Mia pushed open the glass doors of the company, her steps light and graceful. The familiar hum of voices, the clicking of keyboards, and the soft scent of polished floors wrapped around her as she walked in. Today, her heart fluttered with excitement—an excitement she couldn't quite hide. The upcoming trip to Spain had been on her mind for days now. It wasn't just because it was her first time traveling to Europe, or because she would be experiencing the beauty of Spain's vibrant cities and golden beaches. No—it was because she would be going there with Ryan.
Her boss.
Her Alpha.
Her everything.
The thought alone sent a warm shiver down her spine.
She clutched a neat stack of files to her chest as she headed toward Ryan's office. Even though she tried to appear professional, she knew there was a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. When she knocked gently and entered, she found him on the phone, his deep voice calm but commanding. He acknowledged her presence with a nod, his piercing eyes flicking to her and lingering longer than necessary before he returned to his call.
Mia felt her chest tighten. Every time he looked at her like that—like she was more than just his assistant—it stirred something deep inside her. She placed the files on his desk, quietly retreating so as not to disturb him. Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw Rachel's name flashing. With a grin, she slipped out of the office to answer.
"Hey, baby, how are you?" Rachel's cheerful voice rang out the moment Mia picked up.
"I'm fine," Mia replied warmly. "And you?"
"I'm wonderful. My fiancé is taking such good care of me," Rachel said, her voice laced with joy. "What about you? How's your boyfriend?"
Mia laughed softly, shaking her head as she leaned against the wall near the window. The sunlight spilled through, catching in her hair. "I don't have a boyfriend, Rachel. But Ryan's fine. Actually, we're going to Spain on Friday."
"Spain?" Rachel squealed. "That's amazing! Is it for vacation?"
"Nope," Mia said, her voice casual though her heart thudded louder. "It's a business trip."
Rachel chuckled knowingly. "Business trip, huh? You never know, Mia. What if he proposes?"
Mia froze for a second, her lips parting. "I doubt that," she whispered, though the words sounded uncertain even to her own ears.
They spoke for a while longer, Rachel teasing her endlessly, Mia laughing and brushing it off. But when the call ended, her thoughts lingered. Could it be possible? No. Ryan was her boss. He was an Alpha, a leader, someone destined for greatness and responsibility. She was just… Mia. An orphan girl with no family, no powerful name, nothing but a simple necklace with a wolf-shaped pendant—the only trace of her parents.
No, it was just a business trip. She told herself this firmly as she gathered her bag and left the office. Ryan had promised to pick her up, but he had been held up in a meeting, so he told her to head home alone. Mia didn't mind. In fact, she decided to walk.
The city air was cool and refreshing, brushing against her skin as she strolled. She tilted her head back, admiring the vast sky painted in shades of pink and orange as the sun began to set. People passed by—couples holding hands, parents guiding their children, laughter echoing through the streets.
Her eyes softened when she spotted a little girl skipping happily beside her parents. A pang of sadness pierced through Mia's heart. She slowed her steps, watching them disappear into the distance, and suddenly, she felt the old ache—the hollow emptiness that had followed her since childhood.
She had never known her parents. She didn't even know if they were alive or dead. All she had was the necklace—delicate silver with a wolf pendant. It was beautiful, yes, but it was also a reminder of what she had lost, or perhaps what she had never truly had.
Her feet led her, almost unconsciously, to the orphanage. The old building stood there, familiar and bittersweet. Once, it had been her home. Once, it had been the place where she laughed, cried, and dreamed. She stood at the gates, memories rushing back like a flood.
The woman who had cared for her, the one who had saved her and given her hope, had long passed away. Mia's chest tightened as she remembered the warmth of that gentle embrace, the soothing voice that had sung her to sleep when nightmares came.
Through the gates, she saw a young girl being led away by a smiling couple. Adoption papers in their hands, love shining in their eyes. Mia's lips trembled. That had been her dream too—to be chosen, to be wanted, to belong. But she had never been chosen.
Rachel had been one of the lucky ones. Her adoptive parents were kind, generous, and wealthy. Mia remembered how Rachel had once begged them to adopt her too, but they had declined. Rachel left, her life changing completely, while Mia remained behind, clinging to memories, clinging to hope.
She sighed deeply, her heart heavy. Growing up had been hard. Lonely. Rachel had been her only true friend, the only one who made her feel less invisible. Aside from her, Mia had been utterly alone.
And yet, as she stood there now, watching the laughter and love inside the orphanage, Mia whispered a silent wish: Maybe one day, I'll have a family of my own. Maybe one day, I won't feel so alone.
Turning away, she walked slowly down the street until she reached her home. The small apartment welcomed her with silence. She dropped her bag, changed into comfortable clothes, and moved to the kitchen. The smell of simmering sauce soon filled the air as she cooked a simple dinner.
She sat down to eat, but just as she lifted her fork, her phone rang. Her heart skipped when she saw Ryan's name.
"Mia, how are you?" His voice was rich, deep, and warm.
"I'm fine," she replied softly, smiling without realizing it. "How was the meeting?"
"It was fine," he said, though she could hear the weariness in his tone.
They spoke a little longer, and before hanging up, his voice softened in a way that made her heart leap. "Get some sleep, okay? See you tomorrow, baby."
Her cheeks flushed. "Bye," she whispered, and the line went dead.
She stared at her phone, her pulse racing. Did he really just call her baby? Was it a slip, or did he mean it? Her thoughts spun wildly, but she shook her head, forcing herself to focus on her meal. After dinner, she showered, changed into her pajamas, and curled up on her bed with her phone, watching a short film.
But her mind was restless. She wanted to move in with Ryan, to wake up beside him, to stop feeling the weight of silence in her empty apartment. Yet, a part of her hesitated. She didn't want to rush. She didn't want to assume. But oh, how she longed for it.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled her into sleep, her dreams filled with images of Spain, of sunsets, of Ryan's smile.
---
Across the city, Ryan had just returned home. He shed his jacket, loosened his tie, and settled into his chair after dinner. The quiet of his house surrounded him, but his thoughts were far away—back with Mia.
He had called her, just to hear her voice, just to make sure she was safe. The way she spoke soothed him, made him feel whole in a way he hadn't felt in years. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his wolf stirring within him.
This trip to Spain… yes, it was officially a business trip. But in truth, it was more than that. For him, it was the perfect opportunity. He wanted to confess his feelings, to finally tell Mia what she meant to him. He wanted to pamper her, to show her that she wasn't alone, that she was his.
His pack had been facing problems recently. Rogue wolves had been threatening their lands, and only yesterday, he and his men had hunted them down. They had killed some, but others had escaped. Ryan clenched his fists, his determination burning. He would find them. He would protect his pack. He would protect Mia.
But tonight, his mind wasn't on rogues or battles. It was on her. The way she laughed, the way she blushed, the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn't paying attention.
His wolf growled low within him, restless and yearning. The thought of Mia—her scent, her smile, her warmth—made him ache. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. Not yet. Soon, but not yet.
With a sigh, he got up and headed to the bathroom, deciding on a cold shower to tame the fire inside him. The water cascaded over him, cooling his body, but his heart remained warm—because of Mia. Always because of Mia.
As he stepped out, drying his hair with a towel, a thought lingered in his mind: Spain will change everything.
He didn't know what challenges awaited him, what dangers might come. But one thing was certain. He loved her. And soon, Mia would know it.