Lost and searching

Chapter 7 - The claiming - Mason

The oddest thing had happened on the way to the Red Moon territory. 

I was driving with my beta, Harry, discussing the upcoming ceremony when the sweetest smell hit my nose through my open window. It was a mixture of vanilla and wild flowers, wild and innocent at the same time.

 I was dazed I pulled the car over asking Harry if he could smell that. He gave me a quizzical look raising his nose in the air and sniffing.

 I didn't wait for him to give me a reply I took off following the scent that had my wolf going crazy. 

I came to a clearing at the top off a cliff. The view was impressive, the cliff looked down into a basin. My eyes scanned the vast area. I could see the Red Moon packs symbol in the trees, this must be the claiming grounds.

I turned around looking for the source of the smell, the clearing was completely silent, there was nobody here. So where was the smell coming from?

I walked towards the trees and there hidden in a bush was a small black duffle bag. How odd I thought.

I lifted the bag. It was definitely the source of the smell. 

Harry came up behind me to see what it was I was holding. He had the same confused look on his face I must have had on mine.

Opening it up I found a few items of clothing definitely belonging to a female, some money and most strangely a bottle of hair dye and a box of coloured contact lenses. 

It would seem this person is trying to change their appearance and run away I would guess from the contents of the bag I conclude with Harry. But its the smell I can't get my head around why does it make me feel all these emotions. I don't feel anything I am numb. I need it that way. That is how I survive.

 I look down into the basin where the claiming grounds are and back at the bag in my hand and that's when it hits me. Could this bag belong to a she-wolf taking part in the claiming? Is she trying to run away? A  small pang of pain hits me in my chest.

 What is happening to me, I am the most feared and powerful Alpha in the country I don't feel pain, I inflict pain on others! I'm beginning to get frustrated with the situation. 

I head back to the car with the bag still in my hand.

I'm deep in thought when I feel Harry smack me on my arm

"Earth to Mason". I growl at him. How dare he lay a hand on me. Beta or not I will still kill him.

"Woah, chill out! I was just trying to get your attention you have been stood like a statue for the last 10 minutes. I've never seen you so affected" Harry says with his hands up in a surrendering gesture. 

"I'm fine and I'm not affected ". I say in a cool voice. Feeling calmer than I was a second ago. 

"I'm just thinking of a plan". I state as I get back into the car setting off towards the Red Moon pack.