The Last White Wolf...maybe

Chapter 5

I walked with Mali to the store, I sent her off into the aisle to get contacts and I headed to get the list of groceries Mark left for us. I had only made it a few steps when the scent of pine hit me like a brick. I instantly stiffened and dared to breathe in the scent again. It smelled like home.

I grabbed her moon pendant on her neck to assure herself that her scent was hidden. Pivoting on her heel to find the mop of brown curls that was the source of the scent, I drew her hood, attempting to conceal her features. There he was talking and enjoying himself with some other girl as they walked into the store. Brennan Rolfe's beautiful face was so open and relaxed. I might even go as far as to say soft.

I wish I could be that girl that made him look so peaceful, but I shoved that thought deep deep down, for it was not a useful thought. It didn't matter, so long as he was happy, I told herself. Then another realization hit. I swallowed, it really had not taken him long to move on. Not long at all.

I squinted, scrutinizing the scene before her. They looked like they were forged of the same steel, two sides of the same coin. Siblings or maybe cousins, I realized, not lovers. Unless they were from West Virginia where I heard the line was often blurred, but I knew for a fact they hailed from South Carolina. I would've laughed at her own joke had I not been kept captive in the enthralling scent.

I shook herself; I could not be seen. Not now, not ever. I had to find Mali, they needed to get the groceries and get out fast. I pivoted her heel heading off into the opposite direction at what I hoped looked like an inconspicuous pace.

Not only was there one powerful wolf in Sapphire, there was two. Maybe even more. I sniffed still not able to pick up her scent. But the resemblance was uncanny. If I was right, they were in deep shit. I couldn't help but wonder why they were here, but some part of her did not want to know. In her gut I felt that something was very wrong.

I found Mali in the middle of the aisle, admiring the variety of colored contacts there were. She saw her approaching and gave her a smile gesturing to the shelf.

"Do you want red eyes, to make you look like a raging demon from hell? Or would you prefer purple, I guess it would give off a mystical fairy type of vibe," she asked holding out the two outrageous colors.

I did not bother with a verbal response as I signed to her in sign language. They watched a show, where a girl communicated via ASL and Mali and I were so fascinated they took it up ourselves. They sat in front of a laptop screen for hours every day studying the language at the public library until the librarian finally kicked us out. I never realized it ever be useful, but I could not risk Brennan and his companion overhearing. I was a little rusty, so I kept it brief.

Wolf here. Time to go.

Her eyes widened and she nodded, quickly putting back the estranged contacts and picked out some plain, brown ones and handing them to her. She signed back, confusion painting her face.

I don't smell a wolf.

Of course, she didn't. But he was her mate, I could smell him from a lot farther away than she could. They were nearly at the opposite end of the massive grocery store and yet she still could smell that damned pine smell. Her body shook with restraint, trying desperately to fight the urge to get closer and closer to the pines. I managed to shrug back, as if to say I'll explain later.

I stuffed her trembling, traitorous hands in her pockets and kept a white knuckled grip on the contact box and went for the shortest check-out line with Mali on her heels. I pulled out the dented box and handed it to the cashier with a sheepish smile.

The old woman raised a thin, white eyebrow but simply asked, "Is that all?"

"Yes," I breathed out reaching for her back pocket for her wallet, but her pocket was empty. I searched the front ones too and closed her eyes. It was gone. She did not have her wallet.