Stranger with the Stars

She Smelled Like Strawberries PT1

Strawberries and cream.

It hit me while sitting at the light. I began to search frantically. My foot accidentally hit the accelerator, causing the engine to roar. There weren’t many cars around me while we waited for it to turn green. The ones around me weren’t the source, it was farther. It was faint yet strong. I began to scan the surrounding area, starting from my left with a lot of fast food places. That’s when it caught my eye.

To the right, in the parking lot of the hardware store, I could see a huge orange beast of a truck. It looked like something out of a monster truck mash. It wasn’t from around here. I couldn’t see the driver, the windows were pitch black. I waited for it to move, someone to come claim it.

HONK HONK HONK

The cars behind me started laying into their horns when I noticed that the light had turned green. I’d have to come back later to see what was with that truck. Was it the source of the smell? I didn’t have time to stop now, I was needed by the pack. Matton kept linking to me letting me know that the meeting was minutes from starting and I wasn’t there yet. I would be late if I didn’t start to haul ass. So, hauling ass was what I’d do.

______________________________

For the entirety of the meeting, all I could think of was the truck. I wanted to see it again. I needed to know who was behind it’s wheel. The meeting only lasted an hour or so. Matton and I could swing by the hardware store before meeting with the guys a bit later. That is if the truck was there still. It would be really hard to miss. The thing was as neon as the traffic cones. I was rushing to get out and over there.

“Could you slow down! You’re moving too fast for me!” Matton shouted as I made my way out the front door. I could hear him dodging the furniture to catch up. I was too anxious. I needed to be there now. I ripped the keys from my jeans.

“Can’t, an important thing is happening.” I explained.

“How important is this thing?” He was panting as he caught up to me unlocking the car doors.

“Mate, important. I think I smelled something.” I paused while putting the key in the ignition. What if it was my mate? Why now? I had already waited for five years. Watching my brothers and family find their mates months after turning 16, 20 at the latest until the Moon had decided I'd break that record. Once a wolf found their other half, time would slow down for them, biologically speaking. Could this be real? Would she know?

Matton had plopped himself down and buckled in.

“Well then, let’s go get you a lady!” He shouted. He was getting hyped up for this moment. He knew how badly I wanted it. I was already Alpha to the pack, but I need my Luna. I needed my other half. Time may be on our side with aging, but it wasn’t on our side for patience. I was tired of waiting. I just wanted to meet her.

My motions went back to picking up their pace. I sped out of the pack house, making my way back to town. The pack house was about 20minutes out of town. If I stomped on the gas, I could be back to the main roads in 10.

“Hey buddy, I know you’re excited, but could we maybe slow down.” Matton was gripping the handle above the door, other hand cautiously bracing the dash. I didn’t realize I’d been hitting 90+mph. I slowed down to ease his worry. We were close. Yet, I couldn’t pick up the scent yet. Had they already left?

Pulling up to the hardware store, the truck was gone. But the smell.. It lingered in the air. It wasn’t strong, meaning they’d been gone for a while. I couldn’t quite smell where it was going. It was covered by the smell of another.. Man. Was she already mated? No, the moon wouldn’t do that to mates. Maybe she was a passenger in the truck?

“I’m picking up a female scent, but it’s been a while since they left. I can’t make out where it’s going. Can you tell, Alpha?” Matton spoke up. He had been watching me pace the spot where the truck had been.

“No.” I let out with a sigh.

“Well, you said it was a truck right? Was there anything specific we could use to find the truck?” He asked curiously.

“Yes actually. It was huge, bright orange, and clearly lifted. We couldn’t miss it if we saw it again.”

“I can go ask some of the people in the store if they knew who was behind the wheel or where they were going. Stay here for me.” Matton jogged up to the door.

I kept breathing in the scent. It was delicious. A mixture of strawberries and cream. It was sweet, yet warm. It filled every inch of my mind.

Mate. Mate has been here. Mate has come!

My wolf had been going wild since earlier. If only I had stopped when I first saw it. At this point I could be holding her if I had made that choice. The meeting wasn’t important anyway, just a regulatory reporting of the activity in the last month along our borders. Why didn’t I just go to the truck?

“Alpha! One of the cashiers let me know that it’s a new girl in town. She bought a bunch of cleaning supplies and paint. He didn’t have a name, but said she was friendly with a cashier by the name of Archer.” Matton was trying to relay the information as fast as he could, tripping up on his words.

“Archer?” Another man? My wolf was going wild with jealousy. I’d destroy him.

“Yes, Archer. However, I don’t think it’s a problem.” Matton rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

“Why’s that?” I said sternly.

“Ah, well I don’t have confirmation, but I’m pretty sure Archer is the same cashier who attempted to hit on me on the way out. He made a comment about how I could ‘run up on him’ anytime.” Matton was turning red. Matton was also unmated.

“I see. Did anyone give any other information?” I questioned. We knew what the truck looked like, but no idea where it went.

“No, Alpha. Perhaps we should check back later. If she is working on a home, she’s going to need more than paint and cleaner. At some point she’ll have to return.” Matton made a good point. He climbed back into the passenger side of the challenger.

I climbed into the driver's side, turning the car back on. I’d come back every hour if needed. Tonight, I could put guards up to alert me whenever the truck was seen again. I would find the driver. She was going to be mine.

We sped off back to the pack house. Some of the other members wanted to throw a party for the newly aged werewolves. A celebration was in order, and as Alpha I had to be in attendance.