MY BILLIONAIRE ALPHA HUSBAND

"Kiss me," Amora suddenly blurted out.

The man standing in front of her frowned. "Are you serious?"

Amora gave a slow nod. Her cheeks were flushed, whether from the wine or the sudden burst of courage, she couldn't tell.

"My friends always make fun of me," she mumbled softly. "They say I'm too innocent because I've never been kissed."

Her boss let out a quiet sigh, his gaze fixed on her without blinking.

"You're drunk, Amora."

"No." She let out a soft giggle and shook her head. "I'm perfectly aware of what I'm doing."

She took half a step closer.

"Come on..." she whispered with a faint smile. "Just one kiss. Five seconds."

His gaze darkened, yet he remained perfectly still.

"You'll regret asking me that tomorrow."

Amora shook her head firmly.

"No, I won't."

Silence settled between them.

Amora remained where she stood, waiting for his answer. Her eyes never left the man before her.

Meanwhile, her boss didn't move an inch.

His gaze wandered over her face—her flushed cheeks, the faint scent of wine on her breath, and those eyes that usually avoided his. Tonight, however, they looked straight at him without the slightest hint of fear.

"You really have no idea who you're toying with," he murmured.

Amora tilted her head.

"Then who are you?" she asked innocently.

He exhaled slowly, trying to calm the instinct stirring deep inside him.

"I'm your boss."

"That's not what I mean."

Her answer made one of his brows rise.

A small smile curved Amora's lips.

"At the office, you're my boss." Her voice grew softer as sleepiness began to overtake her. "But right now..."

She looked straight into his eyes.

"...there's only a man and a woman."

For the first time since he'd met her, he was left speechless.

She was completely different when she was drunk.

He slowly lifted his hand, intending to brush a few strands of hair away from her face. But just before his fingertips touched her cheek, he stopped himself.

No.

He wouldn't take advantage of her in this state.

"We're going home."

Amora pouted.

"So... you're rejecting me?"

"No."

"Then why?"

He held her gaze before answering in a low, steady voice.

"I want you to remember your first kiss..."

He paused for a moment.

"...not forget it because of alcohol."

Amora fell silent.

A moment later, a tiny smile appeared on her lips.

"Then..." she whispered, "tomorrow... after I'm sober... can I ask you again?"

Her question froze him in place.

For several long seconds, he couldn't answer.

The corner of his lips almost curled into a smile.

"We'll see tomorrow."

Without giving her a definite answer, he took off his suit jacket and gently draped it over Amora's shoulders before leading her out of the restaurant.

Unbeknownst to Amora, his hands remained tightly clenched inside his pockets.

The Alpha within him had just been awakened...

By the scent of the woman who turned out to be the mate he had spent his entire life searching for.

o0o

The next morning...

"Ugh..."

Amora slowly opened her eyes, wincing as a dull headache throbbed inside her head.

"Where am I?"

She looked around. The bedroom was spacious and luxurious, decorated in shades of black, gray, and gold. It was clearly nothing like her tiny apartment.

A soft knock sounded before the door opened. "Good morning, Miss. You're awake."

A maid entered with a tray carrying a glass of water and headache medicine.

Amora sat up abruptly. "W-Where am I?"

The maid smiled politely. "You are at Mr. Cassian Xavier Blackwood's residence."

Amora's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes, Miss. Mr. Blackwood instructed us to take good care of you until you woke up."

The maid placed the tray on the bedside table before quietly leaving the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Amora's innocent expression disappeared.

The corners of her lips slowly curled into a sly smile.

"So... last night's little trap didn't work."

She glanced around the lavish bedroom.

"But getting into your house..." Her smile grew wider. "...is already a victory."

"Mr. Cassian Xavier Blackwood..." She swung her legs off the bed, determination flashing across her eyes. "...I'm coming for you."

o0o

Amora walked quietly through the endless hallways of the magnificent mansion. The soaring ceilings were adorned with dazzling crystal chandeliers, while priceless paintings decorated the walls.

"This house is even bigger than I imagined," she murmured under her breath.

She continued sneaking through the corridors, making sure none of the servants noticed her.

"I really am reckless for going this far," she thought. "I'm certain my eyes weren't deceiving me that night."

Her footsteps came to an abrupt stop.

"I saw it with my own eyes."

The memory replayed vividly in her mind.

A few days ago, during the company gala, Cassian Xavier Blackwood had stepped out onto the balcony alone. The moment he turned his head, Amora saw something that froze her in place.

For a brief second...

A pair of silver-furred ears emerged from beneath his black hair.

She had rubbed her eyes several times, convinced she must have been imagining things.

"There's no way a man as handsome and reserved as him would wear a wolf-ear headband to a formal event," she whispered. "He looked far too serious to be joking."

From that moment on, her curiosity turned into an obsession.

She had to uncover who Cassian really was.

Was what she saw that night merely an illusion...?

No.

Every instinct in her told her otherwise.

Thud!

Lost in her thoughts, Amora walked straight into a broad, solid chest.

Before she could lose her balance, a large hand swiftly caught her by the waist.

