The Wolf’s Embrace

CHAPTER ONE

"What the…" Olivia cursed as wakes up, the sound of the alarm clock startling her. She can hear the alarm blaring in the background, and her eyes are still bleary with sleep that she can barely make out the shape of the alarm clock on her nightstand as she reaches out to turn it off. As she does so, she groans and rubs her eyes, trying to wake herself up fully. For Olivia, Mondays were always a struggle. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to get enough sleep on Sunday nights, and it always left her feeling disoriented and grumpy on Monday mornings. If she had her way, she would sleep in until 8:00 AM, but her boss would never tolerate that. So, she forced herself out of bed and into the shower, trying to wake herself up with the warm water.

It was going to be a long day, she thought. 

Olivia's commute to work was usually an hour and a half, so she knew she'd have to leave her apartment at 6:30 AM if she wanted to make it to the office on time. She lived on the other side of town from Melvit Biotech, where she worked as a genetic researcher.

For the past two years, she had been working on a project that was close to a breakthrough. If everything went according to plan, it would revolutionize the field of genetics and give her the recognition she deserved. She just had to get through this meeting first.

As she was packing her bag for work, her phone buzzed with a text from her best friend, Sheila. "Hey babes, party tonight?" it read.

Olivia rolled her eyes. She was an introvert at heart, and parties were not her idea of fun. Still, she felt bad about rejecting the invitation.

"Sorry, I can't," she wrote back. "Work calls." She smiled to herself, grateful for the perfect excuse.

She rummaged through her wardrobe in search of what to wear and the lilac sequin gown stole her attention. The dress fit tightly, emphasizing the curves of her body in a way that made her feel self-conscious. It wasn't like her to dress in a way that sought attention, but time was running short, and she had to leave the house soon if she wanted to catch the bus. 

CHAPTER 2

Alexander was watching the news when the anchor began talking about a recent earthquake in Pakistan. He scoffed at the suggestion that the natural disaster was a sign of the impending apocalypse. To him, it was just another story designed to scare people into buying into someone's idea of what the end of the world would look like. He'd seen too many of these prophecies come and go to take this one seriously.

Tired of the doom and gloom, he turned off the television and grabbed his MacBook to look at a set of architectural designs that his architect, Orion, had sent him.

Alexander Holloway was a multi-billionaire whose family owned the massive conglomerate, Browns & Holloway, named for his parents. The company spanned multiple industries, including transportation, hospitality, fashion, healthcare, and insurance. Alexander was the only child of his parents, and he'd inherited the family business. His father was determined to see the company grow, and he'd spent a fortune sending Alexander to business school. Now, Alexander had decided to add a media company to the company's portfolio, and he was working on plans to expand the business into new continents.

Alexander was lost in thought when the sound of footsteps broke his concentration. He jumped, annoyed at being disturbed. Maybe giving the housekeeper a key to his house had been a mistake. He valued his privacy, and he hated being jolted out of his thoughts like this.

"Good morning, Alex," the housekeeper, Mrs. Jones, said as she entered the room. She always seemed cheerful, even though Alexander knew that she had a difficult home life. Her husband was abusive and unemployed, and she struggled to support her family. Alexander had offered to pay for a divorce, but she always refused.

"Good morning, Anita" he said, deliberately emphasizing her name. He knew that using her first name instead of "Mrs Jones" was a subtle way to remind her that they were peers, despite their ten-year age difference. He hoped she didn't take it as a sign of disrespect. He quickly rushed upstairs because his room was a mess. The previous night was spent doing a research on his condition – as has been his custom for as long as he could remember- and the floor was covered in crumpled papers, each one bearing the frustrated scribblings of his fruitless research. He couldn't risk anyone finding out about his condition until he'd discovered a cure. So far, only his father knew what he was and of his research, and he was determined to keep it that way..

Alexander took a quick shower and got dressed. He was ready to go in no time, and he hopped into his sleek black Porsche and sped off to work. 

CHAPTER 3

He stopped by Demaries coffee shop as was his usual morning routine, taking a deep breath of the familiar aroma. The sharp tang of roasted beans and the warm earthy smell of freshly brewed coffee filled his senses, bringing a familiar comfort. A fresh cup of coffee was just what he needed to jump-start his brain and prepare for the day ahead. As he entered, his eyes were greeted by a tall slender figure standing on the queue. 

His gaze was transfixed by her fidgety movements, and as he took a closer look at her, he noticed how her eyes always darted towards her wristwatch. She seemed impatient and agitated, as if she was late for something important. He watched as she looked around the coffee shop, her eyes scanning the tables, searching for an empty seat. His curiosity got the better of him, and he ran up to her to see if he could get her to talk to him. She stopped in her tracks, turning to face him with a puzzled look on her face.

