Julius knew he shouldn't have gone to that club.
That was the only thought running through his mind as he stepped out into the biting Moscow night air. His chest felt tight, and his pulse refused to slow down. He lifted his hand slightly, brushing his fingers against the skin of his neck where the stranger had leaned close. There was no physical mark, yet everything felt different.
He told himself to get it together. It was ridiculous. He was a man who commanded boardrooms and built an empire from nothing. He refused to be shaken by a single encounter with a stranger.
By the next morning, Julius was back in his office, buried in work. His assistant followed him in, noting that his ten a.m. meeting had been moved forward. Julius told her to reschedule it, claiming he had more important things to attend to.
When the door closed and he was finally alone, he leaned back and sighed. But the moment he closed his eyes, the Enigma was there. He could still hear that low voice promising that he had found something he wanted.
Julius's jaw tightened. It wasn't going to happen. He didn't belong to anyone, and he never would.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. His assistant peaked her head back in and told him that his fiancée, Helen, had arrived.
Julius stood up immediately and straightened his jacket, telling her to send her in.
Helen walked in a moment later, looking elegant and calm. She was the perfect fit for his world. She asked if he was working early again, and Julius offered a short reply. She placed a file on his desk and reminded him about their engagement dinner that night.
Julius told her he hadn't forgotten. He couldn't afford to. This engagement was about business, power, and the connections he had spent years building. When Helen mentioned that he seemed distracted, Julius lied and told her he was fine.
As she turned to leave, Julius called out to her, telling her that for the record, this changed nothing. Helen only offered a small smile before walking out.
Miles away, in a room defined by silence and control, Harrison was watching.
A large screen displayed Julius's every move. Harrison leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes fixed on the man he had chosen. One of his men asked if he was sure about this, confirming that they had checked the Alpha's background and company.
The man hesitated before adding that Julius was engaged.
The room went cold. Anyone else would have expected Harrison to be angry, but he only let out a soft, dark chuckle. He repeated the word slowly, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair. He didn't care that Julius belonged to someone else—in fact, that was exactly why he wanted him.
Harrison stood up and adjusted his silver cufflinks. He ordered his men to prepare the car, stating that they would be attending a dinner tonight. He made it clear that he didn't like sharing what belonged to him.
That evening, the restaurant was filled with light and the elite of the city. Julius stood beside Helen, greeting guests and acting the part of the untouchable CEO. He looked calm and in control.
But then, the doors swung open.
The room fell silent as everyone turned to look. Julius didn't even need to see the entrance to know who had arrived. His pulse spiked instantly. He turned slowly, and there stood Harrison. Dressed in black, the Enigma looked like he owned the entire building.
Harrison's eyes locked onto Julius immediately, ignoring everyone else in the room. He offered a cold, certain smile that made Julius's stomach drop.
Harrison hadn't come to join the celebration. He had come to claim the man he had already decided was his.