The story unfolds in a modern urban landscape, characterized by the bustling, neon-lit streets of the city. High-end shopping malls, sleek offices, and exclusive clubs serve as key locations, creating a world of luxury and ambition. Against this backdrop of wealth and power, the lives of the protagonist, Adina, and the enigmatic Alaric intersect. The story delves into both the bright lights of the city and the darker, hidden corners where secrets and desires flourish. This fast-paced, contemporary setting reflects the high stakes of love, power, and revenge, with characters navigating a world of both glittering opulence and personal struggle.
Chapter 1 The Thief in Red
The night was alive with neon lights, the commercial district buzzing with laughter, music, and the hum of conversation. The air carried the scent of roasted chestnuts and caramelized sugar, blending with the crisp winter chill.
Adina had been watching him for a while now.
She leaned against a streetlight, twirling a strand of her dark, wavy hair between her fingers as her gaze locked onto her target.
Finally.
The man stepped out of the upscale shopping mall, oblivious to the fact that he was being hunted. He walked with an easy stride, absentmindedly fiddling with a small velvet box in his hand. His tailored suit hinted at money, but it was the watch glinting under the city lights that caught Adina's attention.
Patek Philippe. Blue sapphire glass. A luxury piece worth more than most people's yearly salaries.
Bingo.
She pushed off the streetlight, her red lips curling into a smirk. Time to get to work.
With a calculated misstep, she stumbled directly into his path.
"Ah-!"
The collision sent her sprawling to the pavement, her body hitting the cold ground with a delicate gasp.
The man halted, startled, his gaze immediately drawn downward.
Adina had chosen her dress wisely. The silky, low-cut fabric hugged every curve, and as she lifted her head, her deep, seductive eyes locked onto his.
"I'm so sorry..." she murmured, her voice soft, breathless.
The man didn't blink. His gaze lingered a little too long, flickering over the expanse of smooth skin revealed by the plunging neckline.
He crouched down, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you hurt, beautiful?"
Adina winced theatrically, guiding his hand toward her chest. "Right here... it hurts so much..."
His fingers stiffened for the briefest second before his expression shifted-pleased, indulgent. His thumb stroked over the swell of her breast, his grip tightening slightly.
"I can make it feel better."
He helped her to her feet, flashing a confident grin. Lust flickered in his gaze, making her job laughably easy.
Hotel Room
The second they stepped inside, he barely waited for the door to close before pinning her against it, claiming her lips in a heated kiss.
Adina let herself melt against him, her soft moans coaxing him into a deeper hunger. His hands moved swiftly, pushing down the straps of her dress, baring her skin inch by inch.
He groaned against her throat, his mouth trailing lower, his tongue swirling over the hardened bud of her breast, sucking with the desperation of a starved man.
Adina gasped, her hands threading through his hair as his fingers skimmed lower, toying with the lace between her thighs.
She was soaked. But not for him.
Not for any of this.
She wasn't here for pleasure-only profit.
Just as he reached for his belt, eager to strip her completely, she let out a breathy sigh.
"I haven't showered yet, baby..." she purred, her fingers teasing along the hard ridge of his arousal.
His grip faltered.
"I want to be fresh for you," she whispered, voice dripping with promise.
It worked like a charm.
The man groaned, reluctant but eager, and strode into the bathroom. A moment later, the sound of running water filled the air.
Adina's entire body language shifted. Gone was the sultry seductress-replaced by cold calculation.
She wiped herself down with a tissue, yanked her dress back up, and rifled through his jacket pocket.
Her fingers curled around the velvet box.
With a silent smirk, she slipped out of the room without a trace.
The Aftermath
"You've got to be kidding me."
At the mouth of a quiet alley, Adina flipped open the ring box, only to be met with cheap, gaudy craftsmanship.
A fake.
She had just wasted a perfectly good seduction-for this garbage?
A laugh echoed in her mind. "Wow, master thief, that was a huge score."
Adina scowled. Shut up, Ava.
Her wolf spirit was enjoying this far too much.
"Seriously, what kind of bastard walks around with a fake diamond in his pocket?!" She huffed, tossing the ring into the nearest trash bin.
"Well, it's Christmas Eve. Maybe all the real rich guys are out celebrating."
Adina exhaled sharply, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets. "Then we better find them."
Ava snickered. "That's the spirit."
Adina stalked back into the neon-lit crowd, eyes scanning for her next target.
Then-
A ripple of excitement swept through the crowd near the shopping mall's entrance.
Her brows lifted.
Something was happening.
She bought the cheapest milk tea she could find, just to keep her hands warm, and strolled toward the commotion.
A deafening whoosh filled the air.
A sleek black helicopter hovered over the rooftop, its rotor blades slicing through the winter night.
Murmurs erupted around her.
"I heard the Alpha family's young master is back!"
"Isn't he engaged to the Doctor family's daughter? Maybe he's here for the wedding!"
"Imagine the money they'll throw around for that event!"
Adina's ears perked up.
Money?
Her gaze lifted to the descending helicopter.
The moment it landed, a small army of bodyguards in black suits flooded the area, pushing the crowd back.
A door swung open.
Silence fell.
First, two imposing men stepped out, standing at attention. Then, a gloved hand gripped the doorframe.
An inexplicable pressure settled over the street.
The kind that demanded submission.
Then he emerged.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in an expensive black coat that only accentuated the sharp angles of his face.
The kind of man who didn't just walk-he prowled.
"Alpha Alaric, sir!"
A sharply dressed man rushed forward, bowing low. "Miss Rosalind requests your presence."
Alaric's expression darkened. "How does she know I'm here?"
The man swallowed hard. "She postponed the shareholders' meeting by an hour. She's waiting in the top-floor conference room."
Alaric checked his watch, clearly irritated.
Adina watched every movement.
Her heart kicked up a notch.
That watch.
If she could get her hands on it, she could cover Yara's medical bills for a year.
Her pulse thrummed with anticipation as she wove through the crowd, inching closer.
Then-
A sudden surge.
A wave of reporters burst from the mall entrance, cameras flashing wildly.
"Alpha Alaric! Are you back to plan your wedding with Miss Rosalind?"
"When is the wedding date-?"
Chaos.
Perfect.
Adina slipped forward, her fingers itching for her prize.
But just as she reached within striking distance-
A shove from behind sent her careening forward.
Her milk tea slipped from her grip, splattering dangerously close to a pair of polished Italian leather shoes.
The crowd collectively gasped.
Alaric turned sharply, his cold, piercing gaze locking onto her.
Adina's breath hitched.
For the first time that night, her confidence wavered.
And that single moment of hesitation?
Might just cost her everything.
Other books by Tiger Lu
More