"Excuse me?" she said, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 

He smiled, and said "impatience doesn't look good on you, you know"

She stared at him for a moment, unsure how to respond.

"Neither does meddling in other people's affairs look good on you" she retorted, flashing him a stern look and finally brushing past him as she made her way out the door. He stood there, a bit taken aback by her response, but also intrigued by her quick wit and boldness. Olivia had seen plenty of men like him before. The type who thought their good looks and charm were enough to get them through life, without putting in any real effort. She was startled to feel his presence beside her, just minutes after she had left him behind. It was impossible – there was no way he could have caught up to her so quickly, even if he had run at full speed. But here he was, calm and collected, not even out of breath. She had to know how he had managed to get to her so quickly. She turned to him, her face full of confusion and suspicion. "How did you…?" she started, but couldn't find the words to finish the question.

What do you want?" she asked, her tone flat and unimpressed.

He looked at her, a smirk forming on his lips. "I'mAlexander, by the way" while extending his hands for a handshake.

She avoided his hand, offering him a polite but dismissive smile. "I'm late for work," she said, hertone firm and final.

With that, she turned and walked away heaving a sigh of relief. But as she continued on her way to work, she couldn't help but wonder who this Alexander was, and how he had moved so quickly.

CHAPTER 4

Wait, what?" Sheila's eyes widened, her lips forming a perfect "O." "You shoved him away?" She couldn't contain her laughter, her voice ringing with disbelief. "That's something I never thought you'd do, girl!"

Two weeks had passed since the incident, and Olivia was still reeling from the shock of what had happened. She had decided to visit her friend, Sheila, to ease off the stress from work. Sheila's apartment was stylish and elegant. The brick walls, the golden brown velvet sofas, the pink-painted mahogany center table, and the delicate butterfly decorations on the walls made the apartment look like something out of a high-end home design magazine. The smell of warm, fluffy pancakes, smothered in sweet, creamy whipped cream filled the air. The sun's rays streamed in through the window, casting golden light across the floor, and James Arthur's soulful voice crooned from the speakers. As Olivia spoke, Sheila busied herself in the kitchen, preparing pancakes, while listening with rapt attention.

Olivia sighed "I know, I know" she said, shaking her head "it's so ridiculous, I can't even believe it happened"

Olivia had told Sheila all about her encounter with Alex – except for the part about his superhuman strength. That detail still felt too strange and unbelievable to share. And besides, she was still processing the whole experience herself. She had tried to make sense of it, but in the end, she decided it was better to just forget about it and move on. When her friend, Sheila, had asked if Alexander was good-looking, Olivia had lied and said that she hadn't really gotten a good look at him. In reality, she'd found him quite handsome, but she didn't want to give Sheila the satisfaction of knowing that.

It wasn't long before a squeal of excitement burst from Olivia causing Sheila to look away from her tab and at Olivia, her face smeared in curiosity.

"Guess what?" Olivia said, barely able to contain her excitement. She with a wide grin that reeked of excitement.

she continued "I just got an email from Mr Jimmy, my boss. My research has been reviewed and approved and they want to have a meeting with me on Monday morning because apparently Browns & Holloway would like to sign a contract with me" Her voice tempo increasing in elation.

"What??" Sheila exclaimed, dropping her tablet on the table and turning to face Olivia, her eyes wide with surprise. "That's amazing!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you! You know what? Go get dressed – we're going out to celebrate!" She jumped to her feet, clearly excited by the prospect of a night out.

Olivia paused, her usual introverted nature warring with her desire to celebrate. But this was beyond usual and getting an offer with Browns & Holloway surely deserved to be celebrated.

"You know what? Let's do it!" she said, a smile spreading across her face. "A toast to me and my new job!"

CHAPTER 5

CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing technology, had been the focus of Olivia's research for the past two years. It works by targeting and editing specific genes using guide RNA and a Cas9 enzyme. Using this system, scientists can correct genetic mutations responsible for diseases like sickle cell anemia (SCA) and cystic fibrosis.

Olivia's motivation for her research was driven by a passion for helping children with genetic and chromosomal disorders. As Olivia walked through the doors of the company that morning, she felt a sense of pride and fulfillment that she had never experienced before. She was also nervous, knowing that this meeting with the CEO could be a turning point in her career.

Mr. Jimmy, stood up to greet her as she entered his office with a proud smile on his face, as if she were his daughter who had just won the gold medal at the Olympics.

