Chapter 150: Lost in Azure Lake

Amelia's POV

My stomach twisted into knots. "Why didn't anybody tell me?"

"Honey, I assumed you knew. You're his—" she hesitated, clearly choosing her words carefully, "—well, whatever you two are to each other now. These things are usually discussed."

I glanced at Alexander's message again. Pack business. Of course. He was probably preparing for tomorrow's celebrations.

"Thanks for letting me know, Mom. I should go."

"Don't overthink it, sweetheart. Just be yourself."

After hanging up, I tossed my phone onto the couch and groaned loudly into my hands. "I can't believe I forgot his fucking birthday."

My wolf whined with anxiety. What kind of mate doesn't know their partner's birthday? Not that we were officially mates, but still. The oversight felt enormous.

I paced the massive suite for hours, unable to sleep. What could I possibly give a man who owned practically everything? The richest wolf of all packs, the Head Alpha of the most powerful pack—what gift would even matter to someone like him?

"What can I give you, Mate?" I whispered to the empty room around 3 AM, testing the word on my tongue. "With your wealth and power, what could you possibly want that you don't already have?"

The irony wasn't lost on me. Just weeks ago, I'd been adamant about keeping my distance. Now here I was, agonizing over his birthday gift like a lovesick teenager.

Sleep eventually came, but morning arrived too quickly. I woke disoriented, momentarily forgetting where I was until the silk sheets reminded me of Alexander's hotel suite. I immediately reached for my phone and dialed his number.

"Westbrook," a male voice answered, but it wasn't Alexander.

"Aiden?" I sat up straight. "It's Amelia. Is Alexander available?"

"Ms. Throne," he replied formally. "I'm afraid Mr. Westbrook is in meetings all morning. The preparations for today's events require his full attention."

"Right, of course." I tried to mask my disappointment. "Could you tell him I called?"

"Certainly. Is there anything else you need?"

I hesitated. "Actually, when will he be back at the hotel?"

"I'm not at liberty to provide Mr. Westbrook's schedule, but I don't anticipate he'll return before this evening's formal dinner."

"Thanks, Aiden. I'll try him later."

After hanging up, I scanned the luxurious suite, taking in its pristine emptiness. Then it hit me. "I could decorate this place," I murmured, a smile forming. "Give him a little surprise when he returns."

A knock interrupted my planning. The same room service attendant from yesterday stood at the door with my breakfast.

"Good morning, miss," he said with a polite bow.

"Morning," I replied, accepting the tray. "Quick question—is there anywhere around here I could shop for decorations? And maybe a gift?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "AL Global would be your best option. It's about one hour ride from here."

"AL?"

"Azure Lake," he clarified. "Would you like me to arrange transportation for you?"

"No, I'll just grab a taxi, but thanks for offering," I replied.

As he turned to leave, I called after him. "One more thing—this is supposed to be a surprise for my... um, my boss. Could you keep this between us?"

He nodded with a knowing smile. "Of course, miss. Your secret is safe."

I wolfed down breakfast—literally—then grabbed my purse and headed downstairs. I hailed a taxi at the hotel entrance.

"AL Global mall, please," I told the driver as I slid into the backseat.

He glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "First time in Azure Lake?"

"Is it that obvious?" I laughed nervously.

"You have that look." He pulled away from the curb. "Tourist attraction or local experience?"

"What do you mean?"

"AL Global is where outsiders shop. But if you want something special, something with local character..." He let the suggestion hang in the air.

My wolf perked up at the possibility of finding something unique. "Local sounds perfect."

The driver nodded and made an unexpected turn. "Trust me, you'll find better gifts at our traditional market."

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to what looked like the edge of town, where colorful stalls lined narrow streets filled with locals. It looked nothing like the glossy shopping center I'd expected.

"I'll wait here," the driver said. "Take your time."

The market was a sensory overload—spices, perfumes, voices haggling in languages I didn't understand. I wandered past stalls selling traditional ALP clothing with intricate embroidery, but I couldn't imagine Alexander wearing any of it.

A display of carved figurines caught my eye. The artistry was incredible, but I shook my head, remembering the white wolf statue I'd given him on my first day at Westbrook Industries. Another statue would seem repetitive.

I spent an hour exploring, becoming increasingly desperate as nothing seemed right. Finally, at a tiny jewelry stall tucked between two larger shops, I found it—a simple silver four-leaf clover pendant on a leather cord. The old woman running the stall explained in broken English that it symbolized good fortune and protection.

"For special someone?" she asked, wrapping it carefully.

"Yes," I admitted. "It's his birthday."

After paying, I realized I'd wandered much deeper into the market than I'd intended. I turned around to retrace my steps, but nothing looked familiar. The narrow pathways between stalls all looked identical, and the crowds had grown thicker.

"Excuse me," I asked a vendor. "How do I get back to the main entrance?"

He pointed vaguely in one direction, but after following it for several minutes, I found myself in what appeared to be a residential area. The market sounds had faded, replaced by the quiet hum of everyday life.

I reached for my phone to call the driver, only to feel empty pockets. My stomach dropped. My phone was gone—either lost or stolen in the crowded market.

"Shit," I muttered, spinning around. Which way had I come from? Everything looked unfamiliar now.

I approached a woman sweeping her doorstep. "Excuse me, I'm trying to find my way back to the hotel. The Azure Lake Grand?"

She took one look at me and quickly went inside, closing her door firmly.

My wolf grew restless, sensing my rising anxiety. I was clearly no longer in the tourist-friendly area. The few people on the street cast suspicious glances my way before hurrying past. No one seemed willing to help the obviously foreign woman lost in their neighborhood.

After thirty minutes of wandering, I was completely disoriented. The buildings grew shabbier, the streets narrower. This wasn't just another part of town—I sensed I'd crossed into some border area, a place where outsiders weren't welcome.

I kept my head down, walking briskly, hoping to eventually find a main road or someone willing to help. My wolf was on high alert, hair practically standing on end. We both sensed we'd strayed somewhere we shouldn't be.

Lost in my thoughts and staring at the ground, I didn't notice the person in front of me until I collided with something solid. The impact sent me stumbling backward.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't—" I began, looking up.

My words died in my throat. Standing before me was a young man, perhaps in his mid-twenties, wearing an impeccably tailored suit that screamed money and power. But it wasn't his clothes that made my wolf retreat inside me—it was his scent. Not Alexander's comforting pine and smoke, but something sharper, more dangerous.

My wolf recognized a predator when she saw one. I instinctively took a step back.

His eyes narrowed as he assessed me from head to toe. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice soft but unmistakably threatening.