Wolf's Den Clan
The heavy metal door creaked open, and Rose Carter was shoved inside the dimly lit underground room. Her knees hit the cold cement floor with a painful thud.
Rough hands forced her down, pinning her shoulders despite her weak struggles.
Her breathing was uneven as she lifted her gaze.
By the window stood a tall figure, his back facing her. The faint light outlined his broad shoulders and rigid posture.
Liam Wilson.
The first man who had ever made her feel loved.
The Liam she remembered was warm, caring, and playful. But the man standing before her now felt like a stranger. His presence was cold, distant—untouchable. There was no trace of the boy she once knew.
Her chest tightened.
For five years, she had waited. Five years of longing, of hoping, of believing she would see him again and finally confess the feelings she never got the chance to say aloud.
But never like this.
Never on her knees. Never at his mercy.
Her dignity had been trampled, her body bruised, her spirit shaken—but her heart still betrayed her. Her eyes searched his back desperately, as if she could somehow see into his heart.
Would he recognize her?
Or had she already become a stranger to him?
Liam remained still for a few seconds before he slowly turned around.
Rose's breath caught in her throat.
His face was sharper now, more defined. His once gentle eyes were now cold and unreadable. Power clung to him like a second skin.
His gaze shifted to the men holding her down, and he raised a hand slightly.
"You may leave," he said.
His voice was calm. Cold. Unfeeling.
"Yes, sir," they replied immediately, bowing their heads before releasing her and stepping out of the room.
The moment they let go, Rose collapsed forward. Her palms scraped against the rough cement, sending sharp pain through her hands. A quiet hiss escaped her lips.
The sound of footsteps echoed toward her.
His polished leather shoes stopped right in front of her.
He towered over her.
"Here for me?" he asked.
His voice was low, carrying a faint hint of mockery.
Rose froze.
Being this close to him again made her heart ache. His familiar sandalwood scent surrounded her, pulling her into memories she had tried so hard to bury.
He had changed.
Five years ago, Liam Wilson was handsome.
Now, he was devastating.
His features were sharper. Colder. His aura was domineering, suffocating, powerful.
Rose forced herself to look into his eyes, searching desperately for even the smallest trace of the boy she loved.
She found nothing.
Only cold indifference.
Her heart cracked silently.
Unable to endure his gaze any longer, she lowered her head. Her eyes fell to her trembling hands, faint blood staining her palms.
"Derek," Liam called calmly.
The metal door opened immediately, and one of the black-clad men stepped inside.
"Yes, boss."
"Bring her in when she's ready to speak."
His tone was emotionless. Detached.
Without sparing her another glance, Liam turned and walked away, his steps steady as he returned to his leather seat.
Rose remained frozen on the floor.
Her mind refused to accept what had just happened.
This was the man she had loved.
The man she had waited for.
The man she had believed would never hurt her.
Yet he looked at her like she was nothing.
A single tear slid down her cheek.
It was warm.
It was painful.
And it was the last tear she would ever shed for Liam Wilson.
Because the boy she loved was gone.
And the man before her…
Was now a stranger. A tool she needed to seek her revenge.
Rose struggled out of Derek's arms, disdain and contempt evident on her swollen face.
She couldn't believe that she would on day, be touched by a lot level person.
"You may leave," Liam waved Darek off.
After the metal gate had closed, Liam relaxed into his leather seat, his finger tapping on the expansive desk while his eyes remain fixated on Rose, who, at some point, had managed to seat across from him.
Then a deadly silence followed, making the air suffocating.
Rose bit on her lower lips, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.
After what lasted for a decade, Rose decided to break the ice. She had to.
"My dad has been shot dead by the Level's clan," she whispered with a trembling voice.
"So?" Liam said, unfazed.
A glimpse of surprise mixed with anger flashed through Rose's eyes, but she suppressed it.
How dare he treat her father like this?
"Help me,"
Rose lowered her head after the statement, ashamed that she as the daughter of the most powerful Mafia clan was asking for help from him.
"And what do I get from helping you," Liam said, his eyes calculative and firm.
Rose lowered her head, unable to reply. She knew too well what would become the fate of any one who acted against the second most powerful clan.
But Liam was her last hope, the only man who was fearless, even five years ago, when he was nothing.
Liam chuckled softly, one that was filled with dangerous intent.
"You have nothing to offer me?"
"What do you want?" Rose whispered.
Liam rose from his seat.
Slowly..
Deliberately.
He walked around the desk to stand behind Rose. He lowered his head close to Rose's neck, lifting her chin up.
"What do you think you can offer me?" he murmured near her ear.
Rose's breath trembled under Liam's touch as she lowered her head again. But Liam lifted her chin up, leaning closer to her delicate neck.
Everything had been taken away from her.
Her clan.
Her protection.
Her name.
Her only remaining value was —
"A contract," she said suddenly, turning to face Liam. Her eyes burned with determination. Playing a pitiful card wasn't working out, so she decided to get to business.
Liam straightened up, a hint of amusement flashing throughout his eyes. That was what he was expecting. The determined little girl from five years ago.
"I'll work for you for a year," Rose offered.
He studied her carefully.
And then—
He smiled.
It was not warm.
It was not soft.
It was the smile of a predator.
"Not work," he said softly.
Then he leaned closer.
"Marry me instead."