Approaching Alpha Zeke Sterne

Chapter 4: I Like Her Scent

I stared at her for a moment. Finally, I replied, “Joshua."

'Joshua, huh?' My wolf's voice echoed in my mind, scoffing. 'You can't even tell her your real name?'

'Shut up, Josh,' I muttered internally, trying to keep my composure as Mira raised an eyebrow.

'I have the right to complain, alright?' Josh protested, 'You used my name without my permission!'

“Nice to meet you, Joshua," she said, extending her hand for me to shake. I hesitantly took it. Thankfully, her grip was firm and confident, unlike many other women who would merely extend their dead-fish like hands and expected a hand-kissing from me.

'Interesting,' Josh snickered in my head. 'When was the last time you actually interacted with any female without thinking negatively about them?'

I didn't answer. Instead, I watched as Mira tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her faint flora scent making Josh sniff.

'Um, jasmine,' he mused. 'I like her scent.'

'You're not a dog. Think with your brain instead of your nose, okay?'

But I had to admit, it was…pleasant. Jasmine, he said?

'What's wrong with using my nose? I'm a wolf, for Goddess sake! Besides, you're supposed to take a casual walk,' Josh retorted, 'not to brew a plan to take over the world! So what's there to think about? Seriously, just breathe and enjoy the company.'

I tried to push Josh's noise out of my mind when Mira asked, breaking the silence, “Did you just return with the Alpha?"

“…Yes."

“That explains why I don't recognize you at all." She nodded.

I commented, “Star Ocean is one of the biggest packs in the region. Last I know, there are at least 20,000 people here. It's not like you can remember everyone you've seen."

“Well," Mira chuckled softly, “I might not remember everyone, but I'll certainly remember you."

“Why is that?" I frowned.

She paused for a second and broke into a small laugh. “How about you take a guess?"

'Man, can't you read the signs? She's obviously flirting with you,' Josh snickered at me, 'no wonder you've been single for so many years.'

'Enough, Josh,' I chided him silently. 'You and I both know why we've been single.''

'But it's been ten years, Zeke,' Josh sighed. 'You should move on. I mean, we should move on. She wasn't—'

'Josh!' I cut him off, and added, 'She isn't interested in me, and she'd better not be, or she'll be packing up to leave by tomorrow morning. Besides, what do you know about flirting, wolf? So get those useless thoughts out of your mind.'

I could feel Josh rolling his eyes.

“Just look at those stars," Mira said, interrupting my internal argument with Josh. Her eyes fixed on the sky above. “They're beautiful tonight."

I followed her gaze.

“Nothing special," I told her. “Star Ocean pack is named after the lake nearby. When the lake reflects the stars, it looks like the Milky Way flowing across the land. Especially with the endless spread of propeller flowers, it's quite a sight there. If you want to have a good view, go there instead for star gazing instead of getting stuck on top of a roof."

'Do you always have to downplay everything?' Josh grumbled.

'I'm just giving her perspective.'

“Wow, that sounds…amazing," she murmured, almost wistfully. “I wish I could take my younger brother there. The night sky was his favorite."

I noticed the past tense in her sentence, and all of a sudden, she looked sad. I blurted out, “Was?"

For a moment, she fell into silence. “He died a couple of years ago," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“...I'm sorry for your loss."

'Must you ask such an obvious question and upset her?' Josh rolled his eyes again. Why couldn't I shut my wolf up?

“It's okay. He wouldn't want to see me sad." she said eerily peacefully. Yet, something in her tone suggested she hadn't fully let go of the sorrow of losing her sibling. “Well, maybe it's better he wasn't there by the lake."

“How so?"

“My brother was allergic to flower pollen. You said the lake is surrounded by flowers?" Her eyes were still lost among the stars. “I used to have a lot of flowers around my house, but then I had to take them all out because of him."

There was a shimmer around her eyes. She was crying? But before I could confirm, she buried her face in her arms. All at once, the world seemed to fall silent, leaving only the sound of rustling leaves and chirping cicadas.

