I honestly can't believe I agreed to go to an event like this, this isn't my family and yet I'm going to a fancy party being held at an upscale hotel...I don't even know why I agreed to go, I'd just be crashing the celebration.

~Theo invited us to go, and it's his mates family, so we won't be crashing anything. Besides, we decided to go because our mate just might be there...~ My wolf replies, and I sigh as I straighten out my suit jacket and brush back my hair once more.

It's been months since I started the hunt for my mate, and it continued to pull me up north until I reached Virginia...but since then I've pretty much been going around in circles around the coast...which is frustrating considering I've been here a few weeks now and the trail has gone cold. Though it seems that Theo was lucky in finding his mate, the young warrior had asked if he could join me since he too was feeling a pull here...and he found the young vampire girl within a few days of arriving in the state. I'm happy for him, but it's left me more impatient

They have got to be here, so why haven't I found them yet?

~I have a good feeling about this place, trust me.~ Victor murmurs, and I sigh once more before I head out of the hotel room where we've been staying and getting into my black 69 Camaro.

~You've been saying that for the past two weeks, and yet we still haven't met them.~ I grumble as I start driving towards my destination.

~Well I'm definitely sure about it this time. I can feel it...~

~If you say so..~ I reply, cutting off the conversation as I focus on the road. I want to believe him, but I don't want to get my hopes up either.

After driving for an hour or so, I arrive at the hotel, a little taken aback by just how big it is...and the obvious clientele. The lot is filled cars much more expensive than my Camaro, and just one look at the place tells me it costs three times as much a night as the room I'm currently staying in...

I'm so out of place here.

~Just go inside, and quit complaining...our mate could be in there.~ Victor huffs impatiently, and I sigh as I park my car and head inside.

The inside of the hotel is even more impressive than the outside, with a tall, cavernous ceiling decorated ornately with gold trim and and dark red paint. The marble floor has sections covered with rugs in both the walkway to the front desk and the sitting areas with leather furniture.

Trying to ignore how out of place I feel, I continue my way to the front desk to ask for directions to the event, and I'm greeted by an admittedly attractive woman at the desk, noticing how her eyes roam appreciatively over my body. As flattered as I am though, she doesn't hold any appeal for me...that honor is exclusively for my mate...whoever they are.

"Can I help you handsome?" She asks with a coy smile, batting her eyes at me in an attempt to flirt.

"I'm here to attend an engagement party held by the Stone family, can you tell me which floor it's being held on?" I ask, giving her a polite smile as I pull the invitation from my coats inside pocket. She glances at it before checking the computer, her eyes peeking back up at me.

"If you don't have a date...I would be delighted to join you." She offers, her less that subtle flirting almost amusing.

"I actually plan on meeting someone at the party, so I'll have to pass on your offer." I answer politely, her disappointment noticeable.

"That's too bad...perhaps another time." She murmurs, and I keep my mouth shut. If I meet my mate here or not, there won't be an occasion where I'd except her invitation...as attractive as she is, she's not the one I'm looking for.

"It looks like this party is on the third floor, in the Atlantis Banquet Hall." She says, and I smile as I return the invitation to my pocket.

"Thank you for your help miss." I call back to her as I make way towards the stairs, noticing how the area around elevator is particularly crowded. I make my way up two flights of stairs, and I can tell which way the party based on the sounds of talking, the flow of the crowd and the smell of food.

I turn to the left of the stairs and proceed to the party, a sign announcing the party sits just outside the door...and I walk in to see an amazing sight...

The room...has an aquarium lined on two sides of the room, each one reaching from the floor up to the ceiling...which is at least twelve foot tall. The wall opposite of the entrance is filled with tables of food, and the middle of the room has dozens of tables with people sitting at them...and other guests standing and talking to each other while they eat or, drink what appears to be either champagne or red wine.

Atlantis is the perfect name for this room.

~Don't just stand there, look around and mingle...I know our mate is here!~

Sighing, I do as he says, moving around the room and surveying it as I inconspicuously sniff the air...part of me doubting my wolf's instincts.

~I know they are here, I have a gut feeling!~ He growls.

~The last time you had a gut feeling, it ended up being hunger..~ I grumble back internally, and he huffs.

~Will you just listen to me yo-~

His rant is cut off when a couple crosses our path, the breeze that trails after them making me inhale deeply...and a low purr rumbles from both of us at the scent that stirs our blood.

Champagne...a much sweeter kind than what they are serving for the party, and lillies...sweet and fragrant.

My eyes sweep over the room as I follow the trail, and I stop dead in my tracks as my gaze lands on the source....her back to me as she makes conversation with Theo of all people, and his mate Phoenix...

