Ezra's Second Chance

A Runaway Problem

Ezra slept solidly that night. Probably for the first time since he felt Bridgit's activities through the bond. He woke refreshed and hopeful. That was until he pulled into Bridgit's house and found her gone... Her bedroom was a mess, like she'd hastily dug through everything to find clothes to pack. In the kitchen her refrigerator stood open, like she'd quickly grabbed things and left. It crossed his mind that she was taken or forced out, but by who? Was there anyone who had an interest in that? He'd go down every path of investigation, but he wasn't convinced she'd left by force. He pulled his phone out and called one of his Guard colleagues in charge of investigations, "hey, yeah, I need a license plate and name ran..." he waited for a moment and then gave the man Bridgit's full name and license plate number. "I need direct reports if it's spotted anywhere. This is a high alert, sensitive matter." Ezra ended the call and paced the floor. He immersed himself in her scent. Locking it into his memory, he went outside. The scent was heavy where she'd packed up her car. He didn't detect anyone else's scent. She had to have been alone... Everything she said last night must've been a lie. He hadn't fully believed it, but he had really wanted to. Now the mate bond was still intact and he had no hope of open communication with her. So be it, he'd track her down, force her to accept the rejection and then keep tabs on her without her approval. He had to wonder if she was part of the Silverwater Pack's remnant his boss had informed them about.

Ezra got back into his car and headed for his hotel. He'd check out early and go home. He had no reason to stay there for a week unless he got a call about Bridgit's movements. When he returned to his hotel the front desk worker beckoned him over. "A woman was asking after you, since I can't give out room numbers she left this envelope for you."

"What did she look like?" Ezra asked as he took the envelope.

"Ummm, short, very petite... pixie cut hairstyle and a pretty face," the man recalled.

"Thank you," Ezra said and dashed to his room. He opened the note and read it quickly, "Ezra, I know this looks bad. I'm sorry. But after you left I was contacted by some old members of the Silverwater Pack. They threatened me for talking to you, they know who you are. I had to leave, I didn't feel safe. I'll contact you when I can. Bridgit."

He sat on the bed and let out a heavy breath. Another lie probably, but he'd still look into every possibility. After packing and checking out he headed for home. He was not looking forward to the report he'd have to make about this... It couldn't be helped.

"What do you mean you let her get away without a trace?" Ransom Mitchell asked with a tired expression.

"It was a huge oversight on my part. I thought she'd be right where I left her in the morning," Ezra tried to explain himself. It took all he had not to hang his head in shame.

"You didn't even put a tracker on her car... Ezra, you know better. She could be connected to something big. Something we need to stop before it happens."

"I understand sir."

"Is this mate business clouding your ability to work?"

Ezra looked his boss dead in the eye, "absolutely not. This has nothing to do with that. I rejected her."

"Yes, but she didn't accept. I heard why you wanted to find her so badly. You still feel something for her."

"I do not feel something for her romantically. I feel something when she's intimate, which she is fairly often. I wanted that ended, I didn't want to rekindle anything. Not that there was ever anything to rekindle."

"I see..." Ransom leaned back in his chair. "This is an oversight I'll have to mark against you. However, I trust you'll right this wrong. In fact, finding her and getting information out of her is your new mission. Between that work you will do your regular guard for the King, but whenever needed your stand in will do that job."

"Yes sir," Ezra said. He knew he was dismissed so he left to go report to the King for duty until he got a call about Bridgit's license plate or he had another brilliant idea. He hoped he'd bump into Aria since he had too much going on to seek her out. When he rounded a corner he was hit with a beautiful scent of lilies and warmth. Then he saw her, Aria, sitting in a chair with a book in her lap. Her head bowed and her guard standing a few feet away looking busy with something else. Of course, he was not. The smile that spread across Ezra's face was brighter than the morning sun. When Aria turned to look at him his heart beat faster.