Chapter 5 - Laurence

Laurence released his suffocating grip on his steering wheel and hesitantly took his keys from the ignition, keeping his eyes peeled on the bustling bar in front of him the entire time.

It had been two long months since Mateo disappeared and it was driving him mad.

Laurence had zero experience with finding people, but he was learning quickly that this meant you had to be stealthy and sly. No good information lied on the surface, so he had to be careful as he started associating with people that could easily get him in trouble.

He felt a strong pang of uneasiness as he stared at the bustling bar once more, but refused to let it get the better of him.

It was his fault that Mateo was in trouble and he was going to do everything he could to find him.

Laurence dropped his keys in the front pocket of his slacks after locking his truck. His attention spiked as he instantly recognized the scent of his mate.

His mouth watered and his eyes bounced around, trying to see her in the fleet of people entering the small space. His shoulders sagged as he realized he once again imagined the sweet scent.

He joined the large crowds swarming into the cramped space and was instantly hit with the strong stench of sweat, alcohol, and hot sauce.

Laurence scanned the room quickly, ignoring the throng of people shoving around him from standing in their way.

He quickly noticed his target and swiftly approached the empty bar seat next to him.

He waved at the bartender and asked for a beer before looking at the man he was meeting. His informant avoided eye-contact and stared straight ahead, sipping his own whiskey.

“Do you have it?” Laurence asked, keeping his voice low enough that only the man next to him could hear.

The bartender came back with Laurence’s beer and he slipped him a five dollar bill in return.

“That depends on what you have.”

Laurence scowled and gripped the wad of cash in his pocket, sliding it under the bar. His target grabbed it greedily before slipping it out of view.

“You know what will happen if that is not the amount we agreed on, right?”

Laurence nodded and took a swig of his beer. He knew who he was dealing with and he wasn’t stupid.

The man grunted and nudged Laurence’s leg under the bar. Laurence quickly slipped his hand under and grasped it, immediately slipping the flash drive in the pocket that once held his money.

“We’re done here,” the man commanded and stood quickly. “I’m assuming you got my drink?”

Before Laurence could even answer, his informant had left.

With a heavy sigh, Laurence pulled out another bill and slid it under his neighbor’s cup. He felt some tension slide off him from the swiftness of their transaction.

He was quickly learning that some people wanted to talk, some people wanted to threaten, and some people just wanted to get it over with and leave.

He preferred the latter.

Laurence took another long swig of his beer before rising, eager to get the small disk home and see what kind of information he could pull off the phone records and final video found of Mateo.

Laurence stood up from his stool so quickly he didn’t see the woman right behind him until it was too late.

Laurence slammed into her hard, sending her falling back. He quickly reached out and steadied her, his hands gripping her waist tightly and her brown curly hair falling over his hands against her back. She responded just as quickly, grasping his forearms that held her from falling.

Through the suffocating stench of alcohol, he caught whiff of the most delicious smell of forest and flowers.

Her earthy smell startled him and Laurence felt the world fade from around them as he focused in on the beauty resting in his arms.

Her dark hair fell in soft curls around her face and down her back, her eyes almost the exact same color. Laurence followed her tan golden skin down to the soft curve of her neck and even further to the generous swell of her breasts. He instantly felt his heartbeat increase at her presence, nevermind her closeness.

She was by far the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen.

He was shocked he found her so quickly.

He heard her breath hitch in her throat as their eyes locked and Laurence stared into her dark eyes. He read the shock quickly, but was startled to find some panic behind her mysterious gaze.

He helped her into a more comfortable upright position and she slowly removed her hands from his forearms to adjust her dress.

“Sorry,” she muttered as she fixed her appearance. “I didn’t see you. Thanks for not letting me fall.”

Laurence felt his mind fog at her sultry tone. Her slight accent had him instantly pushing to take her away from here and keep her all to himself. His desire to claim her mouth was mind-numbing.

“You can let go now, I got it.”

Mate.

His wolf purred and he tightened his arms around her, regardless of her reassuring words.

As soon as the word crossed his mind, he instantly knew it was true.

This goddess before him was his.

“No, you’re mine,” he growled, not even recognizing his own voice.

“I’m not. Now let me go.”

“Is there a problem here?” Someone spoke from behind him.

Laurence finally loosened his grip and glanced back to see the bartender peeking his head over the counter. “Is this guy bothering you, ma’am?”

Laurence flicked his eyes back to his mate, who was looking anywhere but him.

He had to hold back the urge to snatch her and drag her out of here so he was all she would look at.

“No, it’s fine.”

As she said the words, his mate spun around and tried to disappear into the crowd.

“Wait,” Laurence whimpered and reached out, only to grasp air.

He quickly followed her, staying close on her heels as she weaved her way through the crowd. Laurence tried calling after her, but she seemingly ignored him as she all but darted in the opposite direction.

Why was she running from him? Didn’t her wolf tell her that he was her mate?

When she slipped in the hallway leading to the bathrooms, Laurence found his opportunity and grabbed her arm.

She quickly spun and grabbed his throat, pushing him against the wall. She was surprisingly strong, even for a wolf, and she held him firmly against the wall.

“Look, I don’t wanna have to do this, so just go away, okay?”

Laurence grabbed her wrist and spun it behind her back making her twist so she was now against the wall. He held onto her wrist gently and held it next to her head against the wall.

“What’s your name?”

She wiggled, but when she realized he wasn’t going to let her go, she sighed. “Look, we don’t want to make things complicated. Just forget this ever happened.”

“I don’t understand. You’re my mate.”

The woman blinked as if the fact didn’t make a difference. “So?”

Laurence’s nostrils flared and his mouth tightened.

That’s all she had to say? So?

“So I’m not letting you leave. Why are you resisting?”

His mate twisted her leg behind his and shoved him hard, making him fall hard on his back.

“Forget this ever happened.”