Smelling You.

Idonea did not rest at all, staying up till it is five in the morning. Out of pure habit, she turns on the radio. Right away, a melodic, soothing voice greets their listeners.

"Good morning my loyal listeners. This is Leasdich broadcasting live to you all. It has been six very long months, but my heart grows ever fonder now that I am back. I want to start off by thanking those who are listening. You have proven that time apart doesn't end the bond that we share. Now, I'd hate to waste your music time any more than I already have, so here is a piece I composed in my absence. I hope this will start your day fresh and alive out there."

The song starts with a lull drum of a guitar, and it nearly shakes her when his voice chimes in this beautifully soul wrenching tune. He paces the song from a lull to an upbeat tune, singing about the mundane activities in life. All the mundane activities will add up to something special eventually.

At least that is what she interprets the song to mean. Again, even if his tune is upbeat, it still had a tinge of longing, as if trying to attract someone specific out in the world. She kind of wishes she can find out who, then grumbles annoyingly. She won’t let this damn human make her feel this way. Out of pure frustration, she removes her clothes and shifts to her wolf form. Her wolf form is rather large and formidable. Red fur as fluffy as her natural hair covers her body, her tail whipping to and fro as she paces her apartment floor. The wolf avoids the meager table that is used to keep the radio safe. She made sure to pick up the clothes in her jaws, then place them in a small hamper in the corner of her living room and tiny kitchen combo. This apartment is very small, so cheap that it didn't hurt her pocket to pay for it while she left to fish-trawl for weeks.

She never needs much, just a small futon and a working television to watch some of her favorite shows. Only four walls surround her and a measly window that is covered by a blanket. The bathroom is the size of an exceedingly small closest with just a toilet and a shower stall with a broken door. The one window here is the shade of yellow. She didn’t know or ask why, just assumes that the last tenant smoked enough tobacco to change the glass color. No bed, she sleeps on the futon in wolf form which is comfortable enough.

In her pacing on fake hardwood, her wolf ears swivel to focus on the song that this man is finishing. Her heart pitter and patter with every step when he finishes and starts to speak again.

"I hope this song stirred some happiness in you. Always remember that life is great and hold your important people close. I plan to hold mine so tight today that they won't be able to escape. Now then, the next song is one of my favorites. A new song but it deserves a spot. This is 'Hold on' by Wilson Phillips."

The song's slow start to its chorus made her tail wag. Her pacing continues, padding around the carpet. She stops next to the table again, examining the business card and flashlight. The blue font glistens from the fluorescent light bulb, showing one male's name and his seven digits. The flashlight is black with scuffing on the side because she threw it on the ground. A small whimper escapes from her throat the longer she examines the flashlight. She concludes a plan that goes against every natural sense of cautiousness. I am going to have to return the flashlight...

This is a pretty small town; all it takes is for someone to sneeze to spread rumors. And she can't disrespect a man that is the town's celebrity. She imagines he will just bad mouth her in front of anyone and already these townspeople are afraid of her. Based on the small comments in the bar, these people notice her lack of companions. A metaphorical witch hunt can happen any day now. If she wants to stay here a few more years, she is going to have to play nice even though this male confronted her in the darkness of night, all creepy like. Again, why did she let him get so close in the first place? She'd hope to get those answers and solve his sweet smell in one go.

The radio station ends around 8 am and she sat through it all. Her body transform back but she made no moves to put on clothes, thinking one call will be enough to cut ties with him without causing a huge avalanche of trouble. She wades over to her corded telephone which is hanging on the wall nearest to the fridge. She stares at it some, the anxiety of having to not only meet her favorite radio station host but finding that his approach earlier is creepy. The fact that she didn't try harder to punch him for coming on to her so boldly is a shock by itself.

Breathe Nea. She sucks in some air, letting it out in a big exhale. Her fingers shake as they prod each numbered button that is needed to reach this man. Once done, she pulls the phone out of its place just to press the earpiece to her ear. It starts to ring; each prolong ring only making her mouth dryer. As it rings, she absentmindedly checks what's in the fridge for any food. It is as barren as her stomach right now, though she bent her body around to make sure that is really the case. She just finds an old butter block in a container.

A deep lustrous voice answers at the other end. "Hello."

He sounds so confidently chipper despite working so early in the morning. Some part of her wish she had half of whatever happiness he had. Keep things simple! "Mr. Brennan. It's...Idonea. The woman from earlier"

She is met with silence. How many women do you actually talk to!? "...you know. The one you gave the flashlight to."

"Hmm. Call me Leas, my lovely strong miss. I was expecting your call much later" He sounds like a child that had just got his treat. She even heard some shuffling from the other side as if he is holding his excitement.

Ugh. "Listen here. I am grateful for your help... I just want to return the flashlight to you-" The man interrupts her before she can even ask where she can mail this flashlight to him. It will be best not to get close, at least that's what she thought. He obviously did not think so by the words that follows.

"Ah. Well, how about you come meet me at Dread Joe's coffee? In the next hour? You can bring the ("But-" she tried to stop him.) flashlight then? I am always up for some company in my favorite spot.”

"That isn't neede-" She tries again to deflect, shutting the door of her empty fridge. But the mention of the diner made her stomach rumble loudly. Reminding this she-wolf that she still had nothing in the fridge to feed herself.

She freezes, hoping he can’t hear her obvious hunger. He didn't comment on it although he stubbornly continues, "I'll be there at 9:45, lovely Idonea. See you then!"

