Chapter Two: The Meeting

The city streets were alive with noise—cars honking, people rushing from one place to another, and the occasional shout from a street vendor hawking their wares. Alex Wilson felt a strange disconnection from it all as he stood outside the dimly lit restaurant, its neon sign casting an eerie glow across the sidewalk. This was not the kind of place he usually frequented. It was dark, tucked away in an alley, and the kind of establishment that screamed secrecy.

He ran a hand through his tousled hair, his thoughts swirling. Tonight wasn't just any night. Katherine's call had been a warning, one he hadn't taken lightly. As much as he tried to pretend that his life was under control, a part of him had always known that the deeper he delved into the family business, the more entangled he would become in the world of the supernatural. Katherine was the key to unraveling those secrets—and it seemed she was done waiting.

With a deep breath, Alex pushed open the door, the soft chime above it barely audible in the noise of the city. Inside, the restaurant was surprisingly quiet, almost empty, save for a few shadowy figures scattered in the corners. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, enhancing the air of mystery that seemed to cling to everything. As his eyes scanned the room, they landed on her immediately.

Katherine Rose, sitting alone at a table in the far corner. She looked as striking as ever—her dark hair fell in sleek waves around her face, her sharp eyes glimmering in the dim light. Her posture was impeccable, exuding an aura of calm confidence, as though she had all the time in the world.

When she saw him, her lips curved into a slight, knowing smile. "Alex," she said, her voice smooth, like the gentle murmur of a river. "You're here. Good."

Alex wasn't sure what to make of the smile. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold either. It was… calculating, as if she were already measuring him, determining what he would do next. He took a seat across from her, careful not to make it too obvious that he was already on edge.

"Thank you for meeting me on such short notice," Alex said, his voice a little more guarded than usual. He couldn't help it—Katherine had that effect on him. She made him second-guess himself, made him wonder if everything he thought he knew about his life was a lie.

Katherine gave a slight nod, acknowledging his words, but her gaze didn't leave his. "You've always been good at hiding behind a mask, Alex. But masks can't protect you forever." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "It's time you learned the truth."

Alex swallowed hard. He didn't know what truth she meant, but the way she spoke made his skin crawl. This wasn't a casual conversation. This wasn't just about business or the legacy of the Wilson family. This was about something far more dangerous.

"What exactly are you telling me?" he asked, trying to keep his tone level. But inside, his mind raced with possibilities. His body tingled with anticipation, but also fear. There was a part of him that was dying to know, that wanted to understand what had been kept from him for so long. But another part—the human part, the part of him that had been raised in the world of logic and reason—was terrified of what he might hear.

Katherine didn't answer immediately. Instead, she picked up a glass of wine from the table, swirling it absently as she seemed to weigh her next words. Her eyes locked onto his, and for a brief moment, Alex felt as though she were looking right through him.

"Your parents," she began slowly, her voice low, "they didn't just disappear. They were taken. And not by any ordinary people."

Alex's heart skipped a beat. His breath caught in his throat. This wasn't what he expected. Not at all.

"They were taken by someone within the family," she continued, her gaze unwavering. "Someone who didn't want them to reveal the truth of the Wilson bloodline. Someone who didn't want you to inherit what was always meant to be yours."

Alex's pulse raced. "Who would do that?" The words left his mouth before he could stop them. His parents had been taken, had been silenced, and he had never known why. He had always assumed their deaths were random, a product of something beyond his control. But now… now, he was starting to see a different picture. One that made his blood run cold.

"Who?" Katherine repeated, as if she were savoring the question. "Do you really want to know? Do you think you can handle it?"

The challenge in her voice stirred something inside him, something primal. The wolf inside him reacted—he could feel it, the low rumble of instinct, the quiet stirrings of a power he had long since tried to suppress.

"Yes," Alex answered, his voice steady now, filled with resolve. He leaned forward, meeting her gaze head-on. "Tell me."

Katherine didn't flinch. She simply smiled, her lips curling into a wicked grin. "Your family's not what you think it is, Alex. The Wilsons are more than just business moguls. They are werewolves. And you are their heir."

The words hit him like a punch to the gut. He had known, on some level, that his life wasn't entirely ordinary. But hearing it from her—the woman who seemed to hold all the answers—made the reality of it hit harder than anything before.

"And your parents…" Katherine continued, her eyes cold and piercing, "They were part of the old guard. They were working to protect something, Alex. Something powerful. But someone else wanted it for themselves. And now, they're gone."

Alex didn't speak for a long time. His world was spinning, his mind reeling from the information. The weight of it all pressed down on him, suffocating him with the realization that his entire life had been a lie. He was the heir to something far darker than he could have ever imagined.

"I didn't ask for this," he muttered under his breath, though he knew it was too late for regrets. "I didn't ask for any of this."

Katherine's gaze softened just a touch, though her expression was still unreadable. "None of us ask for the roles we're given, Alex. But sometimes, we have no choice. The legacy is yours, whether you want it or not."

The words hung in the air between them, thick with the weight of fate. Alex knew, in that moment, that his life would never be the same. The wolf inside him had been awakened, and there was no going back.