Alpha Lucien

Smells like my mate

LUC

The patrols had nothing useful to report, so I make my way back to the pack house for the ceremony. I arrive at the second floor and am on my way up the stairs to the third when my wolf stops me in my tracks.

My nostrils flare as I inhale a scent—crimson roses and amber.

Familiar. Too familiar.

My frown deepens. It’s been so long since I’ve smelled it, yet here it is, as if time folded in on itself.

Or maybe it’s just all in my head.

After all, I haven’t thought about my mate in a long time—until today. Now my mind is playing tricks on me, making me imagine her scent. I didn't know I could be this pathetic.

Shaking off the thought, I continue up the stairs and head to my room to freshen up. A quick shower later, I pull on a pair of tailored black suit pants—definitely not skinny—and a black polo shirt.

My gaze meets my reflection in the mirror, and I sigh, before making my way out of the room. I’m not really one to dress too much, or bother to, especially at an ordinary ceremony.

By the time I step into the main hall, the pack members have started to arrive. My gaze sweeps the room, and I spot Mason talking to the food servers, but more noticeably, I sense the shift in the air.

Everyone has suddenly become careful.

They’ve seen me.

Good.

“I need a drink,” I mutter, heading toward the bar—only to have Sally step right in front of me.

“Hello, Alpha.”

I give her a slow once-over.

She’s wearing a low-cut red dress that clings to her figure, leaving very little to the imagination.

Hmm. Maybe I do need her tonight—to burn off this uneasy feeling.

She tilts her head, her lips curling into a coy smile. “Alpha, think you’ll have time afterward to squeeze me in?”

Her voice is laced with hope, and seduction.

I don’t bother with pretense. “Meet me in my office after.”

Then I brush past her and head straight for the bar.

I light up a cigarette, exhaling slowly as I watch the sponsors enter, leading the new recruits toward me.

Lifting my glass, I down the rest of my whiskey in one go before turning to face them, lazily puffing out smoke.

My eyes scan each of them.

Most are predictable—fearful, awkward. But one? He stands out. Not because of courage, but because of the hungry, entitled look in his eyes. He’s barely paying attention, his gaze straying elsewhere.

I follow his line of sight.

Sally.

Of course.

I can’t say I'm shocked. She’s never been mine—not really.

I'm certain my bed isn’t the only one she's been in. Not that I care. Yet she has the audacity to think she’s worthy of being my Luna. She must have a death wish.

“Alpha King, sir…” one of the sponsors begins. “Here are the new members.”

One by one, they introduce themselves, while I take another slow drag, my expression unreadable.

Once they finish, I exhale another stream of smoke and ask, “I only see five. Where is the sixth?”

Mason immediately rushes toward me. “The she-wolf warrior should be on her way down—oh, she’s here. MAYA!”

Then, I feel it, causing me to lower my gaze in confusion.

The scent slams into me again—crimson rose and amber.

No.

The uneasiness churns inside me, twisting into something I hate.

Then I look up.

And I freeze.

Standing beside Mason is a petite goddess, her presence knocking the air from my lungs.

Her golden waves cascade around her light, creamy skin. Her emerald-green eyes lock onto mine—holding both fear and something else…

Curiosity?

I can’t tell.

I can’t think.

I can’t stop looking at her.

It’s as if my eyes refuse to leave her frame, drawn in by some unseen force.

The tight black polo she wears hugs her form, sculpting a perfect hourglass shape. But what really holds my attention is the scar coiling just beneath her sleeve. Shifter healing is fast enough that scarring does not occur unless the injury is really bad or prior to getting your wolf.

A deep wound, bad enough to resist shifter healing.

Intriguing.

“This is the new warrior, Maya Calder,” Mason introduces.

I inhale sharply, forcing my expression to remain impassive. I feel my wolf lurking just beneath the surface, captivated just as much as I am.

Then she clears her throat.

“Uh, Alpha King, it’s a… pleasure to meet you.”

Her voice is quiet, shaking slightly. She’s scared.

But my senses scream at me.

She smells like my mate.

How? Why?

“Maya,” I finally say, nodding slowly. “I’d like to see how good you are. Not everyone is worthy of being a warrior in my pack.”

She nods quickly. “Ye-yeah. Um, I’ll try not to disappoint you, Alpha.”

But even as she says it, an unfamiliar thought forms in my mind.

I don’t think she could disappoint me at all.

I crush the thought before it can linger.

“Well, let’s get started already. I want this day over with,” I say, pushing off the stool.