Chapter 3

I swipe my key card and push open the door to my hotel room. Throwing the card on the bed I walk over to the mini fridge and grab myself a bottle of water and chug it down. After tossing it in the garbage can, I walk over to the bed and plop myself down, sighing as I am truly exhausted. Lying back on the bed, I close my eyes and rub my hands down my face. I drop my arms to my sides and just lie there enjoying a few moments of quietness. Driving endless hours in the truck following leads that ended nowhere.   Surveilling woman trying to get information leading to the truth, only to find they were all false. Heartbreak and disappointment at every turn. Hoping on hope that the next lead would be the one. The one that leads us straight to her and bring her back.

     Unfortunately, that lead has yet to come. It was beyond difficult dealing with woman and playing a good guy to get them to reveal their secrets about who they were. I'm not very comfortable around the opposite sex. They are hard to understand and even more difficult to follow their thought pattern. I prefer to work behind the scenes, but on this case, I wanted to be the one to find her and bring her back, but with so many years looking, I was starting to lose hope and becoming depressed over it. I just wanted to find my friend. I do miss her terribly. Although we didn't know each other long, I enjoyed our time together, I cared deeply for her.

I was.... comfortable around her.                

                I just started to zone off to sleep when I hear my phone ding. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, I turn my head to look at the digital clock on the nightstand to see it read eight o'clock. Shaking my head, I reached into my jacket pocket and brought out my phone. Blinking twice, I opened the message from my Gamma and just stared at the words letting them sink in.

                'I found her' Was all it said. I bolted upright from the bed continuing to stare at the message. No way!

                'Bar 99, tonight at 9' Was all the text read. It's almost unbelievable. After seventeen years of looking, we found her.

                I was so excited by this news, I dreamt of this day coming. She was taken away by her mother when she was five and I was twelve. Her father spent every minute looking for her. For an unknown reason, her mother decided to take her secretly and escape past the borders and run away. No one has seen her since. Since I became Beta at age twenty-one, I have been sent on numerous missions to check out leads and sightings, which all turned out to be false. Then about two years ago, they completely stopped. No more information or sightings of the former Luna, it was frustrating and unsettling. Nobody knew what happened to her. But, until now, we had no lead on where she was or what happened to her.

                I jumped up and headed to the small bathroom to shower and ready myself for a night out at the bar. I couldn't contain myself, I felt like a giddy schoolgirl seeing her crush at school. I didn't care. I wanted to find her, see her, hope against hope that it was really her this time. I remember her as a small child. I used to push her on the swings at the playground. We would have water gun fights and play hide and seek in the garden. It was my job to babysit her while the Alpha and Luna were busy, but I saw it as playtime with a friend. I understood there was a big age gap, but I enjoyed my time teaching her how to use the water gun, how to track in the forest by looking for clues of animals or trails. She would even come and watch me train several times a week and started mimicking my movements. Although being five years old she wasn't very strong, but she did get the forms down correctly. She was a beautiful and smart little girl.

                Hopefully, if all goes well tonight, we'll be able to confirm her identity, and report back to the Alpha with the good news.

                I finished in the shower, dried my body and hair. I threw the towel back in the bathroom and walked over to my luggage to find appropriate attire for the evening. I found a dark gray pair of jeans and a white button up dress shirt. Guess that will have to do. After wearing my clothes, I stand in front of the mirror and judged myself.

                Of course, me being me, I see every flaw, every scar and mark on me, wondering if she'll even remember me at all. My dark brown hair lies just past my shoulders in slight waves. My ocean blue eyes stare back at me with a bit of sadness and longing. Then my thoughts turn towards the ugly side of my mind. If she does remember me, will she be happy to see me? Will she hate me because I couldn't keep her from leaving? My wolf and I have always held a special place in our hearts for her as a close friend that I love dearly. I just pray to the Goddess that she doesn't reject me and run away again.

                I just hope that.... I’m good enough to have back in her life.

                I reach over the table and grab my black leather coat from the back of the chair and take one last look in the mirror while zipping it up and straightening the collar. I shoot myself a small sad smile before turning to the door and leaving the room.

                I arrive at the bar just before nine and found a parking spot in the back.  I watch patrons walk in and a few stumbles out. I keep an eye out for Eric. He said he would be there with his fiancée, Tammy, and of course her friend, Tori.

                I'm getting slightly ancy. Hoping they haven't decided not to come or go somewhere else. I wait for another ten minutes then gave up and stepped out of my truck. I hit the lock button and head towards the bar.

