Stephanie’s POV
I woke up Friday morning in an excellent mood.
My first week at the Colonial Oasis had gone better than I could have hoped. Everyone had been welcoming, and I was finally starting to settle into my role.
Earlier in the week, Vanessa had asked for my assistance with the seating arrangements for both the grand opening ceremony that evening and the celebration party scheduled for the following day. It wasn’t part of my official duties, but I was happy to help.
After arriving at work, I placed my bag on my desk and checked in with my manager to make sure there were no urgent tasks requiring my attention. Once that was done, I headed to Vanessa’s office.
I knocked lightly on the door.
“Enter,” she called.
As I stepped inside, I noticed she was pacing across the room while reviewing several documents.
“Is everything okay?” I asked. “You look stressed.”
She sighed heavily.
“I’m not sure. I feel like I’m forgetting something important. I really want both events to go smoothly, and I’m starting to panic.”
I smiled reassuringly.
“Okay, first things first... take a deep breath. Let’s go through everything together and see if you’ve missed anything.”
Vanessa handed me the documents, and we reviewed each item one by one.
Food arrangements? Confirmed.
Security? Confirmed.
Transportation? Handled.
Parking? Covered.
Every detail appeared to be accounted for.
After reviewing everything twice, I handed the papers back to her.
“I don’t see anything missing. The only item that wasn’t finalized yesterday was tonight’s seating arrangement, and that has since been done. There are only about thirty guests, along with the media. Everything looks great.”
Vanessa visibly relaxed.
“I think you’re right.”
“I know I’m right,” I teased.
She laughed.
“Will you be staying for the ceremony?”
“I’ll stay for a while, but I can’t stay too late. I need to catch a taxi home.”
“Fair enough. Thanks for your help.”
“Anytime.”
“I should go and make sure the venue is set up exactly the way I want it.”
After she left, I returned to my desk.
Most of the rest of my day was spent handling pre-payroll activities and reviewing employee files. Since I was still learning the systems, my workload remained relatively light.
I didn’t get a chance to visit the event venue until around three o’clock that afternoon.
The setup was elegant in its simplicity.
The ceremony would be held in a beautifully landscaped garden situated to the left of the hotel lobby. Natural sunlight streamed through the surrounding palm trees, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Thirty white chairs had been arranged in neat rows facing a small stage.
At the center of the stage stood a sleek acrylic podium decorated with a tasteful floral arrangement. To one side, a ceremonial ribbon had been positioned for the official ribbon cutting.
At the rear of the seating area, a service station had been set up for the waitstaff, who would circulate throughout the event, serving hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
Everything looked polished and sophisticated.
Satisfied, I returned to my desk.
Since the ceremony wasn’t scheduled to begin until 5:00 p.m., I decided to get ahead on some of next week’s work.
Four other interns were scheduled to start alongside me, along with ten new employees. Their documents needed to be reviewed and uploaded into the payroll system, so I focused on completing as much of that work as possible.
The next thing I knew, I glanced at the clock.
5:15 p.m.
“Oh no.”
The ceremony had already started.
I quickly placed my belongings beneath my desk and hurried toward the venue, planning to retrieve them before leaving for the evening.
When I arrived, most of the guests were already seated.
The Prime Minister of Jamaica stood at the podium, concluding his remarks.
As I slipped quietly into an empty seat near the back, I noticed the delegation that had arrived from Canada.
The executives looked polished and confident.
Clearly, these were the people responsible for making the Colonial Oasis a reality.
Christopher’s POV
A few minutes before the event began, I left my suite and made my way toward the garden venue.
The rest of my team, Cameron included, would meet me there.
As I approached, George greeted me with a slight nod.
“How are you doing, Chris? Were you able to get some rest?”
I chuckled.
“Not much. I spent part of the afternoon checking in with John to make sure everything was running smoothly back home.”
George nodded approvingly.
“Everything here is on schedule. I spoke with the HR team and reviewed the final preparations. We’re ready.”
“Good.”
Moments later, George approached again, this time accompanied by several distinguished guests.
When they reached me, he began making introductions.
