Karl sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his piercing eyes fixed on the city outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office. The three-hour meeting with the Italian investors had been grueling, but he had managed to secure a lucrative deal that would benefit his company. As he pondered the implications of the agreement, the door to his office opened, and Fred and Ian walked in. Ian held a thick file in his hand, his expression serious as he approached Karl's desk.
"Karl, I've gathered all the information you requested about the girl," Ian said, his voice low and professional. He couldn't address Karl as 'alpha' because supernatural beings were not the only staffs of Valois group.
Karl's gaze shifted from the window to Ian, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the file. "Everything I need to know is in here?" he asked, his voice firm and commanding.
Ian nodded, his eyes locked on Karl's. "Yes. The file contains her personal details, background, and habits. I've also included some photos and videos of her in a flash drive." Karl's eyes gleamed with interest as he took the file from Ian. He opened it, his fingers scanning the contents with a practiced ease.
As Karl read, his expression grew more intense, his eyes devouring every detail about the girl. The air in the office was thick with tension, the only sound the rustling of papers as Karl turned the pages. Fred and Ian stood silently, watching their alpha with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
After what felt like an eternity, Karl closed the file, his eyes still burning with intensity. Fred's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and respect, "Karl, is she... the one?"
Karl's gaze lingered on the closed file, his eyes still burning with intensity. Ian's voice cut through the silence, his tone measured and cautious. "We can't be so sure, Fred," he said, his eyes darting between Karl and Fred. "For all we know, she's human." Fred's face fell, his excitement and anticipation deflated by Ian's words. Here's the revised passage:
Fred's face fell, his excitement and anticipation deflated by Ian's words. His eyes, which had been shining with a mixture of curiosity and hope, lost their sparkle. Fred had always been fascinated by the mate bond, the intense connection that formed between a werewolf and their destined partner. He had seen it consume his fellow pack members, driving them to madness and obsession. Fred had wondered if the mate bond would have a similar effect on Karl, the usually stoic and controlled alpha. Would the bond crack Karl's icy exterior, revealing a more vulnerable side? The prospect of witnessing this transformation had filled Fred with excitement.
Karl stood up from his chair, his movements fluid and powerful. He walked over to the window, his eyes fixed on the city outside. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the towering skyscrapers. As Karl gazed out the window, Fred and Ian waited with bated breath, sensing that their alpha was lost in thought.
Fred asked again, his voice laced with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. "...Karl, is she... your mate?"
Karl's gaze remained fixed on the city outside, his expression serious and contemplative, he couldn't shake off the doubts that lingered in his mind. Could it be true? Could this human girl be his mate? Karl's thoughts were a jumble of uncertainty and curiosity, his rational mind questioning the possibility.
But then, he remembered the moment he laid eyes on the girl's image in the file Ian had brought. His wolf, the fierce and primal part of his being, had purred in approval, a low rumble that had resonated deep within his chest. The sensation had been unmistakable, a primal response that brooked no argument.
Karl's doubts began to dissipate as he recalled the wolf's reaction. His wolf was never wrong about these things. The purr was a sign, a primal confirmation that the girl was indeed his mate. Karl's gaze didn't waver, his eyes fixed on some point beyond the cityscape as he processed this revelation.
With a sense of growing certainty, Karl spoke the word that would change everything: "Yes." The confirmation sent a ripple of excitement and curiosity through the office. His wolf had spoken, and he would follow its instincts, no matter where they might lead.
Ian's voice cut through the silence, his tone measured and cautious. "Alpha Karl, supernaturals don't typically mix with humans," he said, his eyes darting between Karl and Fred. "How is it possible that she's your mate?"
Fred's voice was laced with skepticism as he spoke up. "Yes, it's true," he said, his eyes darting between Karl and Ian. "Human and supernaturals don't mix. It has never been recorded in history." Fred's question hung in the air, "What does this mean, Alpha Karl?" Karl's gaze remained fixed on the cityscape, his expression still serious and contemplative. The air in the office was thick with tension, the silence between Karl and his subordinates palpable.
Karl's gaze remained fixed on the cityscape, his eyes seemed to glaze over, and his lips barely moved as he whispered to himself. "What does this mean?" he murmured, his voice almost inaudible. "Is this some kind of cruel joke?" His words were laced with a mix of frustration and bewilderment, as if he was questioning the moon goddess herself. Karl's mind was reeling with the implications of his mate being human, a concept that defied the laws of their world.
In his thoughts, Karl couldn't help but wonder if the moon goddess was playing a trick on him, testing his resolve and pushing him to his limits. He felt like he was living in a dream, and this revelation was the punchline of a joke he didn't find funny. Karl's eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw clenched in contemplation as he struggled to make sense of this unexpected twist.
