Shit.

I pull my pants back up roughly, fastening them quickly.

I don't know why she ran but I have to stop her. I can't lose her. I have no way to find her and this can't be how we leave things.

I grab the shoes she left, pretty sparkling heels that I'd only noticed long enough to take them off of her delicate feet.

I rack my brain, going over everything, wondering if I may have done something to make her run. I can't think of anything.

All I know is that this cannot just be a one-time occurrence.

And the clock is ticking. She already has a head start on me.

Slamming out of the bathroom door, I run down the hall in the direction of the ballroom. She's nowhere in sight in the hall, which is a straight shot. She has to be in the ballroom.

My heart drops as I make it out onto the dance floor, my eyes darting around the glittering crowd, trying to find that shock of light hair, the sparkle of that one-of-a-kind dress.

I ignore those trying to get my attention, shaking off the girls who can't take a hint. I have no time for this right now. I search the whole ballroom, every sparkle catching my eye.

Everyone's wearing jewelry. There is a lot of sparkle.

After a thorough search, I have to conclude she isn't in here.

I refuse to give up. I step outside, scanning the street on either side. It's deserted.

The cotillion is still in full swing. Nobody has left yet.

I turn to the security guards dressed in dark suits, there to make sure only those with invitations get through and to escort out those who drink too much while inside.

"Did you see a blond woman in a white dress leave?" I demand, searching their concerned faces.

I must not be as in control as I think if they're looking at me like that. They're used to seeing me cool and collected.

I don't feel cool or collected.

More like frustrated and desperate.

They glance at each other, their eyes wary.

"I think she ran in that direction," the taller one says, gesturing down the street.

I don't wait to confirm if it's her. Who else would be running in a white ball gown?

I bolt down the street, the sense of urgency gripping me tight. If I don't find her now...

I search the alleys and smaller streets that intersect the road as I pass them. It's not safe for her to be running alone at night, especially dressed like that. With no shoes on.

What would make her run like that?

When I find no sign of her after fifteen minutes of desperate searching, I finally have to admit defeat.

She's gone.

I'm not going to find her.

I turn back, frustration rising inside me.

This can't be it.

It can't.

I reach my building and walk into the ballroom, shaking my head as the guards ask me if everything is fine.

I stop at the top of the stairs when I enter, scanning the arrogant faces, the insincere smiles, the practiced flirtation.

The music is beautiful, but it grates on me anyway. Just like the murmur of voices, the sound of glassware...

I growl, feeling the beast rising in a rush despite my attempts to control it. I have no patience for this game.

Not tonight.

Not now.

I throw one of the shoes in my hand at the floor. The pretty crystal immediately shatters, the sound unmistakable and loud enough that it draws everyone's attention.

I watch as the shimmering pieces skitter across the floor.

The crowd turns to me, reminding me of their reaction when my missing girl walked in.

Rage pounds through me.

"The party is over," I announce, the growl clear in my voice. I see the shock on people's faces and I distantly understand.

I'm not the uncontrolled Singarti Prince, the one that doesn't know how to control his beast. This isn't my role. My role is the sophisticated prince who always has the right thing to say, who knows how to charm anyone into his bed.

I'm completely shattering that carefully built reputation right now.

But I find I simply don't care.

I want this event over.

Now.

"Everyone out," I say, my voice even deeper. "Now."

The shocked silence transforms to whispers as I turn away and pull my security detail to the side.

"I need you to find the blonde woman with the white dress. Take everyone you have. Call my personal line with updates."

"Yes, sir," the guard says with a sharp nod, already using his HUV to contact his team.

I have to have her.

The beast and the man are in full agreement.

There is no other option.

I turn away and head to the private elevator down the same hall as the bathroom. I punch in the code to take me to my rooms, placing my hand against the scanner. I pace as the elevator rises. I have too much energy to stand still.

As it opens up into my suite, all of that frustration and anger drains out of me. I just feel tired, at a loss. I collapse into the overstuffed armchair I have positioned in front of the window to contemplate the view of the city. The lights and the movement usually help me think.

I don't even see it right now.

I look down at the lone shoe I still hold in my hand.

It's small, just a little larger than my hand. Pretty and delicate, just like its owner. I immediately regret shattering its pair, but I was not in control of myself.

Not that I'm in much better shape now.

I turn the shoe, watching as the light dances off the cut crystal. It's unique, eye-catching.

Again, just like its owner.

I think back to when I first set eyes on the woman. A flash of heat goes through me as I remember her passionate embrace, the perfection of her response when I touched her.

Anger and an ache in my chest rise as I remember her walking away from me.

No.

Not walking.

Running.

I frown as I remember what she said, the despair on her face.

I was too confused, too worried about losing her to really absorb what she was saying.

I'm sorry, I have to go. This was...I'm really sorry. I worked so hard, but I've just messed it up again. My only opportunity. I'm sorry.

I thought she was running from me...

But that isn't what she said.

The pit in my stomach expands as details come back to me.

Another woman appears in my mind's eye.

Elle.

The girl from the park.

She wanted to show off her talent for design at my cotillion. Had wanted the opportunity to find a sponsor for Parsons.

The woman tonight...her dress had been a work of art. Beautiful, ethereal, high fashion even while it was sensual. And she spoke of opportunity lost...

I straighten in my chair, my heart pounding. Disbelief wars with a rising certainty.

Elle.

She was a blonde, the same bright shade, the same height with the heels off.

I bring up the woman from tonight in my mind, trying to remember the small things about her, the identifying details. She didn't have freckles, but that could have been due to the VR makeup, the same reason why her made-up eyes looked different.

There's no mistaking that soft, full mouth, the same mouth that I kissed before, just a few nights ago.

How could I not have realized this before?

I stand up and start pacing again, the shoe clutched in my hands. It’s only physical link I have to her.

How could I not have known after kissing her that she was the same woman?

Only one other woman had that same effect on me, made my body react so intensely, held my attention so easily.

Elle.

How could I have lost her a second time?

How could I have let this happen again?

I stop at the window, bracing my forearm against it as I look out at the city below. She's there somewhere. Right under my nose.

An intense desire to possess runs through me.

My beast is awake and strong in a way it rarely is.

And I have no desire to control it.