"Lyrik, you actually came!" exclaimed Liam.

It was my first day at the Apex Group. I had barely stepped into the lobby of the Apex Tower when I heard his annoying voice.

Liam wore a brand-new suit, and he stood by the marble reception desk with Seraphina by his side. She was dressed to impress.

Clearly, they had been waiting for me. They were ready to embarrass me as a welcome gift.

"I told you she would come. Still couldn't help but follow me, huh? How pathetic," said Liam loudly. He made sure everyone nearby would hear.

The employees nearby started whispering, glancing at us curiously.

Seraphina giggled and hooked her arm around his. "Don't say that, Liam. Maybe Lyrik just wants a job. Competition here is tough though, and the turnover rate is high. Are you sure you can handle this kind of pressure?" asked Seraphina as she turned to me with a provoking gaze.

I ignored them and walked straight to the elevator.

However, Liam was not done yet.

"Wait," he called out.

He hurried after me and said with superiority, "Lyrik, since we have history, I can look after you. I'm the marketing director now, you know. If you admit you were wrong, we might be able to start over."

"Step aside," someone interrupted.

The voice came from behind us. It was low and full of authority.

Everyone turned to see Adrian standing there, silent and imposing.

He only stood there and did not do anything, but his intimidating Alpha presence made the lobby fall silent.

It was so quiet as if the air itself froze.

Liam was intimidated, and he instinctively lowered his head. He could not make eye contact with Adrian.

His body trembled slightly as if his nature was crushed by something far greater than him.

"Adrian, sir," said Seraphina.

She tried to stay calm, but her voice was shaky, and there was sweat on her forehead.

Adrian ignored her completely and walked to my side.

The staff instinctively cleared a path when he appeared. No one dared to make a sound.

"Starting today, Lyrik is my special consultant. She will directly report to me. Her rank is above the marketing director," he said.

Adrian's voice was not loud, but everyone heard it clearly.

The lobby was dead silent.

Liam widened his eyes in disbelief. Moments ago, he had been bragging about his position, only to discover my position outranked his.

"Also, anyone caught bringing personal disputes into work hours will face disciplinary action," added Adrian with authority in his voice.

His gaze swept over Liam and Seraphina. Both of their faces turned pale.

"Any questions?" asked Adrian calmly, but the threat was clear.

"No, sir," answered everyone in unison.

Adrian led me into the private elevator, leaving behind everyone who looked at each other.

The lobby erupted with hushed voices as soon as the doors closed.

By four o'clock, after my first project meeting, I was in my office sorting files when Seraphina showed up at the door.

She wore a fake friendly smile, but the malice in her eyes was obvious.

"Lyrik, can we talk privately?" she asked.

Her voice was so sweet that it made my skin crawl.

I gestured for her to sit, and I was curious what trick she had up her sleeve.

"I know we have some misunderstandings, but as a woman, I feel I should remind you of something," she said.

Seraphina went straight into it, and she folded her hands neatly on her lap.

"What is it?" I asked, setting my files aside as I looked at her.

She leaned closer and her voice suddenly turned cruel. "Adrian is the most powerful Alpha in North America. He's destined to be with a woman of the highest bloodline. You, Lyrik, are a woman marked by a Beta, a useless piece of trash abandoned by a man. Do you think a powerful Alpha would ever want you?"

I had to laugh at her twisted expression. "Are you threatening me, Seraphina? My position is higher than yours, you know. Do you think you can threaten me?"

"I'm only reminding you of reality. Don't think that you can turn things around by clinging to Adrian. Someone like you will be eliminated eventually, and when that happens, don't say I didn't warn you," she said.

She stood up and glared down on me with superiority.

Her jealous demeanor was a joke to me.

Then, she left my office on her heels, feeling smug and satisfied.

However, she did not know that I stopped being afraid of cheap threats like that a long time ago.

The next morning, Seraphina showed up at Adrian's office dressed to perfection.

"Sir, I'd like to report on the East District project," she said sweetly, deliberately trying to sound seductive.

Adrian did not look up from his documents. He said, "Go on."

"The budget overran by fifteen percent…"

Seraphina bent over to place the files, making sure to show off her figure, but Adrian still did not glance at her.