“Christopher, I’d like you to meet the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Most Honorable David Miller.”
I extended my hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Prime Minister.”
“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Clarke,” he replied warmly as we shook hands. “Welcome to Jamaica. We appreciate investments such as this and look forward to the opportunities this development will bring to our citizens.”
“Thank you. We’re excited to be here.”
The Prime Minister smiled.
“Should you have any future investment interests in Jamaica, please feel free to contact me personally. We value long-term partnerships.”
“I appreciate that,” I said sincerely. “Jamaica has always held a special place in my heart. This project is only the beginning of what I hope will be a lasting relationship with the country.”
“Wonderful to hear.”
Before we could continue, the host stepped onto the stage.
She was a petite, dark-skinned woman with short burgundy hair and confident poise.
She smiled toward the audience.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. We are about to begin.”
Guests quickly moved to their assigned places.
I took my seat in the front row and reviewed the event program, something I hadn’t had time to do earlier.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly.
The host guided the audience through the schedule, introducing each speaker with confidence and professionalism.
As my turn approached, I quietly rose from my seat and moved to the side of the stage.
The host smiled as she looked in my direction.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honour to introduce a visionary leader whose work continues to shape the hospitality industry in Canada and now here in Jamaica.”
A round of applause spread across the audience.
“As Group CEO of the Elle Group, Mr. Christopher Clarke has overseen the expansion and success of numerous hospitality ventures, earning a reputation for innovation, excellence, and community impact.”
I stepped forward as she continued.
“Through his leadership, the Colonial Oasis has become more than a luxury destination. It represents a commitment to exceptional service, sustainable growth, and meaningful investment in the communities it serves.”
The applause grew louder.
“Please join me in welcoming the founder of the Colonial Oasis and Group CEO of the Elle Group, Mr. Christopher Clarke.”
As I stepped onto the stage, my gaze scanned the crowd.
“Good evening, everyone.”
“They say opening a hotel is a lot like getting married... you spend months planning, everyone arrives dressed beautifully, and at the end of the day, you just hope the guests are happy.”
The audience laughed softly, and I smiled before continuing.
“It is with immense pride and joy that I welcome you all to the grand opening of the Colonial Oasis, a jewel in the crown of the Elle Group. This hotel is more than bricks and mortar. It is a vision brought to life, a place where heritage meets modern luxury, and where the warmth of Jamaican hospitality is felt in every detail. Our mission has always been to create spaces that honour culture, uplift communities, and deliver unforgettable experiences. The Colonial Oasis embodies that mission, offering guests not only comfort and elegance, but a genuine taste of Jamaica’s vibrant spirit.”
As I continued speaking, a gentle breeze swept through the garden.
Then I smelled it.
Coconut.
Vanilla.
And the faintest hint of jasmine.
The scent drifted through the crowd and wrapped itself around me.
Sean immediately stirred.
Mate.
Every muscle in my body tensed.
My eyes moved across the audience, searching.
The scent was unmistakable.
After years of waiting, after years of certainty that the Moon Goddess had somehow forgotten me, my mate was here.
Somewhere.
I scanned the rows of guests, but the persons standing in the back blocked my view and made it impossible to pinpoint the source of the scent.
Find her, Sean growled.
His urgency mirrored my own.
Chris, what’s wrong?
Cameron’s voice echoed through the mind link, pulling me back to the present.
I realized I had paused mid-speech.
Several guests were staring at me expectantly.
I think my mate is here, I replied.
The shock that shot through our link was almost comical.
What?
I caught her scent.
I saw Cameron straighten in his seat.
Do you know where she is?
No.
Finish your speech. I’ll start looking around.
Good idea.
Drawing a steady breath, I turned back to the audience and continued.
“I would also like to thank our dedicated team, our partners, and the local community for helping make this dream a reality. Tonight marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and I invite all of you to celebrate with us as we officially open the doors to a destination designed to inspire, delight, and welcome guests from around the world. Thank you.”
The applause was immediate.
The moment it was polite to leave the stage, I did.