"Since when has my guest made a habit of wandering around without permission?"

The deep, icy voice sent a shiver down her spine.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

Just as she expected...

Cassian Xavier Blackwood was staring down at her with sharp eyes that seemed capable of seeing through every lie she had ever told.

"H-Hey, Boss..." Amora greeted awkwardly, raising one hand with a stiff smile.

Cassian's expression remained unreadable.

Amora let out a nervous chuckle, trying to ease the tension.

"Could you... let go of my waist first?"

Cassian held her gaze for a few seconds before slowly releasing his grip.

The moment she was free, Amora quickly took two steps back and smoothed the wrinkles from her clothes.

"Hehe... thanks."

"What are you doing?" Cassian asked, his eyes never leaving her.

"I..." Amora scratched the back of her neck. "I was just looking around your house."

"Were you?"

"Yeah. Your house is huge, so... I got a little curious."

Cassian took another step toward her.

"If you were only looking around, then why were you sneaking through the halls?"

The question instantly wiped the smile off Amora's face.

"You're a terrible liar, Amora."

Her heartbeat quickened.

His piercing gaze seemed capable of seeing through every lie she tried to hide.

"You weren't admiring this house."

Cassian narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You were looking for something."

Amora bit her lower lip.

Damn...

This man was far more difficult to deceive than she had imagined.

"All right... I'll tell you the truth." Amora took a deep breath. "Actually, I came here because I—"

"It seems we have a guest."

A graceful female voice interrupted her before she could finish.

Both Amora and Cassian turned toward the source of the voice.

An elegant older woman stood at the end of the hallway, dressed in a cream-colored gown. She carried herself with quiet grace, and the warm smile on her face instantly softened the atmosphere.

Amora gently nudged Cassian's arm.

"Boss..." she whispered. "Who is she? Your mother?"

"You don't need to know," Cassian replied coldly.

Amora clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Hmph. Is it really that hard to answer a simple question?"

The older woman let out a soft chuckle after overhearing their exchange.

Realizing her manners, Amora quickly bowed her head.

"I'm sorry for coming here without your permission, Ma'am."

The woman smiled kindly.

"If you came here with my son, there's no need to ask for permission, dear."

Amora's eyes immediately lit up.

"Wow... she's so kind," she thought, secretly glancing at Cassian from head to toe. "Completely different from her son, who's as cold as a refrigerator."

Cassian slowly turned to look at her.

His sharp gaze made Amora instinctively cover her mouth with both hands.

"Did you say something?" he asked flatly.

Amora shook her head as fast as she could.

"No! I didn't say anything at all."

"What's your name? Are you...?" the woman asked, trailing off as if trying to guess something.

Amora smiled sweetly.

"My name is Amora Everhart."

She paused for a moment before adding with an innocent expression,

"I'm your son's future wife."

"..."

Cassian froze.

The elegant older woman was equally stunned.

A heartbeat later—

"Hahaha!"

Amora burst into a soft laugh, raising both hands in surrender.

"I'm just kidding, Ma'am. There's no way I'd dare chase after your son. He's colder than an iceberg."

The woman chuckled warmly.

"Oh, you..."

Amora immediately bowed politely.

"My name really is Amora Everhart. I'm Mr. Cassian's assistant. I'm sorry for troubling you by showing up here so suddenly. I lost consciousness last night, so I honestly had no idea how I ended up in your house."

The woman's expression softened.

"There's no need to apologize. Cassian already told me what happened."

Amora let out a relieved sigh.

"That's a relief..."

The older woman smiled.

"I heard you wanted to look around the house. Is that true?"

Amora's eyes sparkled instantly.

"Ma'am, you're so understanding!" she exclaimed excitedly. "If you're really allowing it, I'd be more than happy to."

The woman turned toward one of the maids standing behind her.

"Please escort Miss Amora around the estate. Make sure she gets to see every part of it."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Amora clasped her hands together, beaming.

"Thank you so much, Ma'am."

Before leaving, she glanced at Cassian with a mischievous grin.

"Boss, I'll go admire your ridiculously luxurious mansion. Who knows? Maybe some of your wealth will rub off on me."

Cassian's expression remained unreadable.

"Do you want to tour the house..."

He paused.

"...or would you rather I have you escorted home?"

Amora's smile vanished in an instant.

"Hehe... I'll go now."

Without waiting for a second warning, she hurried after the maid.

Cassian watched her until she disappeared around the corner.

Only then did he turn to his mother.

"Mother... why did you let her wander around the house?"

She didn't answer immediately.

Her gaze remained fixed on the hallway where Amora had disappeared.

"Cassian."

"Yes?"

"Tell me the truth."

Cassian frowned slightly.

"Did you smell it too?"

His expression turned solemn.

"...So I wasn't imagining it."

She gave a slow nod.

"It was faint... but I know that scent."

Cassian slowly clenched his fists.

"Then I wasn't mistaken either."

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, recalling the sweet fragrance that had been tormenting his Alpha instincts since last night.

"Impossible..."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Why does my mate... carry the scent of a human?"