Adrian Kane had spent his entire life fighting for control—over his company, over his reputation, over himself. As one of the strongest alphas in the city, he had never once entertained the idea of submitting to anyone. But now, standing in front of a gilded altar, dressed in a tailored black suit, he was about to be bound to someone he had never even met.

An arranged marriage.

It was outdated, archaic, and yet, when his father had ordered it, Adrian hadn’t had a choice. The Kane family needed this alliance. The Monroes were powerful, influential, and stubbornly traditional. And to make things worse, his so-called fiancé was another alpha.

Ridiculous.

Adrian had fought the decision, of course. He had thrown every argument he could think of at his father. Marriages between alphas weren’t unheard of, but they were rare. Two dominant forces clashing—it would never work. But his father had been unmoved.

“You don’t have a choice in this, Adrian,” he had said, his voice cold and absolute. “The Monroes are old money, and their support will solidify our future. You will marry Elias Monroe, and you will not embarrass this family.”

Adrian had stormed out, slamming doors on his way. But it hadn’t changed anything. Now, he stood beneath the high, arched ceilings of the grand hall, his fists clenched at his sides as he waited for the man who was about to become his husband.

A hush fell over the gathered elites as the heavy double doors swung open.

Elias Monroe stepped inside.

Adrian’s breath caught for just a moment, his sharp blue eyes locking onto the man approaching him. He had expected someone insufferable—some arrogant, overconfident bastard looking to dominate him. But Elias… he was different.

Tall—perhaps an inch or two taller than Adrian—he had the kind of presence that turned heads without effort. He wore a deep navy suit that fit his broad frame perfectly, his dark eyes unreadable as they scanned the room. Unlike Adrian’s barely concealed irritation, Elias’ expression remained calm, composed, as if he wasn’t walking into a forced marriage with a complete stranger.

Adrian braced himself for whatever attitude this man would bring. But as Elias approached, something shifted in the air.

A scent.

Rich, warm, and unmistakably familiar.

Adrian’s pulse jumped. His breath caught in his throat. No—this couldn’t be.

Elias paused a few steps away, his deep gaze locking onto Adrian’s with unnerving certainty. He inhaled, subtly but deliberately, and the tension between them sharpened.

And then he spoke.

“We’re fated mates.”

It wasn’t a question.

Adrian’s jaw tightened. He knew it was true the second he’d caught Elias’ scent. A bond deeper than logic, deeper than blood, was already weaving itself between them. His instincts screamed at him to accept it, to let it take over.

But Adrian Kane didn’t believe in fate.

“I don’t believe in that bullshit,” Adrian muttered, forcing himself to stand his ground.

Elias studied him for a moment, then gave a small, almost knowing smile. “Believe it or not, it’s real.” His voice was low, smooth, with a patience that grated against Adrian’s nerves.

He hated patience. He hated the way Elias was looking at him, like he already knew how this would end.

“This changes nothing,” Adrian snapped. “I’m only here because our families forced this.”

Elias tilted his head slightly. “So am I.”

That should have made Adrian feel better. It didn’t.

He wanted Elias to be angry, to fight him on this. He wanted an excuse to push back. Instead, Elias was frustratingly composed, as if he had already accepted their situation.

The officiant cleared his throat, signaling for them to step forward. Adrian forced himself to move, his muscles coiled tight as he took his place beside Elias.

The ceremony was brief. Too brief.

With every word spoken, the bond between them grew heavier, more suffocating. Adrian could feel it wrapping around his chest, binding him to this man he barely knew. His wolf stirred beneath his skin, restless, recognizing what Adrian refused to acknowledge.

He’s yours.

No.

When it came time for the vows, Elias turned to face Adrian fully. His dark gaze was steady, unwavering. “I, Elias Monroe, take you, Adrian Kane, as my husband.” His voice was deep, sincere, carrying an unspoken promise. “I will stand by you, protect you, and honor our bond.”

Adrian swallowed hard, his heart pounding against his ribs. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to be tied to someone—especially not someone like Elias.

And yet, when it was his turn to speak, the words left his mouth before he could think twice.

“I, Adrian Kane, take you, Elias Monroe, as my husband.” The words burned, but he forced them out. “I will stand by you.”

The officiant smiled, announcing the completion of their vows. The words echoed in Adrian’s mind. Husband. Mate. Bound.

Then, the final command: “You may now kiss.”

Adrian barely had time to react before Elias stepped closer, his warmth pressing against him.

Elias didn’t rush. He didn’t take control. Instead, he reached up, his fingers grazing Adrian’s jaw in a touch that was far too gentle. The heat of his skin sent an unwanted shiver through Adrian’s body.

For a moment, Adrian expected dominance—expected Elias to stake his claim with force.

Instead, Elias whispered, just for him to hear:

“I won’t hurt you.”

Then he kissed him passionately

Their lips joined together

Soft. Slow. Patient.

Adrian’s breath hitched, his body stiffening. He had prepared for a fight. He hadn’t prepared for tenderness.

And that terrified him more than anything else.

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.

And he wasn’t sure if he could win.

Adrian woke up restless.

The sheets were tangled around his legs, his body uncomfortably warm despite the cool air in the penthouse. He could still feel Elias’ presence even though they hadn’t spoken since their encounter in the kitchen last night.