Fred's eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned in close to Ian, his voice barely above a whisper. "This may sound crazy, Ian, but I'm actually excited that the alpha has found his mate," he whispered, his tone childishly enthusiastic.
Ian raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "What's exciting about it?" he whispered back, his voice low and measured.
Fred's grin grew wider as he whispered, "Think about it, Ian! We've got a real-life fairy tale unfolding right before our eyes! The alpha, the big bad wolf, brought to his knees by love!" He giggled, his eyes shining with amusement. "I mean, can you imagine Karl, the great and powerful alpha, swooning over some human girl? It's almost too funny to imagine!"
Ian's expression remained serious, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "Fred, you're being ridiculous," he whispered.
Fred's grin only grew wider. "I know, I know, but it's just so... romantic! I mean, who wouldn't want to see the ice king, melting over his mate?" He giggled again, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ian shook his head. "You're impossible, Fred," he whispered, his eyes darting back to Karl, who still stood at the window, lost in thought. As Karl stood lost in thought, Ian cleared his throat to get his attention. "Alpha Karl?" he said, his voice low and measured. "What's the next step?"
Karl's gaze slowly shifted back to Ian, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the question. Then, with a serious expression, he said, "I'll go to my mate."
Ian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Go to your mate?" he repeated, his voice loud.
Karl nodded, his expression unwavering. "Yes."
Fred's eyes widened in disbelief, and he shook his head unbelievably. "What are you going to say to her?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ian's expression turned serious as he seconded Fred's concern. "Karl, you can't just walk up to her," he said, his voice measured and cautious. "You'll scare her."
Karl's gaze narrowed slightly, his eyes flashing with anger. "Why not?" he asked, his voice firm.
Ian's eyes locked on Karl's, his expression unwavering. "What would you tell her?" he asked. "'Hi, my name is Karl, and I'm your mate'?" Ian's tone was laced with skepticism. "It's weird, Karl."
Karl raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he nodded. "You're right," he said. "That wouldn't work."
Ian's expression remained serious. "Humans are fragile creatures, Karl," he reminded him. "They don't have the same...mentality as us. You need to approach her carefully."
Karl's jaw clenched slightly. "What do you suggest I do, then?" he asked, his voice serious and measured. Though, he never thought he would ever ask for anyone's opinion, ever. But this was his mate. He needed to be careful to avoid scaring her.
Ian's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the situation. "The best way would be to be friends with her first," he said finally. "Get to know her, build a connection with her. That way, when you do reveal your true nature to her, she'll be more likely to trust you."
Karl's gaze narrowed slightly, his eyes fixed on Ian's. "Friends with her first," he repeated. His wolf didn't agree with that idea. His wolf wanted to claim their mate as soon as possible.
Ian nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Alpha. It's the best way to approach this situation...and humans."
Karl's gaze lingered on Ian's for a moment, his expression still thoughtful. Then, he nodded. "Alright," he said. "I'll do it your way."
Fred's curiosity got the better of him as he turned to Ian, his voice barely above a whisper. "How is Karl going to build a friendship with her?" he asked, his eyes wide with concern.
Ian's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the situation. "That's a good question," he said. "Because Karl isn't just any random guy... He's Karl Valois, the Karl Valois of Valois Group and Supreme Alpha."
Fred nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on Ian's. "Exactly," he said. "So how can he approach her without scaring her off?"
Karl didn't react to their conversation, he just stood there, watching them with an unreadable expression. Fred and Ian continued to discuss the situation, trying to come up with a plan that would work for him. Enough! He will handle it his way.
Karl suddenly stood up, his movements fluid and powerful. "I'm not going to disguise myself or fake an identity," he said, his voice firm and commanding when Fred suggested that.
Fred and Ian turned to him. "What do you mean?" Fred asked.
Karl had a rigid look on, his eyes flashing with determination. "I'm going to claim my mate," he said, his voice low and measured. "I don't need your advice. Leave." He said, his voice firm and demeaning.
Fred and Ian exchanged a look, both of them surprised.
Without a word, they turned and left the office, leaving Karl alone with his thoughts. As the door closed behind Fred and Ian, Karl's gaze drifted to the file on his desk. He opened it and scanned the contents once more, his eyes widening as he stumbled upon a surprising detail - a debt payment receipt and schedule.
Karl's expression transformed from contemplative to intrigued. He studied the receipt, his mind racing with possibilities. Suddenly, a sly smile spread across his face as an idea struck him. He knew exactly how he would approach his mate, and it seemed fate had just handed him the perfect opportunity. Karl's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. This was going to be fun.