                Suddenly, I hear a girl's voice yelling at someone. I stop and listen to where it came from. Behind me in the back lot, there sounds like a couple arguing over something. I turn and slowly walk that direction along the parked cars to stay hidden. Once I reach the corner, I peer around and see a beautiful young lady screaming at a man, who has a blond lady standing behind him. He's pleading with her to listen, but she seems too angry. Obviously, he has done something wrong. I start to feel uncomfortable eavesdropping on a stranger's fight and turn to leave, when I hear the man call her name.

                "Tori!" Immediately, I turn back around just in time to see her pound the hood of his truck and kick the fenders. I smiled a little to myself at that. Good for her. As she stepped away, I saw her shaking her hand from the pain and found myself letting out an angry growl in my chest. I see him get out of the truck followed by a scantily dressed blonde female. He was hooking his belt as he did, which angered me even more. I was beginning to understand the cause of the fight. What an asshole! I wanted to tear him apart for hurting her!

                "What the hell is wrong with you!?" He screamed at her as he approached her.

                "With me? You disappeared for weeks without a phone call or a text, not a single word!" She yelled back in a raspy voice. Her breathing was heavy and labored. "...and here I find you with...this!" She throws a look of disgust at the blond who tosses her hair over her shoulder and gives a smirk.

                "Oh, he's been...quite busy." The blond interjected as she pulled her dress down.

                "Tori, please...let me explain..." Tori wanted nothing to do with his excuses. She shook her head at him and walked away. Then I saw him run up to her and grab her arm. What she did next, totally surprised me, but filled me with pride. She spun around and without missing a beat, hauled off and slugged him right across the jaw. It was a beautiful hit. He grabbed his jaw and glared right at her. Without wavering, she challenged his glare and did something I don't think he was expecting. Honestly, neither was I.

                She flashed a pair of gorgeous amber fire eyes, at him and as quick as she did, they were gone. With that, she turned on her heel and walked back to the bar.

                I slowly backed away as I saw the two still standing there. He was rubbing his jaw while cursing under his breath. The blond just stood there with a confused look on her face as she kept asking him questions.

                I surmised that there was some sort of relationship between the guy and Tori, and he fucked up. By the looks of it, big time! Seeing a blonde girl get out of the truck with him, I'm guessing, he didn't tell her he had a woman already, or cheated on Tori with her. Either way, they guy was a scumbag who hurt Tori.

                'Let me tear him apart!' My wolf, Ivan, demanded.

                'No. Not now anyway. We can't alert the humans to our presence.'

                'He deserves pain! He hurt our Tori!' I thought about what he said. "Our Tori" It sounded nice, comfortable, right. It gave me a warm tingly feeling inside my heart.

When I reach the door, I find a pair of wolves as bouncers. Doesn't surprise me, they make very good muscle men. I stare at them, and I see a slight head bow from each as their wolves recognize mine as a ranking wolf. I nod in return and walk inside.

   As soon as I entered, the overpowering smell of cheap perfume, alcohol, arousal and sweat hit me. I wanted to gag. I could also scent many humans here as well as wolves. Good to know, keep a lid on my anger. 

    I slowly walk towards the large wooden bar at the back of the building. Taking in the scene around me, the place was packed. Many were dancing and grinding on the dance floor, and many were mingling through the crowd expertly balancing their drinks without spilling on fellow dancers. I spotted an empty place at the bar and sat down. The bartender eyed me and nodded.

   "What'll it be?" He asked while throwing a white bar towel over his shoulder.

                "Beer. Draft"

                "Leaded or unleaded?" He asked with his brow raised. Apparently, that was this bar's code for human beer, or wolves’ beer. A normal beer to a wolf does nothing for them. A slight buzz if they drink enough, otherwise, not a thing.  A "leaded" beer was for wolves only. Had a shot or two of wolfsbane in it to enhance the effects of the alcohol. Gets us drunk and faster.

                "Unleaded" He stared for a moment then went off to get the order. I spun around and watched the humans dancing, or what looked like dancing, to the base thumping music coming from the DJ booth on the other side. There were many couples grinding on each other with obvious intentions of doing more than dancing with their partner. I noticed a couple of guys, although a little nervous, walk up to a pair of pretty, young ladies and say something. The girls looked at each other and then laughed. One flipped her hair and gave an uninterested look, shot him a rude comment and turned away. The poor guys just nodded and walked away. I just shook my head and sneered at the two girls for embarrassing them. It takes a lot of guts to walk up to a girl and talk to them. Even worse when they reject you and then leave you in front of everyone. I feel their pain.

                I noticed a group of girls just beyond the dance floor watching the guys and a few of them went up to them and started talking. Both guys smiled and nodded as they followed the girls back to their large table where two others were waiting. They all sat and started a lively conversation. Well, that was nice. Hopefully their evening ends with a few more friends and memories of fun and not the ugly rejected feeling, that feeling sucks.

