5

XADEN

For two years, I'd been searching for her. Two years of wondering where she'd gone. Two years of not understanding why she'd just got up and left me like that. I thought we had something special. I was so sure when I met her again that this was for real, for life. All I had to do was get rid of Celeste, and we'd be set. But I was wrong about her. 

She just left. No note, no call, nothing. 

And I was angry. Angry with her, angry with myself. A part of me wondered if it would have been better if we hadn't met at all. Then I'd still be stuck with Celeste, but at least I wouldn't have had my hopes raised only to be shattered. 

I'd go over and over it in my head. Was it something I did? Did I say the wrong thing? Or was it just her? Was she incapable of commitment? Was she using me? I couldn't figure it out. 

Sometimes, I'd think I saw her. I'd see a woman with the same curly brown hair, big brown eyes, and the same build, and I'd get my hopes up. My heart would stop and then begin to race. I'd follow her, hoping she'd turn around and it would be her. But it never was. 

I'd dream about her. I'd dream that she was back, that she'd never left. 

I'd stalk her social media, looking for any sign of her. Any clue as to where she'd gone. But there was nothing. Her accounts were completely blank. It was like she'd never existed. 

At one point, I started to blame Celeste. Maybe she'd done something to drive her away. But she didn’t know that I had found my mate. If she had then maybe this could have been a possible reason.

I sat in my car, still feeling the anger that had been burning for two years. Hating the fact that the other side of me knew something had been wrong. Soraya couldn't have left like that, forfeiting her scholarship only to disappear without a trace. But what could have possibly happened?

I ran through every possible scenario in my mind. Had she been kidnapped? Had she met someone new and fallen in love? Had she been involved in an accident? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that none of these reasons seemed plausible. Soraya was not the type of person to just up and leave without a word.

A chill ran through my spine. What if she was dead? The thought was so terrifying that I tried to push it away. 

Days had turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months when I was looking for her. I couldn't concentrate on anything. My work suffered, my relationships suffered. All I could think about was Soraya.

I started to become obsessed with finding her. I spent hours online, searching for any mention of her name. I contacted private investigators, hoping they could turn up something. But nothing came of it.

I was about to attend a meeting I wanted no part of. The thought of sitting through it sent a round of fatigue through me. I had been avoiding social gatherings for years, ever since Soraya disappeared. I wasn't myself anymore. I was a shell of the person I used to be. But I knew I had to go. It was important for my pack.

It wasn't as if I even liked any of the Alphas that would be present. They were a bunch of self-important jerks who thought they were better than everyone else.

I drove to the airport, the route blurring around me. As I checked in, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was making a mistake. My plan to attend the meeting was a mistake. I should have just stayed home. I could have come up with some excuse, anything to avoid this.

Too late!

I boarded the plane, sinking into my seat. 

Minutes later, the air hostess approached, driving a trolley, smiling at me, her eyes sparkling. "Would you like something to drink, sir? We have a variety of juices, sodas, and alcoholic beverages."

I shook my head, not in the mood for anything. "No, thank you," I said curtly.

She seemed undeterred. "Are you sure? We also have a selection of snacks and light meals.” The air hostess persisted. "Perhaps you'd like a cup of coffee or tea?"

I gritted my teeth, erupting with anger. "For the love of the moon goddess, just leave me alone!" I shouted, gripping the armrest whilst looking up at her. She went away and I tried to focus on something else, anything but the meeting that awaited me. But my mind kept racing, replaying the last time I had seen Soraya.

As the plane took off, I stared out the window, watching the city shrink below us. 

The flight seemed to last forever. I tried to sleep, but my mind was racing. I replayed the last time I had seen Soraya over and over again. I tried to remember every detail, hoping to find some clue that I had missed, some sign that she was planning to leave. But there was none.

I made my way to the hotel where the meeting was being held.

As I stepped into the hotel lobby, the receptionist greeted me with a wide smile. "Welcome to the hotel, sir! How was your flight?"

I tried to muster a smile. "It was fine," I replied.

As the receptionist was talking, I noticed her eyes wandering over me. She was twirling her hair and playing with the pendant lying on her chest. Her shirt was undone at the top, revealing a glimpse of cleavage. She was clearly flirting with me. I wasn't sure how to respond. I didn't want to be rude, but I also didn't want to encourage her.

Okay! I was uncomfortable with her attention. I tried to ignore her, but it was difficult. She kept trying to make conversation, asking me personal questions. I wondered if she did this with all her customers, or if she was just particularly interested in me.

Finally, I decided to put a stop to it. "Excuse me," I said politely, "but I'm a little tired. I just want to check in and go to my room."

The receptionist looked disappointed. "Oh, of course, sir. I'll get your room key for you right away."

I checked into my room and collapsed onto the bed. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. 

I paced around the room, trying to calm myself down. But nothing worked. I was a bundle of nerves, my heart pounding in my chest. I tried to focus on the meeting, but that simply annoyed me.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. I reminded myself that I was here for a reason. 

I shook my head and headed to the bar. I needed something strong, something to numb the pain. 

At the bar, I slumped onto the stool, my eyes gazing blankly at the rows of bottles behind the bar. The bartender, a young-looking woman with a warm smile, greeted me, but I just grunted in response. She nodded sympathetically and asked, "What can I get you, sir?"

I hesitated, my mind a jumble of dark thoughts. Then, I remembered a drink I'd heard of, one that seemed fitting for my mood. "Death in the Afternoon," I muttered.

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Hemingway cocktail? Absinthe and Champagne?"

I nodded, vigorously. "Yeah. That’s the one."

She nodded and began mixing the drink. As she poured the Absinthe into a chilled glass.

The bartender handed me the glass, and I gazed at its pale green contents. "Enjoy," she said softly.

I downed the drink in one swift motion, feeling the bitter Absinthe and sweet Champagne collide on my tongue.

“Another!” I ordered.

I took another swig of the Death in the Afternoon, feeling the Absinthe's bitter bite.