Chapter 7

I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, no matter how hard I tried. It felt as if I were seeing him for the very first time, taking in every detail with a sense of awe and wonder. His dark brown chocolate hair fell perfectly into place, framing his face like a work of art. His eyebrows were meticulously maintained, adding to the overall refinement of his features.

But it wasn't just his face that drew me in; it was his entire presence. He possessed a jawline so strong it could cut through stone, complemented by broad shoulders that seemed almost Herculean. And yet, despite his size, he moved with a grace reminiscent of a lithe leopard, each step seemingly effortless and fluid. It was mesmerizing to watch.

But perhaps what struck me the most were his eyes - almond-shaped pools of the deepest blue I had ever seen. They held a certain intensity and warmth that immediately made you feel at ease in his presence. With such captivating eyes, chiseled cheekbones, and an aquiline nose that perfectly complemented his facial structure, he truly resembled a male model straight out of a magazine.

I couldn't help but imagine the attention he must receive from others, particularly women. With his striking features and impeccable physique, it seemed only natural that he would be a magnet for admirers. And to top it all off, he sported a spade-shaped beard that added a touch of ruggedness to his already magnetic allure. Standing at an impressive 6'6" and weighing 260 pounds of pure muscle, there was no denying the physical strength and power radiating from him. Yet, there was also a gentle kindness evident in his eyes and demeanor. This juxtaposition only heightened his appeal further.

His remarkable beauty and captivating aura left an indelible impression on me. He possessed the kind of attractiveness that transcended conventional standards and appealed to something deeper within.

I never asked for this. The mere thought of having a mate is something I have argued against with Via, time and time again. Why would I want to be tied down to someone? Why do I need to be a Luna or part of a pack? But here I am, at this moment, feeling an overwhelming pull that I can't ignore. It's as if every fiber of my being is yearning for him, even though he hasn't set foot inside the coffee shop yet.

And then there it is, that unmistakable scent that fills the air. It's like a magnet, drawing me closer and making it impossible for me to resist. This aroma is unique, a signature fragrance that only belongs to one person - my mate. It's a scent that is indescribably alluring, driving my senses wild with desire.

When he was about an arm's length away a captivating scent enveloped the air. It was as if the essence of mandarin had been perfectly captured and transformed into an alluring fragrance. The aroma that emanated from him was a surprising blend of wood and leather notes, adding a touch of masculinity to his overall composition.

As I inhaled deeply, I couldn't help but be transported to a different place. The zesty citrusy smell of mandarin was like a burst of sunshine on a warm summer's day. Its invigorating and refreshing qualities awakened my senses, making me feel alive and rejuvenated.

The masculine undertones of wood and leather further enhanced the olfactory experience. The earthy scent of wood reminded me of freshly cut logs, evoking images of nature and tranquility. It added depth and complexity to the fragrance, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. Meanwhile, the presence of leather notes brought forth thoughts of sophistication and elegance. It conjured images of luxurious leather goods, worn by those who exude confidence and refined taste. The combination of these elements created a harmonious symphony that captivated everyone in the room.

But beyond its captivating nature, this unique scent also spoke volumes about the person wearing it. It revealed a man who embraced his masculinity with grace and charm. I try to rationalize, telling myself that I shouldn't give in to this inexplicable connection. After all, I didn't ask for it. But in truth, deep down, I know that resistance is futile. There's no denying the power of this bond, this instinctual recognition of our destined union. It may not be what I wanted, but sometimes life has a way of throwing surprises at us. And perhaps, just maybe, embracing this mysterious force could lead to a love story beyond my wildest dreams.

As he walked past me, his attempt to thank me for holding the door was abruptly cut short. It suddenly dawned on me that I had forgotten to put on the scent masking spray. With all my worries about Gram and the rush of the morning, it slipped my mind completely. Slowly turning towards me, our eyes locked, and a mischievous smile crept upon his face as he uttered the word "MATE." In response, I lowered my head, pretending not to hear him. He furrowed his eyebrows and continued to his usual booth.

I couldn't help but panic inside. What am I going to do? I can't let him or anyone else discover who I truly am. The idea of having a mate is something I don't want nor can have, because I can do this all by myself. Just then, Via chimed in and suggested, "Sierra, maybe we could give him a chance, but only for Gram's sake." Rolling my eyes at her suggestion, I dismissed it immediately. However, it seemed as if he heard my internal struggle because he let out a small chuckle. Once again, our eyes met briefly before he quickly turned his attention back to his driver.

As I walked towards his table, my heart raced with a mixture of anxiety and determination. I needed to appear unaffected by his presence, even though deep down, he had managed to stir up emotions within me that I have never felt before. With every step, I reminded myself that I couldn't allow him to see how much he was getting to me.

I introduced myself to both him and his driver, trying my best to maintain a professional demeanor. His driver wasted no time in making their order known - a simple request for a coffee and a bagel with cream cheese on the side. And then it was his turn to speak. "Hello Sierra, my name is Shane. It's nice to meet you," he said politely. Despite the facade I had constructed, I couldn't help but let a small smile escape my lips as he spoke.

However, as I refused to reciprocate his greeting, a flicker of disappointment crossed his face. But honestly, at that moment, I didn't care. My focus shifted back to business as I asked him once more what he would like. Without hesitation, he responded, "I will have what he's having." Satisfied with his answer, I made my way back to the counter to prepare their coffees, all while keeping an eye on the toaster where the bagels were slowly browning. So by the time I got back to the counter from bringing their coffee, the bagels would be done.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as I made my way back to the counter. The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bagels filled the air, confirming my suspicion that they were finally ready. With careful precision, I placed each warm and golden bagel on its plate and gave each of them two packs of creamy cream cheese on the side as they asked. The utensils were already neatly arranged at the table, leaving me with just one task - bringing their delectable meal to them.

As I approached their table, an inexplicable sensation washed over me. It was as if his eyes were fixated on every move I made, observing my every action with intense interest. Carefully placing the plates in front of them, I couldn't help but ask if there was anything else they needed. Their simultaneous head shakes indicated their satisfaction, and I reassured them that if they did require anything else, all they had to do was let me know.

Walking away from the table, I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions, I found myself instinctively wiping down the counter, restoring order to the workspace behind me. Amidst the rows of creamers, cream cheese, jelly, ketchup, mustard, and various other condiments, I busied myself desperately trying to distract my thoughts and prevent myself from stealing glances in his direction.

I can't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me as I realize that this must be the infamous mate bond that I've heard whispers of since I was a child. Even my grandmother mentioned it in passing, though it never really appealed to me. I've always been perfectly content on my own, so why would I want to change that now? But then, it's as if Via could read my thoughts because she interrupts my internal turmoil and says, "Sierra, he is not a bad guy, please give him a chance."

Frustration wells up within me and I question her about how they had a conversation. At first, she denies talking to him at all about me, but after persistently probing, she finally confesses that she was speaking with his wolf. The anger boils inside me, fueling my irritation to no end. In an act of defiance, I block our link and retreat to what I was doing before. At least now, she won't be able to bother me until I choose to remove the barrier between us.