The First Night

The kiss had been brief—too brief—but it had shaken Adrian to his core.

He had expected something forceful, a display of dominance to claim him. Instead, Elias had kissed him softly, with patience, as if he had all the time in the world to wait for Adrian to come to terms with what had happened.

It pissed him off.

The reception that followed was a blur of champagne toasts, meaningless small talk, and endless congratulations from business elites who only cared about what this marriage meant for them. Adrian sat stiffly at the grand table beside Elias, ignoring the whispered conversations about their unexpected union.

“You look tense,” Elias murmured beside him, his deep voice smooth, calm.

Adrian’s fingers tightened around his glass. “I wonder why.”

Elias didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he took a slow sip of his drink and gazed out over the room with the same unwavering patience that had been grating on Adrian all night.

It was infuriating.

Every glance Elias sent his way felt like an unspoken challenge. Every breath Adrian took was filled with his scent.

Fate.

Bullshit.

When the last of the guests finally started to leave, Adrian stood immediately, pulling at the stiff collar of his suit. “Let’s get this over with.”

Elias arched a brow. “Our marriage?”

“The part where we pretend to tolerate each other,” Adrian snapped. He turned to the butler. “The car. Now.”

Elias said nothing, simply followed him outside to the sleek black car waiting for them.

—

The ride to their new penthouse was silent.

Adrian sat with his arms crossed, staring out the window at the glittering city skyline. Every so often, he caught Elias watching him through the reflection in the glass.

“You can stop staring.”

“I wasn’t staring.”

Adrian scoffed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Elias hummed. “I wouldn’t say enjoying it. But I do find you… interesting.”

Adrian turned to glare at him. “We don’t have to pretend when it’s just us. I don’t care what our families expect. We do our duty, keep up appearances, and that’s it. You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

Elias studied him for a long moment, then nodded, as if that was completely reasonable. “If that’s what you want.”

Adrian clenched his jaw. He had expected resistance, a fight—anything to push against. But Elias didn’t argue. He didn’t look disappointed, didn’t demand anything from him.

Somehow, that was worse.

—

The penthouse was sleek, modern, and neutral—clearly designed for two alphas who had no interest in making a home together.

Adrian walked in first, tossing his jacket onto a chair. He loosened the buttons on his shirt, rolling his shoulders. He was exhausted, but there was no way he was going to let his guard down yet.

He turned just as Elias walked inside, removing his own jacket with far more grace.

“I’ll take the guest room,” Elias said simply, draping his jacket over his arm.

Adrian blinked, caught off guard. “You don’t have to.”

Elias tilted his head slightly. “You don’t want this. I’m not going to force anything on you.”

The words sent a strange shiver down Adrian’s spine, his wolf reacting in ways he didn’t understand. His instincts told him that Elias was his, that they should be together, but his pride refused to acknowledge it.

He folded his arms, looking away. “Do whatever you want.”

Elias nodded. “Good night, Adrian.”

And just like that, he walked away, leaving Adrian standing alone in the vast, empty living room.

—

Adrian barely slept.

Even after stripping out of his formal clothes and slipping into something more comfortable, he lay in bed staring at the ceiling, his mind racing.

His body was tense, his senses hyperaware of the presence just down the hall. He could feel Elias. His scent lingered, warm and steady, pressing into Adrian’s skin.

It should have been comforting.

Instead, it was suffocating.

Adrian growled under his breath and threw the blankets off. He padded out into the darkened living room, needing space, needing air. He poured himself a drink and leaned against the cool marble counter, trying to clear his thoughts.

He had never believed in fated mates. The idea of being bound to someone against his will had always disgusted him. He had built his life on his choices, his power.

And now?

Now he was tied to an alpha he barely knew, someone who was supposed to be his equal, his partner—his mate.

The sound of footsteps made him tense.

Elias appeared in the doorway, dressed in loose black sweatpants and a fitted shirt that did nothing to hide his solid, muscular build. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he had just woken up, but his dark eyes were alert, steady.

Adrian hated that his first thought was that Elias looked good.

“Can’t sleep?” Elias asked, voice low.

Adrian looked away, taking a sip of his drink. “Didn’t realize you were keeping track.”

“I can hear your heartbeat from down the hall,” Elias said simply.

Adrian’s grip tightened on the glass. “Great. Another reason to love this whole mate thing.”

Elias exhaled softly, walking further into the room. “You don’t have to fight me, Adrian.”

Adrian set his glass down harder than necessary. “You don’t know me. Don’t pretend you do.”

Elias watched him, gaze unreadable. “I don’t know you yet. But I will.”

Adrian’s pulse jumped at the quiet certainty in his voice.

His wolf stirred, recognizing the unspoken promise.

Adrian scowled and pushed past him. “Don’t bet on it.”

But even as he stalked back to his room, he knew the battle had already begun.