Chapter 30
[ 668 words ]
The mating urge
30: 30.
The mating urge Ronan
I circle her slowly, letting my gaze drag over her in a way that’s just deliberate enough to make her notice.
“Scent,” I say.
She groans.
“Of course it is.”
“Problem?”
“It’s worse than hearing,” she mutters.
“Everything blends together.”
“Because you’re not separating it,” I reply.
“Same principle. One at a time.”
She closes her eyes again, but this time there’s less hesitation.
“Start with me,” I say.
Her eyes snap open.
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“That’s… weird.”
“Why?”
She crosses her arms.
“Because you’re standing right here.”
“Exactly. Easy starting point.”
She narrows her eyes at me.
“You planned that.”
“Maybe.”
Definitely, my wolf says smugly.
She sighs, but closes her eyes again.
I stay still this time, watching her carefully.
Her nose wrinkles slightly as she inhales.
Then her expression shifts.
“What?” I ask.
“You smell like…” She trails off, frowning.
“Like what?”
She hesitates.
“Aria.”
“Pine,” she says finally.
“And smoke. And… something else.”
My wolf preens.
She notices.
“Helpful,” I say dryly.
“Very specific.”
She ignores me, inhaling again.
“It’s… warm,” she adds, quieter now.
Something tightens in my chest.
“Okay,” I say, a little more abruptly than I intended.
“That’s enough of that.”
Her eyes open, a hint of amusement flickering there.
“What?
Can’t handle being analyzed?”
“I can handle it just fine.”
“Sure you can.”
I step closer, crowding her space now.
“Focus.”
Her breath catches.
“Find something else,” I say.
“Something farther away.”
She swallows, but nods.
This time, it takes longer.
Her face shifts through concentration, frustration, then—
“Deer,” she says suddenly.
I glance toward the trees.
She points without opening her eyes.
“There. Two of them.”
I listen, extending my own senses.
A faint rustle.
The soft shift of hooves.
She’s right.
Impressive, my wolf admits.
I look back at her, something like pride stirring in my chest.
“Not bad,” I say.
Her eyes open, searching my face.
“Just not bad?”
“You want me to inflate your ego?”
“I think I’ve earned at least a little praise.”
I smirk.
“Fine. You didn’t completely embarrass yourself.”
She shoves my shoulder.
I don’t move.
“You’re insufferable,” she says.
“And yet, here I am, teaching you.”
She steps closer again, chin lifting.
“Maybe I should find a better teacher.”
My wolf growls, louder this time.
Just the thought of her going to, not just another male but a male she categorizes as better is enough to push the possessiveness in me.
“Try it,” I say, voice dropping.
Her breath catches again.
The air between us shifts—thickens.
For a moment, the forest fades into the background.
It’s just her.
Just us.
Careful, my wolf says again, but there’s no real warning in it now.
Just anticipation.
I reach out, almost without thinking, brushing a strand of obsidian hair away from her face.
She goes still.
“You’re doing better than I expected,” I say, quieter now.
Her gaze softens, just a fraction.
“That almost sounded like a compliment.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
She smiles—small, but real.
And for a second, I forget why we’re out here.
Then the wind shifts.
My wolf snaps to attention.
Something’s wrong.
I stiffen, pulling my hand back.
Aria notices immediately.
“What?”
“Quiet,” I say.
She stills, instincts kicking in.
I extend my senses, pushing past the familiar layers of forest sounds and scents.
There—
Something off.
Faint, but there.
“Do you feel that?” I ask.
She frowns, concentrating.
A moment passes.
Then her eyes widen.
“Yeah,” she whispers.
“It’s… wrong.”
I nod.
“Good,” I say.
“That’s what we’re working toward. Not just hearing, not just scent—but instinct. Awareness.”
I step behind her, gripping her shoulders with my hands.
“That’s the feeling of being watched. Stretch out your senses to see if you can scent them.” I whisper in her ear.
Do I need to stand this close to her?
No.
But do I take advantage of the situation and take the opportunity to be close to her, absolutely.
I have to be closer to her.
It’s the mating urge.
It has to be.
My wolf snorts.
“I can’t decipher anything specific,” she admits just softly.
“And you won’t,” I reassure her.
“The Assembly spies use a scent scrambler.
This is why it is also important to spend time with your pack.
Not only will it build the bonds your wolf needs, but it will allow you to memorize their scents and notice when something is amiss.”
“Okay.” Her voice comes out a little shaky.
Apprehension laces her scent, turns it bitter, and I hate it.
Aria should never be afraid.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let them harm you.”
She looks at me, the blue in her eyes airy and soft in the light of the morning.
“I know.”
Two words.
That’s how much it takes to change something in me.
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