3.Scent

Ava's POV

"My lady, Mia is waiting for you in your bedroom," the maid informed me.

As soon as I got to my room and spotted Mia lounging casually on my bed, I felt some familiarity and peace.

"Hey!” She smiles widely at me. “Really, I didn't see you again last night after we danced together at the festival.”

She stood up and began walking over to where I sat on the bed, taking a seat beside.

"I know what you must be thinking and you don't have to worry. I told your father you were assisting some female wolves with errands, or else he would have been searching for you everywhere."

“Oh my, thank you so much Mia.” I heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed as of a burden had been taking off my shoulders. “Goodness knows what would have happened if you didn't tell my Dad. Thanks.”

She waves off the gratitude then her face turns serious. "But really, I've been so worried sick about you?” She puts my hand in hers. “So, princess Ava, do you mind telling me where you were last night?"

She raised a questioning brow at me and I removed my eyes immediately, caught off guard by her question. Trying to swallow my guilt, I replied, stammering. "I- um...I don't really remember.”

“Really.” She stared at me blankly. “You don't remember?”

"I had a bit too much to drink last night. So you can't expect me to remember everything,” I try defending and to my relief, she seemed to relax and buy what I just told her.

"Ava, now look, you missed out! You should have seen the place last night!” She rolled her eyes and bracef herself to explain the festival, proudly since she was the one who did the organizing.

"The moon was so bright; I'd never seen it illuminate so brightly before! And you know what? The whole forest was lit up with lanterns and candles… the food-” she moaned at the memory “-so tasty! And music. Amazing! Everyone was in such high spirits! Even your Dad!”

Her eyes widened with wonder as she recalled the night.

"I can't believe you missed most of it!” She shook her head in pity. "It's definitely one of the most important events of the year for our clan. What were you thinking wondering off like that?! We've been celebrating this for generations. It's the one festival that brings everyone together."

Then Mia started explaining the festival to me as if I was not as knowledgeable about it as she was. "It celebrates the beginning of the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. It's a time to honor our ancestors and give thanks for the harvest we received throughout the year. It's also a time to remember that the sun will start to rise again soon, and that the darkness doesn't last forever. It's a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there's always hope for light and warmth to return."

I listened quietly, my eyelids becoming heavy from the small amount of sleep I got last night and the my cunt still throbbing from the ploughing William gave me.

Mia smiled. "Well, at least there's always next year. And who knows, maybe next year you will be more available to enjoy the entire night.” She eyes me disappointed. “Do you know what makes the moon festival so special—everyone has a role to play, and everyone gets to be a part of something greater than themselves-”

"Excuse me," I interrupted. “I'm sorry, I really neef to use the restroom and you know, change into something more comfortable."

Though I could sense she was a bit disappointed by my interruption, Mia nodded understandingly. "Of course. Take your time."

I stood up and made my way towards the bathroom, relief flooding over me at the opportunity to take a break from Mia's enthusiasm.

When I returned, Mia didn't take long before returning to our earlier discussion.

"It's okay, I understand. It happens." She consoled me, trying to offer some needed reassurance.

I smiled at her. "Thanks for understanding. I'm just glad nothing bad happened last night."

She nodded. "Me too.”

After a moment, she added, "Let's just make sure to take care of each other, always. Okay?"

We both beam at each other, we both feeling the warmness of friendship.

After a moment of silence, Mia suddenly leaned towards me, her concerned eyes fixed on my face.

“Mia, what's wrong?”

Without acknowledging my question, she took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly before she blinked a few times. Pausing for a second, she took the opportunity to size up my appearance.

“Hmm,” she hummed, knowingly while I self-consciously remained still, trying not to draw attention to myself.

I’m I'll at ease when Mia's gaze rested on my skin as she sized me up like a piece of meat.

"Is something the matter?" I asked agian, more firmly.

"I’ll have an answer for you soon," she replied then proceeded to sniffing the air. I twitched when she began to trace the line of my jaw bone with her thumb.

“Can you just tell me what's wrong?” I asked, worried.

It's dead silent again. Until, she states:

"You're hiding something."

The statement was quiet, making my heart stop.

I flinched, caught off guard by Mia's sudden accusation.

“What do you mean? I-” I was about to protest when I felt a strange feeling of recognition spreading through my stomach. It was the mark! Mia had spotted the small, faint, reddish scar on my neck!

