Love at First Sniff

-Stetson/Heath POV-

I stopped what I was doing immediately, and I slowly reached for my sword. I never took my eyes off of the brush where I saw the movement. Some of the men around me noticed my sudden change in behavior, and played along as if they didn't notice.

Before they could grab their swords, a large wolf jumped out from the woods. It was dark gray with swirling brown and yellow eyes. Before I could say anything, the wolf transformed into a man.

"HALT! Do not move, or you will taste the blade of my sword!" I shouted at him, and he only growled. "James, cover Elle and get her back into the carriage with Dee."

I could hear him moving, but I could hear Elle questioning what was going on. I heard her gasp loudly meaning she caught the sight of the very dirty, and very naked man in front of us.

"Please Elle, get into the carriage," I said, not taking my eyes off the werewolf.

"Why is he all dirty and naked?" she asked no one.

I could hear James answer her as she got back into the carriage. "He's a werewolf, and he just shifted from his wolf form."

"Go back to your pack, you smelly dog!" I shouted at him. "We want no trouble. We are just traveling through."

He growled again. This time louder and more aggressive.

"What's his problem, sire?" one of my men asked.

"No idea. It's like he's after something. He keeps eyeing the carriage and I don't like it." The men formed around the carriage, tightening their grip on their swords, readying themselves for a fight. "What do you want, wolf?"

"MATE!" he roared. "Want mate," he said in a lower growl.

My eyes widened, and for the first time I broke my eyes away to look at my men and James. He understood my silent command and opened the door to get Elle out, and I looked back at the man. "Now what's going on?" I could hear her ask, followed by the voice of Haidee. "Yeah, James, why is there a werewolf outside?"

"Elle, I need you to get out, and a couple of the men will guard you. He's not after you," James answered.

"If he's not after me, then who is he after?" Elle shouted. There was a long pause, and the werewolf was still pacing back and forth growling. "Oh my heavens! Dee he wants you!"

"WHAT? Why me?"

"You're his mate! Remember what we read about werewolves a couple years ago in the library. About how they have fated mates, and they only live for them. How they often find them simply by their impeccable wolf senses."

"OH!..Oh, oh no. You don't mean, no. It can't be. I'm human! It's almost impossible!"

"Yes, that's true, but almost doesn't mean completely. Just think about it for a moment and compose yourself, okay? I'm going to step out and when you're ready, come on out. It'll be ok, he won't hurt you. He physically can't, you're his mate."

"Uh, ok" I heard Dee mumble and Elle getting out of the carriage. I chanced a glance back, and I saw Elle grinning from ear to ear. Finally the man stopped, and stared at the carriage. I could feel Elle come up next to me with a cloak and pants in her hands. Where did she get the pants?

"What are you doing? Get back."

"It's ok, trust me," she said with a wicked grin and stepped forward slowly.

"Elle! Stop, he's dangerous!"

"He's no more dangerous to me as you are," she said over her shoulder and kept inching forward.

I watched as the man tore his gaze from the carriage and then to Elle.

"Not mate," he growled.

"No, I'm not, but I brought you something that smells like her and a pair of men's pants. She'll come out in a moment. Can you wait a couple minutes? She's a bit scared, and your nakedness won't help," she said calmly. "If you calm down so the men can sheath their swords and you promise to behave, I will take you over to her so you can try to talk to her."

He just stared at her, and his eyes stopped swirling and became a solid brown. He nodded slowly, taking the pants from her and putting them on. Then he took the cape and took a deep sniff. You could see the relaxation that sniff brought him.

"What is her name," he asked softly.

"Haidee," Elle answered. "Are you ok now?"

He nodded and Elle turned to us and nodded. We all sheathed our swords, but kept them close. We didn't trust wolves. He followed Elle as she led him towards us and the carriage. The guards parted to let them through, and Elle knocked on the carriage.

"Dee, it's ok to come out. He has some pants on, and his wolf is under control. He promises to behave," she coaxed.

Everyone waited in silence and after a minute, the carriage door opened, and out stepped Haidee.

The pair locked eyes, and the man broke the tension by speaking first.

"Mate," he said just above a whisper.

"I…Hello," Haidee responded. She was nervous, and I couldn't blame her.

***

-Haidee POV-

He was built. Muscular and toned, sculpted by the finest artist out of marble like a god. He was tan, and the way he said mate was like the finest silk against my cheek. He was a bit hairy, but I suppose that was expected considering he was a werewolf.

I was stunned. I was scared and beside myself in the carriage, but now after seeing this man before me I am just stunned. With words stuck in my throat, I could only croak out a meek hello. My body felt like it was on fire. Like it craved him. It needed his touch. I started to step forward just a tiny bit, and before my foot could touch the ground, I was embraced by his strong arms. He lifted me off the ground and began mumbling in my ear how beautiful I was, and how much he couldn't wait to mark me as his.

"Uhm," I began, "what is your name?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, darling little dove. I'm Arthur Jacobs. I'm the top warrior of the Silver Moon Pack. I'm 19, and I feel like I've been waiting for you forever, even though it's only been three years since I came of age to find my mate," he answered me. "What about you, little dove?"

"Well, I'm Haidee Lee Carter. I'm 16, and I'm the second daughter of Jack Carter who is, uhm-" I looked at Elle for approval before revealing my identity. She nodded, giving me the go ahead. "-who is the right hand of King Rurik Windsor of the Kingdom of Criba."

His eyes widened at my revelation. "You're Criban!?!"

"I'm sorry," I said while tears started to form in my eyes. My nose began to run, and for the first time in my life I felt ashamed of my nationality. "I'm so sorry, you hate me now. I'm what you've always wanted and I'm from the one place you will never be welcome," I said through small sobs.

"Oh no, no, little dove. Oh, don't cry. It's ok, I don't care that you're from Criba. You just caught me by surprise. Do you know how long it's been since anyone from Criba has been on this side of their borders?"

"You don't hate me?" I sniffled.

He gently wiped my tears, and I wiped my nose with my handkerchief. "No, little dove. I could never hate you. You were made for me by the moon goddess, Selene. I will treasure you in this life, and the next. I know it's still early for you, because you are a human, but I already love you. I can't help it. I'm a werewolf. It's in my nature."

"It's ok, I understand. I've read about the mate bond, and its effects on werewolves. And like you said, I'm human, so I can't feel it as intensely as you do. However, I'm sure that given a little more time, and after I get to know you some more, I will be able to say it back," I said with a small smile, and he returned it with an even bigger one.

"Can I kiss you? My wolf won't stop hounding me about it. He's pretty primal compared to most others."

I felt a blush creep up my neck and into my cheeks. I must be as red as a beat. I began to feel warm, but I gave him a slight nod.

No sooner did I tilt my head up, did I feel the firmness of his lips. The sparks that I felt were like no other feeling. It spread from my lips down my neck and body. His rough hands firmly held my neck while his thumbs caressed my cheeks and jaw.

He pulled back leaving me to catch my breath.

"I felt it! I felt the sparks!" I said in excitement. He smiled widely, and I turned my head towards Elle. she was the only one watching now. The rest pretending to mind their own business. "I felt the sparks, Elle. They actually exist! Can you believe it! I'm his mate! I'm mated to a werewolf!" She smiled wide, jumping up and down while clapping. She was so happy for me.

I looked back at Arthur, "I take it all back."

He frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I mean I take it back about needing some time to say it back to you. I can say it right now. I love you, too!"