Tamed By The Lycan Prince

GRANDDAUGHTER

CHAPTER FIVE - 6

-WELDON-

It had been a couple of days, and I had gathered all the details about Maximus Arnet, the werewolf, and Elina Arnet, the Lycan. They resided on the border of the Gravemaw territory with their granddaughter, Maria Arnet. Mina and I were headed towards their residence. The drive was quiet. Mina appeared lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. She didn't seem interested in starting a conversation.

A scent, delicate as a whisper, began to permeate the air. It was vaguely familiar - a sweet, comforting aroma that brought forth images of bountiful gardens and ripe orchards. I glanced at Mina, but her face showed no change; she was still lost in her thoughts, oblivious to the tantalizing fragrance that was gradually infiltrating the car. I sniffed the air again, trying to identify its source. It wasn't coming from in the car.

Where is that smell coming from, I thought. It had a delightful scent of wildflowers and fresh fruit. It reminded me of a summer's day - warm, comforting, and utterly intoxicating.

"Do you smell that?" I asked Mina.

She blinked, turning to look at me with a puzzled expression on her face. For the first time, she seemed to snap out of her reverie, her gaze focusing on me instead of the landscape beyond the window glass.

"Smell what?" she asked, her tone curious.

"The scent, it smells like... well, the summer," I explained, my nose twitching as I tried to latch onto the wispy tendrils of the aroma wafting through the air. It was stronger now, a mix of blooming meadows and sun-ripened cherries.

Mina paused, her eyes narrowing as she tilted her head to the side, apparently attempting to catch a hint of what I was referring to. "I don't smell anything unusual," she said after a moment, giving me a strange look.

"Weldon, are you okay?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of concern that wasn't there before. She reached out and laid her hand lightly on my forearm, her warm touch reassuring against the chill I hadn't noticed creeping in. I nodded absentmindedly, my mind still fixated on the mysterious scent.

The drive continued in silence until we reached our destination. The Arnet residence was nestled within a grove of towering pines, an attractive two-story farmhouse steeped in character. Built from a mixture of timber and stone, its charming façade was an open invitation to weary travelers. A wildflower meadow spread out before it, adding to the idyllic allure of the place.

The intoxicating and enigmatic aroma was overpowering, making it impossible for me to concentrate on anything else. I pulled up the car to halt, a good distance away from the house, and climbed out of the car, taking in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the smell that had been relentlessly occupying my senses. It was much stronger now, like an invisible veil of sweetness that covered everything in its proximity.

The door of the Arnet's farmhouse swung open, and a beautiful woman stepped out. Our eyes met and it seemed like everything around us froze. That intoxicating smell was coming from her. It was then I realized that this woman was my mate. A sudden wave of longing hit me, an emotional surge unlike anything I had ever experienced before. My heart pounded in my chest, matching the rhythm of a primal drumbeat calling me towards her. I felt an inexplicable connection, a bond that knew no bounds of time or space.

As if in a trance, my body began to move towards her, and she started walking towards me as well. We met at the halfway mark, our eyes locked in an intense gaze. Her eyes shined like warm, polished copper, and cascading black hair that flowed over her shoulders like a waterfall. She was a true sight to behold.

My hand lifted instinctively and I reached out, seeking to bridge the gap between the two of us. Time seemed to be holding its breath as my skin neared hers. Just before our fingers touched, a soft breeze swept across the wildflower meadow, bringing with it a fresh surge of her intoxicating scent.

"Hello," she said, her voice a melodic echo that bounced around the quiet grove. Her lips curved into a delicate smile that was somehow more intoxicating than the scent that had drawn me here.

"Hi," I replied, my voice oddly hoarse. My heart pounded with each word, my entire being focused on the woman standing before me. I reached for her hand, fingertips brushing lightly against her almond-colored skin. It was softer than anything I had ever touched, like velvet warmed by the sun. A powerful surge of electricity pulsed through our bodies, energizing us instantly. It felt like we had known each other for a lifetime, and yet, this was the first time we were meeting.

"You are my mate," she said softly, her eyes glowing with a certainty that echoed deep within my soul. Her words weren't a question; they were an affirmation, a truth as old as the universe itself. I could only nod in agreement, my voice having fled at the profoundness of her declaration.

"Yes," I whispered, my breath hitching in my throat.

She nodded, a look of peaceful acceptance in her eyes. She took my hand, intertwining her fingers with mine. We stood that way for a moment, just staring into each other's eyes, breathing in unison.

"And I am yours," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper yet it resonated like a soft melody in my ears. The words resonated through my body, pulsing with an intensity that made my heart flutter wildly. The world around us seemed to melt away, leaving only her and me, our hands entwined in the midst of the wildflowers.

I caught a faint gasp and briefly looked away from my mate. In the entrance of her farmhouse stood three older individuals, one of whom I assumed was her grandfather, Maximus Arnet. Their eyes were wide with surprise, their mouths agape as they took in the spectacle before them.

One of the older women exclaimed, "Oh my Goddess, Maxie, Maria has found her destined mate!" It was clear that she was my mate's grandmother and Mr. Arnet's wife, Elina Arnet.

My mate's grandparents hastily walked over to us. Their approach was a mix of shock, curiosity, and pure joy. My mate, Maria, held her ground next to me, her hand never leaving mine for even a moment. Her curvy body was firm, yet relaxed, as if she knew this moment had been predestined and there was no need to fear it.

"Grandma, Grandpa," she said, her voice filled with excitement that mirrored theirs. "This is my mate."

There was a moment of silence as Maria's grandparents took in her words, their expressions shifting from surprise to shock and then finally understanding.

"By the goddess," Maximus sighed, looking at me with wonder. "I feared this day would come when Maria would leave our little farmstead, but seeing her find her destined mate... well, it's a heart-warming sight indeed."

Elina looked from Maria to me. "What is your name, young man?"

"My name is Weldon," I responded, trying to keep my voice steady. The recognition in Maximus' eyes was mirrored in Elina's as well. "Weldon Growler."

The gasp that issued from Elina's lips echoed in the silent field. She glanced at her husband, shock evident on her face, before turning back to me, her eyes wide with realization. "Weldon Growler…as in the recently appointed Beta of the pack?"

"Yes ma'am," I affirmed, nodding my head slightly.

Elina covered her mouth with a hand, pulling Maximus closer to her side. "My darling," she whispered to him, "Isn't this news astounding? Maria's mate is not just a member of the pack, but a Beta!"

Maximus looked at me with an inscrutable expression. "Son, your father's name wouldn't happen to be Carthel Growler, would it?"

"No sir," I replied. "Carthel Growler is my father's uncle."

Maximus and Elina exchanged a look of disbelief. "Carthel Growler...I knew him well. He was my closest friend when we were young wolves," Maximus confessed, his voice filled with reflection.

"I remember him," Elina added, her voice wavering with nostalgia. "He was the most fearless wolf in this pack, always leading my husband into mischief. And the most loyal friend one could ever wish for."

Maximus nodded, his eyes glazing over as he continued. "When I heard of his demise, it was as if a piece of me had been taken away too. He was...well, he was like a brother to me."

He took a deep breath, seeming to draw in the threads of the past before turning his gaze back to me. "If Carthel is part of your line, Weldon, then I can only believe that the same qualities flow in your veins; courage, loyalty... and a bit of mischief."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that, my gaze finding Maria's again. Her eyes were sparkling with mirth, her lips curled up into a smile as she squeezed my hand. Elina squeezed her husband's hand, "What brings you here, Beta?"