I rose quickly, breathing in the scent. My head whipped around as I turned in place, searching.
"Aleena, are you okay?"
"Yes. I just need to… fetch something. I'll be back."
Fetch? The word tasted wrong as soon as I said it. Like I was some dog chasing a stick. Well, it is what it is.
Before Mary could press me further, gasps rippled through the crowd. People turned toward the trees, whispering. I took my chance and slipped in that direction, barely hearing what they were saying. My focus was razor-sharp, locked onto the scent.
Coffee. Sunlight. Dark chocolate.
It wove through the air, threading between the smells of grilled meat, beer, sweat, and perfume. I lost it a few times, frustration bubbling up in my chest. But I pushed forward, frantic. I had to know. I was close—so damn close—
And then I crashed into someone.
"Woah! What are you doing, Alee? You look like a drug-sniffing dog at an airport."
I blinked. "Oh—uh—Mary! I thought you were busy. Sorry."
"No problem. But will you tell me what's going on?"
"I'm okay, really. I just… Forget it." I forced a smile. "I'm starving. Did you eat yet?"
I cast one last glance around, heart sinking. The scent was gone. Vanished.
What an irritation.
I promised myself I'd stay alert—if I caught even the faintest trace of it again, I wouldn't let it slip away.
Mary looped her arm through mine. "No, I haven't eaten yet. Come on, let's get some food before it's all gone."
My stomach growled at the thought. A plate of ribs and steak sounded like the best idea ever.
We joined the food line, and when we finally reached the BBQ pits, a tall brunette was waiting, tongs in hand.
"What do you want?" she asked, her tone flat.
"I'll take some of both, if I can. Thanks."
She looked me up and down, probably wondering how someone my size planned to eat that much. With a scoff, she slapped the meat onto my plate.
Mary, ever the menace, snatched two extra steaks off the grill and plopped them onto my plate before the girl could protest. The brunette gawked, but Mary just grinned and backed away, victorious.
She grabbed sides for both of us, piling them onto our plates until mine resembled a small mountain.
"Aleena! Over here!"
I turned to see Maxwell waving from a picnic table not too far away.
"Just in time!" Mary said, skipping toward him. She sat beside him—too close, if his stiff posture was anything to go by. But he just smiled, amused. He knew she'd never actually cross a line.
I sat across from them, digging into my food.
And oh, it was good.
I devoured the entire plate in record time. I would've gone back for more, but I knew the girl at the grill would shut me down on sight.
"Okay, Alee, time to dance!" Mary announced.
I groaned. "Mary, I'm so full I could roll all the way home. Give me five minutes, and I'll come join you."
"Deal. But you, mister, don't get to say no." She pointed at Maxwell. "Up! Up!"
He grunted but obeyed. He knew better than to challenge her.
I sighed, enjoying the brief solitude. My social battery wasn't the biggest, and tonight had already been a lot.
After tossing our plates into the trash, I grabbed another beer and wandered toward the lakeside.
The moon was magnificent.
Huge, glowing, almost…watchful.
It felt like the Moon Goddess herself was staring down at us. Watching. Waiting.
For what, I had no idea.
No one had felt her presence in fifty years. Some said she was dead. Others said she had abandoned us.
Or maybe she was just on vacation. Who knew?
Still, it was nice to imagine she hadn't given up on us entirely.
I took a swig of my beer and turned toward the dance floor—just in time to hear a low, guttural growl.
And then—
"Mate."
It was barely a whisper.
I froze.
Turned.
A tall man—the tallest I'd ever seen—stood with a group of unfamiliar wolves.
The Northerners.
His jeans and black t-shirt did nothing to hide his powerful build, broad shoulders and thick biceps straining against the fabric.
But it was his eyes that held me captive.
Vibrant, moss-green, sharp and piercing.
And his scent—
Coffee. Sunlight. Dark chocolate.
My pulse thundered.
It was him.
Mate.
"MATE!"
He moved faster than anything I'd ever seen.
I stumbled back, but he was already there.
His hands caught my face, strong and unyielding. One slid to my neck, tilting my head to expose my throat.
And then—he inhaled deeply, burying his face in the curve where my shoulder met my neck.
Everything stopped.
The music.
The laughter.
The movement.
People stared.
My body refused to move. I didn't know if it was shock—or something more.
He exhaled against my skin, his breath hot.
"You smell like lavender and honey," he murmured. "I could put you on your back right here, right now."
A shiver ran through me.
He turned slightly, still holding me close, his grip possessive.
His gaze swept over his people.
"Mate."
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—
Chaos.
His wolves erupted, cheering, howling, weeping. Some collapsed to their knees, crying in raw relief.
The sound crashed through the Gathering.
And then—
The energy shifted.
People froze.
All eyes turned toward the lake.
I followed their stares—
And saw her.
Standing in the middle of the lake, bathed in silver light, was the Moon Goddess.