White Fur

Chapter 2

Kanto’s POV

Earlier the same day. . .

I let out a heavy sigh and throw the papers I’ve been staring at for the last hour down on my desk. I run my hands through my hair as I try to figure out how to make this proposal work. The Morrison’s dream house was more fantasy that reality, but as their architect, it’s my job to make it as real as possible. Before I could dive back into the paperwork, I hear a knock on the door.

“Come in.” In walks my Beta, Brett. He’s been my best friend since we were kids, so when I became Alpha it only made sense to give him the title of Beta. Brett’s about 6’5” and has light brown hair that always seems to be everywhere. I’ve asked him to look presentable when we are at the office but he always remarks back with something about how he can’t be tamed. He thinks he can’t be tamed, but I’ve seen him around his mate, he is the model puppy dog for that woman.

Brett walks into the office then closes the door behind him. “Good day, Mr. Boterea.” He says in a fake British accent while giving a low bow like he’s in a play or something. I frown at him. Usually the wolves in my pack call me Alpha Kanto but when we are at the office I told all my pack members to call me Mr. Bortera as to not make the humans suspicious. So Brett likes to goof around when it’s just the two of us and makes a whole scene about my last name every time.

“What do you need Brett?” I rolled my eyes at him as he chuckles at my frustration.

“I came to check on the Morrison proposal, any progress?”

I reiterate the sigh I gave earlier to express how annoying this mansion is going to be to build. “They want so many things for their security measures that their house will be more restricted that any government building.”

“Ah, so is this a good time to tell you that Mr. Morrison called and said he wants to add a retina ID lock to the garage?” Brett gave a half smile and started to brace himself for the irritation that was going to radiate off of me soon.

“Why in the world does he want a retina ID lock on the garage? Isn’t the padlock enough?”

Brett shrugs “He said it has something to do with preventing his kids from stealing his luxury cars.”

I let out a low growl, which I know is coming from my wolf Zenith.

Why are humans so annoying. Zenith started to complain.

I rub my eyes and let out another growl. I agreed with Zenith that the Morrison house was an annoyance. “The sooner we finish the plans, the sooner we don’t have to deal with them anymore.” I said aloud to give both Brett and Zenith an answer. I mentally felt Zenith shrug and go to the back of my mind.

“Are you ok, Alpha? You seem a bit more frustrated than usual.” Brett asked, he did have a bit of concern on his face.

“When can I retire?” I knew the answer to this question but I wanted to make the joke.

Brett laughed a bit before he answered. “Well, you have two options. You can retire when your 65 like the humans do or you could just have a pup with your-“ He didn’t finish his sentence but I know what he was going to say. Have a pup with your mate. If only it were that simple.

Werewolves can find their mates once they turn 18, and I’ve been looking for mine since then. I’ve always wanted a mate since I was little. My parents were the perfect models of what mates are supposed to be, they loved and respected each other as perfect equals. In usual circumstances, I wouldn’t have become alpha until I found, mated and marked my mate since mates are suppose to be the other half of our souls. Unfortunately for me, my rise to power wasn’t usual. My father was killed when I was 19 years old so I had to assume the role without a mate. It was devastating to lose my father, but it was even worse to watch my mom go through the loss of her mate. My mom still tried to help me run the pack but she wasn’t as fierce as she used to be without my dad.

I’ve been looking for my mate since I was 18, it’s been 10 years and still no mate. I believe the Moon Goddess is playing a prank on me or just doesn’t have a mate for me, but my mom just keeps reminding me to be patient. I thought I found my mate once about 3 years ago, I caught the most delicious scent, but just as quickly as I caught it, I lost it. I could never find it’s source, even now I still catch it from time to time but can never find its owner.

I must have been lost in my thoughts for a while because Brett had to cough really loudly to get my attention back.

“Sorry man, didn’t mean to bring it up.”

“It’s fine.” I give him a half smile to make sure he doesn’t get too down on himself. Brett found his mate about 2 weeks after he turned 18 and has always felt bad anytime he brings her up to me. He knows how much I idolized my parents’ mate bond, so he always feels a bit guilty.

“You know what will make you feel better? Pizza!” I swear the only thing on my Beta’s mind was either his mate, teasing me or food.

“There’s still a lot of work to do on the Morrison proposal.”

“We can finish it up tomorrow, I’ll lend a hand with it.”

I let out another sigh when there a knock on the door. Brett turns and opens it, Iliana is standing there with a folder in her hand. Iliana is also a werewolf from my pack who happens to be one of the best pack warriors I have. If there were a fourth in command position available it would be her’s. My Gamma, Jack, usually stays at the pack house when I’m in the city so Iliana comes as extra support in his absence. Iliana is about 5’9” with shoulder length black hair and green eyes. She’s very fit because of her warrior status but has a couple curves to her that would make other wolves want her. I used to think that we might be mates when we were younger due to her always being around and she didn’t drive me insane. But one my 18th birthday my wolf, Zenith, didn’t react anyway special to her so I knew it wasn’t her. The council keeps insisting that I take her as my chosen mate, but I still have hope that I’ll meet my destined mate.

“Hello, Mr. Boterea. Here are the documents to finish the Castillo project.” She handed me the folder that would end our last project leaving more free time to be annoyed by the Morrison project.

“Hey Iliana, wanna get pizza with the Alpha and me?” Brett said determined not to get distracted away from his food.

“Brett, you really should call him Mr. Boterea while we are in a building full of humans.” Iliana ordered and gave Brett an eye roll, Brett returned the eye roll and shook his head at her attempt to command him. They never really got along Brett always thought Iliana was snooty and after power while Iliana thought Brett was just a giant child. They were both loyal pack members and made sure that their general dislike towards the other didn’t get in the way of work.

