The Alpha's Rogue Affair

Scent of a Mate

Roman placed the last of his things into the car, forcing the trunk closed. He wiped his forehead, removing the traces of sweat that betrayed his effort. It was far too early to be packing up his life at the Alpha Academy. He was graduating early from the boarding school, leaving his classmates behind. His heart briefly twisted but he forced himself back to a calm center. All Alpha to be's left the academy at some point. They had a role awaiting him back at the pack. And if he had the credits to finish early, it was his duty to return to his pack. His parents, his girlfriend, everyone was waiting for him to become the leader they expected him to be, the one the pack needed when his father would step down. He spared one last glance at the home he was leaving behind. It wasn't much, but it was the one place he could make mistakes and learn without being expected to be perfect on the first go around. He would miss the laughter, joking with Alpha to be's from other packs, juggling the same responsibilities. But a glance was all he could give the place. If he delayed any longer, he wouldn't have it in him to leave.

He shook his head, trying to clear his head before starting the drive. It was time to leave his childhood behind. Roman spared no more emotions for the place that raised him. He got into the car, slid the key into the ignition and began the trip home. The trees flashed by faster and faster as the sun slowly rose above them, staining the sky. It was too early to be leaving it all behind. He mulled over the memories, picking each one and depositing it after examination in the back of his mind.

Here he placed the memory of when he first showed up to the academy and his parents and had driven away. At 14 years old, his control over his emotions was not as strong as it was now, and he found himself crying, missing home. A few students came over and comforted him. Their comfort gave him strength knowing that they too were in the same situation, boys needing to take the shape their pack needed, but ultimately just missing their childhoods.

Red and yellowing trees flashed by the window and Roman gripped the wheel. His second year at the Alpha Academy, there he was in the lunchroom. He made a joke and several of the boys laughed. He felt comfortable, but there was always this edge of anticipation, knowing his life was in a bubble until he graduated. There he was, junior year, hotly debating the pack rankings with a fellow classmate. His actions and opinions were just that of a student trying to understand the world. They were not the decisions of an Alpha, but a student exploring his curiosities.

The times he would return home from the Academy, Roman couldn't help but feel lost. He could not fulfill his purpose - he was not a graduate yet and his father was still in charge. He was no longer truly a child and had no childhood there waiting for him. It was those times that Roman felt truly lost, and he buried those deeply within his collection, a carefully curated collection of emotions that were unbecoming of a leader. He had to be thoughtful and intelligent - powerful, strong. By the time he reached his parent's place, he had sculpted himself into the perfect son, the perfect Alpha to be.

Roman quickly unloaded his car and took a shower. His room had its own ensuite bathroom. He wouldn't wake them up by preparing himself for the day. Roman combed his hair back, ensuring every hair was in place and nodded at his reflection. He took a deep breath and headed to the dining room. "Good morning, mother, father."

"Roman!" His father exclaimed, "you're back sooner than we expected."

He was. He graduated early to return and help with pack duties. "Darling," his mother reached out to give him a hug. He returned it stiffly. She pulled back, "you seem tired, when did you get in? Do you need to get some rest?"

"Stop smothering him, Melissa," Roman's father, Alpha Joe, scolded her gently, "he's a young man now! He can take care of himself."

Melissa ignored her mate and continued fussing over her son. "Well, tell me all about the last few months. How was school? How were classes? Did you make any new friends?"