Chapter three

Ray's POV

I don’t wait for the car to stop.

The moment the hotel comes into view, I shove the door open and dash out, leaving my driver in total confusion as the vehicle screeches to a halt behind me.

Leo is pacing inside me, more restless than I’ve ever known him. His fury is like a living flame, licking at the edges of my control. He’s snarling, snapping his teeth, a relentless mother wolf guarding a stolen cub.

“I’m close, Leo,” I murmur under my breath, trying to steady the wildfire in my chest.

“Allow me to take charge.”

“I can’t. At Least not here. We both know you know we can’t shift here. Not in front of humans. You wanna scare the whole damn hotel and the woman we came for?”

For a long, tense moment, he’s silent.

Then a low, grudging growl rumbles through me.

Good enough.

I take the stairs faster now, jumping over two, three at a time, barely feeling the burn in my legs as every instinct in me screams to get to that room. To her. To the only woman who’s haunted my every waking thought since last night.

Finally, my palm slams against the door, nearly ripping the knob off as I throw it open.

Empty.

The word slices through my mind like a blade. My breath catches. The room — still, silent, and empty.

Leo’s rage explodes inside me.

“She’s gone!” he snarls, a savage roar reverberating through my bones. “If you’d listened to me — if you hadn’t wasted time —”

“Not now,” I growl, though my throat’s tight. “We’ll get her, Leo. I swear we will.”

My fists clench so hard my knuckles crack. The faint scent of her — sweet, intoxicating, laced with lavender and heat — still clings to the sheets, the pillows, the air. It wraps around me like a noose, choking my already frayed control.

I run my hand over the rumpled, damp sheets. My fingers curl in the fabric, a vivid memory of her bare skin against mine flashing unbidden through my mind.

“Who would hurt her?” I mutter to myself, the words heavy and bitter. “Who the hell would?”

My frustration seethes like a storm cloud. Leo’s gone deathly silent — which is worse than his rage. I can feel him lurking just beneath the surface, poised to break free.

I yank out my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I find the name I want.

Jeff.

I hit call.

The moment it connects, his smug voice oozes through the speaker. “Well, well. How was your night, my friend? You had a pleasant one indeed huh?”

My grip tightens around the phone. Leo’s snarl echoes in my ears, and my voice drops to a dangerous low. I wasn't in the mood for Jeff's jestering, neither was Leo.

“The woman from last night,” I bite out. “What’s her name? Where can I find her?”

A lazy chuckle. “Couldn’t get enough, huh? Damn, was she that awesome?”

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches. “Answer the damn question.”

“Whoa, chill, man,” Jeff mutters. “Look, I don’t know much, okay? She came with some Celine chick I met at the bar. Never caught her name. You didn’t ask before—”

I don’t let him finish.

I stab the screen and cut the call.

Annoying. Useless.

A movement by the door yanks me from my thoughts.

A hotel staff member steps inside, a small woman in a pale uniform clutching a cleaning cloth to her chest. Her eyes go wide as she meets my glare, and I can smell her fear spike.

“I—I’m so sorry, sir,” she stammers. “I didn’t realize anyone was in here. I was told the guests had already checked out. Forgive me.”

I inhale sharply, pulling the storm inside me under a shaky leash. The last thing I need is to terrify some innocent girl half to death.

“It’s fine,” I say, though my voice is tight. I turn to her. “Listen… the woman who was here — did you see her leave?”

The attendant’s gaze flicks to the floor. Her hands twist in the cloth.

“No, sir,” she replies quickly. “I didn’t meet anyone. I… I don’t know who you mean.”

She’s lying.

I can see it in the way her pulse jumps in her throat, the subtle flicker of her lashes. My instincts sharpen, my wolf clawing at my control.

But forcing the truth from a terrified hotel worker would draw the kind of attention I don’t need.

Not yet.

Another dead end.

I drag a hand down my face, my frustration boiling under my skin. My breath comes rough and fast as I pace a tight line across the room.

“Deep breaths, Ray,” I mutter, using the old chant my father drilled into me for moments like this. “Deep breaths. We’re not tearing this place apart. Not yet.”

But the temptation is strong.

The walls feel too tight. The scent of her lingers, a ghost that clings to my senses. I can still feel the heat of her skin, the sound of her voice in the dark, the way her body fit against mine like she was meant for me.

Leo growls low and possessive.

Ours.

I clench my fists again, jaw tight.

I move to the open window, where the morning breeze sweeps in, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers mixed with sun rays.

"Hang in there, lady. Hang in there," I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper as the sun casts its glow on my face.

Suddenly, a memory flashes - an old friend who owes me a huge favor, and who can find anyone in the world.

I grab my phone and dial his number, my fingers moving swiftly over the keypad.

"I need to find someone," I spit, my tone undeniably urgent, skipping any exchange of pleasantries.

“Okay,” came the voice over the phone. “Just send the necessary details.”

“I don't have her name but, will send a video soon.” I answer.

“Hmmmm… okay, fine.”

I drop the phone and stare out through the open window.

“We’re getting her back.”

And gods help anyone standing in our way.