A Power Play

It wasn't the first time Nadia had seen Enzo Blackwood. She had seen countless pictures of him across the media and heard all the stories. She knew everything there was to know about him, his appearance, his voice, his reputation. Yet, despite all the intel and knowledge, nothing could have prepared her for the revelation that this man, this monster, was her mate.

Her wolf was ecstatic, almost giddy at the thought of meeting their mate. But Nadia? She was filled with dread. This was not what she had asked for. This was not what she had imagined. The man standing before her, the one her wolf recognized instantly, was none other than Enzo Blackwood, the very man she despised, the man responsible for countless lives lost and ruined.

Nadia had asked the Moon Goddess for a kind, loving mate who would cherish her. Someone who would see past her flaws and love her unconditionally. Instead, she had been handed the complete opposite of a ruthless, cold-hearted beast. Enzo Blackwood, her mate. It felt like a cruel joke.

She should've seen this coming, she thought bitterly. When she had first prayed for a mate, she had suspected there was a catch, some hidden twist to the deal. But this? This was a nightmare she could never have imagined.

Why had the Goddess done this to her? What had she done to deserve such a fate? All Nadia wanted was someone to love her, and instead, she got the embodiment of destruction. There was no way she could be with someone like him.

Enzo's voice broke the heavy silence, his voice thick with emotion. "What's your name?" His question came out like a command, his gaze unwavering, his aura almost suffocating in its force.

Nadia swallowed, trying to push down the wave of emotions threatening to surface. She refused to give him the satisfaction of her unease, though every part of her felt like it was on fire under his stare. She tore her gaze away, pushing her emotions aside. She had to stay in control.

She stood up abruptly, her movements sharp. "Where's Jaxon?" she snapped, distancing herself from him. Her pulse raced, not from fear, but the overwhelming presence of the man standing before her.

Enzo's eyes darkened, his nostrils flaring as he processed her question. "Are you with him?" His voice was low, dangerous, as if he already knew the answer and was demanding her confession.

Nadia didn't flinch, but the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. "It doesn't matter," she bit back, grabbing her purse, preparing to leave. But her heart skipped when she realized the grip he had on her was not just physical; his presence alone was holding her captive.

"Lady, stop," Enzo's voice rang out, a command rather than a plea. She couldn't fight the surge of magnetism that pulled her back, despite every instinct telling her to run. He was a force she couldn't ignore.

Before she could take another step, his hand shot out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back toward him. She hissed as she collided with his chest, feeling every inch of his powerful frame. His grip was firm, almost possessive, as his other arm snaked around her waist, locking her in place.

"You're not going anywhere until we talk," he growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through her.

Nadia tensed, her instincts screaming at her to break free. But she knew it was futile. His strength was undeniable. She could feel his muscles flexing beneath his clothes, the heat radiating off of him, and her body betrayed her mind as her wolf howled in eagerness, urging her to stay close.

A surge of frustration rose within her. She couldn't lose herself now. "Let me go," she demanded, but her words felt weak against the weight of his presence.

Without waiting for him to respond, she stormed forward, but Enzo followed, his hand never leaving her arm. He guided her to one of the hotel's private meeting rooms, locking the door behind them as if he owned the place.

The moment he released her, she made sure to put as much distance as possible between them. Her breath was uneven, the tension palpable as her mind raced towards what to do next. Her wolf paced restlessly inside her, growing more agitated by the second.

Enzo's eyes didn't leave her for a second. They were dark, full of something she couldn't quite place, desire, intensity, and something more dangerous. "I know I interrupted you and Jaxon, but I think you know why I brought you here," he said smoothly, his voice betraying no hint of urgency, yet holding an undeniable edge.

Nadia crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing into a sharp glare. "I was here on a date with my boyfriend," she said coolly, her words laced with just enough bite to get a reaction. She watched as his eyes flashed with something dark, his jaw clenching in barely contained rage.

"Boyfriend?" Enzo muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. "I didn't know he was seeing someone. Funny, I thought you were meant for me."

The mention of Jaxon stung, but Nadia didn't let it show. Instead, she smirked and stood her ground. "Well, now you know. Now, let me go."

Enzo didn't budge. His gaze remained fixed on her, unreadable, and he poured a drink before sliding it toward her. He took a seat across from her, his body relaxed but his eyes sharp, analyzing every inch of her as if she were his next conquest.

"We're not done talking yet," he said, his voice calm but resolute.

"I'm not interested in talking further," Nadia shot back, ignoring the drink as she continued to stare him down, refusing to break eye contact.

Enzo didn't flinch. Instead, he seemed to appreciate her defiance, his lips curling slightly at the corners as if her resistance only made the situation more interesting.

She couldn't ignore the way his gaze swept over her, the weight of his attention making her skin prickle. It was different from any other man's gaze. It was possessive, hungry, and it made her feel like she was being seen for the first time in her life. A dangerous part of her, the part that her wolf was trying to give into, liked it.

"Is it serious with Jaxon?" Enzo asked, his voice laced with something colder now, a tinge of jealousy seeping through his tone.

"Maybe it is," Nadia shrugged nonchalantly, but inside, she could feel the tension building. "It's personal, and it's none of your business."

Enzo leaned forward, his gaze darkening further. "Jaxon works for me, Nadia. And you're my mate. That makes it my business," he said, his voice firm, almost possessive, as if this was the beginning of something he would control.

Nadia's heart skipped a beat. His words made her stomach twist. She didn't want to admit it, but there was something about how he said it, the certainty in his voice, that made her want to run and hide and yet, she felt herself frozen in place, staring into his unyielding gaze.

Nadia took a deep breath, reminding herself that she couldn't let this affect her. She needed to stay sharp. "What do you want from me, Blackwood?" she asked, her tone finally softening, but the question lingered with a quiet challenge.

Enzo didn't hesitate. "I want you," he answered simply, his voice like a promise that she knew would haunt her for the rest of the night.

"Well, now you know," Nadia said, almost whispering, but the words carried the weight of everything she wasn't ready to face. "I'm with Jaxon. He's going to propose to me tonight."

Her words hit the air like a bomb, and for a brief second, she saw the flicker of emotion pass through Enzo's eyes. But his expression hardened again, the predator inside him ready to fight for what he thought was his.