Her dark purple dress hugs her body, showing off her generous curves, my eyes trailing over the black lace sides as they run up her body before turning into elbow length sleeves. Her long black hair curls gently down her back, the amethyst pin holding it back.

~What are you waiting for? An invitation? Go to her!~ My wolf demands, and I happily comply as I continue towards her...noticing the scent of vampire mixed with the champagne and lilies.

Theo looks up and sees me as I come closer, then turns to my mate.

"Actually, there's Beta Tyron right now..." He says as he points to me, and my mate turns around to look...and I'm graced with the sight of her face, her surprised expression a beautiful sight. Her full lips painted with dark pink lipstick, her cheeks warm with a blush...and her eyes, my goddess her eyes are gorgeous.

I can't seem to pull my eyes away from those blue green depths as I finally stop in front of her, and I take the glass of wine she's holding and set it down on the table beside us. Taking her now empty hand in mine, I lean down to press a kiss to the back of it...never moving my eyes from hers as I do.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you mate....I've been waiting for you for a long time." I murmur, and her eyes widen in response as she gasps. I barely notice the shocked looks of Theo and his mate as I look at her, my mates name a much more important detail at the moment.

"I'm Beta Tyron Johnson of the Red Fang pack in Georgia, what is your name beautiful?" I ask, and she stays silent...her startled expression worrying me.

"I-I.....I need a moment..." She whispers promptly before she disappears, flitting out the door before I can even move.

What just happened?

"Oh no...I was worried something like this might happen..." Phoenix murmurs sadly, and I shake myself out my shock.

~You idiot! Go after her!~ Victor exclaims, I immediately start moving.

I need to find her...and find out exactly what's going on.

That was unexpected...

I lean against the second floor balcony railing, breathing in the fresh air desperately as I try to calm myself down...my heart still racing. I know I had talked about finding a new beloved...one that would love me and treat me better that my first ever could...but I never thought I'd run into him within a week of discussing it with Phoenix...

Tyron...his name alone makes me shiver, as well as that deep voice and those intense amber colored eyes...I can't deny that he's handsome, and quite charming...

I shake my head as another blush warms my cheeks, no...I can't let myself be swayed this easily. Jacques was handsome and charming too...and look how that ended.

But...I can't push him away because of that...he isn't Jacques, and I can't assume that he'll break my heart like him...but I can't just jump into his arms either...

So where does that leave me?

"You've proven to be a very elusive woman, love..."

I jump and turn around at the sound of Tyron's voice, his sweet scent of macarons hitting me strongly as he leans against the balcony door. I'm immediately drawn to his warm eyes that seem to glow in the night...his scent triggering my thirst.

"Tyron...I..." I trail off, dropping my gaze from his in shame. I ran away from him without a single explanation, an act that's almost like rejection...

I've probably hurt him with my behavior, even if it was unintentional...

"Tell me mate...why did you run? What scared you?" He murmurs softly, moving closer to stand in front of me. My heart begins to race at his proximity, both from anxiety and attraction...

I owe him an explanation, more specifically...I owe him the truth.

"The thing is beloved...you're not my first mate...which is the reason I came to America to start over." I admit, sadness filling my voice. He sighs deeply, and I jump at the sparks that erupt on my skin as he gently tilts my face up to his...his eyes softening as he gazes into mine.

"He hurt you didn't he? He broke your heart in the most unacceptable way...and left you to put the pieces back together alone." He whispers, his expression a mixture of sadness and anger.

"He's an idiot...and a heartless son of a bitch," He rumbles, and I gasp, "He must not have truly known what he had to throw away a beautiful woman like you...definitely an idiot."

The fierceness in his voices catches me off guard, it's not quite what I expected.

"You're not disappointed that you're not my first?" I ask, and he leans in so close that our noses touch.

"The only thing I'm disappointed about with not being your first, is that I didn't get to spare you the heartache that he caused you."

I shiver as his warmth seeps into my cooler skin, his soft purr resonating from his chest and into mine. His sweet words filling my chest and heart with a warmth I've never felt before now...

"Would you allow me the greatest pleasure of giving you all the love you deserve?" He asks softly, and I hesitate.

"You barely know me..." I whisper.

"But I want to, very much...to the point where I would gladly court you as long as you desire."

"Are you...asking me out on a date?" I reply, and his responding smile is beautiful.

"Yes I am, Miss..."

"Viola...Viola Moreau."

"Viola...would you care to join me for dinner tomorrow night?"

I smile at him warmly.

"I would be happy to...Tyron."