Argent POV

After the very obvious, over-the-top greeting we receive upon arrival at Beta Stone, we're escorted around the recently renovated facility. Boasting high ceilings, vast wide hallways, and bright white spaces, it looks more like a grand hotel than an institution. Which is a good thing. I can only imagine how depressed Amalie would be if it didn't look so appealing. That's a bonus, at least.

What I am not a fan of is the welcome we received upon arrival. I know want to prove that they're spending my pack's donated millions well, but this is simply too much. I wish they would have just walked up to us and said, "We want some cash." Honesty, it's the best way to go.

I actually think that would have been a fuck load easier than putting up with this fake bullshit. They're being so nice to Dad. The kiss-ass attitude is getting on my nerves. Even he's hating it. I can tell. He wore his tight smile just as well as he wore his custom-tailored suit.

Our pack is wealthy. Very wealthy. And those at the facility know it. But we got that way by being money smart; by pooling resources and playing it safe.

This place is absolutely a cash load well spent already, though, in my opinion. Anything to save Amalie. And anything that has the potential to protect us from this ever happening again is worth its weight in gold.

Dr. Jasper thinks he may have the answer. A long-term answer. A cure.

He's also indicated that he wants to talk to us about other more controversial testing ideas today. He has some grandiose plan for making the pack stronger, and he has mentioned some other more risqué ideas he wants to run past Dad, or so I overheard him saying last week while we discussed Amalie on the phone.

I'm not sure how keen my dad is on turning the money we gave to the centre into a lab rat situation, but it can't hurt to hear what the good doctor has in mind.

I hope it's some kind of super weapon to wipe out vampires. But nothing has ever been discovered over all these years of conflict. There's nothing in any of our pack literature that talks about weapons of vampire mass destruction, so whatever Dr. J. has in mind is completely new and unfounded.

That is exactly the kind of thing our pack invests in. But tests? That's new for us. And what does he want to test? On whom? I guess we'll find out today. Dad needs to make sure it's all above board and legal. Like he always says, "Honour before all."

We follow one of the therapists down the hall as she makes her claim for the other funding amounts we've offered on the side. She wants to use a part of it for art class for the kids, to extend her materials to help get their minds off being ill and tune them into doing something fun, or so she says. I can see how that would be nice.

This place is depressing. All the kids here look doped out of their minds or scared. I feel bad for them, actually. And this place kind of gives me the creeps.

We finally make it to the art class, and she ushers us in. We have an entire herd of med students with us today for the tour, and I almost bump into one as I stumble in the door, in the middle of politely answering one of Ms. Hames's many questions since we arrived.

She introduces me to someone sitting in the back row of the classroom alone. I hadn't even noticed her sitting there. But I'm not sure how I missed her. It's a surprise as my wolf senses usually allow me to be one step ahead of the game.

The small girl, who looks to be around 16 or 17, looks up as we enter the room, and I gasp aloud as she locks eyes with me.

That's not the only surprise, it seems.

My wolf knows her immediately. I would recognise this feeling anywhere, even though its nothing like I've ever felt before. It's surreal, it's ethereal, and it's instant.

"Mate," The words leave my mouth before I even have a chance to think about the audience. I know at least one hears me as I see my father stiffen in my peripheral.

The girl looks confused but doesn't break our stare. She's beautiful in a subtle way. She is breathtaking. Everything around me sinks away, and all I can see is the dark haired, exotic beauty sitting before me. I'm actually for once on my life, stunned silent.

Dad coughs from behind me and taps me on the shoulder. My wolf doesn't want to break my line of sight with her, but Dad's coughing persists, and I turn and face him.

"I'm happy for you, but not now, son," he says as he nods subtly to the others in the room. Humans. Shit.

He says it with authority, and I know enough not to argue.

Ms. Hames stops chatting with the students and . She finally introduces us to my gorgeous mate.

"This is Aidalyn," she tells us, speaking about her artistic abilities before introducing my dad and myself. I've stepped forward towards her without even realising, my body acting of its own accord.

"Nice to meet you, Aidalyn," I say, offering my hand to her slowly.

She pauses, and I take that moment to look at her closely. She's more radiant than anyone I've ever met before. She has beautiful, almond-shaped brown eyes and long dark hair that sits neatly in a braid over her shoulder. I can't believe how stunning she is, like an angel.

She speaks, and her voice is high-pitched and soft. "It's Aida," she whispers, her eyes darting around the people in the room before finally settling on me.

Aida. I like it. It suits her.

She takes my outstretched hand and as soon as our hands meet, the unmissable shock goes through us both, like our own electric current. I've only ever heard about how it feels to make first contact with your mate.

Like lightning, in a split second, it moves throughout your entire body, settling in its new home inside your soul. In the now intertwined souls, it leaves a permanent change; an altered existence from the moment you meet. I have no doubt that she's mine. I feel content for the first time in as long as I can recall.

But why does she look confused? She pulls away and appears almost scared. Does she not understand?

"You felt that too, right?" she questions,

I try to mind link with her, but I can't reach her. That's odd. I can smell her. I'm sure she's a wolf, but something is off ... distant. Something isn't quite right. There seems to be a disconnect of some sort.

Before I get a chance to ask anything, my father shuts it down and indicates that it's time to leave. He mumbles some niceties to Aida and walks out.

Shit.

I look at her face and try to commit it all to memory. I'll come back before we leave.

What am I thinking? I have to will myself leave her side. My mate. Here. In this place. As a patient. Then it hits me; I need to know everything now. I need to help her.

I reluctantly follow Dad out the door. I turn back to her one more time, willing her to see that I'll be back. "I hope I'll see you again soon, Aida," I say, and I really do mean soon. I need to find out all I can about my girl.

I'm going to get to the bottom of all there is to know about her and get her out of here, take her home with me. Where she belongs.

Aida. My Aida.