It had been two full days since I'd been confined to the farm, with nothing but the echoing silence of my room, the worried glances of my parents, and Marco's ever-watchful presence to keep me company. The first day had been tolerable, filled with sleep, quiet meals, and my mom's gentle insistence that I needed to rest. But by the second, I was climbing the walls. My thoughts refused to settle, my body ached for movement, and I missed the sense of normalcy—even if my version of "normal" had just been turned inside out.
So I did what any stubborn Andrews would do. I begged. Bargained. Argued. Until finally, over breakfast, I got what I wanted.
"Dad, Marco, please," I had said, sitting up straight, trying not to sound desperate. "I need to go back to the office. I'm fine. I need to do something. Anything."
Dad didn't answer right away. He looked at Marco, who scowled, then looked back at me with those heavy Alpha eyes that made you feel like you were being measured.
"I said I'm fine," I repeated, softer now. "Please."
Dad let out a long sigh. "Only if Andreis goes with you. Everywhere. No arguments."
I bit back a grin. "Deal."
So here I was, two days later, stepping out of the car and into the tall glass building that housed the office of Orion SynerTech. My palms were clammy, my heart unsteady. Not because I feared going back—but because of the question that had plagued me the entire ride here.
Who would I find today? Andreis... or Mr. Lavigne?
The elevator chimed softly as I stepped onto my floor. Everything looked just as I left it—clean, modern, organized. People worked at their desks, some chatting quietly, others buried in screens. Nothing felt different.
Except it was.
Because leaning by the window at the far end of the floor, holding a cup of coffee and watching the city skyline like he owned it—was Andreis.
My heart stumbled.
He turned as I approached, the ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. He wore a navy blue button-up and dark slacks, looking equal parts casual and commanding. Not the tailored suits of Mr. Lavigne, but the presence was the same. Maybe stronger.
"Welcome back, intern," he said, that teasing glint in his eyes.
I blinked, trying to act normal, even though my knees were slightly uncooperative. But what confused me more than anything was how no one in the office seemed alarmed, or even remotely confused. Where was the shock? The double-takes?
That's when Lara, the sweet and bubbly assistant, passed by my desk. She leaned in with her usual conspiratorial whisper.
"Can you believe it? Mr. Lavigne resigned," she said. "They already named a replacement. That's the new boss—Mr. Velan." She nodded toward Andreis. "And honestly? A major upgrade, if you ask me."
I nodded like I was surprised. "Oh... wow."
Inside, I was spiraling. So he changed identities again—just like that. To stay close.
Later that day, we were in his office, going over files I barely absorbed. The door was closed, the city humming outside the windows. I couldn't stop glancing at him.
"So... Mr. Velan?" I finally asked, raising an eyebrow.
He didn't look up from the document he was reviewing. "What? You don't like the name?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "You're unbelievable."
He smirked. "Took you long enough to figure that out."
The air between us changed. Not tense—just... charged. Familiar. Full of a thousand words we hadn't said yet, and maybe didn't need to.
He closed the folder and leaned back in his chair. "You okay?"
I paused. "Getting there."
He nodded. "You're stronger than you think, Mia."
A warm silence followed. Not awkward. Just… full. Full of something that had been waiting to be felt for a long time.
But even in that moment, a shadow tugged at the edge of my heart.
Max.
I hadn't let myself think about her—not really. But now that I was here, surrounded by the very world she betrayed me in, the memories came flooding back. Max, who had been my friend since childhood. Max, who used to sneak me extra dessert when we were ten, who held me whenever I cry, who swore she'd always have my back. Max, who I had trusted with my life.
Max, who led me straight into that warehouse.
The betrayal hit like a punch to the chest. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to keep it all in. How could she? How could someone who knew me—really knew me—hand me over to the enemy like I was nothing?
My chest tightened painfully. It wasn't just fear or anger. It was heartbreak. It was loss. A crack down the middle of something I thought was permanent. I remembered the way Max used to grin at me after a joke, the way she'd always show up when I needed help in teasing Marco, how she once told me I was the bravest girl she'd ever known. Was any of it ever real?
I'd never know. And that uncertainty hurt more than any answer ever could.
Andreis looked up from the desk slowly. His eyes met mine, and something in his expression shifted.
"You're hurting," he said softly.
I didn't respond. I couldn't.
He stood and crossed the room in two strides, resting his hands lightly on my arms. "You don't have to pretend with me, Mia. I feel it too."
Right. The imprint.
He could feel me—my joy, my fear, my sorrow. That explained the way he always showed up at the right time. The way he always knew what to say.
I looked up at him, searching for anger in his gaze, maybe pity. But there was none—only understanding. And warmth.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again," he whispered.
*****
By the end of the day, my shoulders had relaxed, my heartbeat was steadier, and I found myself smiling without having to try. I said my goodbyes to the team and headed to the parking garage.
The underground lot was dim, the only sounds were the soft buzz of overhead lights and the distant hum of engines. I was almost at my car when I felt it.
That sensation.
Like being watched.
I turned.
And there he was.
Zevian.
He stood just beyond the last row of SUVs. Not moving. Just watching.
My breath caught.
But in the next blink, he was gone.
Gone like smoke.
I stood frozen, my heart slamming in my chest. Was it real? Or just a ghost of fear?
Either way, I knew one thing.
This wasn't over.
And Zevian… wasn't done with me yet.