It's Her

It was almost 5 am and Aiden was running his fingers through his hair as he sat at his desk going over the notes for his meeting that morning. He had a busy day as head of his family’s company and he ended up staying all night in his office. They owned a few construction company’s as well as a couple architectural firms in Wakerton City. Wakerton was a well developed city that served a lot of smaller communities around it and was the biggest city within a 5 hour drive, basically in the middle of nowhere in North Eastern Canada. It was also how his family helped support their pack. There weren’t a lot of werewolf packs in Canada but theirs, Blue Lake Pack, was one of the biggest on the east coast.

He was just about to close his laptop and grab a quick shower to freshen up when suddenly he felt a stabbing pain in his chest that knocked the wind right out of him. Gasping for air he looked frantically around trying to figure out what was happening, he could feel his beast inside him trying to break through, his wolf was feeling it too. But what does this mean? The pain slowly dulled down into a throb and he was able to get his bearings, he immediately linked his dad.

‘Dad? Is everything ok?’  He waited. ‘DAD’  he yelled through the link when finally his dad responded.

‘What on earth are you waking me for son?’ he responded, sounding grumpy

‘Is everything ok?’ Aiden asked with worry

‘Everything was fine until you started yelling in my head and waking me up!’  he paused for a moment then continued ‘why?’

‘I just felt a sharp stabbing pain in my chest and now I feel immense sadness, I don’t understand where it’s coming from, my wolf feels it too.’  Suddenly a thought occurred to him, ‘its almost as if it’s coming through the mate bond?’

His dad went silent again for a few moments before responding, ‘but you haven’t found her yet, if you’re feeling her she must be feeling some very powerful emotions for it to reach through the bond.’

‘What do I do?’ Aiden asked filled with worry, hurt, and sadness because he didn’t know how to help his hurting mate, a mate who he doesn’t even know yet.

‘I don’t know’

****

Aiden was thinking about that morning, a couple months ago, when he first felt his mate and a sense of excitement ran through him. This must be it, he thought to himself. I can feel it this time. His wolf felt it this time too and stirred restlessly in his mind. After he talked with his dad he immediately linked his Beta Jax and told him what he had felt. He set him on the task to try and find some clue; a death, or a fire, or an accident, something that could cause someone great pain and sadness. Jax loved watching all the CSI and FBI shows on tv and thought himself an excellent sleuth, so he was more than happy to take on this task, immediately going to his desk and typing furiously on his computer.

There had been a large snow storm the day before he felt her, so there were quite a few car accidents and deaths surrounding the timeline. After removing any of the ones that didn’t seem plausible he had only 2 women in the city who had experienced some form of tragedy. He had Jax track them and found out where they worked so Aiden could try to get close enough to feel a bond. After realizing neither of them could be her,  he added in the surrounding towns and communities up to 3 hours away. Finally when he learned about this case in Hope Falls, something just felt right.

A young man around 25, had a tragic car accident after sliding on black ice, leaving his wife of 4 years widowed. He had owned a small landscaping company which he had left to his widow, it seemed she was letting his assistant manager run the business for her since she already owned her own coffee shop. She sounds smart, and she’s successful, and good at management, she’s going to make an excellent Luna. Aiden thought to himself and his wolf released a happy grumble in his chest.

So here he was, on his way to Hope Falls, under the pretence of approaching her to make an offer to buy her late husbands landscaping business. It was a perfect fit really, and a good excuse to meet her and spend some time with her, since if she agreed they would need a few days to go over the legalities and finalizing the deal and changing things over. It seemed things were finally happening. The last couple months had been both a mixture of agony and excitement knowing she was close just not sure where.

Hope Falls was a 2 hour drive North from Wakerton, which would make it 2.5 hours from his pack lands. As she’s not registered in a pack Aiden assumed she’s a rogue living off grid in a human town. Sometimes mates from opposing packs will go rogue to be together and live apart from either pack. Aiden is guessing, well hoping, it was something along those lines with her parents.

