Andrew's POV
I drove into my father's mansion and it hit me, immediately.
The most delicious scent in the entire world!
The air was filled with the sweet, intoxicating aroma of honey and wildflowers, like a warm summer breeze on a sun-kissed meadow. But beneath that, I detected a deeper, richer scent - a heady mix of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of musk that spoke directly to my primal instincts.
"What is this delicious smell?" I thought inwardly, as I got out of the car with my best friend.
Swiftly, the scent grew stronger as I concentrated on it, and it overcame every other scent around me.
The scent was both familiar and unknown, like a memory from a past life, and it drew me in with an irresistible force, making my heart race and my senses, and those of my wolf come alive.
"Mate!" I heard my wolf growled as we both locked eyes on a particular girl, amongst the crowd who were singing the birthday song to me, at that moment.
My eyes widened in shock and confusion was written all over me.
"I have found my mate! Finally!" I mumbled under my breath, in disbelief and I couldn't tear my gaze away from her.
I never thought I would find my mate in the city. I was always suppressing my wolf, just like my father had taught me as nobody must know we were werewolves.
I had even forgotten about anything like getting a mate and I had decided to just get someone who I could love like every normal human in the city.
But the moon goddess had a surprise for me and for a moment, I was bewildered. It was a pleasant surprise I wasn't expecting at all.
"Dude, is everything okay?" I heard Juan who was standing beside me, asked, tugging on my shoulder.
That made me recover from the shock and I realized the crowd was waiting for me to walk up to where I would cut my birthday cake.
Everybody had a surprised look on their faces, including my mate. They were all probably wondering why I had stood transfixed, at a spot, instead of embracing the surprise party.
"Yeah, sure." I quickly replied Juan.
My response didn't seem to convince my friend.
"It doesn't seem so, with the way you are looking!" Juan said to me.
Before I could reply him, Selena walked in up to me with my father behind her. I could see the concerned looks on their faces.
As usual, Selena's look seemed pretentious but my father's looked genuine.
"Andrew sweetheart, what is it? Is the party not up to your standard?" Selena asked me in her overly sweet and concerned voice.
"Son, what is going on? I had Selena prepared this surprise for you. She worked tirelessly on it, to ensure it makes you happy." My dad said to me. And Selena sighed softly.
"Nothing is wrong, dad. I was just taken aback by the party. I wasn't expecting it at all." I told my dad, completely ignoring his girlfriend.
At my statement, my dad held his girlfriend's hands lovingly, and smiled at her.
"I told you. He loves and appreciates the surprise. I know my son. Thank you for your hard work." I heard him say to her, reassuringly.
Selena exhaled sharply, an exaggerated sweet smile plastered on her face. A smile I could see beyond!
Her sharp, calculating eyes sold her out, to me. And I wondered how my dad didn't see that.
"Oh, now I can breathe properly. I thought he didn't like it." She told my dad and he chuckled.
"Shall we go and cut the cake now?" I finally spoke out, tired of watching the display between the duo.
"Yes, please. After you." Selena replied me eagerly and I gave her a firm nod before walking away, with Juan trailing behind me.
As I stood before the cake and crowd, my eyes were fixed on a particular somebody who stood out, amid everything else.
Those round beautiful eyes were confused, but I was grateful she kept them on mine, just as mine were on hers.
I could imagine what would be going on in her mind.
Something like, why was I looking at her, like that, like I had never seen her before.
Of course, she had no idea. She was a human and definitely oblivious of my kind.
"Hey, handsome!" I heard a familiar voice said behind me and before I could turn to look at her, she had wrapped her arm around mine.
"Happy birthday, my love!" Sophia said to me after I finished cutting the cake. And immediately, I felt disgusted.
My love? Wasn't that rich coming from someone who had clearly defined our relationship as friends with benefits?
I looked at her in surprise, briefly and then looked up to stare again, at the only girl who would be the owner of my heart and love.
Seeing Sophia by myself made her eyes flickered and I immediately felt her emotion.
She felt hurt but she quickly masked it and walked away with her friend, to serve drinks to the guest.
"Excuse me!" I said to Sophia and yanked off my arm from her hold, then went in search of my girl.
As I walked in her direction, I couldn't help but notice the way her dress seemed to glow with a soft, warm light. The pale pink color brought out the gentle flush in her cheeks, and the tiny flowers scattered across the fabric looked like they were dancing in the dim light.
The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, and the way it swirled around her knees when she moved made me feel like I was seeing her for the first time. It was a simple dress, but on her, it looked like a work of art - understated, yet captivating, like Jade herself.
She stood still and watched my steps as I approached her, probably wondering why I was coming to her.
"Hey, beautiful!" I muttered huskily to her. Her face felt flushed as she looked up to me.
"You look absolutely breathtaking!" I told her, warmly.
She looked surprised, and I could see she was pleased but she quickly masked it up, by pulling a straight face.
"Thank you, Andrew. And happy birthday once again." She said to me and my ears perked up to hear more of her alluring voice.
Had her voice always been that enchanting? I wondered.
"Come dance with me." I requested, surprising her yet again.
"Me? Shouldn't you be dancing with Sophia instead?" She asked me, her round eyes filled with curiosity.
"Well, I chose you." I told her, simply.
Her eyes flickered with some emotions I couldn't really interpret. Maybe remembrance and anger.
And I didn't know why.
"Why would you choose me?" She inquired, looking a bit upset.
Then, I sprung into action. I wrapped my arm around her perfect waist and drew her to my chest, then whispered into her ear.
"Because you are my mate!"