Mia was sitting on her couch with a cup of tea in her hands, staring blankly at the television that played a show she wasn't even watching. The last few days had drained her. Between the office work Ryan had left in her care and the silence between them, she felt like she was carrying the weight of the world alone.
A knock sounded on her door.
"Mia? It's me!" Rachel's cheerful voice came through.
Mia's face lit up, relief washing over her. She quickly opened the door and hugged her best friend tightly. "Rachel! You came."
Rachel stepped in with a wide smile, carrying a small bag. "Of course I did. You've been too quiet lately, and I know you. When you go quiet, it means something's wrong."
Mia laughed softly, though her eyes shimmered with unspoken sadness. "You always know."
Rachel set her bag down and sat on the couch, pulling Mia beside her. "So, talk. What happened? And don't you dare say 'nothing'—I can read you like a book."
Mia sighed, staring at her hands. "It's Ryan… He left suddenly, said something came up. Then he told me to manage the company on my own. He didn't even ask if I was okay."
Rachel frowned. "That's… harsh. You've been working so hard, Mia. He should be supporting you, not disappearing."
"I know," Mia whispered. "But at the same time, I can't stop thinking about him. I don't understand why he acts sweet one moment and then so cold the next."
Rachel wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Maybe he's hiding something. But whatever it is, you deserve honesty. Don't let him push you away."
Mia leaned into her friend's comfort, grateful for Rachel's presence. "Thanks, Rachel. You always make me feel better."
"That's my job," Rachel teased lightly. "Best friends are for wine, laughter, and smacking sense into each other when needed."
Mia giggled, her heart easing a little. For the first time in days, she felt less alone.
Far away in the pack house, Ryan was returning from a meeting with his warriors when Suzan stepped into his path. She was dressed in a tight red dress that clung to her curves, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Alpha Ryan," she purred, tilting her head. "You've been so busy lately. I hardly get to see you."
Ryan's jaw tightened. "I've been busy with the pack, Suzan. What do you want?"
She walked closer, her heels clicking on the stone floor. "Can't I just want to spend time with you? You know, we'd make a powerful pair. Everyone in the pack says so."
Ryan's eyes darkened. "Stop it, Suzan."
She smirked, undeterred. "Why waste your time with a human girl when you have someone like me? I understand your world, Ryan. I could be everything you need." She reached out, brushing her fingers against his arm.
Ryan pulled away sharply, his voice low and commanding. "Don't touch me. And don't ever speak of Mia that way. She's mine."
Suzan's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with a pout. "You'll see one day, Ryan. She doesn't belong here. I do."
He turned his back on her without another word, his wolf growling inside him. Suzan's persistence was irritating, but more than that, it was dangerous. The pack whispering about Mia being human was bad enough—if Suzan kept pushing, she might stir up even more trouble.
Ryan clenched his fists. No matter what, he wasn't letting anyone come between him and Mia.