"Good morning, Sir," she said with a smile as she followed his gesture to sit down. 

But as she sat down, he continued, "I'm sure you've never met Mr. Holloway, the founder of Browns & Holloway conglomerate and also one of the largest share holders of our company. He's here today to officially make you an employee of the Browns & Holloway. Congratulations"

"Wait, what?" Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief. And just as she was about to thank him, he continued " Oh, here he comes. The one and only CEO, Mr. Holloway!" Mr. Jimmy said, giving Mr. Holloway a standing ovation. Olivia's head whipped around and she almost left out a gasp as she saw the man entering the room. It was Alexander, the man she had seen at the coffee shop.

She couldn't breathe. So nervous she was that she quickly took up his offer to sign the contract over drinks. She just needed to dismiss him quickly.

Olivia felt the three-minute walk to the cafeteria was excruciatingly long. The tension between her and Alexander hung heavy in the air. Maybe she shouldn't have been so dismissive of him the other day.

When they finally arrived at the cafeteria, Alexander ordered a bottle of Chapman for himself and she wanted just a glass of water.

When he pulled out the contract papers, Olivia declined. She couldn't bring her self to work with this conceited man. As she stood up to leave, he said something that sent a chill down her spine.

I'd like to purchase your research," he said, a sly smile playing across his lips. "I'm willing to pay any price you ask for." Olivia sucked her lips inside to restrict a chuckle from escaping.

I Have to ask," she said, once she had recovered, "why on earth would you want to buy my research?"

Look, Miss…" he trailed off

"Arnold," she said, cutting him off. "Or you can just call me Olivia."

He smiled, but it was a weary smile. "Olivia, you wouldn't understand, but I need your research. I am sick and I need a cure as soon as possible"

Olivia refused to flinch, meeting his eyes steadily. "Well, you still haven't told me what it is," she said.

"It's a genetic disorder," he said, his voice tense. "A very serious one, and it kills me every day to know that I live with it"

" So what's the name of this…serious… disorder?" She asked again in a tone that suggested disbelief.

As Olivia continued asking questions, Alexander's irritation was clear. But he didn't blame her. She was just trying to understand something that was outside of her realm of knowledge. But it still didn't make it easy to talk about. How would she react when he told her the truth? Would she see him differently? Would she fear him? "You know what?" he said, rising to his feet. "Call me when you change your mind." He said, his tone heavy. He left a business card on the table in front of her and headed for the door.

CHAPTER 6

It was 3:00 AM, and Olivia tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She'd counted to 1,000, and tried to clear her mind, but nothing was working. She was still restless after her meeting with Alexander Holloway earlier that day. She felt guilty about turning him down, but she knew it was the right thing to do. Her conscience wouldn't let her rest, but she couldn't bring herself to change her mind. "Please just let me think clearly," she pleaded with herself, but the thoughts kept coming.

When Olivia had started her research, one of the potential applications she'd considered was eugenics. But the thought of people using her research to selectively breed humans with "desirable" traits was disturbing.

She'd envisioned a world where the rich and powerful created their own "superior" race, and everyone else was considered inferior. It was a frightening possibility, but she knew it shouldn't get in the way of her true goal – helping people with genetic disorders to live fulfilling lives. She had to make her decision based on that goal, not her fears.

"Listen, I know Alexander Holloway is no good," Sheila said, in no mood to sugarcoat things. "Forget about any potential prospects or offers he's made to you. He can deal with his own problems." She raised her voice as she spoke, clearly agitated by the whole situation when Olivia called her earlier to vent.

The next morning, Olivia went to work feeling exhausted and irritable. The night before had left her feeling drained and anxious. When she arrived at her office, her manager, Mr. Jimmy, had promoted her to the position of a director.

"Alexander Holloway's orders" he said, beaming.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline," she said, shaking her head. "I'm happy where I am."

As she settled into her lab and started her work, she decided to call Alexander and see if she could talk to him about what had happened the day before. To her surprise, he picked up on the second ring.

"Hello?" he said, sounding a bit groggy.

"Hi, Mr. Holloway. It's Olivia," she said.

"Oh…Olivia," he replied, sounding less enthusiastic than before. "How are you doing?"

"I'd like to meet with you," she said. "Oakdale park, 6pm, don't be late" 

She dropped the call without waiting for a response. This time, she'd pry until he told her everything. 

Alexander couldn't stop thinking about Olivia. He'd never met anyone like her before – she was bold, fearless, and unlike any other woman he'd ever encountered. He couldn't believe how quickly she'd stood up to him at the coffee shop. She'd left him speechless. Then, to his surprise, he'd run into her at his company. It was fate, he thought. He couldn't get her off his mind. He knew he shouldn't but he found himself smiling sheepishly.

