Page 102 of Mated By Twilight

Even when he did later spot Skara in the crowd but not Leah, he still wasn’t concerned. Their mate was tiny, after all. Humans were, on average, shorter than every other species. Shorvi being almost the same height as her was an exception, not the norm.

Knowing that, it wasn’t unreasonable that he couldn’t spot her over the heads of the crowd.

That didn't mean he stopped looking though. Every time he got a break in speaking, he’d scan for some sign of her. He knew, by Tillos’ yearning in his chest, that his brother was doing the same.

It wasn’t until the room was over half empty and they could reasonably see everyone within it that they began to worry.

Tillos gave him a look that Sollit returned.

Where was Leah?

Skara was there, accepting her praise, but Leah wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Had their mate already returned to the back of the ship? She wouldn’t have gone without them though, right?

She was fine though. Of course, she was fine. Nothing would happen to her.

The box.

The dead animal.

The fear that struck him so suddenly at the memory made Tillos fall back a step. His brother gave him a look. All Sollit had to say was-

“Box.”

Tillos’ jaw tightened. At the same moment, they begged pardon from the fans currently speaking to them and turned, moving together back towards Skara. The ratchi female was flirting with her fans – she was unmated, and her public image was one of unabashed sexuality so it was normal for her to make eyes and playfully tease her fans – more the females than the males, though she wasn’t actually picky between the two.

As she saw them approach, however, the look on their faces must have indicated that something was wrong because her playful grin faded.

“What is it?” She asked, looking between them.

“Where’s Leah?” Sollit asked immediately.

“Leah?” Skara looked around but didn't spot her either. “Last I saw her was in that alcove there. Did she return to the back?”

“She wouldn’t have returned without us,” Tillos said as Sollit was crossing the room, heading for the alcove that Skara had pointed to.

It wasn’t a particularly large space. Near the front, it had a little circular bench built into it that elders often used to sit and rest before the doors opened. It was possible to sit in a particular spot on that bench and not be spotted in the room at all unless you were even with the alcove itself.

Surely, that’s where Leah was sitting. Resting.

No. His mate wasn’t there.

But her bouquet was.

Fallen to the floor, some of its golden brown leaves having scattered when it hit the ground. Abandoned like so much trash.

“Tillos!” He roared, turning to his brother.

He had already been walking his way, but Sollit’s sudden strike of terror made him finish the distance on a run. Until the moment he caught sight of the discarded bouquet. He came up short, his own fear rushing through him.

“Leah…” Sollit moaned softly.

Tillos’ jaw hardened. “Skara! Can you look around? Sollit and I will go check the cameras.”

Skara looked confused by their sudden concern, she didn't know about the package they’d received, but she didn't argue. Turning, she jogged out through the entrance, into the tunnel that connected them to the station. Though it was unlikely, it was possible that Leah had followed the crowd outside and she was within the tunnel or station.

But Sollit knew that wasn’t true. Their mate certainly wouldn’t have gone out there on her own. And even if she did, she wouldn’t have abandoned her bouquet like that.

No matter how much he wished otherwise, he knew that something was wrong.

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