"How did you...?" Mia whispered, more to herself. Then, her face split into a toothy grin, her eyes piercing icily through my defenses.

"I do not know what you are talking about Mia,” I tried to keep up a strong face but the way my heart raced I'm my chest betrayed my resolve.

Mia draw closer, sniffing deeply at the air around me.

"Mia say what you have in mind and stop acting strange.” I look away guiltily. “Or are you just trying to spook me over nothing?"

"Ava relax, I haven't said anything," Mia replied as she sniffed the edge of my neck. “...yet.”

Abruptly, she sat up straight and her forehead wrinkled as she studied me. "Your scent is odd. It’s yours but it’s mixed with a stronger smell. A smell that isn’t yours. That scent might be faint but-” she sniffed again “-it’s still there."

I'm still trying to understand what she said when her fingers found my crotch.

"Ouch! Mia please stop. It hurts!" Quickly, I removed her hand from the sensitive area.

"Wow!” She shook her head at me with surprise. “Ava there’s so much you are not telling me. Seems you're finally putting your vagina to use!"

“Shh!” I covered Mia's mouth. "Mia, please spare me this embarrassing talk, I really don’t need this kind of stress at this point.”

Mia laughed cruelly, mischief dancing in her bright eyes. She was clearly savouring the moment.

"Don't worry, my darling Ava." Mia smirked. "I won't tell anyone about your secret passionate night."

Then she started laughing again. “You see, I knew there was a lingering scent of sex in the air. I just knew it!”

“Gosh, Mia stop. This is so embarrassing," I pleaded with her.

She just ignored all my begging and leaned in closer, her nose still twitching as she tried to get a better read on me. "Hmm… and what did this... ‘mate’ of yours smell like to you?"

Her grin was so sly, she almost looked like a vixen. Suddenly, I felt a heat rise up my neck and I was almost sure my cheeks were already a bright red.

"I do not know," I replied, honestly. "I don't think I've ever met him before.”

She shrugged then chuckled, amused by the current situation. "Well, you must have left one heck of a scent on him to make him think you are his mate," Mia teased.

She observed my shy features for a some time. Eventually, her playful attitude shifted to one of understanding and comfort.

"Hey, virginity isn’t a big deal. Well, as long as it was not lost to someone from the Shadow Clan. Trust me dear, there's nothing to be fretting on about."

Then, like any caring friend would do, she gave me a tight, warm hug.

"Thank you, Mia. I don't know what I would have done without your support."

She pulled away with a sudden serious expression. "Speaking of the Shadow Clan, my father saw a bunch of their wolfmen sailing past the Blue River Clan's territory a few days back. I think some of them even attended the festival."

A frown grew on her face while she said with determination, “I'm planning on seeing for myself just how skilled and loathed the Shadow Clan wolves really are by our Clan elders.”

"Do you know how long I've been hearing stories about the wolfmen of the Shadow Clan?” She widened her eyes at me. “Since I was a cub! And now that they are so close to our home, I want to see for myself just how fearsome they are.”

Mia's face darkened as she spoke. “Back then rumors had it that they’re stronger, faster, and more brutal than any other wolfmen. They are said to have a hunger for violence that borders on madness, and they will not hesitate to slaughter any creature, including members of their own tribe! And now, those rumors have been proven right."

“Yes, I've heard it's true,” I added.

“When I was a cub, my Dad also told me stories about the wolfmen of the Shadow Clan. He said they were fearsome and dangerous.” I shifted closer to her. “With a reputation for raiding and stealing from other wolves! They were known to be fierce and fearless, and my Dad even told me tales of how they would terrorize other wolves and their homes. They're terrible.”

“I know. But there is something about them that fascinates me,” Mia admitted and I looked up only to see her lost in her thoughts. “I have to be very cautious about approaching them since I can't afford to put my family in danger.”

Then, she looked at me. “Yet. There's something dragging me to know more about this Clan. Perhaps I’m just foolish, but I just can’t seem to shake the feeling that there might be more to them than what the stories say.”

She seemed as if she was trying to come to a solid conclusion in her head.

“You really think so Mia?” I asked, now hooked in her theory. But, just like the Mia I know, she shrugs it off and smiled casually.

“Nevermind.”