Our mate is smelled by my wolf!

David's pov

I was already getting a headache from the evening. The main group, which had arrived by seven, was welcomed by me. There was still a steady stream of pack members coming up the path, so Evander told me I should have waited.

"I growled and stalked off in the direction of the group I was supposed to be 'entertaining' for the night. If they couldn't be here by the time it started, that's on them." It would be ideal if I could meet them sooner and find out which of them was my partner.

To be honest, I had already detected my partner's scent. Actually, this morning. What were the chances? I had been attempting to release some of the bottled-up resentment I was experiencing by running in the forest outside the compound.

I was running in circles, not really seeing where I was going. And while I was making my way around the woodland, I noticed something new, though it was quite faint. Something that did not exist when I first began.

I followed the aroma into the areas of the trees where it was greatest. She had been sprinting through the trees just like me, whatever she was. It was an enticing fragrance. It nearly caused me to lose all control over my wolf since it made him tense.

She smelled like some kind of spice, vanilla, and warm apples, whomever she was. The scent was similar to that of apple pie combined with the fresh air before a thunderstorm. Her aroma carried just the faintest hint of ozone and rain. Her scent was enticing, warm, and sweet. I needed to locate her.

I resumed following the track as it headed back to the road after leaving the woodland. While there were ancient paths leading to the town, the most recent aroma was coming from the compound's direction. I kept going even though it was harder because of all the other wolves, but I wasn't going to give up.

I had arrived at the uppermost area of the compound, indicating that her family held a prominent position. That would make the elders happy. I was indifferent. My wolf obviously wanted a mate, but I needed one too. They were going to make me step down and give my pack to my cousin Caleb if I didn't find one soon. That cowardly moron would have no idea how to lead the pack, and we would quickly be destroyed.

No, I had to find this girl—I wasn't seeking for her because I wanted to. It didn't matter that I was now rushing around on four feet instead of two, and that the fragrance of her was already making things right in my body. No, to put it simply, I needed this friend.

As I neared the location where the aroma was greatest, I heard someone cry out to me, "Alpha." where my friend was residing. I could feel my Beta reaching out to me, "We have a problem." When we returned to my office, he would have a severe earful. Damn him. I growled and turned to run back into the jungle to my house.

Now I was stalking a group of women in Charlotte clothing. They all had the same general appearance that I was used to. They served as nothing more than a diversion. occupying my thoughts for the evening, but never heating my bed once more.

I've never had multiple dates with the same girl. I have never found any of them to be worthy of my time to return to. My money, my power, and my prestige were all they wanted. They only ever wanted what they could get out of me, not actually wanting me.

The group was just what I had anticipated. Laughing uncontrollably, clinging to me all the time, and flinging themselves at me with little regard for their own respect or decency.

For as long as I could, I tried to be kind to them, but after about sixty minutes, their constant conversation became annoying. I was going crazy over it. I needed to leave them behind. They were all not my mates. Not one of them had the same scent as the girl this morning.

It would take me longer to find her the longer I stayed with them. And I was really infuriating my wolf by wasting time with these women. He was indifferent to these worthless she-wolves. My wolf would not change until I physically pulled him back by the scruff of his neck.

I gave up on being in the group. I had thought it was courteous, but based on their expressions, I think it came out as more aggressive and strong than I had meant. They would go on; I didn't give a damn, I just wanted to get away from them.

My goal was to stay away from as many of the pack members as I could. They didn't need to inquire about the status of my mate quest. Right now, all I wanted was to be alone. I needed to leave.

I scented her after having barely gone halfway to the edge of the trees. She was present. My inner wolf bellowed loudly. Again, I almost let go of him. With a frustrated growl, I hauled him back and followed my nose to where the fragrance went.

I quickly followed the fragrance, trying my best to stay clear of the people in my path. I acknowledge that I may have stepped on a few toes or encountered a few folks. However, I ignored them. I simply continued to move with unwavering concentration.

I walked by where the dance floor ended. sheltered beneath the gaudy lights that the elders had insisted on hanging all over the place. The deeper I got into the trees, the stronger the aroma was. She remained at this place. Unlike this morning, when she vanished before I arrived, that was not the case.

It made no difference how dark the night was or how much darker the woodland was. I would just need my nose tonight, and I could see just fine in the dark. I followed the aroma with closed eyes. With my eyes closed, the scent was stronger and more enticing.

The smell was nearly too strong. My inner wolf was always howling. even the sound of the surrounding woodland was muffled for me. My whole universe had focused, shrunk to nothing more than the scent of the female my wolf was after.

I took one last stride with my eyes still closed, and my foot struck a fallen tree. I landed onto the tree with a complete lack of grace, something I never thought I'd say. When I fell, I saw that the girl was still there, perched on the downed tree.

I landed on top of the girl when I fell. When I fell on her, she let out a cute, yet muted, scream. A mess of hair covered my face, causing me to actually snarl with delight. The girl tensed under me, and I could smell anxiety mingling with her seductive aroma right away. What was causing her fear?

I untangled myself from her and stood to take a closer look at the one that my wolf and fate both declared to be my mate. I dragged her up with me, grabbing her by the elbow.

As I stood there, I heard her gasp, "Oh my Goddess." She had obviously seen me and knew who I was, but before I could get a good look at her face, there was a call from the party next door.

A nervous female voice asked, "Charlotte, are you out there?"

Again, the girl in front of me gasped. She turned tail and fled back toward the party while I was preoccupied staring at the voice that had interrupted us. Grabbing the girl's hand, she took off running.

I closed in on them, trailing behind her. They caught up with two males who appeared to be puzzled, and I spotted them walking down the road. I had to move quickly or she would escape once more.

One of the she-wolves from before called out to me, chuckling, "Alpha David!" The entire gang of fifteen she-wolves quickly surrounded me, making it impossible for me to follow her.

Giggles. "Where were you, Alpha?" one of them said.

They wouldn't give up. "We missed you."

I hissed, "Get out of my way." I heard the combined gasps of outrage and terror from them. I was indifferent. I had to track down the girl before she ran away once more, so I had to follow them.

I shoved past the women who were encircling me. I moved as quickly as I could through the whole crowd. However, they had vanished by the time I arrived. The smells were too mixed together, and they were gone. I'd have to find her some other time. My wolf was incensed. I inadvertently gave voice to a growl of annoyance that appeared to stop the whole party.

I yelled at everyone present, "everyone leave! NOW!" As I stalked back inside the house, I observed the astonishment, terror, and perplexity on every face in the area. My wolf was furious now more than ever, and innocent people would be in danger if I didn't get him away from them.