He yelled, “I have been worried for TWO WEEKS! I thought you were either avoiding me, or in an accident. But NOOOO. You LOST track of time! YOU ASS!” He hit me again. I didn’t even raise my hands. He demanded, “Fight back!” I refused, “No.”

All the fight died out of Cameron’s eyes and stance. He probed, “What is going on?” I sat down and Cameron slowly joined me. I explained, “Last week Bolt felt my mate nearby. I’ve been terrified she will reject me because of Sophia. Bolt has been insufferable. He was only better when I’d go to Alpha Eric’s territory. That’s why I was there last Wednesday and throughout the week. I couldn’t take it anymore. Her scent was in their home. She smells like mom’s cinnamon bread. He invited me to the Princess’s fairy training tonight. Well, invited is a strong word, I really didn’t give him a choice.”

Cameron pressed, “And? Did you find her?” I shook my head, “Not at Alpha Eric’s house, no. Reagan will be pissed I upset her future best friend. I’ll somehow fix that, but…” Cameron interrupted, “Then you’ve been checking out party planners because you think it could be the one that they used.”

I gasped, “How do you know that?” Cameron laughed, “A woman in my pack works at the second place you went to. You know the one where you walked in and out of without saying anything. She came to Reagan to let her know how great her boss was at parties.”

I smiled, “Well, I can say I won’t need their services since my mate plans parties too.” Cameron missed it at first, “Sure, I mean…” He trailed off then yelled, “YOU FOUND HER?” I smiled, “That’s why I was late.” Cameron shoved me, “Then what the fuck are you doing with me then, man? Where is she?” I shrugged, “I have men watching her making sure she’s safe. I can’t meet her right now. I NEED Sophia to sign the annulment papers.”

Cameron nodded, “You do. It is a very honorable thing you are doing. I don’t know how you are even doing it.” I admitted, “I’m fighting every cell of my body not to go back and claim her and make her mine. The only thing keeping me here is that I know my men are watching her. She will be safe.”

Cameron teased, “So, what’s her name?” I smiled answering him, “Lexi, Lexi Scott.” Cameron asked, “Is she human?” I scoffed, “With how fast she moves? No, she’s not. I don’t know what she is, but she smelled me. She’s not a werewolf because she didn’t know what she was smelling. I was in a tree above her, and she didn’t look up. She’s really fast though.”

Cameron chuckled, “Luna Lexi huh? It’s nice. So, she’s a party planner?” I wistfully stated, “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Cameron grinned, “I’ll bet.” I confided, “I have never wanted anyone more in my whole life. I want to know everything about her. I want her whole story, and there’s basically nothing online.”

Kincade linked me, “Alpha, she knew we were following her. She’s hard to track.” I growled, “What does that mean?” Kincade paused before he answered, “We lost her.” I growled and punched the ground beside me.

Cameron asked, “Whoa, Chase. What happened?” I growled, “They lost her! They said she gave them the slip. I need to know she’s safe. She looks like the woman in my dream.” Cameron sputtered, “I’m sorry what now? What woman? What dream?”

I explained, “I woke up after being unable to warn this woman she was in danger. Something was following her, but she didn’t know. What if someone is following my mate? WHAT IF THEY MEAN TO HARM HER? I can’t find her! I can’t even protect her! I can’t even fucking BE WITH HER because I’m FUCKING MARRIED!” Tears slid down my cheeks.

Cameron consoled me, “It’s ok. Look, I’ll have Reagan use her for a party. I’ll be able to keep an eye on her.” I pointed out, “Reagan will tell her I’m married.” Cameron argued, “Reagan will have no reason to tell her. We don’t talk about your marriage.”

I snorted, “She’d tell my mate.” Cameron sighed, “We won’t tell her then. I’ll just have her reach out because she’s close.” I was stunned, “You’re not going to tell Reagan about Lexi and me?” Cameron cringed, “You aren’t telling anyone but me yet, right?” I shook my head, “That was my plan. I’ll have to bring Matt in at some point.”

Cameron said, “Then we will start with this, and when everything goes to hell Reagan will kick my ass then we will move on.” I asked, “What party are you going to plan?” Cameron shrugged, “A welcome in our new reign to get to know each other, party. I don’t fucking know. Reagan does that shit.”

