Four
Daniel's POV
It was the weight of Ava's head which was rested on my shoulder that woke me up from my deep sleep. She was also deep asleep as she laid her head on my shoulder and her arm around me. Her legs were spread open and from my line of sight, I could see the residue of all that played out hours earlier dripping down her thighs.
I reached out to pull her away from me and sat at the edge of the bed as I wore my robe. But she suddenly stirred awake and grabbed me by my arm when I moved to stand up.
"What's wrong?" I asked over my shoulder as I pulled her hand away.
"Don't go," she muttered in her usual tiny and gentle voice that I wondered if she was even asleep at all. "Let's sleep a little more."
I shook her hand off. "No need. You should get going too. It's late already."
I stood up from the bed and tied the knots of my robe but she quickly stood up and tried to kiss the open area of my chest.
I reached out to pull her back and she whined, "Let me stay for the night? I promise I won't bother you."
"No, you can't. Get going."
"Dan..."
She pouted and seemed to be ready to descend on a series of whining which I absolutely didn't want to go through at that moment so I barked at her, "You know the rules, Ava. You can't stay here."
She jolted and without another word, scrambled out of bed and picked up her belonging from the bed. I didn't wait for her to leave but entering the bathroom to have a shower.
When I came back out, she was already gone. She was hardly like that since we began our rendezvous and it was odd for her to be clingy. It was the only reason I kept her around.
I put on a pair of pants and a vest before stepping out of my room. The lights were on but I didn't run into anyone on my way downstairs. When I reached the end of the hallway, I found Damon standing by the balcony and for some reason, he was sniffing around.
"Hey," I called out. "You're back?"
He looked back at me and nodded before turning his head back in the direction of the balcony.
He was acting odd so I questioned, "What's up with you?"
He sighed and turned back pulling out a cigarette and lighting it up. He took a small drag before looking at me.
"I don't know. I'm just uneasy."
"Why are you sniffing around?" I asked.
He took another drag and answered, "I've been smelling a strange scent since I returned here."
"Scent? Good or bad? Maybe someone left something smelly around."
"Not like that," he replied. "It smells like rose. A sharp rose."
I gave him a look, finding myself laughing at his description. "A rose? Your sense of smell is odd."
"It's true. Can't you smell it too?"
I wanted to rebut him but at that moment, I finally noticed the scent I've been inhaling since I was in the shower and put a name to it. It was indeed smelling like rose. Like vermillion rose.
"Vermillion rose," I muttered.
He gave me a look. "It's very strong."
It came from the direction of the balcony so I moved closer to it and continued to sniff it as it became even stronger ever second.
Suddenly, I had a thought and I turned back to look at Daniel. He also seemed to have just realized it too for we chorused at the same time, "Mate."
Selene's POV
I looked around the bonfire at the countless familiar faces that were vibing wildly at the music playing and enjoying the party. Most of the expression on those faces were full of smiles unlike the scowls usually on then whenever they ordered me around. It was appalling how people treated people lower in ranks than them.
"There are a lot of people today," Carey muttered beside me.
"Yeah. Everyone is anticipating whether Dakota will be the alphas' mate."
She scoffed. "But they are not here. The alphas' usually don't come to the ceremony."
"That's right. But they should hardly be our problem though," I retorted as I pulled her into the heart of the crowd. "We need to find our mates."
She sighed and nodded. "Hopefully, not an omega."
I laughed seeing her reluctant look and I was about to reply when I noticed the three figures approaching. They were coming from different sides but for some reason, I had a feeling they were looking for something similar considering how they were pushing past the crowd and sniffing around.
'Maybe, they are coming from Dakota.' I thought as I looked in her direction and saw that they were indeed heading her way.
Anyway, I should mind my business and focus on my own problem.
I looked away from them and said to Carey, "Let's go."
She nodded and we turned to leave but suddenly I felt a strong whiff hit me. It was so intense that my head swayed and my vision shook with every second that paused. I could barely move from the spot I stood and my knees went weak.
I quickly grabbed Carey for support as she asked, "You okay?"
It was as though three different scents had just hit my nostrils. I could not reply as it only seemed to become even stronger with every passing second.
At first, it smelled like coffee and a hint of tobacco, then, I could smell a scent of flora too. It was very subtle and not as strong. And then, I sniffed an even stronger scent. It smelled of mint and took over my senses even more.
It was the first time I could smell something so strong as an omega. But from what I've learned, most people who had found their mates always smelled their scents first.
Could it be...
"Selene," Carey suddenly called out, patting me. "Why are the alphas looking at you?"
Me?
I turned around instinctively and my gaze locked onto the three men, meeting their gazes almost at the same time. And I nearly doubled over the moment our gazes met.
"Mate," One of them muttered but I couldn't tell who it was and for some reason, it sounded so clear even though I was quite a distance away.
How could it be?