1. Fragrancy
Charis has always ensured the Garnet Pack is prosperous and secure from enemy attacks. No matter how hard she tries, Charis cannot change the opinions of people who don't want her to become a leader and others who criticize all of the decisions she makes.
Charis has been the Garnet Pack's leader for the past year. Nothing bad happened, and Charis could keep good relationships with the other werewolf packs and the clans of immortals. But none of the elders or top brass recognized her hard work. She didn't expect them to appreciate her, but at least she had done what her father had done.
Just because she is a woman, women leaders shouldn't be a problem. Even in the human world, gender equality is enforced, and many human women become city or country leaders.
As the first woman to govern a clan in the immortal world, Charis wrote a new chapter in history. Not only is Charis undervalued inside her pack, but also within other clans.
Oryn smiled and said, "Good job, Luna." As a Beta, he has promised to give his whole life to his Alpha and be loyal to her. Even though his Alpha is a woman. Two days after Callum died, he was elevated to Beta, and Charis was designated as the pack's leader.
"Thank you, Oryn," Charis realized. It's not just her. There's Oryn, who always helps and supports her. Oryn never thought she was weak or underrated. She should be grateful to have a Beta like Oryn.
Oryn tried to make Charis feel better by telling her, "I will always be by your side. Don't worry, and trust me, I won't betray you. My parents never taught me to do such bad things." Even though Charis always had a big smile on her face, the anxiety, sadness, and worry that radiated from the woman's eyes could not be hidden.
Charis is seated in her plush, cozy swivel chair. Her blue eyes looked at Oryn's black eyes, standing in front of her by the table. Her lips turned up in a smile. "Yes, I have faith in you. If you betray me, I'll kill you. Griselda won't get in my way, trust me."
Oryn laughed. "Right. She will support you to do it."
Charis propped up her chin and looked down at the table with sad eyes. She remembered the words of the elders and pack officials who told her to try harder to find her mate. She has done it; when she has free time, she goes around the immortal world with the excuse of obtaining some fresh air after a long day at work. Perhaps it's not the right time for her to meet her mate. What can she do? Perhaps the Moon Goddess wanted to see how far she could withstand all the mockery.
Oryn saw Charis suddenly gloomy. He was very proud of Charis, who stood firm and continued to move forward, even though many were after her life for the sake of power. He is a Beta and is fully aware of how challenging it is to hold a leadership position, so why do so many people aspire to it?
With one eyebrow arched, Charis raised her head. "What keeps you here? Why aren't you getting ready right now?"
Oryn grinned a little as he scratched his head. "I am waiting for Griselda."
Charis nodded in understanding. She also had to get ready to leave because she knew her best friend would take her to the place she didn't want to go.
"Oryn!" Griselda opened the door without knocking, then ran to hug her mate before he left.
Oryn laughed. He gave Griselda a close embrace before kissing her on the forehead. "I'll only be away for three days."
"I'm going to miss you." Griselda pouted. It appeared as though she didn't want to release her hug.
"Come on, Gris. It's not the first time I've been to go." Oryn tenderly stroked her lovely blonde hair of Griselda. "I'll miss you a lot too," he added.
Charis rolled her eyes, annoyed to see that they never forgot to make out.
"Relax, Charis. We'll soon meet our mate." Aria–the wolf Charis‐ calmed the restlessness of the humans she inhabited the body.
"Yes. I entrust everything to the Moon Goddess." Charis is optimistic, although there is a slight tinge of pessimism.
***
The sound of music booming in the eardrums of all pairs of eyes in a luxurious club and the twinkling lights in the middle of the room added to their enthusiasm to dance to the music.
Charis didn't like being here, but it helped her eliminate the dizziness going through her head. She almost finished a bottle of whiskey, but don't worry; she won't get drunk. She once consumed up to five bottles, but she refused to attempt to determine how many bottles it took to make her intoxicated.
Even though many human men teased her and asked her to dance with them, Charis' blue eyes never left Griselda, who was dancing alone. Charis and Griselda were now in the world of people. They frequently enter the human realm to do business or find enjoyment. They swiftly adapt to humans and, of course, are always cautious so that their true identity is not disclosed. Having humans realize they are werewolves is perilous. They will be abducted to serve as test subjects. Humans are particularly curious about how they switch bodies with their wolves and change into wolves.
A human man in a brown shirt sat in front of Charis, and she put on an angry expression. Handsome but sadly not her mate. Other than her mate, she wouldn't fall in love with any other man.
"Why don't you dance?"
"I'm not interested."
"You're beautiful." The human man looked at Charis, who had her dark-blonde hair braided and wore a light-blue jacket that coated her white shirt. "Even though your clothing is covered, I'm sure you have a sexy body." He blinked one eye.
Charis could not be tempted. She was used to hearing phrases like that. The human man was intoxicated. It's not necessary to overreact to what he said.
"Charis, do you smell this fragrance?" Aria, Charis' wolf body stiffened.
Charis gave the nod. "A smell stings my nose and makes my heart flutter for no reason." Her eyes were wide as she held her chest. "Are we ….?" She is unable to continue speaking.
"Yes." Aria gave the nod. "Look for him, Charis. We can't let him go."
Charis arose. Ignoring the shout from the human man asking her where she was going. Just two steps away, she cursed at herself for being so stupid. "There are so many people here, Aria."
"Just follow the smell," Aria said. "Follow your instinct. Focus. We'll run into him."
Charis passed by the humans who were dancing and enjoying the music. She was annoyed because she had been pulled several times by human men. She had to get past this mob since there was no other way. Charis realized something strange. "Aria. Why are we on the lookout for him? Shouldn't he be going to look for us too? We won't find each other if we look for each other."
For a short period, Aria was silent. "That's true. But this smell is stationary. Our mate is probably not a werewolf."
Charis was shocked to hear Aria's opinion. Her feet kept moving according to instinct. Her heart was pumping more quickly.
"This place has a stronger smell." Aria halted Charis' motions.
Charis looked at the five human men who were competing to drink the most alcohol. Her body tensed up. She couldn't be mistaken; one of the five men had to be her mate, but she didn't know which one. "Aria?" A wolf Charis was silent as well since she was so shocked.
Griselda quietly followed Charis. She was one meter behind her best friend. Based on how Charis's body reacts, has her best friend found her mate?