6:00 AM – Room 2931
Aster's eyelids fluttered open.
Ugh... my head…
The world spun as she blinked up at the unfamiliar ceiling, her body aching like she'd been hit by a truck.
So this is a hangover? Or… was it the drug? Damn it…
She groaned and turned her head slowly. Then froze.
A man lay beside her, sleeping soundly, his bare chest half-covered by the sheets, his face calm and heartbreakingly handsome.
Her breath caught.
No… No. No. No. Please tell me this isn't what it looks like.
Memories of the night before trickled back, hazy and disjointed. The club. The drink. The dizziness.
And then—
Her eyes widened. Her heart plummeted.
"Oh. My. God," she whispered, covering her mouth.
Slipping out of bed with trembling hands, Aster carefully grabbed her scattered clothes. Her fingers shook as she buttoned her blouse. She paused only once—to look at the man.
Tall. Perfectly sculpted. Dangerous in all the right ways.
"Better looking than Dane," she muttered bitterly, lips curving into a dry smirk.
And then, without another glance, she slipped out the door.
---
Elsewhere in the Hotel…l
"Good morning, my lord. Has the drug worn off already?" Sean asked carefully as he knocked on the suite door and stepped inside.
Carl stirred, his brows furrowing. "Hmm… where is she?"
Sean blinked. "Who, my lord?"
"The woman from last night. The pretty one. Black dress… cinnamon scent."
"My lord, I didn't bring anyone to your room. You told me specifically not to."
Carl sat up, eyes narrowing.
"Then who the hell was in my bed?"
His gaze fell on the crimson-stained sheet. His jaw clenched. That wasn't a dream.
Sean followed his gaze and stiffened. "Should I get the CCTV footage?"
Carl didn't respond. His mind was already spinning.
She wasn't Lycan. He would've sensed it. She was human.
"Find out who she is. I want everything—name, job, blood type if you have to," he ordered.
"Yes, my lord."
---
Later, at the Hospital…
"Aster, where the hell did you go last night?" Dane, the medical director, snapped.
"I wasn't feeling well. I went home early," she said flatly, eyes fixed on her laptop.
"You missed out. It got wild. Hey… want dinner tonight? I'll cook."
"No, thank you, sir. I've got work."
Cold. Dismissive. Not a hint of warmth in her tone.
Dane's smile tightened.
She knew.
He could see it in her eyes. She knew he had tried to drug her.
---
Back at the Landon Group Tower…
Sean stepped into the President's office, a thick folder in hand.
"My lord. I have her details."
Carl snatched the folder and scanned the contents.
"Aster Carello. Twenty-seven. Doctor. Works at our toptier hospital."
He arched a brow.
"A doctor? Really? Why would she throw herself at me?"
"She didn't," Sean said bluntly. "It was a mix-up. She entered the wrong room. We reviewed the surveillance—she was drugged too."
Carl leaned back in his chair, the corners of his lips curling into a wicked smile.
"Interesting. Bring her to me. I want to ask her myself."
Sean hesitated. "My lord… your mother is on her way here. She's… not happy about you avoiding the engagement."
Carl sighed. "Let her come."
---
Ten Minutes Later…
The door slammed open.
"Carl Landon! Have you lost your mind?!"
His mother, Nadia Landon, stormed into the room in heels and diamonds, her expression thunderous.
"I told you, I don't want Vanessa," Carl said calmly.
"She said you ignored her calls and disappeared! Then I find out you were drugged at a hotel?! Do you know how humiliating this is?"
"Better than marrying a snake," Carl muttered under his breath.
Nadia crossed her arms. "You turn twenty-nine next month. If you're not married before then, you'll lose your inheritance—and your status as Alpha!"
"I know."
"Then fix this mess before it ruins everything!"
And with that, she stormed out just as fiercely as she'd entered.
---
8:15 PM – Hospital Parking Lot
Aster yawned and stretched as she finally headed toward her car.
Just one more week and she'd be done with the graveyard shifts.
She clicked her keys and opened the car door—but before she could get inside, a rough hand grabbed her from behind.
"What the hell—?!"
She struggled, but a second figure pressed a cloth to her nose. Her vision blurred.
The last thing she heard before passing out was the hum of her engine.
---
Later – Unknown Location
Soft silk sheets. The scent of cedar and luxury.
Aster's eyes fluttered open. Panic surged in her chest.
Not again.
She sat up, her heart thudding. The room was lavish. Familiar.
No…
Before she could process further, the door opened.
He walked in.
The same man.
The man from the hotel bed.
Aster shot to her feet. "You?!"
He calmly shut the door behind him. "Nice to see you again, Dr. Carello."
Her fists clenched. "Did you have me kidnapped?!"
"Sit."
She didn't move.
He pulled out a chair and sat across from her, all calm authority and dangerous charm.
"You remember me now, don't you?" he asked, eyes piercing.
Aster looked away. Those eyes… gods help her.
"Look, it was a one-night stand. What's the big deal?"
Carl leaned forward, his voice dangerously low. "Then tell me… why did you offer your virginity to me?"
Her cheeks flamed. She bit her lip, unsure what to say.
"I—It was a mistake. I didn't know what I was doing."
"You're a respected doctor. Not the type to make mistakes like that."
He studied her. She squirmed under his gaze.
"What was your real intention? To get pregnant and trap me? Because if that's your plan, it won't work. Our DNA isn't compatible."
Her eyes narrowed.
He'd done his research.
Fine. If he wanted lies—he'd get one.
"To be promoted," she snapped. "You own the hospital. I thought if I slept with you, maybe you'd make me head of the department."
He raised a brow. "Really?"
"Yes," she lied, voice cold. "That's all there was to it."
Carl leaned back, still watching her.
She had guts. He liked that.
"Then you'll have no problem with my condition."
"What condition?"
He smirked. "You'll sign an agreement. I'll have my assistant bring it in."
"What's in the agreement?"
"You'll find out."
The door opened again.
Sean walked in with a sealed envelope.
Carl handed it to her with a devilish grin.
"Welcome to my world, Aster Carello."