The next morning felt strangely quiet.
Mei Lin barely slept after the conversation with Liang Zhen. Her mind kept replaying everything he told her.
Werewolves.
A rival Alpha.
A mate bond.
Even now, it sounded like something out of a fantasy novel. Yet the memory of Liang Zhen's glowing eyes was enough to remind her that it was real.
She glanced at Liang Rui as he ate breakfast at the small kitchen table.
The little boy looked completely normal, happily talking about school.
Mei Lin forced a small smile.
No matter what strange world existed outside, her son's safety came first.
Across the city, Liang Zhen stood in the training area hidden beneath the Zhen Group building.
The underground space was massive, built secretly for members of his pack. Several wolves were already gathered there, waiting for his orders.
Chen Kai stood beside him.
"You're serious about this?" Chen Kai asked.
Liang Zhen's expression was cold and focused.
"Han Wei has already started moving."
Chen Kai nodded.
"The scouts confirmed it. His men have been seen around the city."
Liang Zhen's golden eyes flashed briefly.
"Then we don't wait anymore."
The pack members straightened instantly.
"When a rival Alpha enters our territory," Liang Zhen continued, his voice calm but powerful, "it means he's looking for something."
Everyone knew exactly what that meant.
Power.
Chen Kai crossed his arms.
"And if he finds out about the kid…"
Liang Zhen's wolf reacted immediately.
His voice turned dangerously quiet.
"He won't."
The message was clear.
No one touches what belongs to the Alpha.
Later that afternoon, Mei Lin arrived at Zhen Group like usual. But the moment she stepped into the building, she noticed something different.
Several unfamiliar security guards were standing near the entrance.
She frowned slightly.
That was unusual.
When she reached her desk, Zhang Ming leaned closer and whispered dramatically.
"Big boss has turned the building into a fortress today."
Mei Lin raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Extra security everywhere," Zhang Ming said. "Even the parking lot looks like a military base."
Mei Lin immediately thought about Liang Zhen's warning from last night.
Someone watching her.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Just then, Liang Zhen stepped out of his office.
The moment his eyes landed on Mei Lin, he walked directly toward her desk.
"Come with me," he said calmly.
She followed him into his office.
Once the door closed, Liang Zhen spoke immediately.
"Did anything unusual happen near your apartment last night?"
Mei Lin shook her head.
"No."
He seemed slightly relieved.
"I've increased security around your building."
Mei Lin blinked in surprise.
"You did what?"
"Just a precaution."
She stared at him.
"You're protecting us?"
Liang Zhen didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The answer came so naturally that it caught her off guard.
Before she could respond, Liang Zhen added something else.
"Until this situation ends, you and Liang Rui are under my protection."
Her heart skipped slightly when she heard her son's name.
"You're taking this very seriously."
Liang Zhen looked at her calmly.
"I always protect what matters to me."
Mei Lin didn't know how to react to that.
Before the conversation could continue, Chen Kai suddenly opened the door without knocking.
His expression was serious.
"They're here."
Liang Zhen's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Where?"
"Near the river district," Chen Kai replied. "Han Wei's men."
The room fell silent.
Liang Zhen turned toward Mei Lin.
"You should stay inside the building today."
"Why?"
"Because things are about to get complicated."
Mei Lin could feel the tension in the air.
Something big was coming.
And somewhere else in the city, a black car slowly stopped across the street from Mei Lin's apartment building.
Inside the car, a tall man stepped out.
His cold eyes studied the building carefully.
Han Wei.
The rival Alpha had finally found the place he was looking for.
And soon…
The quiet life Mei Lin had built for herself and her son would be dragged directly into the dangerous world of werewolves.