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3.Scent

Ava's POV

I released a sigh of relief as I returned home to my father's absence. I was starting to feel overwhelmed with all that had happened, and the break from it all is much appreciated.

As I made my way to the front door, I noticed my maid waiting for me with a polite smile on her face.

"My lady, Mia is waiting for you in your bedroom," she informed me. I felt a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over her as I see Mia lounging casually on my bed.

The two of us have been close friends for many years. Mia takes a deep breath and begins to speak, her voice quiet and hesitant at first.

"Hey, I'm really sorry to ask, but I was wondering...I lost track of you after we danced together at the festival last night," she begins.

As she sat beside me on the bed, she spoke with a faint smile on her face, "I had to tell your father you were assisting some female wolves with errands, your father would have certainly questioned you about your whereabouts."

"Do you mind telling me where you went?" I hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard by Mia's question. I looked down at the ground, feeling a wave of guilt wash over her.

"I, um...I don't really remember," I said.

"I had a bit too much to drink and I can't remember everything." Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that she had helped organize the moon festival.

"Ava, you should have seen it last night," Mia exclaimed.

"The moon was so bright, and the whole forest was lit up with lanterns and candles. The food and music were amazing, and everyone was in such high spirits." I looked up at her, her eyes wide with wonder.

"I can't believe you missed most of it! I nodded.

"It's definitely one of the most important events of the year for our clan. We've been celebrating it for generations, and it's amazing to see how it brings everyone together." Mia started explaining the festival to me as if I was not as informed about it as she was.

"It celebrates the beginning of the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. It's a time to honor our ancestors and give thanks for the harvest we received throughout the year. It's also a time to remember that the sun will start to rise again soon, and that the darkness doesn't last forever. It's a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there's always hope for light and warmth to return." I listened quietly, my eyes feeling heavy from lack of rest and my cunt still felt very sensitive from the ploughing William gave me. Mia smiled.

"Well, there's always next year. And who knows, maybe next year you will be more available to enjoy the entire night. That's what makes the moon festival so special--everyone has a role to play, and everyone gets to be a part of something greater than themselves."

"Excuse me," I interrupted, suddenly feeling the need to change into something more comfortable.

"I need to use the restroom and change into something more comfortable." Mia nodded understandingly.

"Of course. Take your time." I stood up and made my way towards the bathroom, feeling a sense of relief at the opportunity to take a break from Mia's enthusiasm.

We are silent for a moment when I returned. Mia takes a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves then returns to our earlier discussion.

"It's okay, I understand. It happens to the best of us," she said, trying to offer me some needed reassurance. A moment of silence passes again, before I speak up.

"Thanks for understanding," I told her, giving my friend a small smile.

"I'm just glad nothing bad happened last night." I nodded to the negative, as she released a deep breath.

"Me too," she says. "Let's just make sure to take care of each other, okay?" We smile at each other. Mia leaned forward, her eyes fixed on my face. She took in another deep breath, then let it out slowly as she blinked a few times, taking the opportunity to size up my appearance. I remained still, trying not to draw attention to myself. I felt a strange sense of unease as Mia's gaze rested on me, as if she was sizing me up like a piece of meat.

"Is something the matter?" I finally asked, unable to shake the feeling that there was something off about Mia.

Mia didn't answer, but instead leaned in closer to me. She sniffed the air, then lifted her hand to my chin, tracing the line of my jaw bone with her thumb.

"You're hiding something," Mia said, her voice low and menacing. I flinched, caught off guard by Mia's sudden suspicious comment. I was about to protest when I felt a strange feeling of recognition spreading through my stomach. It was the mark. Mia had spotted the small, faint, reddish scar on my neck.

"How did you...?" Mia whispered, feeling a sense of panic rising within her. Mia's face split into a toothy grin, her cold eyes piercing through my defenses.

My heart raced as I felt Mia draw closer, sniffing deeply at the air around me. I couldn't believe what was happening - it was like a nightmare come to life. I could feel Mia's cold aura radiating off her like heat from a fire.

As Mia's nose rubbed at the edge of my neck. I was frozen in place. My heart raced as I felt Mia's cold, calculating gaze on me. My mind raced, thinking of the best way to defend myself against Mia's accusation.

I slept with a man last night, that was true, but I did not want to be exposed like this. I covered Mia's mouth. I took a deep breath and tried to gather my courage. As Mia continues to tease me, I can feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Mia laughs cruelly, savouring the moment.

"Don't worry, my dear Ava," Mia purrs. "I won't tell anyone about your secret night of passion." She went on about how there was the lingering scent of sex in the air. It was so embarrassing, "gosh!" Mia leaned in closer, her nose still twitching as she tried to get a better read on me.

"And what did this... mate of yours smell like?" she asked with a sly grin. I felt a flush of heat rise to my cheeks as I realized that I had no choice but to tell the truth.

"I do not know," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I've never met him before." Mia chuckled, clearly amused by the situation.

"Well, you must have left one heck of a scent on him to make him think you aren his mate," Mia teased. I saw a wave of relief wash over her as Mia's playful attitude shifted to one of understanding and comfort.

Mia's words of support and reassurance, that virginity was not a big deal as long as it was not lost to someone from the Shadow Clan, felt like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. I felt grateful for Mia's kindness, but also unsure of where to go from here.

"Thank you, Mia," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

"I don't know what I would have done without your support." I began to feel a sense of unease overcome me as Mia mentioned the sighting by her father, Shadow Clan wolfmen sailing past the Blue River Clan's territory, some of them attended the festival where I met my mystery Wolfman, William. Mia was planning to see for herself just how skilled and loathed the Shadow Clan wolves were by the Blue River Clan elders.

She had been hearing about the Shadow Clan since she was a cub, and the stories she had heard were not flattering.

"I'm planning on seeing for myself just how skilled and loathed the Shadow Clan wolves are by the our Clan elders," Mia said, her voice laced with determination.

"I have been hearing stories about the wolfmen of the Shadow Clan since I was a cub. Now that they are so close to our home, I want to see for myself just how fearsome they are." Mia's face darkened as she spoke.

"The story goes that they are stronger, faster, and more brutal than any other wolfmen. They are said to have a hunger for violence that borders on madness, and they will not hesitate to slaughter any creature, including members of their own tribe." Mia scoffed.

“Yes, that’s true,” I added.

“When I was a cub, I heard stories about the wolfmen of the Shadow Clan too. They were said to be fearsome and dangerous, with a reputation for raiding and stealing from other wolves. They were known to be fierce and fearless, and there were tales of how they would terrorize other wolves and their homes.”

“So, you see why I am so cautious about approaching them,” Mia continued.

“I don’t want to put myself or my family in danger.”

“But, at the same time, there is something about them that fascinates me,” Mia admitted.

“Perhaps I am foolish, but I can not shake the feeling that there might be more to them than what the stories say.”

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