I'd never seen a more handsome man.

His towering frame and solid muscles made my breath catch. The hand at my waist radiated heat, nearly burning my skin.


My heart pounded. When our eyes met, astonishment crossed his face, followed by a storm of complex emotions.

"You?"

My stomach knotted. Had he recognized me?


The housekeeper shot me a venomous glance before turning with a honeyed smile. "Alpha Caden, I am Nova. The High Priest sent me."

I came to my senses and stepped away from him.


She pointed at me. "I apologize, Alpha Caden, but this human female refuses to leave. I was having her removed."

The man showed no emotion. He simply adjusted his cuffs and said coldly, "Nova, you're being rude."

Nova's face paled. She shot me a resentful look.

With just one sentence, the previously arrogant woman fell silent.

This man—Alpha Caden—must own the estate.

I needed this job. In the tense silence, I gathered my courage and spoke.

"Alpha Caden, I—"

"Lowly human! Who gave you permission to use that title?"

Before I could finish, Nova's eyes bulged with rage. She raised her hand to strike me but froze at Caden's warning look.

Nova's expression instantly shifted to fear. I thought I saw Caden's eyes flash gold, but in a blink, they returned to normal.

He turned to me, his tone indulgent yet somehow expectant. "What did you want to say?"

I chose my words carefully. "Alpha Caden, my name is Ella. I'm a chef. Please give me a chance to prove my skills. I won't disappoint you."

"Is that all?"

I nodded. Caden seemed amused by his own anger. He sneered, "Humans truly are heartless."

I was stunned. Was he refusing? "Please, just one chance."

He took a deep breath, eyes narrowed. "After you finish this meal, leave immediately. Nova, take her to the kitchen."

With that, Caden left. I exhaled in relief as Nova reluctantly led the way.

"The Alpha has particular tastes. You'd better prepare something that satisfies him."

When we reached the kitchen, jealousy flashed in Nova's eyes.

"By the way, our Alpha despises human women. Leave immediately after dinner. And I'm the Alpha's fiancée, so don't get any ideas."

My mouth fell open. He already had a fiancée?

I tried to hide my disappointment behind a forced smile. "Don't worry. I won't disturb the Alpha."

——

Caden brooded in his study, chest heaving. That woman didn't even recognize him!

Or perhaps she'd forgotten. Maybe he was just one of many men she'd slept with!

Humans truly were heartless. He shouldn't have expected anything from her!

Suddenly he clutched his chest, showing signs of going feral.

Marcus rushed to his side. "Alpha Caden, are you alright? You haven't lost control in five years. Why now?"

"Nothing serious. Perhaps it's because I saw that heartless woman."

Heartless woman?

Marcus recalled the woman from the garden and suddenly understood. Could she be the human who'd slept with their Alpha five years ago?

Five years ago, Alpha Caden had been in a severe feral state. No werewolf could approach him—not even the High Priest had a solution.

Who would have thought that woman had miraculously calmed their Alpha's feral state?

Just then, a maid announced dinner was ready. As Marcus followed Caden downstairs, they were surprised to see Frank—who was supposed to be off—serving the steak.

Caden frowned. "Why are you here? Where's Ella?"

Frank, who'd returned after finishing his business, adjusted his chef's hat professionally. "Ella prepared everything. I assure you, Alpha, her culinary skills are excellent."

"I see. Set down the dinner and leave," Caden said impatiently, dissatisfaction evident in his tone.

However, Frank didn't leave. He hesitated before asking, "Alpha Caden, would it be possible for Ella to take home the leftover ingredients?"

After preparing your meal, there are still many ingredients left in the kitchen.

"Why does she need leftover ingredients?" Caden asked.

"She's a single mother," Frank said with concern. "Raising a four-year-old son alone isn't easy."

Caden suddenly stood. "She has a son?"

Marcus's jaw dropped. "Four years old?"

That timing matched perfectly with five years ago!

"Bring her here!" Caden roared. "I want to see her. Now!"