                I grabbed my beer and was going to walk around and look for Eric, when I heard the DJ announce on the speakers that a certain someone wanted to karaoke. I was vaguely interested and kept looking for Eric. I heard the music start. A quick beat at first, then turned into a seductive, reggae-type beat. I heard the voice coming through the large speakers hanging from the ceiling and spun to find a beautiful woman on the stage. I stared at her for a moment, then I realized, it was the same woman from the parking lot before. I would recognize those eyes anywhere. It was her, Tori. All I could do was freeze to my spot and stare. I watched her sing with the most beautiful and alluring voice I've ever heard, into the microphone and slowly sway her body to the rhythm of the music. I watched as her hips moved smoothly from side to side along with her head swinging back and forth as her hair whipped around to the beat. Oh, how I wanted to go up there and grab her away from all these prying eyes, but I couldn't move. Her movements, teasing the crowd with her body. Just seeing her after all this time had me in a trance. I had to ball my fists at my sides to keep from reaching for her and stealing her away. As the music came to an end, she beamed with a smile and gave a small wave to the crowd. I could see the slight blush on her face.

                "Tori! Everyone!" I heard the DJ announce and before I could approach her, I had to lower my head and walk back into the shadows. I wasn't ready to talk to her yet, not after that performance. I needed to calm myself and think about how I would introduce myself. I downed the rest of my beer and turned to find her, but instead, I noticed the man and blond from earlier walking deliberately through the bar. He had his sights on a destination and as I followed his line of sight, I saw his target.I realized he was  heading straight for her. I placed my mug on a nearby table and followed him a few steps before I grabbed his arm and spun him around.

                "Hey buddy, get your hands off me!" He tried to pull his arm away but to no avail. I glared into his eyes, hoping he would back down. I didn't want a scene in front of everyone especially Tori. I just wanted him to stay away from Tori.

                "Stay away from the young lady before you regret it" I said low and menacingly.

                "What are you gonna do, huh?!" This guy was either really drunk or really stupid. I was at least four or five inches taller and twice his size. I could break him with one punch. I stood blocking his path with my hands balled at my sides, attempting to control my anger when I hear it. "Victor" in a slightly breathy tone. I spun my head around and caught her eyes with my own. We stared at each other for a moment before he noticed her looking up and down his body. When her eyes came back to his, he saw a slight blush on her cheeks, and she turned away. I grinned to myself before turning back to the guy before me and grabbed his arm.

                "Let's go find out!" I pushed him towards the door and out into the parking lot.

                Once outside, he threw every swear word he could at me. I just stood there, growling lowly at him, deciding if I should just throw him in the lake nearby, or punch him in the face and knock him out. Either would make me happy.

                "What do you want with the young lady?" I said through gritted teeth.

                "None of your business man, back off!"

                "It is my business! You need to take your sorry ass out of here before you regret it!"

                "Tori!" He yelled as he jumped around me and ran up to her. He grabbed her by the arms and got in her face.

                "Did you send him after me, huh? Trying to get rid of me by scaring me or fighting me?!" He screamed at her as he shook her violently. "You're such a bitch! I never did anything to you!" Before I could grab him away from her, his hand came down across her face and the distinct sound of slapping skin echoed through the lot. She fell back on the ground, hitting her head on the pavement. He lifted his leg and began kicking her in the legs. I was behind him in a flash. I grabbed him by the neck and dragged him away. I threw him on the ground and started punching him in the face. He tried blocking with his one arm and swinging punches with his other. He landed a few to my chest and head, but they were like gentle slaps to me. I was so enraged it didn't register any pain. I picked him up and put him on his feet right in front of me. I was drawing back to punch him again when I caught Tori stumbling over and placing her hand on my arm that was pulled back to punch.

                "I'm done with you, Jonas. I never want to see you again. Stay. Away. From. Me." She enunciated each word to make her point through gritted teeth. He drew in a ragged breath and spit out a mouthful of blood.

                "Yeah? Or else what?" He stared right at her. That's when we both saw it. Her eyes flashed amber fire and then back to normal in a split second. Controlling her rage, she calmed it down and blinked a few times. He had a shocked expression on his face while panting to catch his breath.

                "You wanna find out?" She let go of my arm and I dropped the guy. He just rubbed his jaw and glared back and forth between the two of us and turned to leave. He got in his truck with his woman and threw dust before screeching out of the parking lot. I glanced over at Tori and saw her talking with her friend and wrapping her arm around her.

                I looked over to Eric and nodded my head. A slight command to watch her and keep in touch. Eric nodded back and lead the ladies back to his truck.

