Wolvenmark - The Forbidden Mate

Chapter 10 : The Alpha’s Luna: The Scent of Fate

Chapter 10 : The Alpha’s Luna: The Scent of Fate

Al’s POV

As my car rumbled down the dirt path leading to the Pack’s mansion, I could already hear their voices. My heightened senses picked up on them effortlessly, even from a distance.

“Oh, look who finally decided to show up,” Jayla’s voice rang out, tinged with amusement.

“Why is he here?” Shadow asked, confused. “I thought he wasn’t supposed to be back for another few weeks.”

I smirked to myself. Typical. They could sense something was up before I even stepped out of the car.

Pulling into the garage, I cut the engine and climbed out. The scent of pine and damp earth filled my lungs, grounding me in a way only home could. Jayla was already waiting with open arms, and I hugged her tightly before turning to Shadow, exchanging our usual friendship dab.

“What’s going on?” Shadow pressed, his sharp gaze scanning my face for answers. “You don’t just show up unannounced.”

“Had some things I needed to clear up,” I said vaguely, my voice laced with an energy I couldn’t quite contain.

Shadow raised a brow. “That’s not an answer.”

“Where’s Stone?” I asked instead, dodging his interrogation.

Shadow sighed but gestured toward the mansion. “Inside.”

As we started walking, Jayla glanced at me curiously. “Everything okay in the city?”

I nodded, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face. “More than okay. Things are finally falling into place... you have no idea.” My voice held an unmistakable excitement.

The Pack’s mansion loomed ahead, a grand structure nestled deep within the woods, its towering stone walls standing resilient against time. The warmth of home settled into my bones as we stepped inside, the familiar scent of burning wood and old books wrapping around me.

The dining hall was just as I remembered—high ceilings, a long wooden table, and the comforting crackle of a fireplace in the corner. And there, sitting in his usual spot, was Stone. A steaming cup of tea in one hand, a magazine in the other.

The second our eyes met, he set both items aside, straightening up. A faint but knowing smile tugged at his lips.

“What brings you here?” he asked, standing as he tapped my shoulder in greeting.

I exhaled, suddenly feeling the weight of everything I had come to say. “I just—I just needed to see you all.” The words felt lighter than what I truly meant, but for now, they would do.

Stone studied me, his expression unreadable at first, then slowly morphing into one of quiet understanding. “You seem different,” he remarked, a grin tugging at his lips. “I can see it.”

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. “Yeah… things have been going really well. The company’s thriving. I’m—” I paused, letting myself feel the truth of it. “I’m doing well too.”

The room seemed to grow warmer as I continued. “We’re climbing the charts, making real progress. I finally feel like I’m fulfilling my father’s expectations. Like I’m doing what I was meant to do.”

Stone’s grin widened, his pride unmistakable. “That’s wonderful.” His voice held a weight of sincerity that made something in my chest tighten.

For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t just running on obligation or responsibility. I was thriving. And I had a feeling this was only the beginning.

"I need to talk about something," I said, my voice suddenly serious, the weight of the words pulling my thoughts together. Stone raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in the air. Without a word, he motioned toward the dining table, his gaze intense, as though he could feel something important was about to be shared.

I followed him, Jayla and Shadow trailing behind me, both wearing curious expressions. I could sense their anticipation building, but the uncertainty in my chest only deepened the longer I waited.

"What's going on?" Stone asked, his voice a mix of authority and genuine curiosity. It was a tone that urged answers but still carried a thread of empathy.

I took a breath, my gaze shifting between the three of them. "There’s a reason things have been going well in the company, but... it's also been bothering me. Something I can’t quite explain," I started, my words slow, deliberate. "I've been thinking about it for days, and I just can't seem to find an answer."

Silence hung between us, thick and pressing, as they all waited for me to continue. Their eyes were fixed on me—expectant, patient, yet filled with their own questions.

"It all started when we hired the new secretary," I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside. The moment I spoke those words, I saw something flicker in Stone’s eyes—excitement? Anticipation? Maybe even something more, but it is quickly masked by a hint of confusion. Shadow, on the other hand, looked even more perplexed than before.

