The Visit from Grandfather

Charlotte POV

Upon arriving home, I immediately observed that my Aunt Eve had prepared my favourite meal, Honey Garlic Pork Chops. Grandfather was present, which was the second thing I noticed. His car wasn't there, and the food overpowered his scent, so I didn't first notice him; otherwise, I would have scented him before I saw him. Regardless of the situation, Grandfather used them against me, using the fact that I didn't follow his scent as more evidence that I wasn't one of them. I'd like him to stop it right away because I already knew I wasn't a wolf.

"I see you are the same as ever, Charlotte."

I lied, a tiny bit of cynicism in my voice, "It's nice to see you too, Grandfather." "To what do I owe the pleasure of having you visit me today?" I said. He winced. Grandpa was aware that I was making an effort to be courteous to him.

"I have come bearing warnings for the upcoming full moon gatherings. And I have prepared your attire for tomorrow's event."

"That is very kind of you Grandfather, but I already had something picked out." I informed him. It had not occurred to me that he would purchase an outfit for the occasion.

He asked, appearing to mock my response as though he was expecting a negative answer, "Did you buy it new for this occasion?"

"No, but it is something that I have not really worn before."

"Then it is unacceptable. This is too important of an event. You must have a new outfit for tomorrow night and each of the subsequent events. There is still a chance you will meet your mate and be bonded from there onward. You must make the best first impression possible. For what other purpose did I spend my time and money training you?"

I asked him, seeming irritated, "I wouldn't know?" Naturally, this was standard Grandfather behaviour, but I had anticipated that it would stop when I turned eighteen and became of little service to him. However, it seems that he was still expecting to wed me off to a fool who would mate with a lady who was devoid of wolves.

Grandfather showed me the dress I would be wearing to the celebration tomorrow through his secretary. Thank the Goddess, it wasn't too horrible. It was a deep midnight blue that would look good on my fair skin. It was exquisite to the touch and was composed of silk. The blue was glowing with secret undertones revealed by the light.

Although I didn't like how low the front was cut, it went up into three straps on either side of the bodice, which connected at the shoulders before fanning out in different directions. The straps attached to the dress's sides were joined by another, purely ornamental set of three straps that extended across the lower back and joined in the centre.

The intricate design across the back was produced by the straps together. Furthermore, the central plunging line didn't seem all that horrible because the bodice went up so high with the straps, but I'd have to try it on first. It had to have been hemmed or particularly constructed because it was just the right length for me. I was shorter than the other women in the pack. Really, really brief.

The women in the pack were mostly about five feet nine inches tall. There were those that were just a few inches shorter than others, and some that were taller. In contrast, I stood five feet five inches tall. less than five feet in height compared to all the women. They all towered above me, too, since the guys were all taller than the women.

In a few exceptional instances, a man's height approached that of the women, but no one in the pack was under five feet ten inches. I was viewed as a freak among the group for this additional reason. If only I had transformed into a wolf by the time I was eighteen, though, the height may have been forgotten.

I told him the truth, "Grandfather, it's very lovely." He was meant to cut me off, so I reminded him, "But you did not need to go through the trouble of getting something so obviously expensive." If you just randomly appear like this, how am I meant to live in peace?

Naturally, he was reverting to his old tirade, "I most certainly had to. Who knows what kind of monstrosity you would have chosen for tomorrow evening? You are the only unwed female in our family, we must put our best foot forward." Grandfather, couldn't you ever just do something for me because you loved me or cared about me? Is that asking for too much? I asked myself, making a conscious effort to suppress the feelings that made me feel unsafe. Grandfather was unaffected by emotions; I had discovered this long ago.

It seemed that Grandfather had made the rare decision to stay for dinner. But we were all able to unwind once he left and things resumed as usual in the house. When Grandfather was present, even Uncle Garrett became agitated. However, before long, the night was over and the dreaded gathering day had arrived.

I was up before the sun came up because I was so anxious about that awful Harvest Moon Gathering that I was unable to sleep. I went for my customary morning run earlier than usual, so I chose to run out of the gates and then into the woods instead of just running the streets of the property until I came to the exit and then running, depending on my mood, either to town or halfway.

Running in the woods felt incredibly rejuvenating, even though the terrain was more challenging. I have a great affection for running amid the trees because I grew up close to the forest. The musty, earthy smell of the churning dirt beneath my boots, and the heavy canopy of leaves above me. I could identify the scents of the forest from anywhere since I was so accustomed to them.

I was sprinting at almost maximum pace when I noticed something different about the smell of the forest. Something that sparked a profound inward reaction in me. Something that set my senses on high alert and caused the hairs on the back of my neck to rise up. They cried out, "Danger!" and "I want more!" at the same moment. I knew that I shouldn't stay, whatever or whatever it was.

Someone else was in the forest, or they had been there not too long before. Someone with a scent of coffee, chocolate, cinnamon, and the scent of the forest after a rainstorm. It mingled with one of my favourite woodland scents—sweet, spicy, and powerful. I was captivated by it, yet I had a strong feeling that I had to leave that place and that smell immediately.

I spun around and headed back toward the road as quickly as I could. I continued running till I reached my house after exiting the compound through the gate. My heart was on the verge of exploding in my chest when I arrived.