Sophia’s POV

The moment I step into the grand ballroom of the Wolfe Tower, I know I don’t belong here. The air smells of expensive perfume and champagne, the kind of luxury that people like me can only dream of. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting golden light over the sea of wealthy elites dressed in designer suits and shimmering gowns. The soft hum of laughter and conversation fills the space, but underneath it, I sense something darker. Something hidden.

I tighten my grip on my clutch purse, trying to steady my nerves. I’m not here to admire the wealth or drink overpriced champagne. I’m here for answers.

Somewhere in this room is Adrian Wolfe—the billionaire CEO, the most powerful man in the city, and the one person who might be connected to the disappearances I’ve been investigating for months. Four women. All young, all beautiful, and all last seen at events like this, surrounded by men like him.

I scan the room, careful not to appear too obvious. My heart pounds as I take slow steps, keeping my posture relaxed. If anyone realizes I’m not on the guest list, I’ll be thrown out before I get the information I need.

A waiter passes by with a tray of champagne, and I grab a glass, using it as a prop to blend in. Then, I spot him.

Adrian Wolfe stands near the center of the room, surrounded by a group of men in tailored suits. Even from a distance, he commands attention. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, and impossibly handsome, with dark hair that looks effortlessly styled and sharp eyes that scan the room like a predator surveying his territory.

I swallow hard. I’ve seen his pictures before, read every article written about him, but seeing him in person is something else entirely. There’s an energy around him, something magnetic and dangerous at the same time.

I take a deep breath. I have to focus. I need to find a way to get closer, to overhear something useful. But just as I take a step forward, a voice stops me.

“You’re new here.”

I turn, forcing a polite smile as I face a man who looks like he’s in his early forties. His salt-and-pepper hair is neatly combed, and his eyes are sharp with curiosity. His suit is expensive, but there’s something about him that feels… wrong. Like he’s used to getting what he wants.

“I don’t think we’ve met before,” he continues, stepping closer.

I keep my expression neutral. “I’m just a plus-one. My friend couldn’t make it, so I came instead.”

He tilts his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over me like he’s sizing me up. “Who’s your friend?”

Crap. I should’ve expected that. “Oh, just someone from work. I doubt you’d know her.”

He smirks. “Try me.”

Before I can think of a name, someone steps in.

“She’s with me.”

A deep, commanding voice slices through the conversation, and my breath catches as I turn to see Adrian Wolfe standing beside me. Up close, he’s even more intimidating. His presence is overpowering, his dark eyes locked onto me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.

The man questioning me steps back immediately. “Of course, Mr. Wolfe. I didn’t realize.”

Adrian doesn’t even acknowledge him. His gaze stays on me, unreadable, as if he’s trying to figure out exactly who I am. Then, without warning, he leans in slightly, lowering his voice so only I can hear.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

My stomach flips, but I keep my face calm. “I don’t know what you mean.”

His lips curl into something that isn’t quite a smile. “Don’t play games with me, little reporter.”

Panic flares in my chest, but I don’t let it show. How does he know who I am? I was careful. I used a fake name to get inside. There’s no way—

Unless he’s been watching me.

A cold realization settles over me.

Before I can respond, he reaches out, his fingers brushing my wrist lightly. It’s barely a touch, but the moment his skin meets mine, a jolt of something strange shoots through me. It’s electric, burning, but not painful. My breath catches, and for a second, I swear his eyes darken.

Adrian’s expression shifts, like he just realized something he wasn’t expecting. His grip tightens ever so slightly before he quickly lets go, his gaze narrowing.

He felt it too.

I don’t know what it is, but I can tell it startled him just as much as it did me.

“You need to leave,” he says again, his voice lower now, almost… strained.

I shake my head. “Not until I get the truth.”

His jaw clenches. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“I know exactly what I’m asking for,” I counter, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Four women disappeared after attending events just like this. They were last seen with men from your world. And I want to know why.”

Adrian’s expression darkens, and for a moment, I think he might actually give me an answer. But instead, he does something unexpected.

He grabs my hand.

“Come with me,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitate, but before I can protest, he’s already leading me through the ballroom, his grip firm but not painful. Heads turn as we pass, whispers following us, but no one dares to stop him.

He takes me through a set of doors that lead to a quieter hallway, away from the noise and the crowd. The moment the doors shut behind us, he releases me and turns to face me fully.

“You’re looking in places you shouldn’t,” he says.

I cross my arms, refusing to be intimidated. “And why is that? Because I might find out the truth?”

His eyes flash with something unreadable. “Because it’s dangerous.”

I scoff. “For who? Me? Or you?”

For the first time, his controlled mask cracks just a little. There’s something in his expression that looks almost… conflicted. Like he’s struggling with something he can’t explain.

“I should send you away,” he murmurs, almost to himself.

I take a step closer, my heart hammering. “Then why don’t you?”

His gaze meets mine, and for a second, the air between us feels charged, thick with something unspoken. Then, just as quickly as it came, he schools his expression back into one of control.

“Because I need to know why the mate bond didn’t appear before now.”

I freeze. “What?”

He exhales slowly, his eyes burning into mine. “You’re my mate, Sophia. And that changes everything.”

The words hit me like a punch to the stomach.

Mate? No. That’s not possible.

But even as I try to deny it, a small voice in the back of my mind whispers that I already knew. I felt it the second he touched me. The electricity, the pull, the way my body recognized something before my mind could.

I shake my head, stepping back. “No. This—this can’t be.”

Adrian watches me carefully, his expression unreadable. “It is. And now, you’re in more danger than you realize.”

My breathing quickens. This was supposed to be a simple investigation. Get in, gather information, and leave. But now, I’m standing in front of the most powerful man in the city, and he’s telling me I’m his fated mate.

I don’t know what’s worse—the fact that I don’t understand what’s happening…

Or the fact that some part of me wants to believe him.