"Hold on," he said.

He pressed the intercom button and said, "Lyrik, come to my office."

Her smile instantly froze.

I pushed open the door and saw Seraphina standing there, stiff and embarrassed.

"What's your view on the East District project?" Adrian asked me, as if Seraphina was not in the room.

I checked the file quickly and saw the issues. "It should be suspended immediately. The risk assessment is flawed, and the budget report contains false information. The environmental review is fake, and the maintenance costs were hidden."

Adrian nodded and turned to Seraphina. "Do as she says. You may leave."

Seraphina looked pale in the face, but she did not dare to speak. She could only leave angrily.

She shot me a venomous look before she left.

Adrian and I were walking towards the underground parking lot by six that evening.

"Adrian!" Seraphina called out.

She suddenly appeared from behind a column to stop us.

"We need to talk. Do you remember last year's banquet? We met before," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.

I was about to say something, but Adrian simply opened the car door and gestured for me to get in.

Her eyes widened when she saw me in the passenger seat. "Wait! Why is she allowed in your car?"

Adrian did not answer, and he started the engine instead.

"Do you know who she is, Adrian?"

She leaned against the window and her voice turned hysterical. She yelled, "She's Liam's ex-girlfriend! She was marked by a Beta! She's not worthy to sit in the passenger seat!"

Adrian finally rolled the window down to look at her in an unfriendly way.

"Security, take this woman away," he instructed.

Two guards walked over and dragged off the still-shouting Seraphina.

Then, Adrian turned to me and asked in a low and dangerous voice, "Do you need me to get rid of her?"

I looked at him and my heart raced. The look in his eyes made me realize he meant exactly what he said.

His tone softened when he sensed my unease. He said, "I meant if you wanted me to dismiss her. There's more than enough reason to fire her. Harassment at work, safety risks, and also, she just threatened you."

The car glided out of the parking lot. The night air rushed in, and for the first time, I felt safe.

"I know about your past with that Beta. You suppressed yourself for seven years, and he never appreciated it," he said quietly.

We stopped at a red light, and he turned to me with a shine in his eyes.

"I want you to know something, Lyrik. A Beta's mark means nothing for Alpha's mate. An Alpha's mark can fully replace it," he said.

I widened my eyes.

I had always believed my Mate Bond with Liam could not be undone because our kind valued lifelong loyalty.

I never thought it could be undone so easily.

"That's all in the past now. I want to take you somewhere tonight," said Adrian as he turned the car.

We went toward the Apex Tower. I asked, "Are we still going to work at this hour?"

He smirked and replied, "No. Tonight isn't about work."

Adrian led me to a hidden elevator in the underground parking lot. He said, "This is my private spot."

The elevator rose past the top floor until it stopped at a level I had never seen before.

The doors opened slowly, and the night wind hit my face.

Before me was a vast private helipad.

I saw skyscrapers when I looked out. The traffic down below looked like glowing rivers, and it was a breathtaking night view.

"This is the real rooftop of the Apex Tower. You can see the whole territory from here," said Adrian. He stood beside me.

I took a deep breath and enjoyed the crisp air at the top.

Adrian pointed and said with a quiet pride, "All of this… This land, this business empire, and the future of everyone in this city…"

He paused for a moment and turned towards me. His eyes were gleaming in the dark.

"Await for its Luna," he said.

The wind blew harder, whipping my hair and dress.

I did not know how to respond, so I murmured, "Adrian…"

"I won't force you to decide, but the pact exists. I really hope you'll consider me, I'm willing to give you everything," he said.

His voice was gentler. It was vastly different from how stern he was at work.

He stepped closer, the weight of his Alpha presence made me instinctively want to submit to him.

However, I also felt his restraint and tenderness.

"No one else in this world can sense and awaken your full potential like I can, and you're the only mate I've ever chosen," he said in a determined voice.

The restless power in my bloodline stirred stronger inside me, as if it was rushing me to make the choice.

Adrian waited for my answer without a hint of impatience.

His gaze showed a deep longing and respect.

"Lyrik, will you officially accept our bond, and become my Luna?" he proposed.