He was almost there and his wolf was getting more and more restless, he hadn’t been able to leave as early as he wanted because he had some things to sort out before he could get away for a couple days, so it was getting a bit late. He already had Jax call the local Inn and book him the best room they had. But he wanted to stop by her coffee shop before he checked in. He just had to see her, he had to know.

He found a parking spot right out front. The shop was in the middle of the town with a sign above its big windows saying ‘Alys’s Cafe and Books’. The town was very quaint with big brick buildings very close to one another lining either side of the street with shops on the main floors and apartments above. Alys’s had a couple small bistro tables and chairs out front and the shop door was an old wooden door with a large oval stained glass window.

He pushed open the door and a bell chimed, he instantly caught the scent of lilacs and vanilla as the sweetest voice called out to him informing him that they were almost closed. He walked as if in a trance towards the sweet voice and the most delicious scent he ever smelled. Then he saw her, she looked up at him and gasped, as she looked him up and down, he happily did the same. She was beautiful, with vibrant auburn hair pulled back in a twist with a flower clip and little wavy pieces had fallen out to frame her face, she wore no make up but she didn’t need any as her perfect porcelain complexion was all the beauty she needed. All he could do was smile at her, then when her green eyes met with his once more, she turned a beautiful shade of red as she realized he had been staring back just as much.

“Hi, are you Alys McKenzie?” Aiden asked her, even though he was already sure it was her.

“Yeah…” she uttered breathlessly, “I mean yes. Yes that’s me. Can I help you with anything?” She smiled up at him and he felt his heart stutter a few times.

  “Perfect. I am here on behalf of my company Horizon Architecture and Construction and I was really hoping I could talk with you about your husbands company?” Aiden said trying to sound professional and not super creepy as he was almost panting over this beautiful woman in front of him. His beautiful mate.

A look of sadness washed over her and Aiden felt a pang of guilt for making her sad with his words and his wolf grumbled at his less than perfect antics. She looked down as a stray tear rolled down her cheek and she took a calming breath. Aiden wanted to reach forward to wipe the tear away but restrained himself yet again, not wanting to startle her. He could see the mix of emotions going through her face as she took another steadying breath. He cleared his throat to calm his own emotions and continued.

“If you are ok with it, would you be willing to talk with me? We could meet for lunch perhaps tomorrow? And I can go over why I am here?” Aiden said with a bit of hope in his voice. He didn’t want to push, but he also wanted to see her again as soon as possible. Does she feel it yet? He thought to himself. She hasn’t shown any signs that she recognized the bond.

“Um…. I have to open here tomorrow but I can possibly meet you for dinner? I can arrange to have one of the others close up for me, if that works for you mr…..” she left it open hesitating and he realized he had forgotten to give her his name.

“Oops, I’m sorry, it’s Aiden, Aiden Nichols.” He offered his hand to shake and she took it sending a warm tingling sensation through their hands where they touched. It made him feel warm and cozy and lit a spark deep in his chest.

“Dinner tomorrow sounds perfect,” he continued “shall I make reservations anywhere specific? Where is somewhere good to eat around here?” He asked trying not to sound too excited, but he couldn’t help the smile on his face.

“Most places won’t need a reservation around here. There’s a great steakhouse at the bottom of Main St over looking the falls and is attached to the Inn at the Falls. It’s a very popular spot for the locals and tourists alike, it’s called The Water Mill.” Alys told him with a small smile. He and his wolf were pleased she had picked a steakhouse as steak was his favourite meal. He was a wolf after all.

“That sounds perfect, actually I have a room at the Inn so I shouldn’t get lost finding it, what time should I meet you then, would you like me to pick you up?” Aiden hoped he didn’t go to far offering to pick her up, but he wanted to see her as much as possible. Wow I am already falling for this girl, but who wouldn’t? He thought.

“Does 6pm work for you? And no thank you, I don’t live far” Alys asked and Aiden wanted to say that 6pm would be way too long to wait to see her agin but decided that sounded desperate for what was supposed to be a work dinner. He also felt a touch of disappointment he wouldn’t get to pick her up either, ok there don’t come off as a psycho.