His wolf was pacing beneath his skin, unsettled.

Adrian groaned, running a hand through his messy hair. This was why he had never wanted a fated mate—because no matter how much he fought it, the bond existed, pulling at him, demanding recognition.

And worst of all?

It wasn’t just physical.

It was in the way Elias looked at him—calm, steady, patient. As if he wasn’t fazed by any of this, as if he had all the time in the world to wait for Adrian to stop fighting.

The thought made Adrian’s chest tighten with frustration.

Throwing the sheets off, he pushed himself out of bed and headed for the shower. He needed something to snap him out of this haze.

But even under the cold spray of water, Elias lingered in his thoughts.

—

When Adrian finally stepped into the kitchen, Elias was already there.

He stood by the counter, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand, looking effortlessly composed in a fitted black shirt and dark slacks. His hair was still slightly damp from his own morning shower, and his scent—warm cedar and something subtly sweet—filled the air.

Adrian scowled. “You’re up early.”

Elias took a sip of his coffee before responding. “So are you.”

Adrian ignored the way Elias’ voice sent a shiver down his spine. He crossed his arms. “I have a meeting in an hour.”

Elias simply nodded. “I figured.”

Adrian frowned, narrowing his eyes. “And how would you know that?”

Elias gave him a knowing look. “Because I read the schedule your assistant sent over last night.”

Adrian tensed. “You went through my schedule?”

Elias set his cup down and leaned against the counter, arms folding over his chest. “We’re married, Adrian. Our lives are intertwined now, whether you like it or not. I need to know what’s going on in your life.”

Something about the way Elias said it—with that maddening patience—made Adrian’s irritation flare.

“You don’t need to do anything,” Adrian snapped. “You said it yourself—we don’t have to force this bond.”

Elias exhaled slowly, as if he were holding back a sigh. “I’m not forcing anything. I’m just being aware.”

Adrian clenched his jaw. “Well, stop it.”

Elias arched a brow. “Stop being aware?”

Adrian gritted his teeth. “Stop acting like you care.”

Silence filled the room.

Elias’ expression didn’t change, but something in his dark gaze sharpened. “You think I don’t care?”

Adrian scoffed. “I think you’re playing a role. The perfect, patient husband. But we both know this marriage is just a business deal.”

Elias was quiet for a moment before he finally pushed off the counter. “You’re right.”

Adrian blinked. That was… too easy.

“But just because this started as a deal doesn’t mean I don’t care,” Elias continued, stepping closer. “And whether you want to admit it or not, Adrian, you feel this bond as much as I do.”

Adrian’s breath caught.

He wanted to deny it, to scoff and walk away—but he couldn’t. Because Elias was right.

The bond was there. It was undeniable.

Elias didn’t press further. He simply picked up his coffee again and turned away, leaving Adrian standing there, heart pounding, fists clenched.

And the worst part?

For the first time in his life, Adrian didn’t know how to fight back.

—

The meeting that morning was hell.

Adrian was usually sharp, focused, and unshakable. But today, he found himself distracted, irritated, off-balance. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Elias’ face, heard his voice.

“Adrian?”

He snapped back to the present to find his assistant, Marcus, watching him curiously.

Adrian cleared his throat, straightening. “What?”

Marcus hesitated. “You were zoning out.”

Adrian scowled. “I wasn’t.”

Marcus didn’t argue, but the knowing look in his eyes was infuriating.

Adrian forced himself to focus on the rest of the meeting, pushing Elias out of his thoughts. But by the time he returned home that evening, he was still wound too tight, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.

And, of course, Elias was already there, casually lounging on the couch with a book in hand, looking completely at ease in his space.

Adrian stopped in the doorway, clenching his jaw. “Do you live in my damn penthouse now?”

Elias didn’t even look up from his book. “Our penthouse.”

Adrian exhaled sharply, dropping his briefcase on the table. “I need a drink.”

Elias finally looked up, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Rough day?”

Adrian glared at him. “If you must know, yes.”

Elias hummed, setting his book aside. “Let me guess. You were distracted.”

Adrian’s fingers tightened around the glass he had just picked up. “I wasn’t distracted.”

Elias stood, moving closer. “You were.”

Adrian took a long sip of his drink, refusing to acknowledge him.

Elias stopped just a step away, close enough that Adrian could feel the warmth of his body. “Adrian.”

Adrian’s grip on his glass tightened. “What?”

Elias leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “You’re fighting too hard.”

Adrian’s breath hitched. “Excuse me?”

Elias’ gaze held his, unrelenting. “This bond. The pull between us. You’re resisting it so much that it’s making you miserable.”

Adrian scoffed. “I’m not miserable.”

Elias smirked. “Then why do you look like you want to throw that glass at me?”

Adrian cursed under his breath, setting the drink down harder than necessary. “You’re insufferable.”

Elias chuckled. “And you’re stubborn.”

Adrian turned away, running a hand through his hair. He hated that Elias could read him so easily, hated that he was right.

Elias’ voice softened. “You don’t have to accept it now. But don’t lie to yourself, Adrian.”

Adrian swallowed hard, his throat tight.

He didn’t respond.

Because, for the first time, he wasn’t sure if he could.

—