CHAPTER 9 - FINDING ME, FINDING YOU

~MILLIE~

My fingers tapped forcefully onto the leather steering wheel of Megan’s car, as the music flooded through the speakers taking hold of me. Rock was my genre of choice today. I couldn’t help but sing at the top of my voice as the car practically vibrated with each deafening beat of the base. I didn’t care if pedestrians could hear my playlist, as I was in my happy place once again.

    The drive from the animal shelter, through our small town and into the city was long and, the quiet tranquil location surrounded by huge towering trees were now replaced by large deafening crowds and huge towering buildings.

    I’d never been to the city on my own before. Megan and I would normally go together, but as she was away, I felt adventurous and brave going solo. I was so glad I had remembered the way and how to find the car park she told me to use.

    I didn’t think much of the way of living here. Too many cars, too many people and far too many traffic lights. Every aspect of it was busy. From the people to their lifestyles. Shops were on top of shops which were next to shops, and each turn in the road was placed on a limited restriction, either for the busybodies of the metropolitan life to cross the road or for the red and amber lights to change to green for the fuel-guzzling motors.

    No, the city was not for me. I preferred the little town I was living in, surrounded by mother nature in her most beautiful form. Less cars, fewer people and more vibrancy and delight.

    I turned the music down as I indicated left making my way into the car park.

    Yes! A space!

    I didn’t think I would find one as it’s Friday afternoon, but luck must have been on my side.  As I pulled into the space, my phone started ringing.

    “Hello,” I answered with a smile.

    “Hey beautiful, how are you?” Megan’s happy voice filled my ears.

    “Megan! I’ve missed you! How was work? Please tell me you are on your way home?” She had been working away for the week and I was so excited to hear from her that I had a sudden case of verbal diarrhoea.

    “Haha, slow down!” She said sensing the enthusiasm in my tone.

    “Yes, I’m on my way home. Work was tough and exhausting, so get the wine ready, I fancy a night out! I have asked April too.” She laughed.

    “Umm, ok.” Oh god, I hadn’t fully recovered since the last time we drank! Getting older certainly meant longer hangovers.

    My stomach flipped, making me feel queasy at the thought of going ‘out-out’. Getting dressed up, crowds of drunken people and alcohol were enough to make me feel anxious.

    “Ummm… I have just got to the city; I need to get a few bits. Is there anything you want?” Mentally preparing myself to make a note of what she says. 

    “No no, it’s ok, just some alcohol to get ready with.” She sounded like she really needed this. Great… No getting out of it now.

    “Ok, I will grab some. See you later.”

    “Love you! Byyyyyyeee.”

    I hung up the phone and grabbed my bag and walked through the carpark exit which took me out onto the high street.

    A night out… A bloody night out… I don’t have any clothes for a night out… Or makeup… And alcohol… Damn you alcohol! Why did I have to be such a lightweight?

    What the hell am I going to wear?

    A deflated huff escaped me as I realized how pathetic I must have been when I was with Dan. A grown arse recluse of a woman, wearing the same clothes day in, day out, with no life outside of work and, someone who only really talked to Megan and the animals. Ha, Dr Doolittle… Or just crazy… What an earth am I going to wear…

    Crossing the road, I stopped in my tracks abruptly when I saw my reflection in a glass window.

    What the hell has happened to me?

    I look 20 years older. My heart sank deep with sorrow.

    I don’t want another man in my life, not for a long time anyway. Hey, I may even become celibate. It would be a lot easier, but maaaaan, I look a mess. I don’t look like me.

    The clothes I owned drenched my figure underneath a coat that belonged to Megan. My brown hair looked dull and lifeless and my skin looked pale and washed out. I wore makeup but it didn’t suit me or my skin tone. It made me look transparent, almost deathly.

    My eyes started to swell as realization finally set in. Over the past few months, I had been making do with what I had. What I had when I was with him. Did I really let myself go this drastically? Wow…

    I continued to stare expressionlessly into the huge glass window which belonged to the biggest building in the city, not noticing that the lobby was full of people heading towards the door. I was stuck in slow-motion bewilderment.

    Soon the plume of bodies ploughed out of the building that trapped my self-image. I felt myself being moved along by the crowd when unexpectedly, someone barged into me.

    “Ouch!” I shrieked rubbing my shoulder and looking back to see who the culprit was.

