Smoke and Pine

Chapter 3

After we arrived at the airport in Alaska, we searched for the familiar face of our uncle Jace. After a few minutes of searching, i started smelling what seemed to be smoke and pine. It was faint but it was there. 

"Do you smell that?" I ask, looking over at Kalen. Wrinkling his nose, he sniffs the air. After a few seconds he shook his head. "All I can smell is uncle Jace and his floral cologne. Why do you not?"

Shaking my head at him. "Nevermind." Looking around once more I spotted our uncle smiling while he strode over to us. 

Huge smiles broke out onto our faces as he rushed towards us and brought us both in for a bear hug. Or shall we say a wolf hug. My smile faded when he released us and a handsome stranger took his place at our uncles side.  'He has the most intoxicating scent.' I thought to myself. 'I can practically smell the marshmallows roasting over the fire.' My mouth watered at the thought of the delectable gooey snacks. He was what i had smelt earlier. The smoke and pine. And all i wanted to do was sink my face into his chest and inhale his smell. 

His eyed widened when he saw me and he took a step back. A pang of hurt filled my chest and i adverted my gaze to my uncle. "Alpha Jace," I heard him speak from behind me, "I believe we should be heading back to the pack house. Luna Edna is awaiting our arrival with your niece and nephew." 

"Ah yes," Uncle Jace faced the stranger, "we should get going. Sage would you please pull the car around and we'll meet you at the entrance." 

'Sage.' His name echoed in my mind. His eyes were captivating. I have never seen such bright blue eyes with such intense black hair. They practically screamed inhuman. His hair was long on top, falling to his shoulders, but the sides and back were shaved, kept short. He seemed physically fit, but wasn't huge, like most were males. He was tall, but I guess that wasn't saying much from myself as I was 5'2, but he was as tall as Kalen, and he's 6'1. I couldn't stop myself from falling into a day dream. 

"Eris?" I heard my name being called from afar, but not long after I felt Kalen poking my face. "Keep your finger to yourself before you lose it." I mock bit at his hand as he pulled his hand back and laughed. 

"And here I thought you were too far gone, lil sis." He teased me and I nearly tore his hand off anyways. After coming back to reality I had to jog to catch up to Kalen and uncle Jace who waited for me at the entrance. Uncle Jace shook his head and laughed to himself. 'Just like dad.' I thought to myself and the black SUV pulled up to curb and Sage ran around to open the doors for all of us. 

The entire car ride to the pack house was killing me. Sage is driving and all i can smell is him. His scent filled the car and I couldn't focus on anything that wasn't him. I know internally, he's my mate, but I have no idea how to approach him. He was obviously put off by my being there and as his mate at that. It had hurt so much when he stepped back from me. He hasn't even spoken to me yet.

'Maybe he's dating someone. Maybe he doesn't want a mate.' The thoughts swirl around in my mind, none of them making me feel better. As I began to stew in my state of depression of feeling unwanted, an even worse thought came to mind. 'Maybe he got another she wolf pregnant!' My heart began to ache, but I shook that thought away before it could consume me with hatred. 

Before I knew it we arrived at the Packhouse. "I hope you packed warm." Uncle Jase smiled before getting out of the car. We watched him trek through the small layer of snow and ice to the house doors. As we exited the vehicle, Sage waited to follow behind us, often as Betas or betas in training do. But as we passed i could've sworn I heard him inhale deeply but not exhale. Almost as if he didn't want to breathe as we or I passed.