“6pm should work well, I can’t wait. Thank you, Ms.McKenzie” Aiden responded and offered his hand again just to feel the tingles run up his arm. He watched Alys carefully as she took his hand and saw her flush a bit although she still didn’t seem to react. Strange.

“Would you like a coffee to go? On the house since we are officially closed now?” Alys asked him suddenly as he let go. Maybe she did feel something.

“I would love one” Aiden smiled at the excuse to stay longer, “Black, two sugar please”

Alys smiled at him again as they walked back to the counter and he watched her as she moved around getting him his coffee. From this side he saw she had perfect curves and a very nice ass, he also thought he caught a glimpse of a tattoo when her shirt lifted a bit as she reached up for the cup. He liked tattoos. Trying not to imagine what else she had hiding under her clothes he had to readjust a little as his d***k twitched.

“Here, take a muffin as well, fresh baked this morning.” She smiled up at him and grabbed a muffin with a napkin holding both the coffee and muffin for him to take. He smiled back and took it from her hands their fingertips touching and producing more tiny sparks. He took a bite of the muffin and his eyes almost rolled back as he groaned.

“Wow that has to be one of the best muffins I have ever had. Did you bake these?” Aiden asked as he took a bigger bite staring at Alys as she laughed and blushed again. He loved the colour she went when she blushed.

“Yes, it’s one of my own recipes. It’s a big hit around here. I do all the baking and cooking for the shop. It’s a bit of a passion of mine besides books and coffee of course” Alys couldn’t seem to wipe the smile off her face and his eyes lit up. His tongue darted out of his mouth to catch a crumb as he finished the last bite, causing Alys too flush in response.

“You are one very talented lady” He said in a husky voice, his deep blue eyes almost looked like they were glowing “I look forward to talking with you tomorrow. I should let you finish closing. Thank you for the coffee and muffin.” Then he turned around and started to walk out of the shop before his wolf made him pounce on their delicious mate, he heard her release another breath and caught a mild hint of arousal making him grin.

 

Aiden walked out of the shop with a smile on his face. He knew one thing for sure, she was his mate. However, she did not seem to recognize the bond, despite her slight reactions and mild arousal. However he also couldn’t sense her wolf, which was why he held back and didn’t say anything about being mates, he didn’t want to scare her off. Her scent was amazing though and his wolf had almost pushed through in excitement. He had to find out soon what was going on and why she didn’t have a wolf. He didn’t think she was human since wolves didn’t have human mates, wolves lived too long and once they are mated it was extremely painful to lose a mate and the other didn’t last long afterwards. Aiden decided he needed to talk to his father, and got into his matte black Jeep Wrangler. He took a sip of his coffee and groaned again, how on earth did she make the coffee taste so amazing, I mean it’s coffee he thought as he drove to the Inn.

The Inn at the Falls was an old Victorian style group of buildings with a very large house in the centre as the main building. He walked in and the receptionist instantly straightened and plastered on a very sultry smile and licked her lips, pushing her chest forward.

“Good evening, how may I help you?” She asked trying to sound seductive, eyeing him up like a piece of candy.

“Hello, I have a room booked under Mr. Nichols.” Aiden stated not giving any attention to the looks that she was giving him.

“Oh yes, you have our best suite. May I show you to your room?” She asked while standing up as if to take him there right away “You have the top floor of the main house, it’s a two level suit with a Jacuzzi and balcony with stair access to the parking lot.”

“Thank you, just the keycard and directions from the parking lot, I’ll take the stairs with my luggage” Aiden waited for her to pass over the keycard as she pouted disappointed that he wasn’t giving her the attention she wanted. But Aiden only had one girl on his mind now and that was his mate.

“The stairs are along the very back they also lead out to the back patio of the restaurant although the patio is still closed for the season.” She passed him the keycards and bit her bottom lip trying to be sexy “Call down if there’s anything you need. I am here all night” she winked at him and sat back down in her chair leaning forward to expose the opening of her shirt “I mean anything”

“Thanks, I’ll be okay.” Aiden put the key card in his back pocket and walked back out to his jeep to collect his bags and went up to his room.

