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Katie has a secret that she has been trying to desperately keep for years. However, on the last night before is to leave for a prestigious internship, she spills her secret to Mike thinking that he is too drunk and won't remember it. Without a word, she leaves the next day and she hasn't returned since. That was six years ago. Mike also has a secret. He wasn't drunk that night and was just acting. He had been acting drunk for years when the group would go out drinking together because he found Katie would talk more freely to him then. He was so excited when she finally revealed her truth. However, Katie left without saying anything to him and he hasn't talk to her since. Mike, however, won't give up on her and has been searching for her ever since. He won't stop until he has found his Katie. Will Mike ever find her? Does Katie have more secrets? What is the real reason that she doesn't come back to home?
"Wanda! Tell me you found her! Please, tell me we can get to her before she moves again."
My heart twists as a wave of panic washes over me. I have been living with such longing and regret for the last few years that I think I'm going crazy. Why didn't I just tell Katie when we were at the university together that I liked her? No, I love her.
I fell in love with her almost instantly. Her deep dimples are just so adorable, and the way she gets so grumpy at me always sends my heart fluttering, but I've messed it all up. I didn't tell her how I truly felt, and I know she was given a chance of a lifetime to do her internship and residency at a prestigious hospital on the other side of the country. I have wanted to tell her so many times, but she always acts like she didn't like me. Then I was stupid and let my fear of her rejecting me take control. There is no way I could handle it if things between us became awkward since our friends were dating each other, and we are always together with them.
It wasn't until her going away party when I finally found out how she actually feels about me. To say I'm shocked is an understatement. Even now, years later, I'm totally blown away and still can't believe it. Katie has liked me the whole time, and she actually has fallen in love with me, too. I used to pretend to be drunk because it always would make her feel a little more comfortable around me, and now I know why. She is secretly in love with me while I'm secretly in love with her, too.
The rest of that evening is the best night of my life. That is, until the morning came, and I wake up alone in my bedroom. Katie is nowhere in sight and has snuck out of my bedroom. I rush to her place to see if I can talk to her before she leaves, but I'm too late. I even run to the airport, but once again, I'm too late.
To think back to that night, I was so close to getting what I want and to have it ripped away from me was just not fair. I had waited for years to have her be mine and that last night together, even though she thought I was drunk and wouldn't remember, she finally gave herself to me. All of her, and now she is mine. I want her back so badly. My heart aches every time I think about not having her close to me.
I will never forget when she told me she loves me. I was so happy, and it made me even more aroused. I had another passionate round with her while I kept telling her I loved her, too. She may have thought it was the alcohol, but it wasn't. I was telling her my honest feelings. I just wish she didn't think I was drunk. Come on, what drunk man, who is supposedly so drunk he can't remember anything, can make love for hours? Round after round, I never slowed down. I just couldn't get enough of her. It tasted so good. One taste just wasn't enough. I can still remember the whole evening like it happened yesterday, and it has been six years. Six long, agonizing years. I haven't been able to see or talk to her.
In the back of my mind, I'm afraid she has found someone new. Someone to replace me and who she can actually tell her true feelings to.
Wanda flashes me a brilliant smile and nods her head. "I'm positive we have found her and, for once, she hasn't moved. Previously, she has been staying in a place for only a few months, but this time she has been in the same spot for about six months. Are you sure you really want to do this?"
I nearly jump across her living room at her as I shout, "YES!! I'm going to go get my Katie back!"
Wanda flashes me a smile and chirps, "Good. I have the plane tickets bought and we are all leaving in a couple of hours. Go get some stuff packed and I'll be by your place to pick you up shortly."
I immediately dash over to her and give her a big hug. I can't wait to finally see my Katie after so long. I wonder if she has changed at all. I'm sure she is just as cute and beautiful as she was before.
***
I stare at my dresser and then at my closet. I don't know what to pack, but I know one thing I'm taking. I can't forget the engagement ring I had bought shortly after our blissful night. My plan back then was to ask Katie to start dating when she got back, and then, after several months, I would propose. I wanted to marry her so badly that I was almost tempted to just propose to her when she got back, but Wanda talked me out of it. She said I need to date Katie first before going straight into marriage.
To me, though, I already knew Katie was the one. I didn't have any question about it, and I was just hoping she felt the same way too.
I finally pack my bags and am ready to go. As I dash out of my bedroom, I nearly forget to grab my passport, but I remembered and stop before I rush back and get it.
