“Zander, change— “
Daren stopped talking as the doors opened. I smiled a tiny smile. The lobby of the hotel was filled with humans. It was too late for me to make any changes without being noticed. Daren roughly grabbed my arm and guided me into the room.
“You did that on purpose, little imp. Go to the bathroom and change your hair. I want it black,” Daren harshly whispered.
I pulled my arm free and scowled. Who the hell did he think he was? He raised his dark brow. I shook my head and twirled around before stomping toward the bathroom.
“Hurry back,” Daren sang.
Fuck you!I thought. I’d go to the bathroom alright, but I wasn’t coming back. I was fuming. Zin was right. Daren was a dick, and I had a right to be me. In my rage, I hit something hard and immovable. I stumbled backward.
“Are you okay?” An accented voice asked. Soft hands followed the question, and they skimmed over my body. I shivered under the touch. I shook my head and focused on the voice. My chest tightened, and I couldn’t breathe. I was staring at the most stunning man I’d ever seen. He had light green eyes and short brown hair. His expression radiated concern, but I also saw weariness.
“Zander, are you okay?” He asked again.
He knew my name. My spark knew my name. I nodded and rose to my feet. He pulled back his hand, and I missed his touch. I loved the feel of them. I stared back up at him. He was over six feet tall and had a muscular build.
“Yes, I’m fine. What’s your name? How do you know mine?” I asked.
My spark gave a slight frown, and I wondered what was wrong. He didn’t respond right away, and I tilted my head. I continued to stare at him. Deep shadows marred the skin beneath his eyes, and his once form-fitting attire now hung loosely, hinting at a recent weight loss. Was he sick? Did my spark need blood? What was wrong with him? I opened my mouth to ask but was interrupted by a voice from behind me.
“Zander, what’s taking so long? Oh, Colin. Long time no see. You look like shit. Anyways, I heard you were leaving,” Daren said.
“Leaving?” I looked back at Colin. He glared at Daren. His eyes flickered red while he clenched and unclenched his hands. Rage and anger clouded his aura, but I saw the truth underneath that. He was leaving. Where was—. I gasped. Daren and Colin broke their staring contest and turned their gazes to me.
“You’re leaving?” I asked again, even though I knew the answer.
“Zander, if I—”
“You’re leaving. You knew my name, who I was, you knew that…and you’re leaving,” I interrupted. My spark knew about me. He knew what I was to him and was leaving me. That was why he frowned. That’s why he didn’t answer right away. It wasn’t a shock or surprise. He didn’t want me. The weight of his silence bore down on me, a silent rejection that spoke louder than words.
“Yes, he’s leaving. And we should get going, too. Everyone is waiting. Change your hair so we can go,” Daren said.
“Shut up, Daren,” Colin growled. “Zander, I can—”
I shook my head and said. “No, no need. Go wherever you were going.” I flicked my finger, and my hair turned black.
“Let’s go, Daren,” I said, turning from my spark.
“Zander, wait,” Colin said, but I ignored him. He didn’t want me, and I don’t want him. My fated mate knew me and didn’t want me, and nothing he could say could stop that hurt.
Chapter Three
Reggie
“Ontheleft.Getthat guy…Yeah, you got him. Alright, the big boss is next. Everyone needs to get charged up. You especially, Reg. We need your healing power,” my teammate, Zeke, ordered over the headset.
I did as he commanded and began refueling my mana. Anticipation bubbled within me. This was it. We were going to beat this dungeon once and for all. I could feel it. We’ve never made it this far, and I was pumped. My phone buzzed on my desk. Glancing down, I grimaced at the screen. I shook my head.
No! I wasn’t even going to read that text. It was my day off and the first opportunity to meet up with my guild and run this map all week.
“All right, guys, you ready?” Zeke asked.
I never met Zeke in person, but I considered him my best friend. I still remember the first time I played with him. We talked and joked for hours. It was some of the most fun I’d ever had. I wondered if we should meet in real life, but I was too scared to ask. I was petrified of losing him as a friend. I didn’t have many friends that weren’t part of my guild. In fact, I didn’t have any friends outside of the game.
My phone buzzed again and kept buzzing.Fuck! They were calling. I knew they’d continue to call until I answered. I grabbed my phone and growled. I didn’t want to answer it, but I hit the green button anyway and closed my eyes.
“Hello?” I said, opening my eyes.