Josh urged me, 'C'mon! Say something!'

'Like what?' I snapped.

'How would I know? I'm just a wolf!'

I gritted my teeth, wanting to smack Josh in the head, but that was just unrealistic, which meant in order to shut him up, I had to say something.

After searching for what to say for a while, I told her, “One of the most important people in my life was also allergic to flowers."

“I'm sorry for your loss too." Her expression softened, and she let out a long sigh but the anguish had disappeared from her face. “I wish there's alcohol."

“Stunning stars, a new friend, and a night off duty. Honestly, this peace is something I haven't felt in a long time. It's nice to just sit and not worry about anything. The only thing missing was a drink," she said as she turned to look at me. “Don't you think so?"

I hesitated, then pulled out my flask.

Her eyes widened. “Are you some kind of magician?"

I handed it over to her, and she took a sip. I expected a grimace—most women wouldn't take well to the harsh bite of bourbon. However, she savored it, a look of appreciation crossing her face.

“This is good. Smoky undertones. I can really taste the oak." She offered the flask back to me.

“You can keep it," I told her.

Josh scoffed, 'What? You won't drink from it because she took a sip? Then why did you offer her to begin with?'

Mira stared at the flask for a moment and said understandably, “It's too expensive for me to keep. I'll return it after I clean it."

I didn't comment. I doubt we would see each other again after tonight.

Taking another sip, she turned her gaze back to the stars, and I followed her eyes. The sky sprawled vast and studded with stars above us. I supposed…I wouldn't mind being here a bit longer.

Josh took the opportunity to suggest, 'Then you can spare Mason from an unnecessary chore of dismissing all the guards down there.'

I grunted in frustration, but if I didn't do something, Josh would talk my ear off.

'Mason,' I reached out via the mindlink again.

'Ah, Alpha,' Mason's voice came through, 'I was just about to tell you. I've dismissed all the guards.'

'Come on! Seriously?' Josh roared in frustration inside me. 'Why can't I have ONE NIGHT to enjoy the pretty company? I love Mason, but couldn't he be a little less efficient just this once?'

'Alpha? Are you there?'

I cleared my throat. 'All right. Thanks,' I replied, cutting off the mindlink abruptly and scolded Josh, 'Is it possible for you to stay quiet, just for a moment?'

Mira also noticed the absence of the guards. “Looks like we're alone now. I'll leave first just in case. Take your time."

I nodded.

She briefly surveyed a sturdy low tree branch a few feet away as she said, “If you ever need anything, find me at the staff quarters. I owe you one."

With that, she leaped in a fluid, agile motion, landed on the branch with a soft thud and waved to me one last time before jumping off the branch. “See you around, Joshua!"

'Are you a statue? Don't just stand there! Go after her and walk her back like a gentleman,' Josh urged.

'Shut up, Josh.' I muttered. I had no idea why the Goddess paired me with a wolf whose personality was the complete opposite of mine.

'Can't do that. Did you not hear? She was talking to me.'

'What the f**k are you talking about? She can't even mindlink us!'

Josh bursted out laughing, as if irritating me was his biggest entertainment. 'Did you not hear what she said? See you around, JO-SHU-A!'

Just f*****g kill me.

As I watched her disappear into the darkness, Josh's voice rang in my head again. This time, his tone was serious. 'Zeke, are you really not going to consider what the council is requesting? I mean, we don't have to accept any of THOSE women, but you can't be single forever. Star Ocean needs a Luna and an heir eventually.'

'I won't give up.'

'But we've tried everything we could in the past 10 years. It's time to let—'

I interrupted him sharply, 'That's not going to happen.'

My wolf was never shy to challenge. 'What if you meet your fated mate?'

'I won't,' I said with a firm dissolve.

'You understand that's not up to you, right?'

My eyes turned cold. 'Then I'll break the matebond, if it ever happens.'