My stomach flutters at the thought of getting to see Katie soon.
***
My foot bounces while my fingers fiddle with each other. I glance to the seat beside me at my friends as my stomach twists and fear nips at me.
Wanda gives me a sympathetic look and softly says, "Mark, calm down. This will be the time we find her. She isn't going to get away from us. Okay."
From the other side of Wanda, Evan tears his focus off his phone and looks over at me as he quickly adds, "Mark, I'm sure we are going to find her. I know we have messed up in the past, and we didn't get there before she moved again, but I have a feeling we will get there before it is too late. Don't worry."
Izzy pops up from behind and peers over the airplane seats at us and chirps, "We are all just as anxious as you are to find Katie, so please calm down."
Without thinking, I whip my head around and hiss, "It wasn't you who found out she loved you the night before she left for his internship, and it wasn't you who confessed to her that you love her, too. It also wasn't you who spent hours making love to the woman of your dreams to only wake up the next morning and find yourself alone in the bed without a note or any sign she was even there. It was the best night of my life, but it is starting to feel like only a dream. I want her back, and I want to marry the love of my life."
Wanda stares at me. Confusion clouds her vision as she hesitantly asks, "Mark, when Katie took you home that night from the bar, are you saying you had sex with her? How? You were so drunk."
I suddenly realize what I just said and wish I could take it back, but I can't. I slowly turn my attention at her and confess. "I always act drunk when I'm drinking with Katie. She always seemed to be more comfortable and would actually talk to me. That last night, I was acting, but I wasn't drunk at all. I remember everything and when she confessed to me she had been in love with me for years, we both couldn't stop ourselves. We gave ourselves to each other, and we eventually fell asleep in each other's arms. But I woke up alone. I have been waiting for her ever since."
Izzy leans over the seats further and softly confesses, "Katie didn't even tell us she liked you. Evan and I both had our doubts, though. She was always following you with her eyes whenever you were close, and she acted like she didn't want to hear about you, but she often would hide a smile when we were talking about you, especially when we would talk about you rejecting people who confessed about liking you or who wanted to go out on a date with you."
I might as well tell them everything. "I wasn't going to date anyone while I was in love with Katie. That is why I haven't dated anyone since the first moment I saw her. I know it sounds crazy, but I just can't try to date someone else when my heart is already taken by her."
Wanda pats my shoulder. "Mark, we all understand. We have all done that. Shoot, Izzy and Frank surprised everyone when they suddenly stopped being players and hooking up with people. Everyone noticed. Did you forget? It was only later when we found out they had fallen for each other and that was why they changed."
I remember, but it doesn't really help me right now. How long is this flight going to be? I want to get there and find Katie fast. I just hope she still loves me like she used to. I don't know if I could take it if she doesn't.
Please, Katie. Please, still love me and be waiting for me. I'm coming for you, my love.
I am the Omega of my pack, and the Alpha's son was supposed to be my mate. He didn't know it because he hasn't reached 18 yet. But I couldn't stand the sight of him being with someone else. So, I ran away. I am the Omega of my pack, but little do they know what I am capable of it. For the last two years, Katelyn has been dreaming of the day when her mate finally turns 18 and they can finally claim each other. However, her world suddenly comes crashing down and her dream is instantly destroyed when the alpha announces that his son (her mate) has found his future luna and his mate, who is the daughter of a neighboring pack's alpha. Unfortunately, Katelyn can't bring herself to say anything. She has kept this a secret for two years and she was waiting for another few months until her mate's birthday, but that day is never coming now. Unfortunately, she can't stand seeing her mate with another girl, and she can no longer handle being in her pack. In addition, she can't let her father know, since he is the pack's Beta. What can she do? The only thing that she can think of. She will keep her secret and run as far away as possible."
"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her. Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall. "Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood. Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome! I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do." "Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!" Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?"
Joanna was sabotaged by her sister and ended up in a stranger’s bed. Despised by her boyfriend and pressured by her family, she was forced to marry a wealthy scoundrel, Rhys. Rhys’ young adoptive father was the richest man in town, but was also said to be violent. Everyone thought Joanna was doomed, but Owen favored her and condemned her bullies. Joanna secretly loved Owen, but after a night of passion, he began to withdraw from her. Heartbroken, she entertained other men. She was on a date when Owen suddenly barged in. "You said you loved me!" Joanna smirked. "Too late. You’ll have to get in line."
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?