The threat

Damien's POV

The bold letters—"Titan Coal Mining Company" greeted me as I stepped out of my car. Everytime is saw the sign, pride warred with pressure. It was a testament to my hard work rebuilding the legacy my father left behind after his tragic death in a rogue attack. I inhaled deeply, steadying the surge of dark memories and walked towards the entrance, letting the glassdoor swallow me whole.

The private elevator hummed to life, rising smoothly, to the top floor. My office—the mini tower—waited for me. A kingdom built on pain and perseverance. The doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing Mr. James, my ever-efficient secretary, standing at attention.

"Morning, Alpha," he said briskly, already reaching for my bag.

"Morning," I muttered, brushing past him into the office.

Power echoed from every polished surfaces and piece of masculine décor a reflection of my personality. Controlled. cold. imposing.

Just the way I like it.

Taking my seat on the polished leather seat behind the black mahogany table. Mr. James handed over a file. "Sales figures from last month, as requested."

I flipped it open and scanned the numbers, eyes darting between the pages and my laptop. Profits were stable, rising even. Good. I should have been saying. But My focus wavered.

Her face drifted to the surface, of my mind, fiery eyes, stubborn mouth. Zendaya. Too fierce for her own good. Too broken to trust me. But fuck, did she made me something. I haven't felt in a long while.

"She's like a spitfire and a little butterfly all at once," Midnight, my wolf, murmured in amusement.

A quite chuckle slipped from me. Mr. James glanced up, confused.

"Mark mate," Midnight insisted, voice firmer now. I leaned back in my chair. "She's not ready," I whispered under my breath. "And neither am I." I made a mental note to get her a phone, since we couldnt mindlink.

My gaze landed on a red note, I didn't notice. The ominous scent it carried made my wolf growl lowly. I snatched it up, Unfolding the note, my blood ran cold at the message:

"We are coming for you, Alpha Damien and everything you hold dear."

The growl tore from my chest before I could stop it . The chair flying to the corner as I surged to my feet. Rage detonated in my blood. My aura spilled into the room. My wolf surging to the surface, furious at the audacity of the threats.

Mr. James rushed in, eyes wide with fear, trembling under the weight of my aura. I didn't care.

"Who has been in my office besides you?" I demanded, my voice a dangerous rasp.

"T-the cleaning crew, sir, before I locked up last night."

I studied him intently, searching for any flicker of deceit, but he was truthful. "Get out." he bolted.

I slammed the telecom panel and punched in security. "Get me footage of everyone who entered my office from last night to this morning. I want it before sundown."

"Yes, Alpha," The head guard replied. Voice taut.

I ended the call and clenched the edge of my desk until my knuckles ached. First, the pack, and now thrcompany? Someone was testing me—toying with me. And I don't play games. I end them.

Mind-linking, Beta Enzo. "Alpha," came his immediate response.

"I just received a threat—A note placed on my desk. I want you on this—discreetly. No panic. Track the source and report to me directly. I will have the security footage sent to you."

"Understood."

The Shareholders' Meeting approached to fast. My mind was still locked on the threat, bug I forced myself to switch gears. The boardroom buzzed with chatter, suits and ambition all in one place. I barely registered the words tossed around—allocation, projection, coal distribution.

One of the shareholders questioned the budget realignment. I skimmed the report he held up, barely focusing.

"It's worth it." I said flatly. "I'll review it again later."

The meeting adjourned quickly, and I walked out before anyone could try and engage me firther.

In the corridor, a group of coal miners stood in line—face grom, cloths dust-streaked, approaching me. I raised my hands and motioned for the security to stand down.

"What going on?" I asked, directing my gaze at the leader in front.

He stepped forward, anger simmering behind tired eyes. "Sir, we've been working ourselves to the bone, and Last week one of our own died from exhaustion and smoke. His family hasn't been compensated. No insurance. No explanation."

"What?" I masked my shock. my voice came out harder than I meant. Tye worker flinched, but didn't back down.

"I wasn't told about any death," I said, more to myself than him. "What I can say is that every worker is insured. And I'll look into this personally."

Back in my office, I mind-linked Enzo again.

"Why the hell wasn't I told one of the line workers died last week?" A pause.

"I didn't want to burden you, Alpha. It was being handled,"

I gritted my teeth. "Handled? That mans family hasn't been paid."

"I'll take care of it."

"See that you do. why weren't you at the meeting?"

"I've been following leads on the death of the rouge."

I exhaled slowly. "Good. I want answers soon."

Evening rolled in fast. I cleared the rest of my task and headed to the private garage. The sky outside bled crimson as twilight descended.

The engine of my car roared to life beneath me. I drove in silence. Letting the cool wind snake through the windows.

Midnight stirred, his voice cutting through my thoughts. "I miss mate."

His words cracked something open Inside me. "She's not ready.," I repeated, voice lower this time. "And if I mess this up, I'll lose her before I ever had her."

I reached the packhouse, just as the moon rise above the trees, casting silver light across the roof. A strange tension hung in the air. And the idea of losing control, or failing to protect what was mine, gnawed at me.

I stepped into the packhouse, silence. The urge to see her was strong. So I let My instincts guide me. Climbing two stairs at a time. I followed her faints scent of her, citrus and roses. My steps halted not outside her room but the room that should have stayed locked.

The door ajar. I pushed it open soundlessly. There She was. Standing by the small table. Her fingers brushed over the corner of a picture frame. My throat constricted. That photo hadn't been touched in years.

It was my mate. My first. Her eyes flickered toward the door across the room—the one I never let anyone near.

"Who is she?" she asked softly, her voice carrying curiosity but also a strange sadness.

My chest tightened. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with," I snapped, sounding harsher than I intended.

She flinched. The change in her was visible. Her frown deepened, but she stepped away from the photo, eyes not meeting mine.

I didn't mean to sound harsh. But the part of me that It was still too raw, unhealed. She left without another word. Her Retreating stirred something primal within me.

Midnight growled low in my mind.

"She's ours. She deserves the truth."

I swallowed hard. Not yet. As I watching her disappear down the hallway. Behind the door was held too much of my past, if she learned what I had done—I wasn't sure she'd ever look at Give me the same again. And that terrified me the most.