Scent 3

Liam’s POV

“Mira, come over here quickly. We’ve been looking around for you,” the head maid called out, her voice cutting sharply through the hall and drawing everyone’s attention.

“There she is,” she added, more quietly now, addressing only those of us standing nearby. I followed her gaze and saw the girl approaching. My attention fixed instantly on her.

She had very long, wavy, snow-white hair…distinct, unlike anyone else I had seen around here. I stared, caught off guard by her aura. There was something delicate and cautious about her, like someone trying not to take up space. Her gaze remained low as she approached, and for some reason, that made something stir in me.

“There you are,” my father addressed her, his tone clipped and businesslike.

As she stepped closer, Kai stirred violently in my mind. He began pacing, purring, flooding my senses with tension. Her scent hit me next… lavender, rosemary, and mint. Sharp, calming, intoxicating. I inhaled, stunned at how it settled into me like a memory I never had.

“Hmmmm… interesting.” I muttered to Kai…louder than I meant to. My face flushed in embarrassment. I tried to recover, forcing my features into something neutral, but I couldn’t look away from her. I needed to say something, anything, to regain control.

“What’s your name again?,” I asked, extending my hand. I immediately regretted it. The tension between us became tangible, and I caught my parents exchanging glances. Not the good kind.

She cleared her throat. “Mhhm.. Mhhm..” Her voice trembled slightly as she replied, “My name is Mira. She didn’t take my hand.

Just then, the sharp echo of heels interrupted the moment.

“Good day Alpha Harold, good day Luna Grace and happy birthday in advance to my beloved Liam, Dahlia cooed as she appeared beside me. She bumped Mira aside with her hip, that familiar mischievous grin glued to her face.

What is she up to this time?

“Did I miss anything?” she asked. The same grin plastered on her face.

My father lets her know that it is nothing of importance to her, and that he was only assigning Mira as my personal assistant to run errands for my birthday preparations.

“I see,” she muttered, her eyes raking Mira up and down with clear judgement.

Kai growled low in my head, and I had to consciously rein him in.

“Mira,” I am sure you must have met your Beta female before now. You both should be around the same age.” My Dad continued the conversation with Dahlia but I was sure I was done here.

Dahlia snapped with her sharp mouth, “we might be the same age, but obviously not in the same class.”

Her statement was followed by a thick awkward silence.

I jerked my head up. I glanced at Dahlia, then back at Mira, trying to read if she was affected by what Dahlia just said. I was mentally assessing the situation, trying to figure out the best way to handle it. I couldn’t tell if she was hurt, but I felt defensive. I couldn’t show it, though… not here, not now.

“Come with me, Mira.” The head maid said, finally cutting through the tension. “Let me show you to Alpha Liam’s chambers. Hold onto these bedsheets.”

I could see the relief on Mira’s face as she quickly grabbed sheets with shaky hands and hurried off. I watched her go, and instinctively, I wanted to call her back. I wanted to explain… something. Anything. But the moment passed.

“Liam, be careful,” my father said. “Give me feedback on the girl after your birthday. If she doesn’t meet expectations, you let me know.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I replied, voice flat.

He waved at us and turned to leave.

“Do you need medications?” My mother asked, stepping forward and brushing my forehead to confirm I didn’t have running temperature. “You still look pale.”

“I’ll be okay Mom,” I assured her. “Just overwhelmed with everything. I promise I’ll tell you if it gets worse,” I say, releasing my hand from Dahlia’s grip and bending down to plant a kiss on my mother’s forehead.

“How about you Dahlia?” my mom’s gaze shifted to Dahlia. “Are your outfits ready for tomorrow?”

She was smiling sheepishly, still trying to cling onto me again. “Of course, Luna. I am always ready,” turning 360.

I wonder what that has to do with the question she was asked.

“Good. Take me to your parents, we have some things to discuss.”

I could see her face go from excited to gloom in a second and I couldn't help chuckling at the disappointment she must feel that she didn't get her alone time with me.

I wasn’t listening anymore. As soon as they were distracted, I excused myself and made my way toward my chambers.

Immediately Dahlia was out of sight, Kai flashed Mira’s image again, and I didn’t even try to stop him.

As I turned the corner into the hallway leading to my room, I heard soft sobs. I slowed my pace, straining to listen. Then I saw her.

Mira.

She stood with her back to me, facing my door, trembling, like it had answers to whatever was making her cry.

Before I could even think, I closed the distance between us and pulled her into a hug from behind. I held her tightly…too tightly…and she began to cough.

Startled, I let go, and some of the sheets she was holding dropped to the floor. We both bent down at the same time to retrieve them and ended up bumping into each other.

Our foreheads touched.

We both froze.

Her scent swirled around me again. I wanted to speak, to say something comforting, but I didn’t even know where to start.

So, I just looked at her.

And for a brief second, the world stopped spinning.