Reluctant Luna

That Smell

Gage

Once I hit the gates of Silverwood, I relaxed. Silverwood was the one pack I looked forward to visit. Silverwood had a reputation for being very peaceful, and self-sustaining. My father never really visited because he didn't want to mess with their harmony. He said if he wasn't alpha, he would've been happy being a warrior at Silverwood. I've only taken the position of Alpha less than a year. I was in charge of 6 packs in the western territory. It was a lot of responsibility, and not a position I've enjoyed.
The intercom at the gate did it's security check before the remote opened the gates. It was a few miles from the gate to the house.
I looked to my passenger seat and saw my sister still sleeping sitting up against her pillow. And thankfully, Caleb, my baby brother was still passed out. All this traveling from pack to pack wasn't good for his schedule. I became Alpha and dad the day my parents were betrayed and murdered. The elders advised me there were probably traitors in the packs and I needed to make my presence known to all my wolves. I nudged my sister to wake her.
"I didn't fart." She sat up. I laughed.
"Shhhhh, Caleb is still out."
"Do you think we should wake him? He'll never sleep tonight." She asked.
"Let's wake him up when we get there."
"Wow, look at this place." I looked and I saw what she saw. It was beautiful. Rolling hills with sporadic trees and forest line. There were cottage type houses we passed with stunning gardens. "Is this heaven?"
I laughed. We just came from the dessert pack, SunBlades. They have a pack house, but an underground village. They make their income through growing cannabis.
The pack house for Silverwood was just as stunning as it's surrounding lands. A group of about 40 wolves were lined up waiting to greet up. I hate formalities.
"Oh, these guys are well fed." Sandra said to my right. She was right. These wolves were physically different than the other packs. All the packs had substantial warriors, these just seemed another level. I pulled up and parked my SUV. As soon as I got out I was greeted by a Beta Marc.
"Welcome Alpha."
"Thank you Beta. It's good to be here." I expected there to be murmuring. But the crowd stayed in their respectful positions. As I moved to the back door to get Caleb out of his car seat I noticed a scent in the air. It was faint but somewhat intoxicating. I wanted to follow it to find it's source.  "As you know, that is my sister Sandra." She got out and stretched making sure she accentuated her very feminine parts. "And this, is Caleb, my brother." I pulled him out. He was groggy but mild tempered at the moment.
"Of course." Marc smiled at Caleb. He was clearly a father of young ones. "We have prepared a suite for your family." Marc gestured to a woman who stepped forward. I could smell that they were mates. "This is my mate, Kate."
She smiled at me, but mostly stared at Caleb. "Can I?" She asked and held out her hands.
"If he'll go to you." Caleb clung to me knowing I was trying to pawn him off.
"Ya, that little monster is a snob. He barely lets me hold him." Sandra suggested.
"I could." Kate reached and Caleb held tighter. "He will love me by the time you leave." She was determined. I laughed.
"Babe, you've got 4 at home you can show your affection."
"Yes, but they aren't this small anymore." She waggled her eyes at him. Hinting at maybe having another one.
It was hard not to like this couple.
"Alpha, I can take you to your suite now and let you get settled. We can meet for super at 5:30."
"Sure." I re-hoisted Caleb as I motioned to my luggage for a couple warriors to bring in. "There is a pac-n-play, can you grab that as well?"
"Oh, we have a crib set up for Caleb." A woman stepped forward. "Alpha, I'm Cheryl, the Gamma's wife and in charge of house keeping."
A crib? None of the other packs had that kind for foresight. They let me borrow toys from their own pups was the extent of their hospitality.
"That is kind. But let's grab the pac-n-play just in case." Cheryl lips became tight and nodded to a couple wolves. I followed them inside the pack house. It looked like a small luxury resort.
That smell. It became stronger as we entered. Daffodils, vanilla and cinnamon. Maybe. I had to ask what they fragrance the house with. Or if it's a soap.
The main room of the house was large. With large plantation style stair case. Sandra's mouth kept dropping.
We finally got the the door that would be our suite and Cheryl came forward to unlock it. We stepped in. It was its own apartment inside the pack house. Walls were white and the furniture was greys with pops of color here and there. It had its own kitchen and 3 rooms. I looked in the sitting area and saw a space specifically for Caleb. It had a puzzle cushion floor, toys age appropriate and a few stuffed animals. Caleb squirmed down my arms and crawled over to his den and started making a mess only a one year old could make. It was very touching they did this just for him.
"Thank you." I almost choked. Cheryl smiled.
"I wish I could take credit. I assigned a girl to get Caleb a crib and she went on a spending spree. I was annoyed until I saw the results."
"We'll, thank her for me." I walking into the master bedroom and saw a beautiful crib next to the king size bed. It had blankets draped in the side and a video baby monitor. As I walked closer, that smell became more prominent. I noticed a used teddy bear in the crib and picked it up. No. It couldn't be. I brought the bear to my nose and inhaled. It was that sent. Like it originated from the bear. I tried to put the bear down. I knew it was meant for Caleb. But I couldn't. I was almost angry that the bear was for him.
It's mine.
I'm keeping it.
Beside he's a baby. He doesn't need it or want it.