Clinking glasses and the deep sound of conversations filled the crowded dining Room of the Prime Cut Steakhouse. Sizzling ribeyes on hot cast iron plates sent of Rich steam into the air Mixing with the sharp tang of expensive cabernet. Aaron sat in the corner booth his broad shoulders squeezed into the leather seat. Heavy silver forks scraped against porcelain but Aaron barely heard the noise. Power beneath his skin a constant low frequency vibration that kept his Muscles coiled tight. You need to eat Alpha Caleb said from his left slicing through a thick cut of prime rib. Caleb was his Beta his oldest friend and the only one who didn't flinch when Aaron's eyes flashed gold in the light. I am not hungry Aaron replied his voice a low rumble that vibrated the heavy wooden table. Solitude was a familiar weight a heavy coat he wore every single day. Leading the Silverback Pack Meant carrying the burdens of hundreds of lives while his own Remained completely empty. Girls from the other packs had tried to catch his eye for years offering submissive smiles and practiced grace. None of them sparked the fire he needed. Loneliness had become his shadow Quiet and inescapable. Elders in his pack were pushing again demanding he find a Mate to secure the bloodline. Aaron gritted his teeth the Muscles in his Jaw bunching. The Elders can wait Aaron said his tone flat. The Elders fear your isolation Aaron it Makes them think your weak Caleb his friend warned leaning in. Let the Elders look Aaron growled his eyes darkening. Aaron wanted a Mate who would look at him and see the Man not Just the title or the power or the billions of dollars Resting in his bank accounts. --- Suddenly the air in the Restaurant shifted. A sharp electric current sliced through the heavy smells of garlic butter and charred beef. Sweet rain Mixed with charred honey flooded his senses. Inside his chest his wolf roared, a deafening sound that Made his ribs ache with sudden violence. *Mate.* Every muscle in Aaron's body locked instantly. Aaron's pupils dilated swallowing the gray of his eyes until only dark obsidian Remained. Aaron his friend Caleb said his voice sounded distant muffled as if underwater. Ignoring his Beta Aaron lifted his chin his nostrils flaring as he drank in the intoxicating scent. It was pure fresh, and completely intoxicating. Aaron turned his head slowly his gaze sweeping across the crowded dining Room of the Restaurant like a predator locking onto it's target. Past the white clothed tables past the clinking wine glasses his eyes found her. She is sitting near the window in the soft afternoon light filtering through the glass. Aaron's Mate's laughter rang out with a bright and Musical sound that cut straight through the low of the Restaurant. Beautiful didn't even begin to cover it. Aaron's Mate is wearing a simple cream coloured blouse that contrasted perfectly with her warm skin. Golden brown curls framed her face bouncing slightly as she threw her head back sharing a joke with two female friends. Aaron felt his heart beat fast against his ribs a frantic, desperate Rhythm. Aaron's wolf clawed at the surface demanding him to stand and to leap over the tables to claim her Right there in front of everyone. *Mine,* Aaron's wolf screamed. *Mine. Go to her. Mark her.* Sweat broke out on Aaron's forehead as he fought to keep the wolf under wraps. Aaron gripped the edge of the Mahogany table. Under Aaron's massive palms the thick wood groaned beneath his fingers. Alpha, control your scent Caleb his friend hissed his chair scraping back slightly in alarm. Aaron didn't care about the humans. Aaron only cared about the woman by the window. She is Aaron's his fated Mate the other half of his soul the cure to his decades of isolation. But as his eyes Remained locked on her her laughter slowly died down. Aaron's Mate seemed to feel the weight of his intense unwavering gaze. Turning her head she looked across the crowded Room of the Restaurant. Their eyes locked. Aaron felt a jolt of pure electricity shoot down his spine. His gaze was too intense, too werewolf. Aaron knew how he looked to others a massive scarred giant with a harsh jawline and eyes that looked Ready to kill. Aaron's gasped and her chest is rising sharply as her eyes widened in clear alarm. Startled by Aaron's stare his Mate's hand jerked sideways. Aaron's Mate's fingers caught the stem of her wine glass. Rich dark Red wine sloshed over the rim splashing directly across the front of her cream coloured blouse. "Oh, no!" she cried, jumping up from her chair. Cold liquid soaked through the thin fabric staining it a deep ugly crimson. Aaron's Mate's friends immediately scrambled grabbing thin paper napkins from the table to dab at the Mess. Aaron felt a wave of sharp guilt crash over him. He had caused this. Aaron's wolf intensity had terrified her Making her clumsy. If Aaron approached his Mate like this looking like a dangerous street fighter or a ruthless mob boss she would Run. He needed to soften. Forcing his rigid facial muscles to Relax Aaron let go of the cracked table. Aaron smoothed his dark hair back and pulled his lips into a gentle, reassuring smile. Inside Aaron's wolf was howling in protest begging to tear down the physical space between them and throw her over his shoulder. Quietly Aaron Reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a clean white linen handkerchief. Aaron stands up his towering six foot four frame drawing the eyes of several nearby diners. I am going to help her Aaron said to Caleb his friend and his eyes never leaving the girl who was desperately trying to wipe the stain from her chest. Step by step Aaron began to Make his way through the Maze of tables. Aaron's heart beat fast and each beat echoing in his ears. Suddenly Caleb's heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder with bruising force. Aaron stopped a low growl rising in his throat as he glared back at his Beta. Let go of Me Caleb Aaron warned, his voice dangerously soft. Caleb's face was pale, his eyes wide with genuine panic. Leaning in close Caleb his friend whispered Alpha, we have a major problem. A rogue scout has just crossed the southern border. They are armed and they are heading straight for the pack house. Aaron froze his gaze tearing away from his Mate for a fraction of a second. Behind Aaron the girl was looking up her eyes scanning t Room of the Restaurant as if searching for the Man who had startled her Ahead lay Aaron's Mate completely unprotected and unaware, while his pack faced an imminent threat that demanded his immediate presence. As Aaron steps forward his Beta Caleb grabs his shoulder and whispers that a rogue scout has Just crossed the southern border forcing Aaron to choose between his pack's safety and his fated Mate.

Chapter 1: Scent of Rain and Charred Honey