The howl of my heart

Chapter 32

Elena sat with Freya and Morgana, feeling distracted and unable to focus on their conversation. The scent she caught at the council building when she went to sign up for the mating games was still clouding her thoughts.

"Is everything okay, Elena?" Freya asked, noticing her friend's troubled expression.

Elena took a deep breath and shared her concerns with the witches. "I caught a scent at the council building when I went to sign up for the mating games. It was familiar, but I couldn't place it. It's been bothering me ever since."

Morgana nodded thoughtfully. "Scent can be a powerful trigger for memories. Perhaps we can help you identify it."

Elena looked at the witches with gratitude. "That would be great. I just can't shake the feeling that it's important somehow. It was a scent that made my stomach turn and cloud my thoughts."

Freya leaned in. "Tell us everything you can remember about the scent. Was it floral or musky? Fruity or spicy?"

Elena closed her eyes, trying to recall the scent. "It was sweet, but also had a hint of something earthy. Like sandalwood or cedarwood."

Morgana's eyes widened. "That sounds like the scent of the Moon pack. Could it be that someone from your old pack is participating in the mating games?"

Elena's heart skipped a beat at the thought. "It's possible. But why would they be at the council building?"

Freya shrugged. "Maybe they're also signing up for the games. Or maybe they have another reason to be there."

Morgana looked at Freya and then back at Elena. "It's possible that you caught the scent of your mate," she said. "Sometimes, when wolves are close to their mates, they can't shake off the scent."

Elena's heart skipped a beat at the thought. "Do you really think that's possible?"

Freya nodded. "It's rare, but it happens. Next time you should follow the scent and see where it leads you."

Elena nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I will do that," she said. "Thank you."

Elena thought how the scent pulled her out of the council building and in to an empty parking space. She decided that next time she will try to respond to if faster, hopefully reach the person it belongs to before they disappear again.