Beyond Instinct.

~02. Mine!

Tyler's POV.

The golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the large full-length windows, casting a warm glow across the meticulously organized office. I sat at my polished mahogany glass desk, gazing softly at the outside world, watching as my people passed by, going on with their daily lives.

My room was adorned with tasteful artwork and shelves lined with books and folders, creating an atmosphere of sophistication. With focused determination, I delved into my work, determined to finish this load of crappy paperwork on my table before the day ran out. The rhythmic clanking of my keyboard echoed through the office as I typed inhumanly fast. Just as I was about to open another one of the stack of files placed on my table, my door bashed opened. 

Vexed, I looked up to see the he-wolf who dared enter my office without knocking. But I sighed softly, removing my working glasses from my face and pinched the bridge of my nose on seeing my arduous Beta, and my assistant trailing behind him.

Relaxed against my plush seat, ignoring my best friend as my gaze traveled towards my now shaking assistant. "I thought I said I don't want anyone disrupting me today?" I glared hard at him.

"I-I tried to s-stop him, sir. But-but—" the assistant, John, stammered at the mere glare that I was giving him.

In annoyance, I raised my hand up, telling him to shut up. "Just go, and listen to my words this time." Waved him off as he scurried out of my office. 

My eyes shifted to Trevor as he invited himself and sat presumptuously on one of the two chairs placed in front of me with his legs crossed. I sighed again, this man is in trouble. "What do you want, Trev?" I drawled out, ready to get this over with.

"Aw, I missed you too, brother." He sang with a grin on his face, knowing fully well that he was getting on my nerves.

Trevor's dad and mine were cousins as well as best friends right from time. His dad was also the previous beta of our pack, Grandiose Apex pack. Trevor and I grew up together and was my best friend before I could count numbers –as our moms said– hence his behavior from him. He's the brother that I never had, but then again, I don't know what having a blood brother feels like, but I'd never trade what Trevor and I shared with anyone. Normally, no one dares talk to me like he does, except my younger sister, Alexa.

"I'm glad you're back, Trevor. How was the trip?" 

He threw back his head in laughter that he only found funny. I waited patiently –might I add– for him to finish his series of laughter. Once he had his fill, his face turned serious, and I knew things didn't go well as we planned.

"You're needed in the human realm, Tyler." 

I sat upright, my gaze narrowed at him as my lips turned downwards, displeased. "What do you mean I'm needed in the human realm?"

He sighed, running his hands through his hair, "look, I tried, okay?" 

"Clearly not enough," I cut in. "I sent you there for a reason, Beta." I growled lowly at him before standing up from my seat and going to the mini-bar by the left side of my office. I opened my favorite bourbon, taking two glasses with 2 cubes of ice in them, each. I poured a half-filled bourbon into them, "You are my beta, Trevor. Where the hell did your senses go?" Going back to my seat, I sat down before passing a glass of bourbon to him. Taking a sip of the cool liquid, I asked, "what happened?" 

"They refused to drop it or change the name of their company, knowing fully well that we found it first." Trevor said with a frown on his face. "The boss had the audacity to look me in the eyes and tell me no," he laughed humorlessly. "All this could have been prevented with a snap of the neck," he smirked before connecting his gaze to mine. When he saw my bored look, he sighed as he relaxed on the back of the chair. "You're so not fun."

I rolled my eyes, "hurting humans isn't our nature, and it's against the rules, you know that."

A few weeks ago, we found out that some nasty human in the human realm swindlingly stole our clothing manufacturing name. Though our worlds are different, I do not condone such plagiarizing thieves. They wouldn't have found out if someone from our world was giving them information. To make it worse, they copy our clothing style. 

"There's only one way to fix it," I stood up from my comfortable chair before downing my drink. If I'm going to the human realm, I'd need a drink. "You're coming with me." I took my suit from its hanger as Trevor whined.

"C'mon, I need my mate. Besides, you don't need me over there." He whined.

One look from me is enough to get him up. He may be my best friend, but he's also my Beta. Wearing my suit, I fixed my buttons before trailing out with him behind me, sulking. 

I wondered why I chose him as my beta.

"I'm not coming back for the remainder of the day, John. Cancel my meetings and go home." I instructed my assistant as I walked by him to the elevator.

I adjusted my collar as we waited for the elevator to open. I'll need another glass of whiskey if I go to the human realm. I sighed.

~~~

"Drive us to the nearest coffee shop, please." I ordered my personal driver asked as Trevor and I got into the car. Taking out my phone from the pocket, I scrolled through my messages to see if my sister had responded to me yet. I sighed for the umpteenth time today, when I saw she left my messages on read.

"I'd take it that she ignored you, again?" Trevor inputted from beside me.

I cleared my throat, "yeah."

"She'll come around, bro." He patted my shoulder as I glanced at him, giving him a tight smile. I hope so too.

I'm glad the meeting with the boss of my plagiarized company went well. Apparently, what I had to do when I arrived there was to threaten him and make him sign up for his company. Now, all I have to worry about is who I'll assign over there to take charge of the company. I'll leave it to Trevor to handle that.

After a few turns, we arrived at a small little café. But just before Trevor and I could get out, Ryder, my wolf, started growling, mentally clawing at me. I sighed. After a long day, I don't think I'm ready for this. 

Ignoring him, I stepped out of the car. As I shut the door behind me, Ryder growled again. 'What!?' I snapped.

'Scent, follow.' He said. 

I frowned, what the hell is he talking about? What scent? 

"Are you okay, mate?" Trev asked from the opposite side.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I muttered to him as I walked up to meet me. And that's when I caught it. The scent. My senses became heightened, as I was enveloped in a tapestry of alluring aromas. I followed after the scent, captivated. It's like a symphony orchestrated just for me, drawing me in. The air mingled with delicate floral notes and a hint of warm vanilla, igniting a primal instinct I never knew I had –inside of me– and filling me up with a longing I ever wanted. A mate.

I trailed the intoxicating scent into the café, my eyes instantly connected to a young girl behind the counter, smiling at a customer while handing over a drink to him. 

Slowly, I drank her in. She had on deep blue washed jeans and a dull red V-neck, a white apron was tied around her. Her skin was a beautiful shade of rich cocoa, her charcoal black bob hairstyle fell in straight, sleek, chin-length strands. She had a cute round face that was framed by her hair. My eyes locked on her lips as she spoke to the woman standing in front of her, her plump pink, heart-shaped lips pulled into a mesmerizing smile that exuded a vibrant energy as her sparkling doe eyes shined along with her smile.

She was so beautiful.

Like she felt my eyes on her, she looked up, and her gaze connected with mine. I stood there, at the door, starstruck. Her eyes-her eyes are a pair of enchanting hazels that had a blend of colors. They had hints of green, brown, and gold, creating a captivating, alluring gaze. These hazels are like bright shining windows to her soul, reflecting the deep warmth and curiosity that covered up the look of pain in her eyes which made me intrigued.

"Mine!" My wolf and I growled out, lowly in sync.