Unless she was there. When she was near, all the carefully processed information, all of his cautiously stored thoughts, fell on one big pile in his head.

We got back to the Headquarters quite late that evening. I was tired, unfocused and yet I couldn't seem to fall asleep, too excited for the day after. Tomorrow I would see Vir again. We would have lunch together, maybe I could steal a hug, or even a kiss. Anything that involved a little bit of contact between our bodies would be fine. 

I ached for his touch, even if it was just his hand holding mine, or his arm around my shoulders. I desired the feeling of his skin, his presence. I just wanted to see him so badly, my heart hurt. Hoping he had missed seeing me as much as I missed him, I fell asleep in the end, only to wake up at six a.m. in the morning, feeling as giddy as I'd ever felt. 

This was so not me. 

I wasn't the one to be giddy over a boy. I'd never fawned over a man, nor had I tried this hard to impress him with my looks before. I guess it was kind of embarrassing, which I realised only after breakfast, when we were heading to the lecture hall in the Headquarters, where a masterclass was being held on academic writing. As we sat down in a huge lecture hall, I found myself incredibly overdressed with my tight jeans, blouse and blazer. 

Well, I suppose it was the same as what other representatives wore, but for me, the girl who normally wore old shirts with leather jackets, it was overdressed. Blushing slightly, I sat down on the edge seat of the row, a couple places away from the other representatives.

A successful professor lectured us, and hundreds of other Sapientiae members, on how to write the best Research Grant Proposals, the most read papers and the most informative reviews. Even though his story was a good one – he actually managed to capture my attention for a while, as his way of teaching was attracting to me – I dozed off after a while, counting down the minutes until when I would see my mate again.

And then finally, it was twelve o'clock. Even though I knew I would have to wait until all the other representatives had gone up to their room or the common study room before I could go to the spot where Vir told me to wait, I almost skipped outside as soon as the professor finished his talk. Again, I felt embarrassed, but again, I found myself not caring. On my way out of the lecturing hall, I somehow managed to catch Quinten Montgomery's attention. He smiled deviously at me, winking as if he knew something, right before stepping into an elevator to go up a few floors.

Now I could do nothing else but wait around the corner of the reception, close to the elevators, until Vir would come and get me.

So I just stood there, anxiously peeking at the doors of the lifts as they opened and closed. Never did they reveal the unruly curls or slightly hunched stance of my soulmate. Only nicely in blue dressed people walked in and out of the foyer.

The longer I waited, the more nervous and desperate I became. I was incredibly tempted to go to the reception to see if they could somehow get me to Vir. I had almost scratched all the bravery in my body together to come up with some weird excuse as of why I just had to see their Alpha now, when an older, grey haired man stopped in front of me.

Stretching out his hand in front of his body to shake my hand, he introduced himself. "Alfred O'Neily, nice to meet you. I'm Alpha Vir's secretary, and I have come on his behalf to tell you that he unfortunately won't be able to make it to your lunch appointment today. He has found himself to be very busy, and something important has come up. However, he is able to postpone your appointment to tomorrow 11 p.m. in the evening. I hope this suits you?"

I couldn't believe my ears. After two days of not seeing my soulmate, he wanted to make me wait another full day and a half before I could finally lay my eyes on him? How could he even manage to think normally without me close? I had been distracted with everything I tried to do, as my mind could only focus on the fact that I wanted to be close to my soulmate. 

Alfred already turned around to go back when I didn't answer, but I surprised even myself when I put my hand on the man's shoulder. "No." 

With twinkling eyes, Alfred cast his eyes on me again. "I'm sorry, Miss Devoe, what did you just say?"

"No," I repeated defiantly. "That does not suit me. I wish- no, I demand to see him right now." 

"Ma'am, I'm afraid I cannot do that, the Alpha is a busy man, and he has other priorities than discussing with-" Alfred struggled to find a proper reason not to let me meet with Vir.

"Unacceptable," I huffed. "Do you even know who I am?" 

Alfred chuckled. "Livia Devoe, representative of the Fortis Pack. Yes, I do know who you are." 

"Well then" I hesitated shortly. "Then you know how I can't wait. Tomorrow is the last day of my stay already, then it might be too late to discuss with the Alpha." 

"You will have to wait, miss-" 

"I will not wait, Alfred. Bring me to him, now. I have waited long enough." 

"Very well then," he said while turning around, motioning me to follow him. I could've sworn that I saw the hint of a very pleased smile, but it left his face so quickly, I wasn't sure if my mind was playing tricks on me. Walking behind the secretary, he led me to a separate lift that would bring the both of us to the upper floor of the Headquarters. Scanning his arm first, he told me to do the same. I tried telling him it wouldn't work, but then he just pushed my wrist in front of the scanner, which immediately turned green. Confused I stared at the light before entering the elevator. Only after we stood in silence, waiting for the elevator to reach the highest floor, I realised that Vir had told me that in most cases, after the bruising disappears the chip in your arm starts working again. I sigh in relief, knowing that now I wouldn't have to visit the doctor that soon.

Once on the upper floor, my heart started beating loudly right after I stepped out of the lift. I could feel in my bones, in my very being, that Vir was close. Trying very hard to keep looking stern and not smile broadly, I waited as Alfred knocked on a wooden door to let Vir know we'd arrived.

"Come in," sounded his voice from inside the room.

I nodded to Alfred in a thanks as he opened the door for me. "Good luck," he whispered, smiling softly. 

"Welcome, Livia." Vir sat behind a large, neatly organised desk, his curls combed back slightly, his glasses pushed up his nose. "You can sit down, if you want."