LM0046 The Alpha’s Intrigue

November 2018.

The international airport in the Netherlands was a striking blend of modern design and understated elegance. High ceilings stretched above, adorned with sleek metallic art installations that gleamed under the soft light pouring through large windows. The atmosphere hummed with the clatter of rolling suitcases and the low murmur of conversations in a dozen languages. Travelers moved in every direction, their faces a mixture of excitement, weariness, and impatience.

Shops with glossy glass facades lined the concourse, offering everything from the latest fashion trends to souvenirs that told stories of a land both old and new. Designer boutiques stood side by side with high-end watch retailers, while cafés perfumed the air with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, drawing in passersby for a quick indulgence. It was a space alive with the pulse of the world—yet for one group, it might as well have been a stage, the attention of the crowd subtly drawn toward them.

At the heart of this quiet spectacle walked a team of tall, imposing men, their dark suits crisp and immaculate. Their movements were synchronized—predators moving with purpose, their eyes alert, scanning every inch of the space. In their midst stood the leader, Roderik Langeveld, the Alpha of the last remaining lycan clan in the Netherlands. His mere presence was commanding. People instinctively parted before him, as if the air itself yielded to his will.

Roderik moved effortlessly through the space, as though the world knew to make room for him, flanked by his loyal men and one striking woman. Astrid Langeveld, his sister, stood out with her lithe grace and sharp features. Her blonde hair cascaded in soft waves, framing a face that radiated beauty—yet there was an unmistakable arrogance in the way she carried herself. Spoiled rotten by the clan's adoration, she walked with the confidence of someone accustomed to being revered. She cast a disdainful glance at the humans around her, as if their presence was beneath her notice.

They made their way toward the VIP lounge, where a private jet awaited. Shops with electronics, luxury watches, and a bustling café offering pastries that could melt in your mouth lined their path. But Roderik's attention was elsewhere.

He stopped abruptly, causing the entire group to halt in perfect synchrony. His gaze was fixed on something—or rather, someone—standing near the boutique window. The others fell silent, exchanging quiet looks, waiting for some explanation. But none came. They simply followed the line of his sight.

A young woman stood by the window, admiring a display of autumn scarves and jackets. She wore simple yet elegant travel attire—an olive-green jacket, a soft scarf draped loosely around her neck, dark jeans, and comfortable boots. Her black hair framed her face with effortless elegance, giving her an air of both approachability and aloofness.

"What's wrong, Alpha Roderik? Do you know that young lady?" one of his men asked cautiously, his tone edged with curiosity but steeped in respect.

A sound of derision escaped the woman beside Roderik, followed by a dismissive sniff. Her gaze never left the young woman as she spoke with disdain. "Whatever gave you the idea my brother knows any of those lowly humans?"

Roderik's growl was low, a deep rumble that reverberated through the air. It was a warning, one that could freeze the very breath in your lungs. "Astrid," he murmured under his breath, his voice thick with authority. "Stop speaking."

But Astrid was not one to cower to anyone—least of all her older brother, the Alpha. Another derisive noise left her lips, her posture unyielding. She showed no signs of complying, her arms still crossed, her expression set in haughty defiance. She had grown up with special treatment, being one of the last remaining female lycans who could shift, and it had shaped her into someone used to getting her way.

"She's just a human," Astrid muttered, almost to herself, though her voice held an edge. "Let's not waste time on them."

Roderik continued to watch the young woman through the window, unperturbed by Astrid's words. His focus was unwavering, a quiet intensity in his gaze that sent a chill through those around him.

"Alpha?" the same man from earlier called again, his voice louder now, a hint of urgency in it.

Roderik's expression softened only slightly as he broke his gaze. His eyes met the man's, and the order came without hesitation. "Check who that woman is," he commanded, his gravelly voice a clear demand.

The man nodded and moved quickly to carry out the task, disappearing into the crowd.

Astrid's gaze, however, remained fixed on Roderik. She leaned in slightly, a skeptical smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Alpha?" she asked again, this time with a sharper tone. "Are you seriously going to waste your time on her? She's nothing. Just another human."

Roderik's jaw tightened as he met her eyes, a flicker of something deeper passing between them. It was a warning, but also an unspoken reminder of his authority. He turned away, unwilling to entertain her challenge further.

"She's not human," Roderik finally replied, his voice quiet but firm, his gaze drifting back to the window. "At least, not entirely."

The words lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. The group stood in stillness, the silence broken only by the quiet hum of the bustling airport. The men exchanged glances, trying to process what Roderik had said. Astrid, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow.

"Not human?" she scoffed, her voice dripping with disbelief. She leaned forward to scrutinize the young woman through the glass. "She looks as human as any other. She doesn't even smell like us. If she isn't, then what exactly is she?"

Roderik stood motionless, his gaze fixed intently on the woman. His instincts were sharp, always alert. Something about her stirred something deep within him, but he couldn't yet name it. The mystery of her was compelling, something that called to him in ways he couldn't explain.

For now, though, their flight waited. He knew the matter couldn't be pursued here. Not yet.

Less than half an hour later, as they were already seated on the plane, the man returned with news.

"Mizuki Wolfe?" Roderik echoed, his brow furrowing in puzzlement.

"Yes, Alpha," the man replied. "The young woman is Mizuki Wolfe, heiress to the Wolfe Group."

Roderik remained still, his face unreadable as he absorbed the information. Mizuki Wolfe. The name was known, but the details were few. One of the wealthiest and most influential families in the Netherlands. Yet, something about her or her family didn't sit right with him.

A moment of silence passed before he nodded, his thoughts clearly racing. "That explains it," he murmured, though his words were cryptic.

Astrid, not one to let anything go, leaned in. Her voice was sharp, her irritation evident. "What explains it?" she demanded. "What's so special about this human? Why did you stop for her?"

Roderik silenced her with a glance, quick and cold, before turning back to the man with a slight nod. The exchange was brief, efficient.

Astrid wasn't done, though. She leaned forward in her seat, her voice laced with skepticism. "Is she like us?" she asked, her words dripping with disdain.

Roderik's gaze softened, but his answer was measured. "No," he replied slowly. "The Wolfe family just has a different aura about them. But that's all there is to it."

He paused, narrowing his eyes. "I made a mistake. She's human."

The words lingered, unspoken doubt hanging in the air. Astrid gave a small, disappointed sigh, folding her arms tighter across her chest. Her eyes flicked back out the window. Her gaze was filled with contempt, but also something else—curiosity, perhaps.

"Well," she muttered under her breath, "if she's human, she's beneath us, no matter who her family is."

Roderik didn't respond. His thoughts were elsewhere, still caught on the mystery of Mizuki Wolfe. Though he had dismissed the idea that she might be anything other than human, there was still something about her that tugged at his instincts. He couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter had only just begun.

For now, though, there were other matters to attend to. But something told him that the mystery of Mizuki Wolfe was far from over.