Cassius' POV
After a week of searching, I came up with nothing. I went back to D3 and asked around about the girl. The bouncer didn't remember her and the bartender who worked that night wasn't working. None of the employees would give me his information. I understood they were protecting him, but I wanted to find my damn mate.
Frustrated, I hit knocked a plastic bottle of water off the table. It hit the wall with a BANG! I slumped into my seat. I was taught to fight, not how to find someone. I was taught to win, but I have failed. I'll never see her again.
"Cassius?" Flint said on the other side of the door. "Can I come in?"
I grunted in response, letting him make the choice of whether he was welcomed or not. He entered, looking around the room, eyes landing on the water bottle.
"Everything okay?"
I shook my head. "No. The universe is punishing me."
He took a seat across from me. "What's wrong?"
Sighing, I picked my head up. "I've asked around at D3, but no one remembers Gwena. And they aren't willing to give me contact information to someone who might remember her."
All my dreams flew out the window. I was close to abandoning the idea of finding her. My dreams of having a mate, a family...gone.
"Don't give up," Flint said.
"Why not?"
"Because you aren't alone. You have friends." I looked up. Flint continued, "Let me and Stephen take a whack at it."
I didn't know why I hadn't thought about that before. "Yes, please! I don't what else to do and I'm ready to give up."
Flint stood, patting me on the shoulder. "I can guarantee you I'll have new information within two weeks."
"A little cocky aren't you?" I smirked.
He shrugged. "Maybe."
He left, leaving me to wallow in my frustration and sadness.
⇐O⇒
I hated it when Flint was right. He became cocky and wouldn't let me live it down for weeks afterwards. He'd find any reason to bring it up.
Two weeks later, Flint and Stephen entered my room. Flint threw down a single card onto my desk. I grabbed it. A phone number.
"It's the number of the bartender who was working that night," said Stephen.
I stared at the card. "How'd you get this," I asked, bewildered.
Flint smirked. "You have to be nice when you want something from a person. Instead of threatening them, you should plead with them. Plus, tell a small lie or two."
"What did you do?"
He shrugged. "I asked who was working that night. They said it was a man named David. I asked for his number, but I didn't get it until I told him a story about how I was there that night and I was rude to him. Said some drunk ramblings. The man gave me his number. You're welcome."
I was too happy to be annoyed. "Thank you, Flint. Really," I said, sincere. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
I dismissed them, grabbing my phone to call the number when Flint stopped me.
"Just some advice? Scope out the feel of the man before you get mean. You might not have to threaten him at all. You might just have to ask."
He closed the door as he left. I punched in the numbers and waited as the phone rang.
"Hello?" a man answered.
"Hi, Is this David?"
"Yes? Who is this?"
"My name is Cassius. I think we met at the bar a couple weeks ago. I want to apologize for my behavior that night," I said, keeping up Flint's lie. "I was drunk and said some awful things."
"Um, I think you have the wrong person, man. I was working that week, but I don't know you," David replied.
"Oh. I guess it was another man who looked like you." I paused. "Well, since you were working that night. Do you mind telling me if you saw a girl there?"
"Sure. What did she look like?"
Flint was right. Again.
"Black hair, green eyes. She was wearing a purple outfit. Oh, she was with another girl. She had blue hair and was wearing black."
The man was quiet as he thought. "Yeah, I saw them. It was the black-haired girl's birthday. She was quite pretty, but I'm not allowed to date customers so I couldn't get her number." My wolf growled at his words. "Saw her dancing with Sterling. Do you want her info?"
"No, I know who she is. Thank you so much." I started to hang up.
"Wait. Why are you trying to find her?" David asked.
"Well, as you said, she was beautiful. She left before I could get her number."
"Mmh," he hummed in understanding. "Well, I hope you find her."
"Thanks." I hung up.
⇐O⇒
A few days later when my schedule was clear, I went to D3 to talk to Sterling. I knew she'd be there. She was there every weekend. When I arrived, I didn't spot her right away. Flint and Stephen accompanied me tonight, though both had split off after locating pretty girls. It was an hour later when I spotted the silver-haired woman dancing with her latest partner. My phone buzzed in my pocket.
~Sister~
Shutting off my phone, I shoved it back into my pocket. When I neared Sterling, I pushed her partner out of the way. Sterling was surprised before schooling her features into a sly smile.
"Hey, handsome," she purred. "It's been a while. Want to dance?"
"No, I need to talk to you." I grabbed her arm and towed her through the crowd behind me. I pulled her into a quiet corner. "I need something from you."
She fluttered her lashes. "You don't have to beat around the bush, baby. I'm up for anything." She grabbed my arm, rubbing her chest against me. I growled, not liking anyone but my mate touching me. I pushed her away.
"No. I'm looking for someone," I explained. "She has black hair and green eyes, dressed in purple. You danced with her a couple of weeks ago. Gwena?"
Recognition appeared in her eyes. Sterling leaned back lazily. "Yes, I know her."
"Do you have her number? Can you tell me anything about her."
"Why do you want to know?" she questioned.
I sighed. Should I tell her? Sterling might not tell me if I don't. "She's...my mate."
"Oh~ You scared her away, but now want to find her?"
"No. It wasn't like that...it— Just...will you tell me what you know?"
"I can. For a price." She smirked.
"What do you want?" I asked.
She spread out suggestively. "It's been awhile since we had a drink together."
I bit back my repulsion. I didn't want anyone, but Gwena. "No. Absolutely no." I stood. "I'll find another way."
Sterling grabbed my arm. "Wait, Cassius." She grinned, cunning and craftly. "It was a test. Gwena is a sweet girl and I didn't want her to get mixed up with someone like you."
"I'll tell you." I sat down. "Gwena Bonavich. Twenty-one years old. She and her friend, Maybelle, came here to celebrate her birthday. That's all I know."
My heart soared. "Thank you, Sterling." I jumped up. Flint and Stephen were sulking by the wall when I found them. Both had been turned down. "Great news!"
Both looked up. "What is it?" asked Flint.
"Her last name is Bonavich," I exclaimed.
"That's great."
"I know," I agreed, exiting the club. "Now, I just need to search for her on the internet."
⇐O⇒
There were three hundred thirty-two Gwena Bonavich's in the country. I narrowed it down. twelve in entire state.
"Well, it's better than three hundred," noted Stephen. Flint smacked him lightly on the arm. "Hey! It's true."
I printed the list.
Gwendolyn Bonavich
Gwyneth Bonavich
Guinevere Bonovich
Gwyneira Bonaviche
Gwenaelle Bonaviche
Gwen Bonnavich
Gwenllian Bonivich
Gwenddydd Bonivich
Gwena Bonavich
Gwenfrewi Bonavvich
Guinevere Bonnoviche
Gwena Bonoviche
This was going to take a while. But it was a start. It was more than I had when I started.
I was getting closer.