emerge.

"Mr. Blackwood?", I turn my head to find my assistant coming towards me with a smile on her lips.

I sigh, maintaining my serious expression, when I notice she's opened the top buttons of her blouse, so I can look at her breasts. It deeply irritates me, but I need to keep my composure.

"Yes, Miss Alencar?"

"The investors have arrived for the final meeting of the day, and they're all waiting for you in the conference room."

"Thank you!"

I'm about to resume walking when I hear her voice calling me again; I blink, noticing the expression on her face.

"Do you need any assistance, sir?"

I observe the mischievous expression on her face and quickly decline; I've never had relations with my employees, and it's not going to start now.

"No, everything's fine. Thank you, have a good evening, Miss Alencar."

She stops smiling and nods with a sheepish expression.

As I walk through the company corridors, I feel the tension growing within me, each step echoing like the ticking of a clock about to explode.

The conference room lies ahead, its massive doors seeming like a barrier between the outside world and the secret we hold within. With a deep breath, I grasp the handle and push the doors open.

Seconds later, I find them there, the eight men clad in dark suits, each with an imposing presence that seems to fill the entire space. Their gazes lock onto me, and a wave of recognition hits me like lightning. It's time for the meeting with the pack and members of our secret organization, where only Lycans are allowed entry.

They rise as one, displaying gleaming eyes that reflect the dim light of the conference room. We don't need words to understand what's about to happen. It's a ritual we repeat month after month, a ceremony that binds us together and strengthens our bonds as a pack.

With a nod of my head, I indicate I'm ready, and they make way for me to approach the large table. My hands tremble slightly as I open a drawer and retrieve a confidential folder containing the reports and documents we'll discuss during the meeting. It's a reminder of the responsibility we bear as leaders of our secret community.

By now, there's no one else in the company. The lights are dim, the computers are off, and only we, Lycans, remain in this quiet space, where the outside world seems to disappear.

I approach a wall beside the table and place my hand on an identification device. For a moment, I feel irritation as I wait for the system's response. But then, with a soft click, the secret doors open, revealing the pulsing heart of our organization.

I cross the threshold, followed by the other members of the pack, each of us carrying our burdens and secrets. But here, in this place of safety and mutual trust, we're free to be who we truly are without fear of judgment or reprisal.

The doors close behind us, and I raise my head to find our secret meeting room. I sit at the central part waiting for everyone to do the same.

I sigh before looking at each member of our organization, and I see when Dimitri puts a bag on top of the table.

Furthermore, I furrow my brows at seeing him stand up before starting to open the bag.

"As you all can see tonight, I managed to find the vampire who was causing many human deaths in the city."

I look at the bag, finding the vampire's head, and I close my eyes, feeling even more annoyed for not being the same vampire I've been looking for years.

"Very well, Dimitri. Vampires are a great threat to our species and humans; every day they are more willing to expose our true identity."

Dimitri is one of the Lycans responsible for hunting the vampires that are causing us trouble.

Tension hangs in the air as we discuss means to destroy the vampires daring to expose our identity. Sitting around the conference table, each member of the pack expresses their concerns and ideas, all sharing the same goal: to protect our people and our ancient secret.

With fierce determination, I affirm that humans are the most important and innocent people in this conflict. It's our responsibility to protect them at all costs. However, the sound of laughter interrupts my statement, and I raise my gaze to find Jason among those present.

"Is there something funny about protecting humans, Jason?"

Jason, with his rebellion evident in every gesture, responds that humans aren't as innocent as I paint them. He claims we're wasting time protecting them, while human hunters are increasingly determined to hunt us in the forest.

"Do you believe that, Kieran? Humans aren't as innocent as you think. While we waste time protecting them, human hunters are out there looking for us, ready to kill us with increasingly modern weapons."

Jason's words cut like a sharp blade, penetrating deep into my consciousness. I feel the rebellion emanating from him and his lack of confidence in his own words hit me hard. He's not just challenging my leadership; he's questioning the fundamental principles of our pack.