I hadn't slept in three days. I had been on a training patrol with the fifth regiment of warriors. Now, as I stumbled through the front door of the pack house covered in dirt hardened pine sap and smears of dried fish guts, I had two things on my mind. The first was a long hot shower lasting at least an hour. The other was my massive soft bed with it's extravagant plush pillows and thick blankets that made it seem like a nest of warm clouds.
Just as I entered the pack house all my dreams and hopes came crashing down around me like an elephant on a tight rope. All because Devin had to introduce me to his soon to be mate and Bride. He called out to me and I half groaned as I realized that the were standing in the lobby of the pack house, four people I didn't know standing close by. One man and three women. The man was well dressed in a white button down shirt and black slacks.
I tried to muster a friendly smile and winced at the stiffness in my..... Everything. The youngest of the three women smiled shyly at me and looked down at her feet as the oldest woman and the man began to speak in rapid Arabic behind their hands. I decided to ignore their rudeness and offered my hand to the beautiful Persian princess at Devin's side. When her hand came up to grasp mine I brought my hand to my chest in a fist while inclining my head respectfully to.
"Lady Jasmine I presume. It's an honor and a privilege to make your acquaintance." I wasn't sure but it was almost as if I could smell something almost sweet coming from her. Almost like human growth hormones. But for that.....
I glanced down to her stomach and saw Devin shift his weight slightly, putting himself between us. I caught his eye and gave a small nod, as if to say that I saw the truth of the matter and would remain silent on it. To be sensitive to her enhanced sense of smell I took a large step backwards and turned to the younger woman.
"This is Lotus..... My younger sister." The pointed and protective way that Jasmine introduced her sister told me all I needed to know about their relationship. I inclined my head as she shyly stepped forward just as I turned to Jasmine to tell her how excited I was to attend her beautifully planned wedding.
It hit me then. A scent like wild lotus flowers and desert rose with subtle hints of cinnamon and sugar cane and sassafras and rare exotic spices. Much like the Bazaar I had visited in Turkey three years ago. I turned back to the girl.
"Marry me....." I said before I could stop myself. "I..... I mean.... You smell nice... Oh fucking God.... Devin I'll kick your ass..... That's it I'm going to bed." Devin was still doubled over laughing when I reached the stairs. I removed my kicked off my shoes and threw my sock at his head. It hit him in the face and he wretched as he threw it to the floor. I laughed as grabbed my dirt encrusted shoes and headed for my room.
I was just leaving my bathroom in nothing but a towel when the door opened and Devin led his small group in. "And this is Branbon's room...."
"What the fuck Devin! Get out!" I yelled as I quickly fucked back into my bathroom. I heard him laughing as he profusely apologized for just barging in while he ushered them out.
"Sorry man... Thought you were in bed....." I heard the door slam shut and stepped out to the lingering scent of Lotus, desert rose and exotic spices. I inhaled deeply as I closed my eyes and flopped back on my bed. Lotus' scent was warm and soothing in a way nothing else could be. When I opened my eyes it was to silver moonlight streaming in through the open balcony doors.
The lingering scent of wild lotus and desert rose was fading fast, replaced by the stench of fermented rye and stale cheap tobacco smoke. I stood up and pulled on a pair of sweat pants as every instinct in me told me something was horribly wrong with the nauseating scent. Just as I reached for my sig in my dresser drawer I heard a loud scream of fear and then the sound of flesh colliding with flesh and a woman crying.
I rushed through the open door of my bedroom into the hallway and saw a large strange man pulling Jasmine up off the floor by the hair. "Let. her. go." I snarled dangerously as Lotus watched with tears streaming down her beautiful face. I deliberately refused to look at Lotus, knowing if I did I would not hold back.
"I can do whatever I want. She's my fucking wife!" He growled back at me.
"Ex..... Ex wife....." Jasmine murmured softly and he shook her violently.
"I wasn't asking shit stain." I growl. I don't care what his connection is to Jasmine. He is a threat to her and her unborn child. And that is unacceptable. He stops as if he just realized that he doesn't stand a chance against the five massive men that now crowd the hall. "You're rethinking your strategy..... That's smart... Now let go of her or you won't leave this hallway alive." Finally he complied with the demand. "Lock him up." I order one of the men as I lower the barrel of my sig and stoop to scoop Jasmine off the floor.
Her lips is swollen and split where he had struck her. I carry her into Devin's room and lay her gently on the bed. "Where the hell is Devin?" I ask annoyed that he seems to be missing.
"There was an emergency with one of his patients..." Jasmine half whimpers.
"Lotus, my phone is on my nightstand will you go get it for me please."