Simply His, Simply Bound, Simply Eternal novel Chapter 1

"The Taste of her Scent."

*Meadow*

I opened the door of my loyal 20-year-old truck and picked up a bouquet of flowers from the back seat. There are many flower vendors near the cemetery, but I always purchase from a little old store near my mother’s old home.

The owner was my mother's friend, and she knew that every 2 weeks I was coming to visit her so she would put extra effort into making a nice bouquet for Mom, with her favorite flowers. I always offer to pay the full price, but in the same way, she always refuses, only allowing me to pay half of it. I wasn't going to argue, she was one of my mom's best friends, and still had those watery eyes when she saw me walk in to get the usual arrangement.

"Morning sweetheart, I got your special package waiting for you, just give me a minute, and I will go get it from the back." She was just adorable; her daughter was so young, barely 17 and was already inserted in the family business. She smiled at me and waved from her corner where she cut and removed the base thorns from each rose, so it would be manageable to handle for anyone who bought them. I waved back and then welcomed the nice bouquet in my hands, getting into the usual argument about how much should I pay.

The day was gray; I shrugged it since I didn't really care, I was really down this weekend. I had a huge argument at work with my supervisor. He had been pushing me beyond what was legal to work extra hours and wanted me to dedicate also the weekends. Sometimes I would comply, this time I refused. It had been only a year since mom passed away and I was still sensitive about her. We were a pair, a duo, partners in crime, always together. So when he asked me to go for some extra work hours on Saturday I plainly refused. We had a really big argument, the security guy came to check twice, and our director walked in to stop us.

Today was mom's day, only us. I pulled a blanket next to her cold stone and rested the new flowers after putting the old dried ones in a disposal bag. I sighed and felt the silence take over before I put a smile on my face and opened a bottle of my favorite wine, the only one I ever drink. I am not usually a wine person, but mom showed me this treasure years ago, and I have had it in my stock ever since. This rare white wine was the sweetest thing you could ever taste. My bottle of Late Harvest was all I needed.

I sighed again. "I am sorry Mom, this week was hard. Remember the idiot I told you about from work? He did it again. He wanted me to go work extra hours today, but don't worry, I said no. It's our day after all."

In the distance, I heard some thunders threatening to make the weather worse. I shook my head and put it between my hands; a small sob giving room to a bigger one and tears started rolling down. A honk brought my head up, I saw a small progression of cars not far from where I was, and they were moving slowly to an area that seemed classier and more expensive. I turned my attention to my mom and caressed the stone that laid on top of her remains. "I miss you, mom," I whisper as I lay on the blanket next to her. I closed my eyes as more tears threatened to come out.

ღ ~~~~~~~ ☽ⓈⒽ☾ ~~~~~~~ ღ

*Caleb*

I shifted myself in the car; every bump in the road making one or another of the injuries sting or bring back the pain. I was tired, the drugs they gave me to help cope the healing process worked well, but they made me feel like I could sleep for days.

"Alpha, we've arrived. The guards at the front say there is no one, except a human far on the other side."

"Let's just get this over with," I said as I frown.

Peyton was Alexei's son; or Alex as I call him, and he was the most painful loss in last night's battle. The stubborn pup wanted to help, but he should have listened to his father when he told him to stay back with the rest of the pack. When Agape, the wife of the rogue's alpha, found him barking at them, she smirked an evil soulless smile just before she snarled at him and in a matter of seconds, broke his neck with her maw. That bitch was going to get what was coming to her and her pack.

Alex hadn't say a word since we heard that last quick cry, just before his life ended, we ran towards him and found him lifeless in the ground. At least this time she left him almost complete for us to find, there had been other times where she would eat a part of them and then leave the remains at different locations. How did the Goddess allow such a heartless woman exist was beyond me. But I gave my word to Alex that we would find her and all her pack, and banish them.

I was already walking towards the far location, and only when I am halfway to reach it, I slowed down and noticed my guards following close, trying to understand my behavior. I saw a blanket with someone laying atop. I closed my eyes, not stopping my approach, and sniff the air again. My wolf howled inside me, and I struggled to keep myself from shifting. Was she our mate?

I slowed down even more as we were getting closer, her body laid on a blanket without moving. I held my breath, I couldn't take another sniff, it was driving my wolf and me crazy. Her intoxicating scent was mixed with alcohol, and I prayed the Goddess that I had not arrived late to a possible suicidal attempt.

I held my hand up and make my men stop; I gave a few more steps, and the rain started falling. I sensed her slow pulse and sighed with relief. I rushed closer as I saw she was not moving. When I saw her face, I felt mesmerized. I knew she had just been crying herself to sleep. I looked around and saw only one other car, an old pickup truck besides ours, which should be hers. I felt the rain begin to crash down over my shoulders and got worried when I saw she wasn't moving. I had to protect her, I had to keep her safe. My wolf agreed.

I signaled my men to get closer and gather her stuff. I kneeled next to her and felt drawn to her in a way I just couldn’t explain. She was our mate, there was no way I could return to my village immediately, as I had planned.

I slid my arms under her and lifted her effortlessly, blanket included. I looked around to see Alex arrive behind my men and he saws what I was doing. I couldn't explain to him, but a small smile neared the corner of his lips as he saw me cradling her in my arms protectively. He nodded to me, and I rushed her to our car. I made sure she was comfortable and safe before I walked out to my beta and friend.

We stood under the rain while the small casket containing Peyton's remains sank in the ground. It only had his belongings; his clothes, and toys. Back home, just after the fight was over, we burned his remains to set his soul free to join the Goddess. This part was what we got used to doing while we kept our identities hidden in the human world.

I tried my best to keep calm and steady, while Peyton's mother, Cara, said sweet words about her son. In truth, my wolf was pacing back and forth, already wanting to get back to our mate. After centuries, we'd finally found her.