CHAPTER 7

Olivia hurriedly wrapped up her work for the day. She couldn't afford to be late for her meeting with Alex. She imagined him waiting for her with that smug smile of his, ready to tease her about her tardiness. As she walked down the dark, deserted alley that led to Oakdale, she felt a tension in the air. The dust-filled air smelled stale and musty, as if something was off. She tried to remember if the alley had always been so disconcerting, but she couldn't recall ever walking this way before. Her heart sank as she saw shadows flicker behind her. The footsteps were getting closer and closer. She felt her breath catch in her throat, and she froze in place, paralyzed by fear. She knew she had to run, but her legs wouldn't move. The footsteps were right behind her now, and she could hear heavy breathing. In a panic, Olivia fumbled for her phone, her hands shaking as she dialed the emergency number. But before she could press the call button, a damp cloth was placed over her mouth and a pair of strong hands grabbed her from behind. She struggled to break free, but it was no use. She could feel herself being dragged away, kicking and screaming. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She was going to die. As Olivia lay there, gasping for air, she heard a loud crashing noise, followed by the sound of someone running. Suddenly, her attackers were gone. They had been knocked to the ground, unconscious. A shadowy figure approached her. As it came into focus, she realized it was a large wolf. She blinked, trying to make sense of what was happening. Was she dreaming? The wolf approached her cautiously, as if sensing her fear. She retreated until her back was against the wall, and she held up her fists, bracing herself for the worst. But the wolf simply stood there, looking at her.

After several tense moments, she slowly turned to face the wolf. As she did, her eyes widened in shock. The wolf was no longer a wolf – it had transformed into a man.

"Alexander?" she whispered, her voice trembling.Werewolves. Olivia had read about them in children's books, but she never believed they were real. Here was the proof, right in front of her. And then, the world went dark.

The aroma of rosemary and ginseng filled the air, rousing her from sleep. She opened her eyes to find herself lying on a soft surface, covered by a luxurious blanket. She looked around the room, trying to figure out where she was. Her head was still fuzzy, and she couldn't quite remember how she'd gotten here.

"You're awake!" said a voice, startling her. She turned to see Alexander standing in the doorway, holding a cup of ginseng and rosemary tea. 

Her mind flashed back to earlier, when Alexander had transformed from a wolf into a man. "You're… you're a werewolf," she said, struggling to wrap her head around the idea.

Alexander nodded slowly. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth. I'm sorry"

Olivia's mind was racing. "But how?"

Alexander began to share his story, starting from when he was a child. He told her how he had always been different from the other kids. He'd been isolated and ridiculed for his unusual physical features, like his long nails and thick chest hair. He'd always wanted to be normal, so he'd done extensive research on the subjectbut he'd never found a way to become a regular human. He explained that his condition was inherited from his mother whom he'd never met. Seeing a tear roll down Alexander's cheek, Olivia's heart broke. She could see beneath the confident façade to a person who was just trying to find his place in the world. She felt an almost irresistible urge to take him in her arms and tell him that everything would be okay. But she stopped herself before she could act on the impulse.

Back home, Sheila had screamed her ears out when she heard it.

"Oh Man, that's some crazy shit" Sheila had said "but your research is to help mankind not wolf kind"

Olivia was torn.

But that night, as they spoke on the phone, Alex's voice was warm and inviting. They chatted for hours, discussing everything from the research to their childhoods. Olivia couldn't help but feel a connection to him, despite the strange circumstances. By the end of the conversation, she had made a decision. She would get him the vial.

CHAPTER 8

Alexander looked his father in the eye as he spoke. "I know you're just trying to protect me," he said, "but I trust her. I know she's not going to hurt me."Alexander said in defence of Olivia when his Dad questioned him about his decision to disclose his identity to her. 

His father considered this for a moment. "I just want you to be careful," he said. "People can be unpredictable."

Alexander nodded. "I understand," he said.

Over the past few weeks, Alexander had come to realize just how special Olivia was. She had an incredible capacity for compassion and understanding. She'd listened to him without judgment, and told him that his werewolf side didn't define him. He felt like he could be himself around her, without having to pretend. It was liberating. He wondered if this was what it felt like to be truly loved. They spent their weekends together, exploring the city and getting to know each other better. They went on amusement park rides, visited museums, and enjoyed picnics in the park. 

