The Scent He Couldn't Escape
1190 Words
Kael's POV
Sleep had become a stranger.
For three nights now, I had barely managed to close my eyes before my wolf began clawing at the edges of my mind again. Every nerve in my body felt stretched tight, as though something—or someone—was calling to me from beyond my reach.
I stood on the balcony of my penthouse, the city lights glittering beneath me like stars scattered across the earth. Normally, the sight brought me peace. Tonight, it did nothing.
“Find her.”
The voice of my wolf, Kiel, echoed through my head.
"There is no 'her,' and I don't think there will ever be her. The witch lied to us, Selene lied." I muttered, gripping the railing until the metal bent beneath my fingers.
My wolf growled in response, impatient and restless.
For the first time in years, control was gradually slipping from my fingers.
With a frustrated sigh, I stepped away from the balcony.
There was only one place I could go…Home
Within minutes, I shifted into my massive white wolf and disappeared into the darkness.
The trail hidden from the human eye led me far from the city and into the heart of my home.
The familiar scent of pine and wildflowers filled the air as towering silver trees swayed gently beneath the moonlight. Crystal-clear rivers shimmered with magic, reflecting the glowing moon overhead. Ancient stone walls guarded the kingdom, and warriors bowed respectfully as I passed, I barely acknowledged them.
My destination lay deeper within the forest.
A small wooden cottage stood alone beside a quiet stream.
The home of Seer Elara.
Unlike the Pack's royal seer, Selene, whose loyalty I had long questioned, Elara had always been honest. She had served my mother before she died and had never once given me reason to doubt her.
She opened the door before I could knock.
"I wondered how long it would take before you came, Alpha Kael."
I managed a tired smile. " Stop with the honorifics, You already knew?"
She chuckled softly. "I know enough."
Inside, the cottage smelled of herbs and burning lavender. Shelves lined every wall, filled with ancient books, glowing crystals, and carefully labeled bottles.
Elara gestured for me to sit "You look haunted, Kael."
"I feel haunted." She waited patiently for me to continue . "My wolf won't stop," I admitted. "He's restless. Aggressive. Every night he pushes me to search for someone I don't even know." She remained silent.
"I've never lost this much control before."
Closing her eyes, Elara rested both hands on the table. The candles flickered, and a gentle breeze swept through the room despite the closed windows.
Several long moments passed before she finally opened her eyes. "Your wolf isn't hunting."
I frowned. "Then what the f**k is he doing?"
A faint smile touched her lips.
"He's following your heart."
I let out a dry laugh. "That's not helpful in any way."
"Not every answer is meant to be understood immediately."
I stood. "So what exactly am I supposed to do?"
She looked directly into my eyes. "Stop fighting him."
A pause. "Follow your heart."
That was all she offered.
No prophecy.
No explanation.
Just four frustrating words and I don't even have a goddamn clue on whatever that's going on right now.
The moment I stepped outside, my wolf surged forward with such force that I barely managed to hold on then I stopped resisting, I stopped holding back and let him control me
Bones cracked snow-white fur erupted across my skin.
Within seconds, I was racing through the forest on four powerful legs.
I didn't choose the direction.
Kiel did.
We crossed rivers, cliffs, and miles of woodland before emerging near the city once again.
Then a scent grew stronger.
It was sweet like vanilla, warm like the hearth in my mother's room, familiar.
Without realizing it, I found myself standing across the street from a modest little house.
Her house.
The moment I arrived, Kiel relaxed completely.
He was at peace in front of her house
The peace I sought for days now was found at her house
He lay beneath the shadows of the trees, content to simply...wait.
Hours passed.
The night grew quieter and I knew that I should have gone home but I stayed.
Just before sunrise, the front door creaked open.
Ava stepped outside carrying a worn leather bag. She looked different without her office clothes. I don't know how to explain it
She looked soft, her face void of makeup yet she looked like a magnolia in may
She knelt beside a flower pot near the porch.
She carefully lifted the pot to reveal a bag hidden beneath it, she opened the bag and a flash of silver caught my attention.
It was a dagger.
Not an ordinary one.
Ancient symbols glowed faintly along the blade before disappearing almost instantly.
My wolf growled.
Hunter.
Every instinct inside me sharpened.
Why would an ordinary human possess a weapon like that?
Who exactly was Ava Monroe?
She wrapped the dagger in cloth and slipped it into the bag before heading inside.
I remained hidden, unable to tear my eyes away from the house.
Why did ava hold a hunters dagger? how did she get it? who is she? does she know what I am?
These questions raced through my mind as I made my way home
Several yards away, another pair of eyes watched from the bushes.
A young man dressed entirely in black lowered the hood covering his face.
Damien
He had followed Kael from the woods after spotting him visiting Seer Elara.
Now his attention rested entirely on the small house.
"So," he whispered quietly. "You've finally found her."
A faint cruel smile crossed his face before he disappeared into the shadows once more.
The following morning, I arrived at the office more exhausted than ever.
I had barely stepped off the elevator when raised voices echoed down the hallway.
Several employees surrounded Ava.
One woman deliberately shoved a stack of files from Ava's hands.
The papers scattered across the floor.
"Oh no," another mocked. "Looks like the charity case can't even hold paperwork."
Laughter filled the hallway.
Ava simply crouched to gather the files without saying a word.
Something inside me snapped.
If she is a hunter why would she let herself be bullied by these lowly women?
"Enough."
Silence fell instantly.
Every employee turned toward me.
I walked over, bent down, and picked up the remaining papers myself before handing them back to Ava.
Our fingers brushed.
For a brief second, my wolf became completely calm.
I looked at the women.
"If you have enough free time to harass my assistant," I said coldly, "then perhaps Human Resources should reconsider your workload."
Their faces drained of color.
"We're sorry, sir."
They hurried away without another word.
I turned back to Ava. She looked both surprised and embarrassed. "Pack your things."
She blinked. "My things, sir?"
"Your desk."
She frowned. "I don't understand."
"You won't be working out here anymore."
I held her gaze.
"From today onward, your office is inside mine."
- Writer
