“The Fated Scent Returns”

Alfredo De Luca's POV

“The blue or the black one?” my beta, Fred, asked, raising two pairs of suits in his hands.

One was deep blue in color and the other, black.

Finally, he's finally developing some brain.

“Now, these are perfect. Much better than the white ones you guys were suggesting earlier.” I nodded.

“But Alfredo, the white ones are the ones that the Alphas before you had been using according to tradition.” Nathan continued.

“Ughh… screw those traditions. This is what I want and that's it.” I declared, and with a sigh, he walked out.

Getting up from my desk, I walked to the tall, to-the-ground window and from there the view of the magnificent pack greeted my eyes.

The beautiful yellow and red lights from cars moving around.

Even though it's been two months since I became the Alpha, I still cannot believe that I'm the head of one of the greatest packs in my country.

Crest pack.

With over 10,000 members, headed by Alpha Alfredo De Luca.

I threw my head back in laughter at my thoughts.

“Now let's focus on tomorrow's event.” my wolf, RAVEN, who has a thing for ruining good moments, said and I felt like punching his face.

But yeah, he was right, tomorrow.

Even though I've tried so hard not to think about it, I'd have to face it.

I'm going to get married tomorrow… to my betrothed bride, Anabella Argent, the daughter of Sir Argent, the governor of the southern province of my pack.

Do I even want to do this?

I don't know.

I'm not sure.

But the people want me to have a queen even if I don't make her my Luna.

I got to satisfy the people, if not I would have cancelled the marriage and maybe paid off the family to end the betrothal agreement.

I really wish this were with my fated mate but I haven't met her yet.

I've tried so hard, travelled to almost all the packs in the world but I never got the pull.

But I once did.

Two years back at a gathering, during the full moon ceremony in the pack, but before I could find her, she disappeared.

And since then, I have never perceived the scent anymore— the cinnamon laced with a little bit of strawberry.

“Chosen mate and fated ones are the same.” RAVEN tried comforting me and I rolled my eyes.

“Says someone who spent days crying after we lost track of our fated mate scent two years ago.” I laughed.

---

I stood before the mirror, satisfied with my looks.

The black tuxedo fit me perfectly.

I would have slayed a new look by straightening my brown curls but I wasn't having it so let the curls be.

“Alpha Alfredo, this is not the customary wedding attire….” Elder Kade exclaimed with his eyes popping out of their sockets as if I had committed one of the most dangerous crimes on earth.

“I know but I'm not wearing that,” I said and with my tone, they knew it was best they keep quiet.

I followed Nathan, my beta who is also my best friend, to my mother's room.

“Hey mama, your son is doing you and Papa's wish, he is getting married and I hope you give me your blessings.” I bowed before the bed that carried a short, still woman whose face was as white as snow.

My mother.

She had been paralyzed after being attacked by a strange herb a year ago and since then she had become a living dead.

She could no longer talk, move, or even blink. A healer once suggested I let her go and I bet the healer is now burning in hell right?

Let my own fucking mother go?

The thought of it alone made my fingers curl into a fist.

I would rather have my eyes poked out of their sockets.

“Finally someone is out of the single market.” Nathan joked as we headed back to my room.

“Do I have a choice?” I shrugged.

“I know you are not happy about this,” Nathan said and I almost hate how he manages to see through me.

“If I had a choice, I would cancel this wedding. If only I met my fated mate, I just want to feel what the bond is like, not this chosen mate human-like tradition that is rampant in this generation.” I confessed.

“In this generation.” Nathan chuckled. He's always making jokes about how I can sound like a grandpa most times and I'm so sure that the fact that I said ‘this generation’ makes me sound like an old man to him.

I sighed.

If only I could meet my fated mate.

I wish a miracle could happen but I guess miracles like that never exist because a few hours later, I was standing before the great hall with ten thousand plus pairs of eyes on me.

And at the entrance was she.

Annabella.

My betrothed.

With each step she took, she swayed her sexy hips.

Her blue eyes were set upon mine and the smile on her face made her look like a living doll.

Maybe this isn't going to be as bad as I had thought.

We stood under the full moon which had appeared during that night and its light was let in through an opening on the roof of the hall.

We said our oaths and with each passing minute, the higher the urge to step out here became higher. I so fucking hate the human traditions we are doing but I have to endure.

“I, Anabel Alma Argent, agree to be a faithful concubine to the great Alpha of the Crest pack, the one and only Alfredo De Luca.”

I opened my mouth to accept her when something I would have never believed happened.

The scent hit me.

I froze. I wanted to ignore it but it hit harder.

“Alpha, are you okay?” someone asked but I didn't reply, I couldn't.

Raven was jumping on me.

We recognized that scent.

We do.

The same one we perceived two years ago.

“Are you fucking crazy, Alfredo? Leave the fucking altar before we lose her again!” Raven shouted and like a madman, I ran away from the altar.

My legs carried me deep while ignoring the stares.

The scent became stronger.

The kitchen!