Chapter 1

• Ayla
• The silk of my white blouse felt cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the nervous flutter in my stomach. I smoothed down the crisp lines of my tailored black pants. I tried to look as corporate as possible. My reflection stared back, a stranger almost. The outfit, the carefully applied makeup, the even more carefully styled cascade of my honey brown hair – it all screamed “competent professional” rather than “daughter of the CEO about to embark on a forced internship.”
• I sighed, grabbing my brush and tugging it through the waves until they shone, the green of my eyes practically glowing in the morning light. Maybe if I looked the part, I could at least feel the part.
• As a girl, I’ve always dreamed of working with my father but now, I wonder when that dream vanished. Or was I just desperate for my father’s approval?
• Convincing myself I belonged in the cutthroat world of Zane Industries was going to be the biggest challenge of all.
• Downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air. My mother, dressed in a comfortable robe, greeted me with a warm smile and kissed my forehead. "How was your night honey?”
• “I couldn’t sleep.” I pouted and she chuckled, handing me a plate.
• “I saw you reading one of your books around midnight so it’s your fault.” I smiled sheepishly when she pointed it out. “Are you ready for your big day?”
• Her words sent waves of fear to my heart and I felt my appetite slowly disappear.
• My father, Jeff Zane, the man who built the Zane Industries from the ground up, was already seated at the head of the mahogany dining table, scrolling through a tablet. He looked up as I approached, his gaze sharp and assessing. He was dressed in his usual power suit, radiating an aura of authority that could make even seasoned executives tremble.
• "Morning, Ayla. Ready for the real business world?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.
• I groaned inwardly. “Do I have to, Dad? Can’t I just, I don’t know, become a director or a team leader? Or somewhere else that’s not a company slave?”
• He chuckled, a sound that was more amusement than genuine warmth. "Ayla, you need to understand every part of this company. Starting from the bottom is the only way you'll truly learn. Consider it a stepping stone."
• "But interning with the IT department? Really? Couldn't you at least have thrown me into marketing? Or maybe even a junior position in research and development? At least my degree would be good for something there.” I whined, pushing a piece of bacon around my plate.
• "IT is crucial, Ayla. Everything relies on it. And you need to earn your stripes, just like everyone else. No special treatment." He glanced at his watch. "Now, hurry up. We need to leave in five minutes."
• I bit back a retort, knowing it was futile. Arguing with my father was like arguing with a brick wall. He had his mind made up and that was that. Besides, a part of me knew he was right. Spoiled CEO-daughter was not a title I wanted to carry around. I wanted to prove myself, even if it was in the most unglamorous department imaginable.
• The day crawled by. The IT department was… underwhelming. Rows upon rows of identical cubicles, the hum of countless computers, and the constant tap-tap-tapping of keyboards filled the air. My assigned mentor, a shy young man named David with kind eyes and a penchant for Star Trek analogies, tried his best to make me feel welcome, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being a fish out of water.
• I spent the day troubleshooting printer malfunctions, updating software, and trying to decipher the inner workings of the company’s network system. It was tedious, repetitive, and about as far removed from my interests as possible.
• By the time I finally escaped Zane Industries, I felt drained and disillusioned. The gleaming skyscrapers, the bustling streets, the relentless ambition that permeated the city – it all seemed suffocating. I longed for something… different. Something more.
• Back in the comfort of my room, the plush carpets, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, the shelves overflowing with books made me feel at peace. I kicked off my heels and collapsed onto my chaise lounge, reaching for my phone.
• Scrolling through social media, I desperately sought an escape from the work of the day. Fashion bloggers, travel influencers, meme accounts – nothing could hold my attention. I was about to toss my phone aside when a brightly colored ad flashed across the screen.
• "Exclusive Book Launch - The Alpha’s Unknown Mate: A New Fantasy Epic"
• The image accompanying the ad was captivating. A muscular man with a wolf in the background and hate in his eyes. The title was written in an elegant, swirling font that seemed to whisper promises of adventure and magic.
• Fantasy books. They were my guilty pleasure. A world away from the stark reality of Zane Industries, they offered an escape into realms of mythical creatures, powerful magic, and daring heroes. I hadn't indulged in one in far too long.
• Curiosity, and a desperate yearning for something more exciting than printer jams, got the better of me. I clicked on the ad, my heart quickening with anticipation.
• I clicked the "Register" button, a surge of excitement coursing through me. Maybe, just maybe, this book launch could be the spark I needed. Meeting other book obsessed people with a similar mindset. A glimmer of magic in a world that often felt too bland.
• As the confirmation email pinged into my inbox, I felt a thrill course through me. It was a small thing, clicking a button, getting a form. But it felt like I was taking a step outside the confines of my perfectly curated life, venturing into the unknown.
• I clicked on the form and waited for it to open.
• I closed my eyes, and for a moment, I could almost feel the wind on my face, the thrill of adventure in my heart. The Alpha’s Unknown Mate awaited. And for the first time today, I felt a genuine sense of anticipation. Tomorrow, I would go back to the IT Department, and dream of fantasy worlds.