Chapter Four

Riven’s POV

I woke up to emptiness beside me. The warmth that had been pressed against my chest was no longer there.

For a second, I thought it had all been a dream. Then the scent of the mystery girl I had just spent the night with hit me.

Her sweet delicate scent was still in the sheets and wrapped around me like a ghost. My eyes quickly snapped open.

I turned and the other side of the bed was cold, confirming my suspicions. My heart slammed hard against my ribs. The girl was gone.

“Shit!” I sighed.

Silence took over the room as I scanned my mind for what could have gone wrong. Then suddenly, I sat up fast, scanning the apartment.

The balcony doors were closed. The bathroom empty. No sign of her anywhere. A low growl ripped from my throat as the reality dawn on me.

“No, no, no.” I whispered.

Why would she leave? After our steamy night together. The bond I felt to her burned hot against my chest through the scent she’d left behind.

The moment I confirmed in my mind the still existing and still alive link I shared with her, I knew she was mine. I’d found my mate.

The bond had snapped into place the moment we came together. I’d felt it clearly even underneath all that rush of dopamine. And it felt powerful.

I knew she must have felt it too. Even if she didn’t understand it.I ran a hand through my hair as I cracked my head for what to do, breathing hard.

Panic wasn’t something I allowed myself to indulge in. As Alpha, self-control was everything. But for this girl, I felt my control loosening every that passed without her by my side.

The girl was human, unaware of what had just happened between us. And she’d fled, probably because she couldn’t bring herself to understand it.

A cold anger rushed through my veins. I had to find her. No one took what was mine… and no one walked away from me.

I threw on clothes in seconds and stormed out of the apartment. Within an hour, I had my people from Valora pack gathered in the underground headquarters beneath one of my businessestablishments.

The massive room buzzed with whispers and tension as pack members stood in dark suits waiting for my orders. They were my warriors, my pack, my empire.

Ivan Thorne, my Beta and second in command stood at my right, his ever sharp eyes vigilant and alert. A dozens others filled the space as they all waited to find out while I had called for an emergency meeting.

“I want her found!” My voice echoed like thunder as I explained the ordeal to them.

Every eyes were on me, focused, alert and ready to give their lives for their Alpha if he demanded.

“I don’t care how,” I snarled. “I don’t care what it takes. Youstorm the city and bring me the girl from last night!”

Ivan stepped forward carefully. “Alpha… was she harmed?”

“No,” I growled. “She just left.”

A ripple of shock moved through the room.

“She doesn’t know what she is, yet,” I continued, “because she’shuman. But she is mine.”

“Well, how does she look, at least?” Karl asked.

“Blonde hair. Blue eyes. About five-six. Smells like… vanilla and… and something else.”

The thought of the scent made my chest tighten. I could almost smell her juice thinking about her.

Ivan sighed. “We’ll check every security cameras, that way we can track her movement.”

“I want her found today!” I snapped, almost screaming. “Shut down every street if you have to!”

I noticed the exchange of looks from a few men. I was aware that such level of attention could draw humans to our businesses. But I didn’t care, she had to be found.

“Alpha,” one of them said carefully, “the city will be buzzingwith rumors if we do this.”

“Let them talk,” I said coldly. “And if they get in my way, remove them!”

The room fell silent and the silence grew awkward.

“Spread out,” I gave out my last orders.

Ivan placed a hand over his heart in loyalty. “We won’t fail you, Alpha.”

“You better not.” I answered.

By afternoon, Oceandale was alive with rumors and whispers.The news networks and papers read…

“Billionaire legend, Riven Black shuts down an entire business block for unknown reasons… “Riven Black’s private security doubles… “Beloved prince of Oceandale is allegedly on to something… “Basketball star player to cancel upcoming gamesdue to unknown emergency…”

And the rumors went on. News flew around, but no one knew the truth except for my inner cycle.

To the public world, I was just a celebrity caught up in another controversy… but what I really was, was an Alpha in search forhis mate.

I paced my penthouse, my phone glued to my ear as calls poured in and put. The door then suddenly burst open and someone from the pack rushed in.

“Alpha!”

My heart jumped.

“What?”

“We traced the girl to a hotel she works at,” he said quickly. “Royale Lodge.”

Ahh. I sighed heavily. Everything clicked out. Her scent. Herfamiliarity.

“She works there?” I breathed.

“Yes,” the man said. “Her name is Samantha Anderson. Housekeeper.”

Relief rushed through me instantly. She hadn’t disappeared into thin air after all. She had simply just returned back to her life.

“Get the car, let’s move!” I ordered.

Ivan stepped forward quickly. “Alpha, wait.”

I turned slowly.

“What?”

“If she sees you with this much security, she might panic again.”

I clenched my jaw. I knew Ivan was right. She’d be scared when she sees the pack come for her. But…

“She needs to come willingly,” He urged, “Not this way.”

I exhaled sharply. “I don’t care.”

“But…”

“I said let’s move!”

They all bowed immediately and no one else questioned my authority. If anyone had problems with my decisions, they weren’t brave enough to say it to me… surely not openly.