/0/80452/coverbig.jpg?v=cb96d1d16546f55f983d24425bba1272&imageMogr2/format/webp)
One wild night at a glittering gala - that's all it took for Alpha billionaire Zane Blackwood to claim Nyx Hart... then break her heart. Five years later, she's back - fierce, untouchable, and hiding a secret that could shatter his world: their son. Now a rival Alpha wants her, danger is closing in, and Zane will have to fight for the mate he threw away. Because fate never forgets - and neither does desire.
Chapter 1 The night everything Changed
Nyx's POV
I adjusted the strap of my gown for the hundredth time, even though it sat perfectly on my shoulder. Maybe it was nerves. Or maybe it was because I had designed the dress myself and every thread felt like it was under a microscope tonight.
The Blackwood Industries gala was bigger than anything I'd ever walked into. Glittering chandeliers hung like stars, casting a soft golden light across the ballroom. Everyone looked like they belonged-tall, polished, confident. And then there was me, Nyx Hart, standing near the edge of the room like an awkward extra in a movie I wasn't meant to be in.
I forced a breath. You're here for a reason. For your brand. For John.My heels clicked against the marble floor as I stepped farther into the room. My dress shimmered with every move, a deep emerald green that hugged my curves and flowed like water when I walked.
I had stitched it late into the night, fingers cramping, eyes burning. I couldn't afford to buy anything designer-not when John's meds cost more than my rent.
He'd been doing better lately. Or at least, that's what I told myself. The truth was, his coughs had grown sharper. His skin is a little paler. And every hospital visit drained more than just my wallet.
"Nyx!"
I turned to see Mollie waving from the bar, looking radiant in a red gown that screamed wealth. She was the kind of friend who always had your back, even when you pushed her away. Especially then.
I gave her a tight smile and waved back, but didn't head over. Not yet. If I let her, she'd spend the night introducing me to rich strangers and trying to get someone to invest in my fashion line out of pity. I couldn't take handouts-not even from my best friend.
Tonight, I needed to make real connections. On my terms. I looked around, scanning the sea of tuxedos and diamonds, trying to find someone approachable. That's when I saw him.
He stood near the staircase, tall and composed, a glass of champagne in his hand like it belonged there. His suit was black, tailored to perfection, and his eyes-God, his eyes. Even from across the room, I felt them. Sharp, silver-gray, watching me as he saw through my skin and into the bones beneath.
My breath caught.
Zane Blackwood.
Of course, I recognized him. He was the CEO of Blackwood Industries, and his face had graced every business magazine in the country. People whispered about him like he was more myth than man. Cold. Ruthless. Brilliant. Dangerous.
Our eyes met for a second. Maybe two. But it was enough to make something twist low in my stomach. A flicker. A spark. Something primal.
I looked away first. My heart was thudding too fast, and I wasn't sure I liked how that felt.
A server passed by with a tray of flutes. I grabbed one, needing something to hold. The bubbles danced in the glass like they were having a better time than I was.
"You look like you're trying to blend in with the wallpaper."
The voice came from my left, smooth and amused. I turned to see a man with slicked-back hair and a crooked smile. His friend, taller and broader, stood beside him with a drink already in hand.
"Just taking it all in," I said with a polite smile.
"You here alone?" the first one asked, stepping closer.
"No," I lied. "My friend is around here somewhere."
"Let us keep you company then," the taller one said, already reaching for a drink from a nearby tray. He handed it to me.
I hesitated.
"Oh come on," the first guy chuckled, his eyes dipping a little too low for my comfort. "It's just champagne. You can't toast an opportunity with empty hands."
I didn't want to be rude. Connections, remember? That was the point of this. So I took the glass.
"To a lucky night," the tall one said, clinking his flute to mine.
I smiled, but it didn't reach my eyes. Something about their energy made my skin prickle. Their attention felt heavy, like a hand pressing down on my back.
I sipped, barely tasting it.
"So, what do you do?" Slick Hair asked, leaning in.
"I'm a fashion designer," I replied, keeping my tone light.
"Ooh, a creative type," the other said. "Bet you make killer lingerie."
My jaw tensed.
"Excuse me," I said, trying to step away, but the tall one moved to block me.
"Hey, no need to run off," he said. "We're just having a chat."
I took another sip, a bigger one this time, just to stall. But as soon as the drink hit my throat, I felt... strange.
My vision wobbled.
I blinked. The lights swirled above like a melted painting.
No. No, no, no.
The room tilted, and suddenly my legs didn't feel like mine. My stomach turned, and panic clawed at my chest.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
I stumbled backward, but someone caught me. Not one of the men. The touch was firm but careful.
"Miss?" a deep voice said near my ear. It didn't belong to either of them.
I turned my head-or tried to. Everything was a blur. Faces stretched like reflections in moving water. My limbs felt heavy.
"I-I don't feel right..." I mumbled.
"I've got you," the voice said again.
The world dimmed at the edges like someone was drawing the curtains on my mind.
I heard voices arguing-maybe Mollie's?-but it all sounded far away.
I felt myself being guided through the crowd, arms steady around my waist.
People moved aside. Someone called for security. But I couldn't keep track of anything.
Tears burned my eyes as fear settled deep in my chest. I couldn't fight. Couldn't even think.
Who had given me that drink?
Who was touching me now?
Where was I going?
Everything went black before I could ask.
/0/75796/coverorgin.jpg?v=7fa49608a32ed5c0cfde642b9545384e&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/68500/coverorgin.jpg?v=5103f1b64512f131f34fd0190398d0ce&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/40781/coverorgin.jpg?v=c2164aac07767e17c371a8bac71db113&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/21791/coverorgin.jpg?v=f568139e11ab3cc3e7a79e53b2dfdbed&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/71216/coverorgin.jpg?v=e53539e056492f45e69f56acf12f8aea&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/75397/coverorgin.jpg?v=f932e41fc1d5eee087f6e26962ec56f4&imageMogr2/format/webp)