Chapter 1 - The aloof Alpha

As I walked out of the railway station, a well-dressed elderly gentleman approached me. He gracefully bowed, extended his hand, and said, "You must be Miss Anna Lambert? Welcome to Paris. My name is Claude Dupont, the steward of the Montmorency family."

"Hello, thank you for coming to pick me up," I smiled and shook hands with the steward Claude. He led me to the back seat of a luxurious black car parked by the roadside, and he took the front passenger seat.

It was then I noticed there was a young man seated on my left.

He wore a deep blue school uniform, leaning lazily against the seat, chin resting in one hand. His profile was exquisitely chiseled, and the sunlight streaming through the window accentuated the delicate contours of his face, possessing an elegant charm reminiscent of medieval sculptures. His rich brown hair cascaded gently, presenting a handsomeness I had never encountered in my hometown.

I could perceive the faint scent of Alpha pheromones emanating from him, musky and intensely alluring, capable of igniting desire in almost any Omega. Yet, his gaze remained cold and aloof, seemingly indifferent to anything around him, creating a stark contrast with the teasing aroma he exuded.

It was the first time I looked at him, unaware that our destinies would become deeply entwined from this moment on.

Claude attempted to introduce me to him, "Young Master, this is Anna Lambert, the daughter of your father's dear friend..." but he cut him off.

Without even glancing at me, he impatiently said to Claude and the driver, "Just go ahead."

Thus, the journey remained profoundly silent with no sound in the carriage. My face turned away from the aloof Alpha, gazing out the window, envisioning my new life in Paris, an escape from the small town where I had always been the top student, putting in long hours of effort to secure the only scholarship and enter France's finest university, Elysee, where my boyfriend Corey also attended.

Since childhood, I aspired to become an outstanding actress while Corey dreamt of founding a tech company, and we promised to achieve our career goals together in Paris after graduation.

Corey was human, but we had grown up together. He knew about my lycanthropy, but he claimed not to mind and pledged to marry me after university.

Soon, the black car arrived at a magnificent estate. My eyes widened as I beheld the meticulously manicured surroundings and fragrant blossoms, evoking a fairy-tale wonderland.

I rolled down the window, inhaling the scent of roses and jasmine that permeated the air, feeling as if I had stepped into one of Monet's paintings.

All labor ceased along the path, and servants respectfully saluted our car. Eventually, the vehicle stopped at the entrance of a grand mansion. I stood alone in the hall, feeling like an outsider in this world of opulence and grandeur.

Upon entering the mansion, the Alpha's haughty demeanor became increasingly evident. He disregarded my presence, beckoning Claude, and they headed directly to the second floor.

It was only then I noticed a sharp contrast between him and the aloof Alpha. In complete contrast, a clear, crisp child's voice sounded from above, "Hello! Miss Anna!"

A lively and adorable young boy leaped down the stairs, golden curls dancing. He wore a radiant smile on his face, mischief sparkling in his eyes. He approached me with enthusiasm, making me feel as though we were old friends. I couldn't resist his cuteness.

This seemingly under-five-year-old boy earnestly held my hand, as a gentleman would, gently kissing the back of my hand, and said in a tender voice, "I'm Lucien, which means 'light.' The one who brought you here is my brother Armand, and he goes to the same university as you."

Armand—the name of the Alpha.

Lucien then proudly took me on a tour of the entire mansion, and we laughed and played together.

As we reached the third floor, Lucien excitedly showed me my guest room, as though it were the most treasured place in the entire estate. The room was exquisitely decorated, adorned with luxurious furnishings and elegant tapestries, creating a serene ambiance.

After Lucien left, I spent quite some time settling in my luggage before stepping into the bathroom for a shower. This was the place I had dreamed of, and now, I was truly immersed in it.

Soaking in the warm bathtub, a trace of unease crept into my heart. When everything seemed too perfect, perhaps disaster was lurking just around the corner.