Chapter 2 A Mates scent

Alpha Caspian's POV

...On the Same Day.

"Welcome Alpha Caspian, the great lord of Shadow Moon Pack."

My entourage of sleek black cars, their engines humming like silent predators slid to a graceful stop in front of the Crescent Moon Pack house. With quick well-practiced movements my driver stepped out.

He turned around, opened my door and I slowly but consciously came out. I took my time allowing my presence to descend like a storm cloud over the area. As I stepped onto the stone driveway tall and unconcerned the sun glinted off the dark lenses of my sunglasses.

Everybody looked on. All of the murmurs stopped. I was Caspian Alpha. I was fearless, esteemed, merciless. I was the Alpha of Shadow Moon Pack, one of the most powerful regions in the area and I ruled with a blood-and-ambition-forged grip.

I had only traveled across packs, hunting tirelessly because I had smelled something. An enticing frustrating trail on the wind that led me here. This pack, to this exact residence.

The ceremony of mating had already been on track. The pack was celebrating their own and a faint melody of joy poured through the enormous doors. However I wasn't here for their festivities.

She had me here.

"Alpha Caspian."A recognizable voice said .

Lance. The beta and acting alpha of Crescent Moon Pack. In full ceremonial regalia he came up to me with a phony but practiced smile. An authentic diplomat in every way.

"Lance." I gave a flat acknowledgement. I didn't smile back at him.

"You honor us by being here today. We did not anticipate-"

" It wasn't intended for you to." I said icily. "Where's your Alpha?"

Blinking he let out a slow breath."My sister Rosa is taking it easy. She is not present at the ceremony."

My jaw tightened. Fascinating. He motioned me to follow him and I entered the palace's opulent foyer. Something altered as soon as my boots made contact with the marble.

My wolf shifted. I became short of breath. After a change the air became dense and nearly electric. Next I sensed it. A scent. Not any scent though-the scent, insane, deadly. Sweet. Risky. All at once.

I stopped moving. "Mate." I muttered, before I could stop myself it escaped my lips.

The word was spoken with a reverence that wasn't appropriate for a man like me and it trembled in the liminal space between thought and instinct. Lance stopped next to me looking at me with interest then looked after me.

He smiled slowly and knowingly. In reference to the marble staircase that leads to the eastern wing he nodded. "Rosa's room is that one."

A thud of certainty sounded as my chest rose and then fell. The smell tugged at me from the inside out. She was close by. My inner wolf let out a triumphant cry. My aim is to mate her.

My five months of tireless search had led me here and I wasn't going to go back without her, I was going to apply force If I must. But who wouldn't want to join with a powerful Alpha like me? I was worshipped like a moon god, any maiden will die to have me as hers.

Without hesitation I said "Immediately."

Lance's expression remained unwavering. He pointed to two guards in the area. " Tell the Gammas to get Rosa ready."

They were gone in an instant. Lance whispered to me as he escorted me deeper into the palace "You dont waste time, I like that."

"I don't think anything is worth wasting. Particularly not time, nor power. Date brought me here."

The pack servants rushed to prepare a lavish feast that had been prepared for the mating celebration but now it was for me. Rich wines, golden breads and roasted meats were presented on platters but I hardly touched them.

My gaze kept wandering over to the staircase. My attention was focused on her scent. She was no ordinary mate. I was with her. And she had a strong aura. Like smoke from a wildfire it clung to the air warm and thick.

Gorgeous and perilous. Perfection of my kind. However I needed some time. For the purpose of breathing. To think, to get back in control before my inner wolf tore through the surface.

I stood up and muttered."I need air."

I was not questioned by anyone, no one would dare to as I shoved my chair back with an intentional noise and strolled out.

Night had started spreading its limbs across the sky as I strode out into the garden behind the pack house. Although the cool air touched my skin it did not significantly reduce the heat that was radiating through me.

Beneath my skin my wolf made a restless surge. I balled my fists and concentrated on calming my breathing while allowing the garden's serenity to quench my inner fire.

However something startled me back to full awareness just as I was starting to center myself. A hard bump-someone had slammed into me.

Automatically my lightning-fast reflexes kicked in and I turned. Someone stumbled. I moved before her thoughts could catch up with her as she was about to fall. I threw out my arm.

I grabbed her with a single fluid strong motion and she fell into my grasp as my hand moved to her waist. She let out a quiet gasp that warmed my throat.

The scent hit me hard.

I looked down. And there she was, wide-eyed. Lips are parted. Like midnight silk, long hair falls in a tumbling motion. Time paused. My wolf froze. I looked directly into the face of the person who was meant to be mine.

My ribs slammed with my heart. For the first time, my heart started pounding against the wall of my chest.

My eyes widened in surprise.Was she..?