Chapter 3

~Carsen~

My eyes glazed as I listened to the monotone voices in the meeting room. Another pointless decision about quarterly sales and marketing strategies.

My mind wanders, drifting to the stacks of papers awaiting me back in the office. Just two days in this damn human city, and I am already going out of my mind. This is ridiculous; even the pack issues aren't mind-wracking.

“... and we need to increase our online presence…” someone droned on.

How much longer?

I wondered how long I was supposed to endure all this with the humans surrounding me. My gaze drifted out the window, watching the cityscape. I hope things are good in the pack.

I had the urge to call Darren to check up on him and Luna. I hope we don't have any issues with those rogues; I can't just help but be worried.

Maybe because I miss the pack and everything in it. It's so much different than this place; cars here and there. Noises polluted everywhere, nothing like curfew or silence.

Just messy.

Finally, the meeting was adjourned. I stood up, my face masked in relief, and my assistant, Logan, a werewolf that I personally picked since I do not want any humans beside me, fell into step beside me.

“Sir, you have a meeting with the market team at 2 p.m.” He reminded me, and I groaned internally.

I badly wish we could not have any meetings, but then it's important. I nodded my head curtly.

As soon as we stepped into the elevator, I loosened my tie. The elevator clung and then opened when it reached the third floor. A woman—a human—walked in immediately, but what got my attention wasn't the human but a scent hijacking it.

My heart skipped a beat.

It couldn't be.

Forty-two years. That's how long I've been yearning for this scent. The scent of my mate.

It was a chocolate mint scent laced with a fresh woody smell.

My instinct roared to life. Rowan, my wolf, kept stomping in my head, telling me to go after the scent. Before the elevator could close, I stepped out of it.

“Sir, is everything alright?” Logan asked, concern mixed in his voice.

I didn't respond. I was too busy scanning the area, so I burst into one of the offices filled with workers. Their attention was on me; all of them stood up suddenly as an act of respect. I was trying to pinpoint where the scent was coming from.

But there was no one.

‘I was sure I inhaled that scent,’ Rowan said in my head.

Confusion and disappointment warred within me.

‘She shouldn't be far,’ I muttered inwardly, leaving the office without acknowledging them and striding towards the corridor. My senses were on high alert,

“Sir, perhaps we should—”

“Not now, Logan,” I interrupted, my voice in an authoritative tone.

I checked each door and even went as far as getting close to the toilet, but it seemed that her scent vanished into the thin air.

The only thing I could decipher was maybe she was a witch?

I couldn't shake the feeling that she was close by.

I let out a sigh, looked at myself in the mirror, fixed my hair and tie, and walked back into the elevator, my mood already becoming sour.

Just a tiny bit of hope was crushed; how could I have lost her like that? The thought of not meeting her again washed through me.

I hope I do see her, because once I do, I'm going to tie her up and bring her to the pack with me. She is not going anywhere.

She's made me search through how many packs for years, and now she shows up and disappears.

~Marcie~

I boarded a cab immediately after I got out of the Kingston Enterprise, internally singing in my head.

I can't believe I passed their interview just like that; this was like a dream come true.

I can't wait to get to the dorm and give Saraha a call, but first I had to go to the café and work. This week was my last week at the Whisk and Warmth café. I really am going to miss my boss. She's such a sweetheart, but then again, I can't overwork myself since this internship is from 9-5 and I need to have some to-do list to complete.

Getting out of the cab, I paid the cab man and strided into Whisk and Warmth. This place is bustling with customers waiting for their order. I went in through the backyard, changed into my work clothes, and into the counter to help Teddy out.

“Good evening, Marcie,” Teddy greeted me, and I replied with a warm smile.

“Sorry,” I mouthed. I was ten minutes late, but that didn't seem to bother Teddy. He's such a hardworking and charismatic guy, and the customers love him apart from those grumpy ones who lack manners.

I took over the shift and started attending to the customers. When I was done with work, I let out a groan. My whole body aches; standing for five whole hours wasn't easy.

“Good job, Marcie,” Mrs. Smith, my boss, praised. I put my work clothes back in my locker, then turned to face her.

“I am going to miss you, Marcie,” She said, and I bent my head.

“Me too,” I responded. She pulled me in an embrace, hugging me softly.

“Don’t forget this place is still open for you when you want to resume next semester,” she smiled, and I nodded my head.

“Thank you, Mrs. Smith; it was nice working for you,” I said, feeling a sense of gratitude, and then excused myself. I needed to talk to Sarah before drifting off to sleep.

~~~

“I knew you were going to get the job. Of course, you have the brain. Go girl,” Sarah bragged over the phone. I could hear the joy in her voice.

“Congratulations, Marcie,” Tom yelled, and I chuckled.

“Guess this is when I have to say goodbye; make sure you enjoy your time with him and don't forget to tell me every single detail,” I urged, emphasizing the word every detail.

“Fine, goodnight Marcie, sleep tight,” she cooed.

“Goodnight, Sarah,” I muttered.