“Come on, a slice of pizza sounds so good right now. With pepperoni and sausage. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.” I’m pretty sure I could see drool coming from Brett’s mouth.

“Fine, but only if we agree to at least draw up some plans for the Morrison house tomorrow.” I compromised.

“Yes sir, Mr. Boterea.” Brett said with the same enthusiasm he had earlier, he saluted me this time though. This earned him two sighs, one from me and one from Iliana.

“You can come too, Iliana, if you’d like.” Brett said as I got up from my chair and stretched a bit.

“Ok, I’ll get my stuff.” Iliana smiled excitedly and scurried out of my office. It was back to just Brett and me in my office.

“I know she’s a great warrior and I know I was the one who invited her to tag along. But that woman is obsessed with you in a creepy way, you know that right?” Brett raised his eyes at me with seriousness written all over his face. This was a rare look for him, but I know it meant business, he would use this face during more serious Beta duties. “Ever since you agreed to picking a chosen mate when you turn 30 if you haven’t found your destined mate, she has been more clingy than normal and that’s saying something.”

“Look, Iliana is a loyal pack member and a great fighter. Sure she can be a bit much at times but she has the pack’s interests at heart.”

“I think she just wants to jump into your bed, but if she’s who you chose then I’ll still have your back.” Brett gives me a half smile, Iliana is a decent person but I know if she’s my chosen mate it would be out of duty. We would never have the type of bond my parents had.

“Let’s go get pizza before I change my mind.” That brought a full smile back onto Brett’s face. I grab my navy blue blazer and throw it on. I brush my hair back a bit with my hands and head to the door. Brett and I walk out of my office and head to Iliana’s desk where she is applying fresh lipstick and making sure she looks perfect before we head out. She hears us approach and stops touching up her makeup. She gathers her purse and coat and gets up to join us on our adventure to get pizza.

“How are we getting there?” Iliana asks still messing with her hair a bit.

“The pizza place is only a couple blocks away, it would be easier to walk.” Brett inputs.

“I’m good for a walk, the weather is perfect today anyways.” I did always like this weather, it was the best time of the year to be outside.

The three of us walk into the elevator and head down to the lobby. We left work a bit late today, it’s already past 7pm but that’s how it goes sometimes when you’re in charge. Since it’s so late, not many people are in the building which makes our walk to the exit even faster.

The minute I step outside, I smell the scent that has been taunting me for the past 3 years. The smell of strawberries and papaya hits my nose and instantly makes my wolf stir.

It’s that scent, we need to follow it. Zenith is getting excited, he always goes a bit crazy when he smells the strawberries and papayas in the air. But it’s my job to bring him back to reality.

We have tried to follow the scent before but we never find the owner. She’s probably long gone and this is just left over from her being here earlier. I hate to crush this feeling but there was nothing we could do. Every time we tried to follow the scent we hit a dead end. Why would this time be any different?

Because this time the scent is getting stronger.

Zenith was right, as we continued to walk towards the pizza place the scent was picking up and getting stronger. My heart started to beat faster. Was I actually going to figure out where this mouth watering scent was coming from?

Calm down, Kanto, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Focus on just getting to the pizza place, after if the scent is still strong, we can hunt it down. Don’t get your hopes up yet, it’ll probably fade out soon anyways.

“Kanto, are you ok?” Brett asked snapping me out of my inner dialogue.

“Yea, just Zenith.”

“Oh ok, well we are almost there, just a couple blocks to go. Then Zenith can eat all the food to his wolfy heart’s content.” Brett laughed thinking he was so funny, but I went back to focusing on the scent that was still filling my nose.

We came to the edge of the park and I could see tents and a Ferris wheel. I must have made a confused face at the sight of the festivities because Iliana filled me in.

“It’s the high school’s summer festival. The pack members that go to the high school said they put it on every year.”

I nod my head in understanding as we continue to get closer. The scent is still strong as we continue to move. Maybe the owner of this scent stopped at the festival for a bit?

But then it hit me and I froze.

The scent was so strong that the owner had to be here. Then a memory rushed to the front of my mind. It was of my mother telling me about how she knew my father was her mate.

“His sent drew me in first, my wolf followed the smell and there was your father staring right back at me. I knew that that man was mine.” My memory told me.

Have I been following the scent of my mate this whole time?

I walk away from Brett and Iliana and towards the festival. I hear them calling for me but I don’t stop, I keep following the scent. I weave through the tents dodging the crowds of people. I must stay focused on the smell, I will not lose it this time. I get to a clearing and stop to look around trying to smell the direction of the scent. Then I stop and my heart skips a beat.

The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen is standing under a tent, smiling at some of the children as they put glitter onto their crafts. She has long dirty blonde hair that’s pulled into a braid, a couple strand graze her face. She has freckles that trace across her nose from one cheek to the other. She’s probably about 5’6” but her height makes her perfect, she is wearing a blue, green and white floral, knee-length dress that keeps flowing in the breeze. She is the definition of gorgeous. She smiles again at the children and I swear I think I’m going to have a heart attack.

MATE!!! Zenith screams in my head.

She turns away to walk towards the back of the tent. My feet have a mind of their own and I walk towards the tent absolutely entranced but the woman in front of me. I didn’t notice how close I got until she turns around and instantly bumps into me.

“Ow.” She grabs her nose with both of her hands and starts to rub her now probably painful nose.

I felt guilty, the most beautiful creature the Moon Goddess has ever created and I injure her.

MATE!!! Zenith screams again.

I should probably apologize for running into her. Just as I’m about to say sorry, her beautiful bright blue eyes lock with mine and Zenith says for me.

“Mate.”