The evening air was cool as the city lights flickered alive. In a quiet lounge tucked away on the second floor of an old hotel, Suzan sat at a table near the window, her wine glass poised delicately between her fingers. Her eyes scanned the room, sharp and expectant.
Moments later, Daniel walked in, his suit jacket unbuttoned, his stride confident yet casual. He spotted her instantly, a sly grin curving his lips as he approached.
"Well, well," he said smoothly, sliding into the seat across from her. "I didn't think you'd actually show."
Suzan raised a brow, her red lips curling. "You underestimate me, Daniel. I always show up when something—or someone—interests me."
He leaned back, studying her. "Fair enough. So, what's this about? You asked for a meeting, and I'm curious. Not many people dare send me direct invitations."
Suzan swirled the wine in her glass, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "We both want the same thing. Or should I say…the same people."
Daniel chuckled, catching on immediately. "Ah. Let me guess. You want Ryan."
"And you want Mia," Suzan finished for him, her voice sharp with satisfaction.
The silence between them grew charged, both assessing each other, both measuring how much they could trust—or manipulate—the other. Finally, Daniel leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
"Interesting," he said. "I didn't think anyone else noticed how… complicated things are between them. But I see you're not just anyone."
Suzan smirked. "Of course not. I've known Ryan for years. He should be mine. He was mine, in a way, before she came along with her wide eyes and innocent act. Now, he barely looks at me." Her voice sharpened with jealousy, though she quickly masked it with a cool smile. "But I don't plan on giving up easily."
Daniel's eyes darkened, his thoughts lingering on Mia. "And Mia…" he said slowly. "She doesn't even realize what she does to me. The way she carries herself, the way she smiles—it's infuriating. She's too close to Ryan, and I won't allow that."
Their eyes met, a silent understanding forming.
"So," Daniel said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "we help each other. You push Ryan away from Mia, and I pull her closer to me. In the end, they both end up where they belong—mine and yours."
Suzan tilted her head, considering. "And how exactly do you plan to achieve that?"
A grin stretched across Daniel's face. "I have my ways. Let's just say I'm very persuasive. But with your… history with Ryan, I think you can make him doubt Mia's loyalty. Make him question her. If they're divided, slipping in won't be so hard."
Suzan tapped her fingernail against her glass, her eyes glittering with a mix of delight and malice. "And when they finally break apart, we'll be there to catch them. Clever."
They clinked their glasses together, sealing their unholy alliance.
"Then it's settled," Suzan said, her tone dripping with triumph. "Mia will never truly have Ryan. Not as long as I breathe."
"And Ryan," Daniel added with a smirk, "won't even see it coming."
The two of them shared a laugh, low and dangerous, as the city outside continued unaware of the storm they were about to unleash.
.....
The next morning, the sun rose over the pack's territory, but Ryan's mind was far from calm. He had just returned from a grueling training session with his warriors when Suzan appeared at the training grounds, dressed to perfection in a form-fitting outfit that was far too elegant for the occasion.
"Ryan," she called out sweetly, walking toward him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Ryan's jaw tightened. He had warned her countless times to stop following him around. Still, he gave her a short nod. "Suzan. What do you want?"
She pouted slightly, tilting her head. "Why do you always assume I want something? Maybe I just came to see how you're doing. After all, you've been… distracted lately."
"I'm fine," Ryan said flatly, reaching for a towel to wipe the sweat from his face.
But Suzan wasn't done. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Are you, though? I mean… Mia's been spending an awful lot of time with Daniel. People are talking."
Ryan froze, his golden eyes snapping toward her. "What did you say?"
Suzan sighed dramatically, as though she were burdened with knowledge she didn't want to share. "I saw them myself. At a restaurant, laughing, talking. She looked… happy with him. Maybe happier than she does with you." She paused, letting the words sink in. "I just thought you should know, Ryan. As your friend."
Ryan's wolf bristled, anger coursing through him, but he said nothing. He simply turned away, trying to push down the images Suzan's words conjured in his mind.
Meanwhile, in the city, Mia sat at her desk, buried in paperwork when a knock came at her office door.
"Come in," she said, rubbing her temples.
The door opened, and Daniel stepped inside, carrying two cups of coffee. His smile was warm, disarming. "Thought you could use this," he said, setting one cup in front of her.
Mia blinked, surprised. "Daniel? You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," he interrupted smoothly, taking the seat across from her without waiting for an invitation. "You've been working so hard lately. Ryan leaving you with all this… it's unfair, really. But you handle it so well."
Mia gave a small laugh, shaking her head. "I wouldn't say that. I've been drowning most of the time."
Daniel leaned forward, his gaze locking on hers. "You underestimate yourself. You're brilliant, Mia. Honestly, Ryan should appreciate you more." His tone softened, almost vulnerable. "If I were him… I'd never leave you alone like this."
Mia's heart skipped, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. "Daniel, don't. He has his reasons."
Daniel smiled faintly, but inside, he knew his words had left a mark. He wasn't trying to push too hard—not yet. Just enough to plant a seed.
Back at the pack, Ryan sat alone in his study, Suzan's words echoing in his head. His spies had confirmed Mia had been seen with Daniel before, but hearing it again—especially from someone as manipulative as Suzan—burned inside him.
He slammed his fist on the desk, claws threatening to break through his skin.
"Mia… why him?" he muttered under his breath.
And somewhere in the city, Mia sat with Daniel's coffee cup in her hands, her mind swirling with confusion. Ryan's silence hurt, but Daniel's attention… it felt dangerous, yet strangely comforting.
Exactly as Suzan and Daniel had planned.