MY CAGED LUNA

CHAPTER THREE DEJA VU

As I walked downstairs, the pungent aroma hit me like a ton of bricks. It was overwhelming, making my eyes water and my nose wrinkle in distaste. I couldn't help but wonder who this new wolf was, and why they felt the need to douse themselves in such a potent scent. It was like they wanted to announce their presence to the entire pack, and yet, it seemed like a desperate cry for attention.

That's when I saw her - the source of the smell. She had fiery red hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of flames. Her face was painted with layers of makeup like she was trying to hide behind a mask of artificial beauty. The red lipstick was the final nail in the coffin, a glaring beacon of insecurity that screamed, "Look at me, but don't look too close."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort as I took in her appearance. Who was this person, and why did she feel the need to present herself in such a way? Was she trying to seduce everyone in the pack, or was she simply trying to convince herself of her worth? The smell, the makeup, the entire facade seemed like a cry for help, a desperate attempt to be noticed and validated.

My mom approached me with a bright, forced smile, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Fred, I want you to meet Melinda, the daughter of Alpha Cord of the Ice Pack," she said, her voice dripping with an artificial sweetness that made my stomach turn. "She'll be staying with us for a while, so I want you to show her around and make her feel welcome."

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze narrowing as I turned to face the girl standing beside my mom. Melinda, or maybe it was Melissa - I wasn't quite sure, as my mom's words had been a bit muffled by my annoyance. The girl's face was a blur, but her scent was unmistakable. It was as if someone had taken all the worst perfumes in the world, mixed them, and then poured the concoction all over her.

As I walked up to her, mingling in distaste, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "You smell so badly." The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Melinda's face fell, her eyes welling up with tears. But I didn't care. I was still reeling from the assault on my senses, my mind screaming at me to get away from the smell.

I grabbed a toast from the counter, not even bothering to look at Melinda again, and turned to leave. My mom's voice rose behind me, shouting something about being rude and welcoming our guest, but I tuned her out. I didn't care about her anger or disappointment. I just wanted to escape.

But my father's voice was harder to ignore. It echoed in my mind through our shared mind link, a low, rumbling growl that made my skin prickle. "Fred, don't ever walk out on your mother like that," he warned, his displeasure clear. "Apologize to Melinda and show her some respect." I knew I'd face consequences later, but for now, I just kept walking.

..................

I stormed into the office, still fuming from the encounter with Melinda. Alex, my best friend and beta, was already there, a smug smile spreading across his face. He knew exactly what was going on, and yet he hadn't warned me earlier. He would pay for that.

"Traitor," I muttered, shaking my head as I made my way to my desk.

Alex chuckled, his tail wagging behind him. "Hey, someone's got to keep things interesting around here."

I glared at him, but my anger was short-lived. The pain relief pills I had been taking since morning were starting to wear off, and my head was throbbing again. I reached into my drawer and popped a few more, hoping to ward off the impending migraine.

As I sat down, I couldn't shake off the feeling of déjà vu that had been plaguing me all day. It was as if I had lived through this same scenario before, but I couldn't quite put my finger on when or where.

"Explain,"

I demanded, my voice firm but controlled. "Why is Melinda here? And what's with the sudden introduction?"

Alex hesitated, his tail twitching nervously. "From what I understand, Melinda's pack and ours have some kind of alliance. Her father, Alpha Cord, wants to strengthen ties between our packs."

I raised an eyebrow. "And sending his daughter to live with us is supposed to achieve that?"

Alex shrugged. "I guess so. Maybe it's some kind of cultural exchange thing?"

I snorted. "Cultural exchange? With the Ice Pack? They're notorious for their brutal tactics and archaic traditions."

Alex nodded in agreement. "I know, but maybe this is a chance for us to...I don't know, build bridges or something?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples again. This was getting more complicated by the minute. "And what about my mom? Why did she just spring this on me without warning? Knowing I will not give up on my mate"

Alex looked down, his ears folding back in a sign of submission. "I think she was trying to avoid a scene, Fred. You know how she hates conflict."

I glared at him, but my anger was starting to fade. Alex was right, as usual. My mom did hate conflict, and she would go to great lengths to avoid it.

"Fine," I said finally, standing up. "I'll pretend she does not exist, but I want you to know that she exists, understand."

Alex nodded, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "I'll make sure to keep an eye on her, Fred."

As the working hours drew to a close, I suddenly remembered Edward, who had failed to show up again. I pulled out my phone and dialed Alex's number, asking him to look up Edward's address, and we set off toward the outskirts of our pack's territory.

As we approached Edward's house, I noticed its unique location - nestled at the edge of our park, with the forest trees looming behind it. The house itself looked cozy, with a warm glow emanating from the windows. But what struck me most was the intoxicating scent wafting from within.

As I stepped out of the car and onto the front porch, the sweet aroma enveloped me, making my eyelids heavy with a sudden desire to sleep. Yet, at the same time, my skin tingled with a pleasant sensation, as if the scent was awakening a deep connection within me. I felt drawn to the house, my hand reaching out to ring the doorbell again and again, as if mesmerized.

The scent was like nothing I had ever smelled before - a heady mix of honey, lavender, and something else entirely. It was as if the house itself was emitting a gentle hum, a soothing vibration that resonated deep within my chest. I felt my heart rate slow, my breathing deepen, and my senses come alive.

Alex, who had been watching me with a curious expression, raised an eyebrow. "Fred, you okay? You look like you're in a trance."

I shook my head, trying to clear the haze. "What is this scent?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alex sniffed the air, his nose twitching. "I don't know."

I nodded, my hand still hovering over the doorbell. "Let's go inside."

I rang the doorbell one more time

Then I heard his voice asking who was at the door when I said nothing neither did Alex, the door was unlocked eventually.