And he hangs up, the slow beeping of the call that just ended left her mouth gaping in shock. What the hell!? And what the hell indeed… She glances down at her naked muscular body with a gulp. "I...don't…know what to wear..."

The wolf scrounges around her tiny apartment for some clean clothes, settling for a very loose navy T-shirt and her usual cargo pants with boots. She really didn't have anything that can make her look more proper enough to meet a celebrity. It is weird that she is worried about that, even spent an absurd amount of time tying and untying her hair. Trying to decide what looks best, but no matter what, she looks just so plain.

The disgust surfaces on her face’s reflection, angry that she is spending too much time here. No matter what, her face is always set in a scowl which makes her unapproachable. And it isn't often that she gets attention like this. All her suitors in the past only reach out because she is born of high status, not because she is likable or overly pretty. Her face is free from blemishes and maybe if she relaxes enough, she looks a bit more welcoming. Her eyebrows are evenly trimmed, and her lips are plump, having beauty that isn't the norm for a woman like herself. A strong beauty to some… if this was still the Viking Era.

Stop this nonsense!? Her head shakes away from this spell, and shivers in realization that she is being overly concern about her appearance. Her watch dangerously shows that the meet up time is rapidly approaching.

Crap! She hurriedly brushes her teeth and rushes right out after rinsing. The flashlight is in her biggest pocket, thumping against her thigh hard as she climbs down three flights of stairs.

She is just at the door when her landlord, living on the first floor, poke her wire like white hair out the door to yell. "IDONEA!? If I find a dog in your room, I will kick you out-"

"Yeah, we will talk later, Mrs Rombart!" The she-wolf slips right out the main door. Only hearing muffle cursing by the old Czech widow.

She didn't even have the time to think about this woman. The sun peaks out between the clouds, shining some warmth on this day. Her neighbors buzz around the streets while minding their own business. A few cars pass by her which is a rarity, most people just walk to their destination in Kilkeel. However, those who drive are proof that they better off financially. It felt nice, she wishes she can let loose and prance around on the first nice sunny day in weeks.

It's too bad that it is so early, her mind feels like a fog staying up so late. She is used to it for her seasonal job, but while she is off, she sleeps through the mornings. She had always been a night owl, even her old pack will comment on her desire to stay up at night. She loves to watch the stars and run underneath a full moon if possible. The night had a different type of adventure that thrills her more than the days that came.

But that did not matter. She had a man to meet. Only having fifteen minutes left before the fateful time, she decides it is best to jog to where she needs to be. People here won't question it; she is strict about staying fit and had been seen running laps around the track. She will even run with the dogs for her dog walking hustle. Anybody that did see her at once avoid eye contact or move to a different sidewalk. Typical behavior when the town thinks you are some mafia grunt.

She didn't care, turning a corner to find the diner that Leas requested to meet. She quickly looks at her wristwatch; the small and big hand pointing to '9:37'. I made it!

And not a moment too soon. Her nose catches the whiff of that same intoxicating sweet smell; it boils her blood and made her skin shiver at the same time. Out of sheer panic, Nea hid behind a corner to watch a beautiful male step out of his silver 1988 Toyota MR2. These are strange vehicles meant for more novelty rather than daily use. Leas had one which screams he is financially fortunate, especially when it’s void of any rust. She is foolish for trying to return his flashlight, he can probably get himself ten more without even gaining a dent in his wealth.

Lucky bastard. The smell permeates from the male, who only looks giddier by the second. He didn't wear his strange coat this time showing his long and toned frame. Even his tight red plaid shirt did not hide the definition of his body, the sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, showing off his tribal tattoos. His jeans are loosely fit, held up by a black leather belt with matching black leather boots. He brushed his nearly white wavy hair behind his ear, exposing his blemish-less forehead. Lax broad eyebrows are set to a welcoming front on his face, the corners of his kissable lips upturn even when he is by himself as if he just saw something amusing. He had shaven his beard from last night, looking even younger than she might have guess at their first encounter. Eyes glitter nearly purple when the sun reflects off them, showing a mystical side to him. One she wants so badly to find out. He did not see her, walking into the diner after locking his car. He is whistling a tune and twirling his keys in his hand, in such a casual manner that even Nea became annoyed.

So carefree . She growls under her breath, wishing he had at least some anxiety but it is like this male is allergic to such things. Stay on track Nea!

It perturbed her that she is so wary of this male. She had faced the worst enemies, even taking down some of the Hun soldiers many eons ago. Her strength is triple that of any man taller or bigger than her. If she was still with the pack, her littermates would make fun of her for being fearful of a pretty human like Leas. She braves to approach the front door of this diner, waiting for a second to breathe in this tantalizing scent. The scent in question did not belong to the food but the man she is having a hard time managing. He stank of this sweetness that even her deepest of instincts stirs to act. Instincts she once thought to have been tamed away for many years.

There are tales of werewolves meeting their match. Some werewolves describe it as an unnatural pull that releases the beast within. Others say the smell is either sweet or woodsy, depending on the preference of the wolf. It sounds so silly to her. Just as silly as the tale of selkies that shed their skins to become human.

After glaring at the glass front door, she finally enters the diner. The waitress and a man in the kitchen greet her. These two are the only ones that work the diner during the morning and don't need anyone else for assistance. Being a small town, there really isn't a lot of foot traffic for many businesses like this one.

"Over here, Idonea!"