Chapter 5 - Mate

Cole POV

                  After waiting impatiently for our Alpha Carson and Luna Marly, it was agreed we would head off to the gala rather than waiting for them.   We parked our vehicles on the other side of the pack grounds as the main parking area was already full.  We walked towards the gala, as I heard the buzz of excitement among our pack members.

                  “I smell something,” I heard from different people.  I smiled as I heard my wolf yawn, waking up.  “She is here,” he said, before laying his head down on his front paws.  He was as eager to meet his mate, as I was to meet mine.  My pace quickened as the pack followed me towards the entrance.

                  There I caught the scent of jasmine filling my senses.  I quickly greeted the host Alpha and Luna before walking into the hall and searching for someone who would be searching for me.  I walked slowly through the hall, finding the scent getting stronger towards the back of the dancefloor.

                  I stopped in front of a door.  Tapping lightly, I opened it and was overwhelmed with the scent of my mate.  I was also overwhelmed with the scent of fear.  I quickly scanned the room but saw nothing and nobody there.  I shut the door and turned almost running into a slob of an Alpha.

                  “What are you searching for, Beta?” the Alpha asked with a smirk.  “Just making sure none of my pack members were lost,” I replied, as I moved to walk around him.  “Whatever you were searching for, Beta, just forget about it,” the Alpha cautioned as he waddled away.

                  I watched him for a moment, finding the threat a bit weird, but had other more important things to do.  Like finding my mate, I thought with a soft smile.  I walked back around the dancefloor tracking the scent that took me to the front door again.  As I reached it from a different direction, I found the scent stronger.

                  I felt excitement churning in my stomach as I followed the scent outside.  Perhaps my mate needed a break or was disappointed that she had not scented me yet.  As I walked around, Carson and Marly came up to me, “Any luck?” Carson asked as he held Marly’s hand.

                  “I can scent her, but have not found her yet,” I shared, frustration starting to show in my terse reply.  “Let’s ask the Alpha if he has any suggestions,” Carson suggested as he nudged me back into the hall.  The Alpha was quick to offer his help understanding how important it was for ranking pack members to find their mates.

                  The Alpha offered someone from his pack who could take me around to try and track her down.  I thanked him and the young warrior who had volunteered, before we headed off in search of my mate.

                  When I got back outside, my wolf took over immediately.  He led us to the pack house.  I could detect my mate’s scent a bit stronger, but it was clear that the individual had not been here recently.  The jasmine scent was mingling with other scents which was confusing my wolf.

                  We walked into the pack house, and I was hit by the powerful scents of the Alpha and Luna.  Clearly this was their domain, and it was difficult to pick up any scents.  Clearly if my mate had been here, they were no longer present.  I growled in frustration, when the warrior suggested one last option.

                  “We could go to where the cars are parked.  You might detect her scent there?” he suggested.  “Excellent idea,” I replied, as we took off from the pack house and went towards the parking area.  It took us a few minutes to get there, but when we did, I once again picked up the faint scent of my mate.

                  I frowned, as I also picked up a stronger scent of fear.  I knew she had been here but now she was gone.  Why?  Why would she leave and why would she be fearful?  Had she detected me and been fearful?  Surely not, I would never harm my mate.  I hoped she would know that.

                  Why would she come here and leave so quickly, if she had scented me.  She cannot have scented me.  Was she safe?  I knew I needed to find her.  It was the second time I had scented fear while scenting her.  My wolf had a sense something was wrong, and I always trusted his instincts.

                  Whoever you are, I am coming for you, mate.  I will find you and protect you.  I promise.