His room was clean and modern with a Scandinavian vibe with a living room, desk space and kitchenette on the main floor and open black metal spiral stairs leading to a loft bedroom with a king size bed and clean crisp white bedding. He saw an open door which he assumed led to bathroom as he could see clean white tiles from where he stood. He dropped his bag and sat on the couch and immediately called his father.

“Hello” His father answered on the third ring

“Hey dad, I found her! She’s beautiful, but I can’t sense her wolf, she doesn’t smell rogue, she smells delicious, and she didn’t mention the mate bond so I don’t know if she recognized it, but I felt sparks when we touched. My wolf recognized the bond right away. She showed some sign of feeling the bond but how could she feel it and not know? What does it all mean?” Aiden blurted out all at once finally having someone to help him.

“Woah, slow down. Let’s take it one step at a time. You can feel the mate bond right? But she didn’t say anything?” He asked

“Yes, as soon as I stepped into the coffee shop I could feel it, and when we touch there are sparks and tingles. I am drawn to her like a moth to flame” Aiden answered sounding like a love struck pup even though he’s a 27 year old man. His dad chuckled knowing how Aiden felt. His mom and his dad were mated for over 70 years. Though Arthur and Lily Nichols didn’t look a day over 40 they were 98 and 91 years old. They still acted like teenagers in love when they were alone too. Growing up he couldn’t wait to find his mate so they could have what they had. 9 years after getting his wolf and he’s finally found her.

“Sorry dad say that again?” Aiden realized his dad asked him a question but he was off in his own thoughts.

“I asked if she had shown any signs what so ever that she recognized you. Meaning could she have recognized it but is refusing to acknowledge it?” Arthur repeated, his words caused a growl to erupt from Aiden’s wolf at the slight possibility she might be refusing or worse rejecting him. “I don’t mean rejection son, I just mean she did just lose her husband, she might be ignoring it as a defence.”

Aiden hadn’t thought of that, but after thinking over their conversation earlier she seemed more bewildered than anything. “No, she would flush at our touches, and at one point she seemed a little aroused yet almost confused by it. It’s like she feels the attraction of the bond but doesn’t know what it means.”

“You said you couldn’t sense her wolf? Like a masking potion? Or like she doesn’t have one at all?” Arthur asked.

“Like she doesn’t have one at all. I could smell her scent so it couldn’t be a masking potion that would mask all of it. It’s strange, the only thing is like she’s human, but that’s not possible.” Aiden said sounding lost and confused

“Hmmm. Let me talk to the pack doctor he might have some ideas or theories. For now treat her like a human. Don’t mention the bond, just get to know her, perhaps she will give you some details about her past that could help us. We will figure this out. I’ll cal you tomorrow morning with an update. When do you see her again?”

“I’m meeting her for dinner to go over the business proposal for us to buy her husbands company.” Aiden sighed he was both excited to see her yet saddened that he had to bring up uncomfortable conversation that might cause he distress. “Thank you dad. How is Jax doing in my absence?” As Alpha it was only right to also ask about my pack.

“ Oh he’s just fine, he’s taken over your office while you’re out of town.” Arthur chuckled again knowing Jax only did that because Aiden was particular about his office and knew it would piss him off. D*ck.

“Alright dad I’ll let you get back to what you were doing. Thanks for talk with me it helped a lot. Let me know as soon as you’re done with the doc?”

“Will do, your mother sends her love and is tell me to tell you to make sure you treat that girl right. She’s yours to protect now, and that includes her emotions.” Arthur relayed

“Yes mom, I promise I’ll be on my best behaviour, a right gentleman. And hopefully I’ll be able to bring her home for you guys to meet!” Aiden yelled through the phone knowing his dad would hold it out so his mom could hear. With that he hung up and sighed and decided to go for a run to blow off some steam and collect his thoughts.

