Scent of a Mate

Chapter 18

Nate

Ricky stood up and dusted the dirt off her pants. She wiped her tears off her cheeks as she chuckled dryly.

"Well, I guess fate just refuses to give me a fucking break! Huh?"

She crossed her arms and paced for a few minutes. Her eyebrows furrowed. I could tell she was furiously thinking. Possibly plotting and deciding what to do next.

By this point most men would step up to the plate and take control. Most men would promise security, whisking their mate away from the danger and slaying every enemy in their path while crowds of people bask in the glory of their strength and testosterone.

I didn't do that. I couldn't do that. I was so uncomfortable. The tension was palpable in the air. I wanted to comfort her. I really did, but I didn't know how. She would not stop pacing and frantically combing through her hair with her fingers.

Just tell her it will all be okay.

"Hey... um... Ricky?"

But she wouldn't stop. She kept mumbling things under her breath and yanking on her hair. It looked frantic. Almost insane.

"R-Ricky?"

Her mumbling became louder and her movements more erratic.

"Ricky? It's all gonna be all ri-"

"Give me three months."

She had finally stopped and turned to face me. Her eyes were wide. She was scared, uncertain, and agitated.

"Three months? Three months for what?"

She kneeled down in front of me and clutched my hands with an almost unhuman strength. Her pupils were wide as if she had drank too many energy drinks. I chalked it down to adrenaline.

"I've always wanted to go to school and graduate. Like the humans do. I thought maybe while I studied, I could travel. See the world."

Her eyes had a hazy far away look in them. She had dreams and ambitions, something I lacked. I'd never even considered traveling. My entire life was centered around this pack and being the best Beta I could. I never had time to dream. 

"Unfortunately, I can't get a law degree in six months, but I can still travel. Give me three months. Just enough time to see all the important things. The Eiffel Tower. The Coliseum. Hell! Just let me drive to Kansas and see the World's Largest Ball of Twine! Where are we anyway?"

"Wait? But why-"

"How far is Kansas from here? Oh! Is there a Six Flags near here? Or Disney World?! I've always wanted to go to Disney World! Have you ever been to Disney World?"

"Uh- I don-"

She stood and threw her hands up in frustration. This 'discussion' was getting out of hand fast and I had no idea what to say or how to handle her erratic behavior.

"Of course you haven't seen Disney World! Us wolves don't ever get to go anywhere! We have to stick to the pack. Listen to our Alpha. Oh and female wolves! Don't even get me started on female wolves! All we get to do is find our mate and have kids. Lots and lots of kids. How ridiculous and patriarchal is that?! Well you know what? Fuck that! I'll be damned if I die before I do anything with my life!"

I stood and approached her with caution. I reached out to place my hand on her shoulder but drew it back. I didn't know if it would set her off.

Just try to reassure her. Say something.

"R-Ricky. You d-don't have to worry. I-I'm sure we'll fix this. You're not going to-"

She spun around so quickly I stumbled back in surprise. She rooted me to my spot with her piercing glare.