The Bond Between Us

Chapter Five: Cross Country Trip

Nathaniel

Three days ago James and I had said our slightly emotional goodbye. We had just crossed into the state of Montana about an hour ago and had hit the interstate heading North. It has been an agonizingly long trip, with nothing to keep us entertained but our phones and the occasional stop to let our wolves out for a run. But we couldn't be out of the car for long, since we were on a time limit.

My omega, Geoffrey, is holding things down back at home. He made sure to check in with me twice a day on the daily pack life and to report any issues with the borders, and other then one rogue everything has been fine so far. It helped ease my worry up some knowing my pack wasn't being slaughtered while I was gone.

James was slouching in the seat next to me, his knees resting against the dash as he continued to text on his phone. From all the smiling I could only assume that it was his mate, Lola, blowing him up. When he met her his whole life changed in the blink of an eye. He tried to explain it to me, how the mate bond could drastically change a person, but it was hard to believe. I wouldn't understand until I met my own. I know my parents were disappointed to find out my mate wasn't a part of our pack already. Secretly I thanked the moon goddess that whole night on my eighteenth birthday for not giving one of them as my mate. Whoever she is will come from a different pack with no ties to my family at all and I will forever be greatful for that.

I stretched my legs out, my ankles were starting to get sore from all the driving. It was getting close to time to get out to stretch mine and my wolves legs. Looking down and realizing we were in a desperate need of some gas. Up ahead was an exit that had a gas station within the first mile. I yawned while I pulled onto the road and looked down at my coffee cup. Could definitely use a fresh one.

"You wanna switch when we stop? you've been driving for hours." I rubbed my eyes and nodded. I was starting to get a migrane from the lack of sleep. I reconsidered that coffee and might just get some much needed rest.

"Yeah that would be great, my eyes are starting to hurt. we'll probably stop by a park or dirt road or something to let out legs stretch out. I know I'm getting tired of sitting here." James Nodded, tucking his phone back into his pocket as we pulled into the gas station.

Pulling up to one of the empty pump stations I pulled my wallet out and grabbed my card before leaving the vehicle. stepping out of the car I leaned over and started messing with the pump, putting the nozzle in the car and adjusting the handle so that it could continuesly pump. I handed James the piece of plastic.

"Go inside and get us some dinner why don't ya and then while your at it grab me some ibuprofen for this killer migraine I got." He smiled wide.

"I thought you'd never ask." He took the card and speed walked into the store.

Through the window you could see him drooling over the food in the warmers and I chuckled. James was easily pleased with anything as long as it filled his stomach. As I put the nozzle back on the pump a gentle breeze from the north blew against my face and I froze in mid movement. The most heavenly scent of Cinnamon drifted lazily across my nose, filling my senses. It lingered there unable to leave my head as I looked towards the direction it was coming from to get a better whiff. My wolf leaped forward in my mind howling and clawing his way out of my skin. I knew my eyes had shifted to a much brighter color of amber at this point and if any humans noticed they would have freaked out. Good thing we were alone.

I didnt know what the smell was but it was so alluring that my feet were moving on there own accord. James walked out with several items in his arms and his smile fell off his face.

"Nate is there something wrong?" He asked and I held my hand up and took a long sniff in the air. I knew I could track it, whatever it was it wasn't that far away.

"There's something I have to check out. I don't know how long I'll be gone, just stay here until I come back." He nodded as I threw him the keys. he easily caught it on one of his fingers and headed towards the car.

I looked back in the direction the scent was coming from and started walking. The cold didn't matter as it blew against my hot skin. when I knew I was out of sight from the outside world I started to strip. when I was completely naked I shifted into my wolf. His black fur was a sharp contrast to the thin layer of snow that was covering the ground. I sniffed the air when another intoxicating breeze blew my me and I felt my chest tighten. Growling at the unusual sensation I started to run north. Whatever the scent was coming from it wasn't far, I was absolutely certain that I could make it in an hour if I kept the pace.

I had to figure out where this scent was coming from. It was effecting me greatly and I'm almost certain that I would lose my mind over it if I didn't check it out. So I ran as fast as I could towards the unknown.