My rebound is an Alpha?!

It's her.

MARKUS' POV

It was her!

I was running through the woods, getting in a good workout. Even though it wasn't far super from the town there weren't that many people around here - anyway, I'd be able to smell them coming before they got near me. Werewolves had sharper senses than normal wolves, and as an Alpha, mine were at another level.

Suddenly, I caught wind of a scent. Horse. And something else. Something intoxicating. Like vanilla and cinnamon and coffee with a hint of caramel on the top.

Oh my god.

Could it be her? Finally? The mate I'd been waiting for all these years?

I had to see her!

Slowing to a walk, I circled around and tried to stay downwind, gradually getting closer. Staying downwind led the full force of the smell of my mate to hit me, and I knew without a certainty that I was right. Even if the smell WAS mixed in with horse, it was unmistakable.

I saw her coming towards me in the distance from my sheltered position partly behind a rock. I had to stay pretty far back, because the undergrowth here was sparse. Damn coastal forests. And a huge wolf wasn't exactly inconspicuous, though I was good at staying hidden from humans and their dull senses. Luckily, I had great eyesight.

She was galloping down the trail like she was trying to escape from something, although she was alone. But I could see something wasn't right. The horse was tossing it's head now and then, wanting to choose it's own pace and direction. She was distracted, not fully in control.

All of a sudden the wind changed.

Oh s**t. I thought.

The horse caught a whiff of my apex predator smell. In a second, it reared up, throwing my mate to the ground, and bolted. She hit her head on a rock, hard, and didn't move.

No, no, no. I couldn't have found her finally only to lose her in a stupid accident like this. I spat the bundle of clothes he'd been carrying in my mouth to the ground (one too many close encounters had taught me the dangers of running around naked) and quickly shifted back into my human form and got dressed, running over to her.

She was OK. The cut on her head wasn't that bad, it was just bleeding on her face a bit. My heart calmed down as I quickly assessed her for any broken limbs, but she seemed to be fine. She was lucky. Heck, I was lucky. I couldn't imagine if I'd lost her before I'd even had the chance to lose her. Just the thought left me feeling distraught.

She had beautiful raven black hair tied up in a thick braid and a spattering of freckles over her nose that made her look young and innocent somehow. I gently removed her riding helmet and checked that there weren't any other cuts or bruises that could cause problems later. No, just the edge of the helmet had torn the skin on her forehead.

I tried to wake her and when she finally opened her eyes, I was stunned by the deep green color, like emeralds. Hardly anyone had eyes like that, even among the wolves.

I helped her up and we began the slow walk back to the stable where the horse had probably bolted home to. Making small talk. I told her about some of my favorite hiking trails in the area.

When we got back, I prepared to leave her just outside the property, avoiding explaining that if I went in I would only spook the horses. I was just thinking about how to make an excuse to see her again when she actually broached the subject herself.

"I'm really grateful to you for your help. Um..." she looked shy and adorable "Don't take this the wrong way, but I really owe you one. Can I buy you dinner or at least a drink?"

Yes! I thought, Perfect!

"Are you asking me out on a date?" I asked, unable to completely hide how amused I felt. This couldn't have worked out better if I'd planned it - now I didn't have to be the creep hitting on a girl who just hit her head.

"NO!" She practically shouted, like a date with me was the worst idea in the world. Ouch.

"I mean, no" She covered her tracks "Like, I don't even know if you have a girlfriend and we just met. It's just to say thanks."

"No problem." I couldn't hold back my grin, but thought that she probably had a big headache. "You probably need to take it easy today. How about tomorrow? Where are you staying?"

"We can meet at the central square at 8?" I nodded in agreement, and headed off, returning the cute little wave she gave me.

As an afterthought, I turned back before she went inside and called out to her.

"No girlfriend, by the way!" I chuckled a bit as she looked slightly embarrassed and hurried inside.

I thought again about the lump that had formed in my chest when those green eyes first made contact with mine.

She was stunning. Perfect. Mine.

There was only one problem.

She was human.