Chapter 4 Plans In Motion

"I went through a lot of trouble gathering this information, bro," Riven said, leaning back in the leather chair. "Seems your mate is... a strong one." Kael raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "How are you sure she's my mate?" Riven smirked. "And you're making me go through all this just to find information about someone who might not even be your mate? Or... is this about the way she talked to you that day?" Kael ignored the jab. "Tell me what you gathered." "Well," Riven began, leaning forward, "I found out she's a college student. Her name is Aria Vale.Final year, precisely.

She lives with her aunt, her parents are deceased. Now, here's the interesting part: she was born on the exact same day our world was attacked by the enemies, the same day you were given the suppressants." Riven's eyes glimmered with a mix of excitement and awe. "Maybe this is truly fate." Kael ran a hand through his dark hair. "What about her parents? How did they die?" Riven shrugged. "Not much info on that. Only that her mother passed away giving birth to her. She grew up with her father... until he passed. As far as I could tell, her father was just a normal man who taught at a school. No connections to the underworld." Kael leaned back, disbelief flashing across his face. "So... you're saying she's a normal human? How is that possible? How can I, an Alpha, be mated to a human being and an annoying one at that?" Riven let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "I worry for you, brother. Are you sure three months will be enough? She seems... impossible. Hot-headed. Headstrong. She won't make this easy." Kael let out a long, frustrated sigh, spinning a pen between his fingers. "Of course she won't make it easy. Nothing ever does." "You can start by getting close to her first," Riven said, leaning back. "Best to let go of all the tension and focus on the task at hand." Kael's gaze sharpened. "So... what do you suggest I do, exactly? Just get close to... Miss Impossible?" Riven smirked, enjoying the frustration he was causing. "Well, she's in college. You can't exactly go back to school now, can you?" Kael narrowed his eyes. "C'mon, man. Stop teasing." Riven laughed. "Alright, alright. Think about it, why not become her college teacher?" Kael froze, the idea igniting a spark in his eyes. Of course. That's perfect. "Yes... that's it. That's the best way to do it. I'll find out her class, her schedule... pull the strings to get close." His mind raced with possibilities. Riven leaned back, nodding approvingly. "With your status and influence? That won't even be hard. The real challenge... will be dealing with her stubborn streak." Kael's lips curved into a thin smile, dark and determined. "Stubborn streak or not... I will make it work. She's mine, Riven. Whether she likes it or not." Riven tapped away at his tablet, the soft glow reflecting off his amused expression. After a few hours, he let out a low chuckle. "Well," he said casually, turning the screen toward Kael, "that was easier than I thought." Kael's eyes flicked to the screen, scanning the details. Visiting Lecturer , Department of Business and Economics. Everything had been arranged under a carefully crafted identity. "You already pulled the job?" Kael asked. Riven shrugged. "With your influence in the mortal realm, all it took was one call. The college board was more than happy to have a 'distinguished businessman' share his experience with their students." He smirked. "You start next week." Kael leaned back, exhaling slowly. "So it begins." Riven studied him for a moment, then spoke more seriously. "Listen, brother. I know what's at stake here-the throne, the pack, the pressure but you need to take this easy." Kael shot him a look. "Easy?" "Yes," Riven said firmly. "No alpha commands, no intimidating stares, no forcing things. She's not part of our world. Yet." Kael's jaw tightened. "I don't plan to scare her." "Good," Riven replied. "Because the moment she feels cornered, she'll bolt. And from everything I've learned about her... she's not the type to be controlled." Kael went silent, remembering the fire in her eyes the night of the party. The way she had scolded him without hesitation. The way she had walked away as if he were the insignificant one. "She didn't bow," he murmured. "Not even for a second." Riven smiled knowingly. "Exactly. So let her come to you. Observe her. Learn her habits. Get close but don't push." Kael's fingers curled slowly into a fist. "And if the bond reacts?" Riven's expression softened. "Then you endure it. Suppressed or not, the mate bond is powerful. But if you rush it, you could trigger something neither of you are ready for." Kael looked away, staring into the distance. "I don't even know if she can feel it." "Maybe she can't," Riven said. "Or maybe she's been taught not to believe in it. Either way, your job is simple, blend in. Be human." Kael let out a dry laugh. "An alpha pretending to teach humans. Funny how fate works." Riven stood, placing a hand on Kael's shoulder. "Just remember, you're not there as an Alpha. You're there as a man searching for answers. Let things unfold naturally." Kael nodded slowly. "Three months," he said under his breath. "That's all I have." Riven smirked. "Plenty of time to fall into trouble." Kael's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. "Trouble already found me. I just didn't know her name yet." And somewhere in the mortal realm, Aria lived her life unaware that the man destined to change everything had already stepped into her world-quietly, deliberately, and bound by a pull neither of them could escape.