As for the vial, Olivia had spoken of her plans to conduct more tests to ensure it was safe for him to use. Alexander had given her the time she needed. He found himself longing for her company when they were apart, and he felt a connection with her that he'd never felt with anyone else. He hoped that she felt the same way.Dating was something that had always been a mystery to Alexander. He'd never felt the need to pursue romantic relationships. But now, with Olivia, he found himself wanting to know everything about love, about relationships, about dating. He started reading books and listening to podcasts about love and romance.

Their first kiss was unexpected, but perfect. They were at Demaries, when Alexander suddenly blurted out the question: "Will you be my girlfriend?" Olivia laughed and teased him about the cheesiness of the moment, but then she leaned in and kissed him. It was different from any kiss he'd ever had before. It was soft and sweet, and filled with an emotion he'd never felt before. Afterward, they had dinner and talked about everything and nothing. Later, as they walked through the streets, she pulled him close and kissed him again.

THE NEXT DAY

"I need to know who took the vial," Olivia demanded. Her voice was shrill with anger. She had been working on that potion for Alex, and now it was gone.

Marco looked at her, his face creased with worry. "I don't know," he said. 

"Somebody had to have taken it," she said, looking around the lab, but everything seemed as it should be except the stolen vial.

Olivia could feel her blood pressure rising as she looked at the other workers. They all met her gaze, their eyes wide with innocence. None of them seemed like they could have taken the vial, but she didn't know who else it could have been. Her boss, Mr. Jimmy, claimed he hadn't seen the vial, but she wasn't sure if she believed him. He was always greedy, and she wouldn't be surprised if he had stolen it to sell it for money. Plus, he had access to the lab even when no one else was around.

Olivia was worried that without the vial, Alex would never be able to become human. She also knew that people were already against their relationship, anddidn't want to think about what that would mean for her and Alex.

Alex was calm, as always, but he promised to help her find the culprit. "We'll figure this out," he said. "We'll get the vial back."

She hoped he was right.

CHAPTER 9

Sheila had always opposed Olivia's relationship with Alex. She'd always been vocal about her disapproval, and now she was even angrier than ever.

"You know this is wrong," she'd said to Olivia, her voice shaking with emotion. "I know you're not thinking straight, but you can't do this. It is not right."

But no matter what Sheila said, Olivia couldn't stop thinking about Alex. There was something about him that she couldn't explain.

As she entered her apartment, she saw Alex sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. He looked up when he heard her come in, and she could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Hey," she said, rushing over to him. She took his hands in hers and looked him in the eye. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

He sighed. "Turns out that Dad was the one who stole the vial" Alex said, his voice shaking with emotion. "He paid one of the lab techs to steal it, and then he destroyed it. I can't believe he'd do something like this."

Olivia's mouth fell open. "What?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "How could he do that?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "Apparently he wants to protect me from God knows what"

As she thought about it, she began to wonder if maybe it didn't matter that Alex was a werewolf. She loved him and that was what mattered.

And if Sheila didn't approve, that was her problem. She and Alex were adults, and they didn't need anyone's permission to be together. Besides, what was the point of spending their lives trying to find a cure when they could be living their lives together?

She looked at him, her expression full of concern. "Do you really want to be human?"

He reached out and took her hand, his eyes searching hers. "Are you really okay with this? The way I am?"

She looked back at him, her gaze steady and sure. "I love you very much Alex, and that's what matters. I don't just want you to be consumed in seeking a cure when we can live to the fullest on our own terms. I mean there's nothing really great about being human anyway" she said trying to comfort him. 

Alexander paused for few seconds and sighed

"I'm serious," she said, her eyes shining. "We could move to a new place, start a life together, and even have kids someday."

Alex was quiet for a moment, absorbing what she'd said. Then he finally spoke. "You're right," he said. 

"You're amazing," he continues, his voice soft. "I've never met anyone who could be so accepting of someone like me. You make me feel like I'm worth something, like I'm more than just a monster. Thank you."

She smiled at him, her heart full to bursting. "You're not a monster," she said. "You're human, even if you're a little different from most people. And I love you for who you are."

"That's all I've ever wanted," he said.

He looked into her eyes, and she could see the sincerity there. She smiled and leaned in to kiss him.

"I love you too," she said, and she knew it was true.

They talked about weddings and honeymoon and vacations.

"I'm afraid that our child would have to go through the same thing I went through," Alex said. "I don't want them to be teased and bullied like I was. I just can't bear the thought of it."

Olivia reached out and took his hand. "I understand your concerns," she said. "But we have other options. We could adopt a child, while I try to find a genetic cure through my research"

It's perfect" he said

"You are perfect" she replied

"I love you, wife" he said while leaning in to kiss her.

And she tickled him for making her blush.

That night, Olivia dreamed of a future filled with love and happiness.