The city never slept. But Adrian Li did not belong to the city's rhythm—he ruled it.
From his office on the 80th floor, he stood by the glass wall, watching the streets below. His reflection stared back: perfect suit, sharp jawline, silver eyes glinting like knives. Most men saw a businessman. Most women saw a dream.
But behind that reflection, a wolf paced.
The wolf had been restless since that girl. That village girl.
He clenched his glass of whiskey. "What was she?" he muttered.
She wasn't normal. Her heartbeat had been too steady, her scent… pure yet tinged with wild herbs, like the forest after rain. And the way she faced him—no fear, no trembling. Instead, she mocked him.
No one mocked Adrian Li.
And lived without consequence.
The wolf inside him demanded: Find her.
---
The Hunt Begins
Adrian turned. "Ethan," he called.
His assistant, a calm man in his thirties, entered with a tablet in hand. "Yes, sir."
"Background check. The girl from earlier. Village clothes, braid, sharp mouth."
Ethan raised a brow. "You want me to dig into… a random girl who insulted you?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "She's not random."
His tone brooked no argument. Ethan sighed and nodded. "Understood. I'll find her."
Adrian smirked. "Good. Let's see if she can roast me when I know all her secrets."
---
Meanwhile – Mei Lin's POV
Mei Lin adjusted her borrowed apartment keys and stepped into the dimly lit room. The tiny place smelled like dust, but it was hers—for now. A family friend had offered her a spot while she figured out city life.
She dropped her bag on the bed and stretched.
"So this is the glamorous city," she muttered. "People wear heels sharp enough to kill, and men with wolf eyes walk around like they own the moon."
Her stomach growled. She grabbed the little wok she'd brought from the village and quickly prepared stir-fried noodles, humming an old folk tune.
But halfway through chewing, her instincts prickled.
She froze. Her martial artist senses never lied.
Someone was watching.
---
The Alpha's POV
Adrian sat in his sleek black car across the street. Tinted windows, engine purring like a predator.
Through binoculars, he watched her. She wasn't like the women he knew. No designer clothes, no heavy makeup, no fake laughter. Just simple movements—yet graceful, strong.
She cooked. She cleaned. She hummed.
Normal. Too normal.
His wolf growled. Don't be fooled. She's more.
Adrian's lips curved. He'd tail her himself tonight.
---
A Twist
Later, Mei Lin stepped out to take the trash. She felt it again—that heavy gaze. She turned sharply, scanning the street.
Nothing. Just shadows.
But her warrior blood stirred. Whoever it was… they were skilled.
She smirked to herself. "You think I don't know how to shake off stalkers? Hah."
Instead of going back inside, she deliberately walked down the alley. Her footsteps echoed. A test.
And sure enough—
A car door shut softly.
She spun, her braid whipping. "You again?"
Adrian stepped into the dim light, his suit almost glowing against the shadows.
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you want, wolf-man?"
---
Confrontation
Adrian chuckled. "Wolf-man? Interesting nickname."
"You followed me," she accused, crossing her arms.
"I wanted to confirm something." His eyes gleamed. "You're not ordinary."
Mei Lin raised a brow. "Wow. Rich CEO discovers village girls are humans too. What an epiphany."
Adrian smirked. "Still sharp. But I saw the way you moved earlier. Balanced. Ready to fight. That's not how an ordinary healer walks."
Her heart skipped, but she kept her cool. "Maybe I just watch too much martial arts drama."
He stepped closer, wolf aura seeping through. "No. You're hiding something. And I'll find out what."
Mei Lin met his gaze, unflinching. "And maybe I'll roast you so hard, you'll forget why you even cared."
For a moment, silence. Tension crackled. His wolf pressed forward, wanting to dominate, to test her strength.
But instead of attacking—Adrian smiled. A dangerous, slow smile.
"Good," he whispered. "Fight me, little healer."
---
Rival Strikes Back
Before Mei Lin could reply, a car screeched nearby. Vivian Zhou stepped out, her heels clicking furiously.
"Adrian! What are you doing here—in this filthy street—with her?"
She glared at Mei Lin like she was dirt. "This… peasant again?!"
Mei Lin raised a brow. "Peasant? Sweetheart, your perfume costs more than my rent, but my dignity is priceless. You can't afford that."
Vivian gasped. "You—!"
Adrian's wolf wanted to laugh. He almost let it slip, but instead he masked it with a smirk.
This girl was trouble. Beautiful, infuriating, mysterious trouble.
And he wasn't letting her go.
---
Teaser for Next Chapter
> Next time:
Mei Lin enters the CEO's world for the first time—his office.
But the alpha has plans: a job offer she can't refuse, and a test she doesn't expect.
Meanwhile, rivals scheme in the shadows. And Adrian's wolf gets hungrier…