Ignoring the photographers attempting to get my attention, I made my way toward the back of the gathering.
The scent lingered in the air.
Faint.
Almost gone.
I followed it through the garden and into the hotel lobby.
For several minutes, I searched every hallway and common area, hoping to catch sight of the woman who owned that intoxicating scent.
Nothing.
The trail seemed to disappear near the elevators.
She could have gone to her room.
She could have left the property.
Or she might have simply blended into the crowd before I had the chance to find her.
Frustration gnawed at me.
My phone vibrated.
At the same time, another voice entered my mind through the link.
Alpha, the media is waiting for you.
I closed my eyes briefly.
I’m coming.
Leaving the search behind was the last thing I wanted to do, but my responsibilities came first.
Reluctantly, I returned to the event.
The media session dragged on much longer than I would have liked.
Every question felt insignificant compared to the one running through my mind...
Who is she?
By the time the interviews ended, Cameron and George were waiting nearby.
The three of us headed upstairs to my suite.
As soon as the door closed behind us, Sean became even more restless.
If he had been in control, he would have spent the entire night searching every hallway, restaurant, and room in the hotel.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t exactly practical.
George settled into one of the chairs and looked at me cautiously.
“Alpha, is there anything we can do to help?”
I took a seat across from him.
“Not tonight.”
Cameron leaned against the wall.
“You still think it was your mate?”
“I know it was.”
The certainty in my voice surprised neither of them.
“There isn’t another explanation for what Sean and I felt.”
“Do you have any idea who she might be?” George asked.
I shook my head.
“No. The scent wasn’t strong enough for me to identify her location before she disappeared.”
Silence settled across the room.
Finally, I spoke.
“Searching blindly would be pointless. Tomorrow gives us a much better chance.”
“How so?” Cameron asked.
“If she’s a guest, she’ll have to eat eventually. I’ll start with breakfast and spend time in the common areas. Sooner or later, we’ll cross paths.”
George nodded thoughtfully.
“Alpha... what if she isn’t a guest?”
I knew exactly what he was asking.
“What if she’s human?”
“What if she works here?” he clarified.
I leaned back in my chair.
“I don’t care.”
Both men looked surprised.
“I don’t care whether she’s human or werewolf. I don’t care what family she comes from. And I certainly don’t care what the Council thinks.”
Sean growled his agreement.
“The Moon Goddess chose her for a reason. That’s all that matters.”
The concern on George’s face deepened.
“Some members of the Council won’t see it that way.”
“Then that’s their problem.”
My voice hardened slightly.
“I’ve spent my entire life protecting the pack. If my mate turns out to be human, then I’ll protect her too.”
Neither man argued.
“Besides,” I continued, “if she works here, she’ll probably attend tomorrow night’s staff event. If she’s a guest, she’s likely staying through the weekend. Either way, we’ll find her.”
A confident smile tugged at my lips.
“Sean and I agree on one thing... we don’t plan to leave Jamaica without finding her.”
That finally earned a laugh from Cameron.
“That’s the most determined you have been in a while.”
The men chuckled.
George glanced at his watch before standing.
“Well, Alpha, we’ll leave you to get some rest. On Monday, we’ll review operational matters and introduce you to the management team. Tuesday’s meeting with the department heads is fully scheduled.”
“Sounds good.”
As he headed toward the door, I stopped him.
“George.”
He turned.
“You’ve done an incredible job here. The property is spectacular.”
A broad smile spread across his face.
“Thank you, Alpha. That means a lot.”
After he left, Cameron lingered a while longer as we discussed the next few days.
Eventually, he retired to his own suite, leaving me alone.
The room fell quiet.
I stood on the balcony overlooking the illuminated grounds of the Colonial Oasis.
Somewhere out there was my mate, the woman the Goddess had somehow tied to me.
The woman who would one day stand beside me and help lead the pack.
The woman Sean had waited years to find.
For the first time in a very long time, the future felt different.
Brighter.
More complete.
Eventually, exhaustion won the battle against anticipation.
As I climbed into bed, one thought remained firmly planted in my mind.
Tomorrow, I will find her.