Stone leaned forward, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "And what’s the problem with that?" His voice was soft but insistent.

I hesitated, trying to find the right words. The thought had been circling in my mind for days now, and still, it felt like a puzzle I couldn’t fully solve. "It's... there’s a scent. A fragrance, to be exact. Ever since I met him, it’s been... bothering me. But not in a bad way," I added quickly, hoping to clarify. "It’s the kind of scent that makes me feel... comfortable, at ease. It's so... pleasant, that it almost makes everything around me feel clearer."

Stone’s eyes widened slightly, and I could feel the tension shift in the air. His reaction was almost too quick, too excited—like he was expecting me to say something else entirely.

"What do you mean by ‘the secretary’?" Stone’s voice took on a sharper edge, almost frantic now. "Wait... is he a guy?"

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of discomfort at his sudden outburst. The table seemed to grow quieter with his disbelief hanging in the air.

"Seriously?" he repeated, his voice rising in shock.

"Yes, Stone, seriously," I said, my own confusion now mirroring his. "His name is Rubeus."

Stone fell back into his chair, his expression shifting into one of disbelief. He sat there for a moment, the silence stretching between us as he processed what I’d just said. Shadow glanced at Jayla, both of them still clearly puzzled by the exchange.

Stone finally broke the silence, his voice softer now, though still tinged with skepticism. "Okay... maybe I’m just mistaken." He took a deep breath, rubbing his temple. "But about this scent—tell me more. What exactly is it?"

I could feel the weight of his question pressing on me, and I took a moment to collect my thoughts. This wasn’t something I had easy answers for, but I had to try.

"I can't really describe it... at least not properly," I murmured, my brow furrowed as I tried to recall that first encounter. "It’s unlike anything I’ve ever smelled before. It hit me the moment I met him, and I couldn’t shake it. It’s not overpowering, but... it’s so comforting, so... peaceful. And it’s been with me ever since, lingering in the back of my mind."

Stone sat back, his gaze focused intently on me. "You can’t focus on anything unless you smell it?" he asked, his tone skeptical but intrigued.

I nodded, feeling the truth of it rush over me. "Exactly. It’s like the scent grounds me, clears my mind, but it’s more than just a smell. It’s... I don’t know, something about it keeps me focused. But it’s only there when he’s around."

"That’s strange..." Stone whispered, more to himself than anyone else.

"What’s strange?" I asked, unable to hide the urgency in my voice. "What do you mean?"

Stone didn’t answer right away. His gaze shifted from me to the table, his expression deep in thought. For a moment, I could almost feel the weight of his silence press down on me.

"I’ve never heard of anything like this before," he murmured, his voice faraway, like he was piecing together something bigger than what was in front of us. He looked up at me, his eyes searching mine for confirmation. "Are you sure it’s a natural scent? Not a perfume or something that just happens to remind you of something?"

I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. "I asked him about it," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "He said he doesn’t wear any perfume. Not even cologne. It’s... just him." I couldn’t quite explain it, but I knew what I was feeling. I couldn’t be mistaken about it.

Stone stared at me for a long moment, his mind clearly racing through the possibilities. He stood up abruptly, the sound of his chair scraping against the floor sharp in the silence. "Stay here," he said, his voice suddenly serious, like he was on the edge of something.

Then, without another word, he was gone—rushing out of the dining hall, his footsteps echoing as the door swung closed behind him.

The silence in the room was thick with unanswered questions, and Shadow, unable to stand it any longer, broke the tension.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice a little more urgent now, as if hoping for some clarity in the chaos.

"Yeah, what does this have to do with your secretary?" Jayla added, her voice curious, but tinged with skepticism.

"I don’t know," I said, shrugging my shoulders, the weight of the mystery still heavy on me. "That’s why I’m here... to find answers."

Shadow’s eyes flickered with amusement, his tone light, though I could sense the hint of nervousness underneath. "I thought your secretary was a girl," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "I was gonna ask if she was hot or not."

I chuckled despite myself. "No," I said, rolling my eyes. "Not at all."

"You're disgusting," Jayla muttered, her voice dripping with mock exasperation as she turned away from him.