                I slipped away quietly before Tori could start asking questions, I wasn't ready to answer yet. I got in my truck and left the bar. The entire ride back to my hotel, I was gripping the steering wheel tightly and breathing in calm soothing breaths. I was ready to follow that guy and do something I'd regret. Or maybe not, but I couldn't do that now. I had to calm myself before I reported back to the Alpha. Hopefully he'll be happy that we found her and will be keeping an eye on her until he decides what to do.

                I pull into the lot of my hotel and shut off the engine. Closing my eyes, I take a deep calming breath and get out of the truck. I slowly walk back to my room. Visions of Tori singing and erotically dancing in my head. I can't believe how beautiful she is now. All grown up and quite the young lady. I noticed a spark of recognition in her eyes, but I'm not sure if she realized who I was. My wolf whined in my head at the thought of her not knowing us.

                "It's alright man, she'll come around." Ivan whined and slid into the back of my mind. I understood how he felt. I was hoping she would recognize us, but soon enough.

                I swiped the key to my room and entered. Again, throwing my card on the bed, I slumped down and rubbed my face with my hands. I heard my phone ding, and I quickly picked it up to read the incoming message.

                'Taking Tori home' Good, I thought.

                'Text me her address' A moment later, I received the text with her address. I punched it into my contacts and then brought it up on my map. It was only about 15 minutes from here on the outskirts of town.

                I studied the map around her house and found it to be a bit secluded which made me worry. Her house was at the end of a cul-de-sac with only two neighbors to either side of her. The backs of the houses were surrounded by woods, and lots of it. A few more houses down the street that lead to the main street into town. The town itself was not large by any means, but it did have plenty of stores for whatever needs the townsfolk had. Just outside the town line was the hospital where I assume Tori worked. Hidden Falls Medical Center. The only major hospital in a hundred-mile radius. It was owned and run by the local pack, The Hidden Falls Pack. I've been there on occasion for treaty meetings and annual festivals. It was a large, wealthy pack with roughly eight hundred members. They pretty much kept to themselves and earned their income through the hospital and most of the stores in town. Their Alpha was a good man, Alpha Damon and his Luna Daria. They had one son, Ronin, who has yet to find his mate. The Beta, Raymond, lost his mate several years ago during a hunter's attack. His son, Jax, also mateless, is next in line for the Beta position. Although there was not much information on the pack other than news about recent commerce trades, the addition to the hospital and the annual fall festival, they were a peaceful pack for the most part unless provoked. They treated their members very well and there have been no complaints about abuse or misuse of Alpha power.

                I slipped off my jacket and threw it on the chair and headed into the bathroom. Removing my shirt, I stared at the scars and marks in the mirror. Again, I couldn't help but judge myself negatively for the story marred on my skin. I remember every one of the scars on my torso and where they came from. Not one of them worth reliving or even mentioning. They all ended painfully and traumatically. Being a Beta and a warrior, it comes with the territory. Being mateless and alone, I bear the nightmares alone.

I finish removing my clothing and jump in the shower and turn the temperature to hot. Letting the water wash down my body, I think back to my evening at the bar. I see Tori in my mind singing up on stage. Her sweet voice, her beautiful face, her perfect body sauntering across the stage in front of everyone. I couldn't help the spark of jealousy that ran through me, but I do remember our eyes locking with one another and the slight hint of recognition and longing. Maybe she does remember me, or at least finds me familiar. I can feel my heart racing and my breathing hasten as I hear her voice in my head. I place my hands on the tile of the walls and think about her. My mind is racing, my heart is longing, and I can feel a painful tightening in my groin. I look down and find myself at full mast and groan to myself. Thinking about what to do, I hesitantly grab myself and begin to slowly stroke up and down. I close my eyes and all I see is her. Her perfect body dancing just for me. My strokes become stronger and faster as I lose my breath. Before I knew it, I was stroking hard and fast as I felt my balls tighten and pull up towards my body. I increase my speed and felt the spark run through my lower spine as I release myself all over the tile. Streams of cum run down the wall and wash away in the shower stream. I watch as it disappears down the drain. I can't help but let a wave of sadness wash over me as I bring myself back to reality and finish washing myself and rinsing off. Just as I step out and dry with my towel, someone is pounding urgently on my door.

                "Hang on, I'm coming" I yell out as I wrap the towel around my waist and reach for the knob. I can sense my Gamma outside and a wave of fear ran through me. I open the door and find Eric standing there with Tammy slightly hidden behind him with a look of worry on her face.

                "Gamma?" I tilt my head at him, and he gives me a look of frustrated fear before giving a slight bow.

                "Beta. We have a problem...."