It was cold outside but thankfully being a wolf he didn’t get chilled easily, he threw on some joggers and a hoody and put his key card in the zippered pocket and headed out the back stairs. He ran for an hour with everything just swirling in his head. He had soo many questions that needed answers. But visions of her kept dancing to the forefront of his mind, images of her tattoo peaking between her shirt and pants, her dazzling green eyes, fiery red hair, perfect curves. He realized he was starting to get aroused and decided he needed a good shower after his run to tame the bulge in his pants. So when he got back to his room and jumped in the shower he pictured his beautiful mate as he stroked himself letting the water cascade down, washing the sweat from the run off of his muscles. Right as he was about to reach his release he heard a noise in his room and a soft purr came from the door, the receptionist had come in to his room and was watching him from the bathroom door.

“I can help you with that if you like?” She said licking her lips eyes wide and the scent of her arousal reached him making him almost gag.

“What are you doing in my room?” Aiden shouted as he turned off the water and grabbed a towel to cover himself.

“I was just checking on you to see if everything was to your satisfaction” She replied trying to sound sexy while staring openly at Aiden’s bare chest.

“Get out!” He hollered fighting his beast who was enraged at her audacity “and if you enter this room without permission again I will be talking to your manager.” He called after her as she turned tail and booked it out of his room. The nerve some humans have he thought to himself shaking his head. With that, he angrily got dressed into some boxers and went to make sure the slide locks were closed on both doors before climbing into bed and putting the tv on.

He didn’t know when he fell asleep, he had tossed and turned all night thinking about his mate, and how he wanted to be near her. Needed to be near her. Finally the sun started to peak through the curtains and he tossed the covers off deciding he had to do something to keep his mind occupied until he dad called. He got his laptop from his bags and went over some documents, making notes for Jax, and checking his emails. Finally around 10am his phone started ringing.

“Hello! What did he say?” Aiden practically yelled at his father through the phone.

“Well good morning to you to son, I slept great thank you for asking.” Arthur responded sarcastically, “the doc said he has to have some werewolf blood but she might be a Half Blood. It’s very rare since most werewolves stick to their own kind, but there have been a few one night stands or even short relationships between humans and werewolves. Once in a while a half blood will be the product of that. We think your mate must have grown up as a human. Her mom may not have even known that she had slept with a werewolf let alone gave birth to one.”

“So what does that mean? Will she live as long as we do or will I lose her after her human years fade?” Aiden asked feeling the pain of those thoughts, he barely knew her yet the thought of ever losing her already hurt. His eyes started glowing as his wolf also didn’t like where Aiden's thoughts were going.

“Dr. Eric said he’s going to do some more research but he believes that when you mate and mark it will awaken her wolf for the first time, he thinks it might be dormant from being half human and he’s unsure if she will be able to shift. Being half human her body may not be able to handle a transformation like that. But mating and awakening her wolf should potentially bring on some of our traits like our long years, enhanced senses, and increased healing, she should also be able to feel the bond.” Arthur explained.

“So what do I do?” Aiden asked his father, he heard shuffling and voices and then a huff finally he heard his mothers voice come over the phone.

“What do you think you should do? Woo her, charm her, show her what an amazing person you are, let her get to know you, come to trust you, when you have gained her trust you need to tell her the truth.” She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“What if I tell her the truth and it scares her away?” Aiden asked his mom, Lily just scoffed.

“She won’t.”

“How do you know?” He asked

“Trust the bond dear. She will feel it stronger and stronger the more you are together. She may not recognize it but she’ll feel it. When you do tell her the truth, she may not accept it at first, but give her some time and everything will work out in the end.” Lily told her son. “Just make sure she knows you are there for her.”

“Thank you mom.” Aiden sighed and they exchanged goodbyes and hung up. He looked at the clock and saw it was only 10:30. What is he going to do for the rest of the day, until he could finally see his mate again? 6 o’clock never felt so far away. Perhaps I should go for a coffee. He smirked and went to put on his shoes.