    That really hurt.

    I caught a glimpse of two tall handsome men who looked like they were in a rush. It must have been one of them. They quickly disappeared amongst the many people that seem to have appeared out of nowhere.

    I rolled my eyes and carried on moving forward with the masses, fixated with my appearance at the forefront of my mind.

    He cannot control me now. I’m not living that life anymore! I need to do this today or my sub-conscious would take the opportunity to talk myself out of it.

    New clothes, new makeup and fresh hair was what I needed. I lifted my sleeve to check the time. 03:45pm. I have time, right?

My feet pounded the floor like a woman on a mission until the familiar smell of hairspray and perm solution filled my nostrils. A hairdresser!

    Fingers crossed they can get me in at such short notice!

    The thick sliding doors sprung open allowing me to step inside before they crashed together behind me.

    “Hi, welcome to Cutting Edge. How can I help”. A pretty face greeted me.

#

~AIDEN~

The elevator reached the ground floor and its heavy doors slide open with a computerized announcement. Stepping out, I was surprised to see it so busy. The lobby was full. Both humans and wolves intermingling. Most were making their way out through the revolving doors, others were sat engrossed in conversation, and a handful were walking towards the elevator. ‘Does everyone clock off from work at this time or something?’ I pondered, but then again, I suppose I’m so used to staying late most nights, I never really saw employees finishing work. I was normally one of the last to leave, even on a Friday. It looked particularly busy outside too.

    The busy lives of those around me momentarily retracted me from what had just happened. I glanced down and was thankful to see that my cock had finally reduced in size, meaning I no longer needed to cover my groin with my suit jacket. Pushing my arms through its sleeves, I adjusted the collar and fastened the button. Ahh, smart and dapper once more.

    I looked over towards the large reception area and saw Sara typing away on her computer.

    “Sara, can you block out my diary for the remainder of today please, I have to go out.” I shot her a flirtatious grin which made her cheeks flush with colour. She nodded and flashed a coy smile in return.

    “What the fuck was that about, Aiden?” Kieran asked as we made our way to the entrance of our building.

    “I don’t know. Her scent was that of an unmated female though.”

    Kieran stopped abruptly and reached for my arm.

    “How the hell is that even possible?!”

    “I have no idea, but I intend to find out!”

    Bobby looked at us. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so overwhelmed before. It was like her scent was torturing him and his wolf, eating him from the inside out. “B-but she was mated… Wasn’t she? Before you.” He said. Shit, we needed to get him out as soon as possible.

    “Yes, she was. Her mate died but he did mark her so her scent should have changed.” I looked at Kieran. My eyes were filled with apprehension.

    “This doesn’t make sense.” Kieran returned my expression as a rush of cool air whizzed past us as we walked through the glass doors.

    “SHIT! I’ve left my laptop! Wait out here for me, I’ll ask Sara to grab it and pass it to Tally for me. I don’t want Tia’s dirty hands all over it!” I turned and pushed my way through the revolving doors, heading back inside the Lobby. For fuck sake! I needed to be quick in case the devil’s bitch reappeared! Tally was one of my guards who, when in the city, was a model ‘employee’. The human’s believed he was a family member, so we played along with it.

    “Watch it!” I heard Kieran shout as the outside world fell behind the entrance.

    “Sara, my laptop is still in my office, can you ask Tally to take it to my home office please?”

    “Certainly, Sir.”

    “Thank you!”

    I pushed back through the doors to see Kieran and Bobby patiently waiting for me.

    “W-what were you shouting at…” My words floated slowly out of my mouth. My wolf’s ears prick up as he smelt something in the air. What is that?

    “Oh, it was nothing, just someone bumped into me.” He patted my back in reassurance.

    I lifted my head higher and inhaled. The smell was beautiful. Delicate yet exhilarating. A mixture of vanilla and the earthy and nutty undertones of coconut. It evoked a flurry full of emotions. Ones that I had never felt before. My core ignited as a surge of electricity coursed through my entire body. Every particle inside me was on fire.

    My eyes continue to scan the bodies that surrounded us to see if I could locate the owner of this delicious fragrance.

    MATE…

    What?

    MATE…

    No, it can’t be.

    MATE…

    My wolf couldn’t say anything else.

    Where is she?

    Panic filled my senses as the hordes of people started to disperse.