I paced, “I need to find her. I can get her scent better than they can.” Cameron said, “I’ll help you.” We shifted and I ran to the border. Her scent was all over the hotel, but we couldn’t pick it up anywhere else.

After several hours we shifted back and grabbed clothes. I told him, “Go home, Cameron.” Cameron asked, “What are you going to do?” I told him my plan, “I’m going to wait until she comes to work. Then I’ll have my men on her again.” Cameron was worried, “Chase, you need sleep.” I disagreed, “Sleep is not on the list of things I need. I NEED to know my mate is safe. I need HER.”

Tears filled my eyes again. “I need her, and everything’s messed up. I fucked up everything!” Cameron assured me, “We can fix it. You can have your mate by your side. You are one of the best guys I know.”

Bolt was whining in my head, “I want to know where she is, Chase. This wasn’t the plan. The plan was that we’d know.” I growled, “Which is why we are going to sit out in the rain all night.”

Cameron studied me, “I can’t convince you to leave, can I?” I replied, “If it was Reagan, would you leave?” Cameron didn’t even hesitate, “Have a good night, big brother.” I shifted back into Bolt and stayed on my side of the border in wolf form. I stayed out in the rain that way all night.

Matt linked me at six in the morning, “Where the HELL are you? Your bed hasn’t been slept in; your car is GONE.” I replied, “I’m taking care of something. I’ll be back when I’m back.” Matt yelled, “WHAT?” I closed off my link.

At seven in the morning, I finally saw her. Everything in me relaxed. I growled when I saw a man run over to her and hand her coffee. They hugged while I seethed. Bolt teased, “You have no gaydar. I dislike him touching mate, but at least he’s not into her that way.” I studied the guy before admitting, “You’re right.” Bolt snorted, “I am often right.” They went into the hotel together.

I linked Kincade and Kevin, “Lexi Scott is back at the hotel. Do not lose her or let her know you are shadowing her. You have my permission to step in should you need to protect her.” Kincade and Kevin replied immediately, “Yes, Alpha.” I ran back home.

I shifted, grabbed some clothes, and walked inside. Susie ran up to me, “CHASE! Matt said you were busy.” I smiled, “I’m never busy when you are asking for me. What’s up?” Susie whispered conspiratorially, “How’s our project cookie going?” I tapped her nose, “Quite well.”

Susie looked around then whispered, “Did you find your Princess?” I nodded, “Yes, I’m having her guarded as we speak.” Susie squealed then covered her mouth. She asked, “Can I meet her?” I smiled at her, “I promise once I meet her, you can meet her too.” She clapped and walked away.

I walked into my office. Derrick and Matt were there. Matt handed me coffee. “You apparently need coffee since you don’t sleep anymore. We have a problem.” I sighed, “Of course we do.” I tried to push all thoughts of Lexi out of my mind and focus on my work.

Past Mark

Lexi woke with a start when she heard a pop into her home. I looked over at the clock, “What the heck, Hales? It’s five thirty in the morning.” Haley smiled apologetically, “I train with Molly at six, and I need to talk to you.” I sat up asking, “Are you ok?” Haley nodded and sat down, “Technically speaking I am fine. You know Emmaline, my cousin, is the Soul Searcher.”

I nodded cautiously, “And you know I don’t want her to tell me who my string is.” Haley informed me, “Your string does not feel the same way.” I gaped, “She told him?” Haley shook her head, “No, she did not.” I frowned, “I’m pretty sure she told me she had to tell someone if she knew.”

Haley admitted, “She does. Emmaline can only tell someone their mate if she knows them both in some way. She could see a picture, meet them, see them on the street, or see a memory of someone to get their mate as well. As her Princess I took the burden from her. So, I’m leaving it up to you. He doesn’t know your name.”

I thought about it, “I still want to see how I meet him without interference. Is he cute?” Haley sighed, “Mind you I say this through your lens, yes. He’s not my type.” I laughed, “Eric is the only man you’ve looked at twice. I will take you saying you think I’ll think he's cute. Should I know anything else?” Haley pursed her lips, “His situation is not ideal, but I’m on the case.” I immediately questioned, “What does that mean? Wait, I don’t want to know.”