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Elder Braun led me down to the pack members below. I smiled and chatted with everyone. I noticed that some males seemed to flare their noses and take a step toward me. Though it was nothing more than a sniff.
"Why are they sniffing me?" I asked Elder Braun.
" I am not sure, could be it activated something." He shrugged.
We continued through the people to a table where he introduced me to ranking warriors. I had seen a few at my ranch before, at the dually incident. I chatted for a couple of minutes before one of them suddenly grabbed me. A deep growl coming from his chest. "Mine" He snarled and I saw his eyes take on a brighter shade of his green. I was thrown against his hard chest.
Elder Braun looked between him and me asking, "Mate?"
"She smells just like the one I lost." He growled.
Then I heard it again "Mine!" I was snatched from the one man to see another warrior aggressively pull me to him. Both males started snarling. I saw bright blue and bright green shining in their eyes.
"Enough!" Shouted Elder Braun. Gaining the attention of the entire room. Stepping between both males, I could suddenly feel a commanding power radiating from him. Everyone around including Alpha Gene showed him their necks. I was just dumbstruck by it all. I happily left the arms of the other man as Elder Braun pulled me back to his arm. Lady Allison trotted over to see what the fuss was.
"What is going on?" She inquired.
Both males growled saying "Mine." Both males looked back at each other not understanding what happened.
"I believe she might mimic the smell of a lost mate." Elder Braun mentioned. "I think we will retire. I will make sure she gets home." He nodded to Lady Allison, then looking to Alpha Gene and Luna Carolina he offered. "Have a pleasant evening I will escort her home."
I sent a weak smile to everyone. I was unsure what happened. That was the first time I had had two men snarling for my attention. "Goodnight" I mouthed to both as Elder Braun kept a fast pace.
******
We stopped at a random gas station on the way home. Elder Braun waited in his black car behind us.
I gassed up my truck, and glancing around I noted that no one was there. Finishing the process I paid and got back in the truck. I started the engine and got back on the road. Elder Braun was looking around before he started his car back up and fell in behind me.
*******
Unknown POV
I was in the shop, under a car cussing. I disliked this truck so much. It had been on my rack three days now and the damn thing wouldn't tell me what was wrong.
I caught the faintest smell. It had a fruity scent to it. It was overpowering even the grease, oil, and gas smell that ran amuck in the shop. I knew I was in Dry Gulch territory but they seemed fine with me here. The fruity aroma tickled and drew my attention until I realized I was standing and walking to the bay doors. I glanced around into the night. I saw a truck with some kids and a car that looked like it belonged to Elder Braun. He had been the first to find me. Using his car as a reason to chat.
I raised my nose to the wind again as I caught it one more time. It came from the gas station. I watched intently as a woman no bigger than a kid walked around her diesel truck to climb back in. She glanced around not seeing me. But looking back to Elder Braun I realized he had. He nodded and followed the truck. I took another whiff of the air and noticed the fruity smell was faint again. Shrugging I walked back into the garage and eyed the truck. "Alright you fucker, let's see if we can find out what's wrong with you," I growled.
*******
Elder Braun POV
I dropped Maya and her kids off at her ranch also checking to make sure there was no one there. Driving back through town I noticed the lights at the garage next to the gas station we stopped at were still on. The bay doors were open. This wolf had been hiding in plain sight. I had told Alpha Gene about him but Alpha Gene just let him be. I could sense the power this wolf gave knowing he had Alpha blood. Though I suspected Alpha Gene knew his parents and why he was here. Also knew he was not a threat.
Getting out, I heard him say "You sorry piece of s**t tell me what the hell is wrong!" The growl was powerful but I also caught he was frustrated.
"Evening," I started. I watched the red-haired man turn. His eyes flashed a bright green before going to hazel. I wondered where he had come from. Over the years many packs had died out or were slaughtered by others hoping to become more powerful. I wondered about his story.
"Hi, can I help you?" he asked still banging on some piece of the underframe.
"Yeah, I noticed you popped out when Maya stopped by for gas," I mentioned off-hand. He slid out from underneath the truck.
"So?" he raised a red brow.
I chuckled, cocky this one. "Curious what brought you out of the shop." I shrugged.
"I caught the whiff of a fruity scent. It dragged me out to the doors." He said as he stood up.
Nodding my head, "Have you found your mate yet?" I inquired.
I watched him laugh outright, "I gave up years ago." He wiped his hands on a rag.
"I see," I nodded looking at the truck on his rack. I asked, "Having trouble?"
"Yeah, the damn thing won't tell me what's wrong with it." He gave a flustered snort.
"I smell an oil/gas issue," I said offhand. "May want to check the lines again." I watched him smell the air and then nod his head to me.
"I will check it out. Thank you." He nodded.
- Writer
