The days after the DNA test felt different for Liang Zhen.
He watched Mei Lin more carefully now. Not in an obvious way, but enough to notice the small things about her. The way she stayed late to finish work. The quiet patience she had with difficult clients. The gentle smile she gave when someone thanked her.
And every time she walked into his office, his wolf stirred restlessly.
Now he knew why.
She wasn't just his secretary.
She was the mother of his son.
Meanwhile, Mei Lin had no idea about the storm slowly forming around her life. For her, things at Zhen Group were normal… except for one small change.
Liang Zhen had started paying more attention to her.
During meetings, his sharp eyes often rested on her for a second longer than necessary. When she worked late, he made sure someone walked her to the parking area.
At first she thought it was just coincidence.
But the feeling grew stronger every day.
One afternoon, Liu Xinyi noticed it too.
She stood near the office printer, watching as Liang Zhen spoke quietly with Mei Lin about a report.
Her expression slowly darkened.
That woman had only joined the company a few months ago.
Yet somehow, she had already caught the CEO's attention.
Liu Xinyi clenched her hands slightly.
She didn't like it.
Later that evening, Liang Zhen was in his private office when Chen Kai entered without knocking.
"We have a problem," Chen Kai said.
Liang Zhen looked up immediately.
"What happened?"
Chen Kai closed the door behind him.
"I got news from the pack."
Liang Zhen's expression became serious.
"Han Wei?"
Chen Kai nodded.
"He's been asking questions around the city."
"What kind of questions?"
Chen Kai hesitated for a moment before answering.
"He's looking for something rare."
Liang Zhen narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Chen Kai crossed his arms.
"There are rumors spreading among the packs."
Liang Zhen waited silently.
Chen Kai finally said it.
"About an Alpha heir."
The atmosphere in the room turned cold instantly.
Liang Zhen stood up slowly.
"That information should be impossible to know."
Chen Kai nodded.
"I thought so too."
"But someone must have talked."
Liang Zhen walked toward the window again, his expression darker than before.
Han Wei had always been ambitious.
If he discovered that Liang Zhen had a son… especially a son with Alpha blood… he would never leave them alone.
Because an Alpha heir meant power.
And power always attracted enemies.
Chen Kai spoke again.
"There's more."
Liang Zhen looked at him.
"One of Han Wei's men was seen near Mei Lin's apartment building yesterday."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Liang Zhen's wolf reacted instantly, a deep protective instinct rising inside him.
"They were watching the building," Chen Kai continued. "We don't know if they saw the kid."
For several seconds Liang Zhen didn't say anything.
Then his voice became dangerously calm.
"Double the security around them."
Chen Kai nodded.
"Already done."
Liang Zhen's gaze returned to the city outside the glass tower.
From this height, Shanghai looked peaceful and beautiful.
But he knew better.
A rival Alpha had entered his territory.
And now his mate and son were unknowingly standing in the middle of a dangerous game.
Liang Zhen's hands slowly tightened into fists.
Han Wei had made a mistake.
If he tried to touch what belonged to Liang Zhen…
There would be consequences.
Deadly ones.
Because an Alpha would protect his family at any cost.
Even if it meant starting a war.