Damien Raymond, the Alpha CEO

While students at Crescent Moon University celebrated the start of summer vacation, another world existed far beyond the campus gates.

A world of luxury, power, billion-dollar contracts, and endless responsibility.

At the center of that world stood Damian Raymond.

At only twenty-five years old, Damian was already one of the most influential young CEOs in the country.

As the sole heir and current CEO of Raymond Global Holdings, he oversaw thousands of employees, dozens of subsidiaries, and business operations spread across multiple nations.

Most people considered him a genius.

Others considered him intimidating.

Some called him ruthless.

Few truly knew him.

Standing at 6'5" (196 cm), Damian possessed a naturally commanding presence.

His broad shoulders and athletic build made him appear more like a warrior than a businessman.

His black hair was slightly messy despite the efforts of expensive stylists, often falling over his forehead.

Sharp silver-gray eyes gave him a piercing gaze that could make experienced executives nervous during meetings.

His wolf heritage was impossible to ignore.

Two sleek black wolf ears emerged from his dark hair, tipped with silver fur.

Behind him extended a long black tail that reflected his emotions far more honestly than his face ever did.

While his expression usually remained cold and unreadable, his tail occasionally betrayed his irritation, amusement, or frustration.

Most employees wisely pretended not to notice.

Damian's appearance alone attracted attention wherever he went.

Magazine covers frequently featured him.

Business publications praised his leadership.

Social media was flooded with discussions about the young billionaire CEO.

Yet none of that interested him.

He preferred results.

Nothing else mattered.

On the top floor of Raymond Global Tower, Damian sat behind a massive desk overlooking the city skyline.

Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed countless buildings stretching toward the horizon.

The view was breathtaking.

Damian barely noticed.

He was focused on a financial report.

His ears twitched.

Someone approached.

A moment later the office door opened.

Alexander Knight entered carrying several folders.

"You're still working?"

Damian didn't look up.

"Obviously."

"It's Saturday."

"So?"

Alexander sighed.

This conversation happened regularly.

Alexander Knight was Damian's closest friend and Chief Operating Officer.

The two had known each other since childhood.

Standing nearly as tall as Damian, Alexander possessed dark gray wolf ears and a calm demeanor that balanced Damian's intensity.

Unlike Damian, Alexander smiled often.

Employees loved him.

He handled many interpersonal situations that Damian preferred to avoid.

"You've been here since six this morning."

"And?"

"You need a life."

Damian finally looked up.

"I have one."

"No. You have work."

Damian returned to reading.

Alexander accepted defeat.

For now.

A second person entered the office without knocking.

Only one individual would dare.

"Good morning, gentlemen."

Isabella Laurent walked confidently into the room.

Her elegant white wolf ears matched her silver-blonde hair perfectly.

As Head of Public Relations, Isabella possessed unmatched charisma.

She could charm investors, calm angry clients, and manipulate journalists with frightening efficiency.

She was also one of Damian's closest friends.

Which meant she enjoyed annoying him.

"You look terrible," she announced.

Damian blinked.

"Good morning to you too."

"You need sleep."

"I slept."

Alexander laughed.

"For three hours."

"That's enough."

"It isn't."

Isabella dropped into a chair.

One of her ears flicked.

"I have exciting news."

Damian immediately became suspicious.

Whenever Isabella said those words, problems usually followed.

"What news?"

She smiled.

"A charity event."

"No."

"You haven't even heard the details."

"No."

Alexander laughed again.

Damian glared.

His tail swished irritably.

"See?" Isabella pointed.

"That's exactly why we're doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Getting you out of the office."

Damian considered firing everyone.

Unfortunately they were also his friends.

Later that afternoon, another familiar figure entered headquarters.

Marcus Steele.

At 6'7" (201 cm), the lion-hybrid towered over almost everyone.

His golden eyes and muscular frame made him look intimidating.

In reality, Marcus was one of the kindest people Damian knew.

As head of security, he protected Damian constantly.

Not that Damian believed he needed protecting.

"Afternoon," Marcus greeted.

"You're late," Damian replied.

Marcus looked offended.

"I was exactly on time."

"Two minutes late."

"That's still on time."

Alexander laughed.

Isabella laughed.

Even Marcus laughed.

Only Damian remained serious.

For about three seconds.

Then a small smile appeared.

His friends immediately noticed.

"There it is," Isabella said.

"What?"

"A human emotion."

Damian groaned.

Despite their constant teasing, these three people were the closest thing Damian had to family.

Alexander kept him grounded.

Isabella forced him to interact with the world.

Marcus protected him from both physical threats and terrible decisions.

Together they formed an unbreakable pack.

Something Damian valued more than money or power.

Though he would never admit it aloud.

As evening approached, the four friends stood near the office windows overlooking the city.

Below them, thousands of people lived ordinary lives.

Students.

Teachers.

Workers.

Families.

Dreamers.

Damian watched the lights illuminate one by one.

For a brief moment, he wondered what it would be like to live normally.

Without expectations.

Without responsibilities.

Without an entire corporation depending on him.

The thought disappeared quickly.

People like him didn't get normal lives.

Or so he believed.

What Damian Raymond didn't know was that somewhere across the city, a kind-hearted wolf girl named Luna Ashwood had just begun her summer vacation.

And very soon, their worlds would collide in a way neither of them could have imagined.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***