The summer heat in Xinghai City was thick and sticky, even between the towering skyscrapers of the central business district. The roar of air conditioning units failed to dispel the restlessness in the air.
Su Wan, carrying a stack of freshly cleaned coffee cups, swiftly moved through the corridor of the "Cloud Restaurant." Her white uniform shirt, soaked with sweat, clung to her slender back, and her long black hair was tied back simply with an elastic band. A few stray strands brushed against her pale cheeks, making her almond-shaped eyes seem even clearer. She had just finished her morning shift at the flower shop and rushed over here for her part-time job. The lingering fragrance of roses on her fingers mixed with the rich aroma of coffee, creating a strange, light scent.
"Su Wan! Hurry up! The black coffee at table 32, Mr. Ling has been waiting for a while!" The supervisor's impatient voice cut through the noisy chatter.
Su Wan's heart tightened, and she quickened her pace toward the bar. The words "Mr. Ling" were like an unspoken command in the restaurant beneath the Yaoshi Group's headquarters. No one dared to slack off. She knew who this legendary CEO was — Ling Yao, the powerful and mysterious leader of Yaoshi Group, known for his cold, ruthless nature. It was said that even a glance from him could make business partners break out in cold sweat, let alone someone like her, a lowly part-time worker, who didn't even have the privilege of getting close.
After preparing the coffee, Su Wan carefully walked toward the VIP seat by the window. The man was sitting with his back to her, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit. His silver-gray hair gleamed with a cold luster in the sunlight, and his broad shoulders and narrow waist gave off an aura of overwhelming strength. The air around him seemed to stagnate, and even the nearby customers instinctively lowered their voices.
Just as Su Wan was about to set the coffee down, a greasy figure suddenly rushed over, grabbing her wrist. "Xiao Wan! Where are you running off to? Come home with me. Auntie's waiting for money!"
It was her aunt's son, Zhang Lei. He was back, pestering her again.
Su Wan felt both anxious and frightened, struggling to free herself. "Let go of me! I'm at work!"
As they struggled, the tray lost balance, and the scalding black coffee splashed out, landing squarely on Ling Yao's suit jacket, leaving a large dark stain.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
Zhang Lei's face went pale with fear. He immediately let go of her wrist and stepped back, too afraid to speak.
Su Wan's heart almost leapt out of her chest. Her fingers trembled, and her face turned as white as paper. She knew how expensive that suit was; it was probably worth more than she would earn in years. She lowered her head, her voice breaking with a hint of tears. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Ling! I didn't mean to… I'll pay for the damages…"
Ling Yao slowly turned around.
His face was one that could stop hearts. His features were sharp and defined, with a high nose and thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line. But what caught the eye most was his eyes — a pair of rare, deep purple irises, which now coldly fixed on Su Wan, as if to pierce through her.
He radiated an aura of icy detachment, and his overwhelming presence made Su Wan almost unable to lift her head. Just as she thought she would be severely scolded, or even lose her job, Ling Yao's gaze suddenly faltered for a moment. His nostrils flared slightly.
A faint scent of greenery, like fresh morning dew in a forest after rain, wafted into his nose. It was clean and pure, a refreshing contrast to the restlessness and fury that had been building in him due to the approaching full moon. The curse's pain had been growing stronger these past few days, making it harder for him to control his wolf instincts. But now, just the scent of this fragrance seemed to calm his tightly wound nerves.
Could this be… the scent of his fated mate?
A fleeting flash of wolf markings passed through his violet eyes, so quick it was almost imperceptible. He studied the trembling girl before him, her eyes red-rimmed, her body shaking. She seemed so fragile, like a little grass swaying in the wind, yet carrying a scent that seemed to soothe his inner wolf.
The anger he had initially felt dissipated almost imperceptibly, replaced by a strange, inexplicable calm. He raised a hand, stopping his assistant, who had been about to step forward to scold Su Wan, and spoke in a low, hoarse voice, his tone oddly gentle. "It's fine."
Su Wan froze, unable to believe what she was hearing. She slowly lifted her head.
Ling Yao's gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds, his expression unreadable — curious, probing, with a hint of something even he didn't recognize. He took off his soiled suit jacket and handed it to his assistant, his tone still cold but no longer accusatory. "For the suit, have your supervisor contact my assistant."
Without sparing her another glance, he turned and walked away. As he passed by Zhang Lei, he shot him an icy look, making the man almost collapse in fear.
It wasn't until Ling Yao's figure disappeared through the restaurant's door that Su Wan crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath. In that brief moment, she had felt an ancient, primal sense of intimidation, causing her to instinctively feel fear. But the strange emotion that flickered in Ling Yao's deep purple eyes left a deep imprint on her heart.
Little did she know, this accidental coffee spill would not only change her fate but also lead her into a world full of mystery and fiery love — a world belonging to the Wolf Clan. Meanwhile, Ling Yao, sitting in his exclusive elevator, still sensed the faint scent of greenery on his fingertips. He looked at his hand, now tinged with a slight red flush, and muttered softly to himself: "Su Wan... I've found you."
The curse of the full moon seemed to hold a glimmer of hope for a cure, and the entanglement between him and her had only just begun.