Chapter 65 A New York Love Story

(Amelie POV)

The wolf who broke my heart is here in my restaurant after all these years. The one I would lie down on a blanket with at Central Park and daydream, looking up at the sky, my head on his chest.

I was a young she-wolf from France who stowed away on a ship to escape the harsh treatment from my pack. I was considered a rogue when I arrived in the great country of the United States and as a wolf, this meant I would be killed by all other wolves without any chance to explain myself. I had to protect myself by hiding my true self and this is when I became interested in perfume and scents, because perfume especially heavy scented perfume has the ability to mask a wolf's scent.

I had acquired work at a perfumery by lying about my age and agreeing to work for half the salary. Since my salary wasn't enough to pay for rent, I found an abandoned building near my work place which served as my temporary living accommodations. While working at the perfumery, I had made friends with one of the perfume chemists. She was what Americans call a nerd; timid, pale, with large eyeglasses which covered her small unpainted face. No one noticed her except a man I saw many times who stalked her in the shadows. The scent that came from this man was the scent of obsession and I knew she was in terrible danger.

I would wait for her to exit the building and I would follow them to her home; the man always behind her making sure he had a place to hide if ever she looked back. One snowy night, the man decided to pounce seeing the streets deserted and knowing no one would hear her. He dragged her frail body to a dark corner and even if she screamed and kicked, she was no match against the man.

When he thought he had won, I pulled him off of her and broke his neck. It was so dark in the corner where she lay that she did not see me kill him. She was crying, trying to piece together her torn blouse and desperately trying to find her eyeglasses.

"Are you okay?" My English was still a work in progress, however she understood nonetheless.

"Oh thank God for you. Where is he? He was trying to rape me," she cried.

"He saw me and ran. Are you looking for these?" I handed her her eyeglasses.

"Thank you. Thank you." She put on her eyeglasses and focused her gaze at me. "I know you. You work at the factory. I'm Jennifer by the way." She covered herself with her coat and fixed her hair.

"I'm Amelie. Do you need to go to the police?" I asked her. I helped her up, picked up her bag and handed it to her.

"You're right. I should report this. I'll do it when I get home. Can you come with me? I would feel a whole lot better with you with me. I just live right around the corner, over there at the white door." She looked at me with interest. "D-do you have a place to stay? I notice you always wear the same clothes. You can live with me and be my roommate. If that's okay with you?" I nodded my head enthusiastically, wanting that very much. After that night, Jennifer would become the big sister I had always wanted.

She taught me the intricate science behind perfume making in her small basement laboratory; it was all about preserving the scent you create. I had asked her if it were possible to create a scent like smelly socks and she laughed at my question, but said it was possible. All I had to do was mix the right chemicals or items to create the scent like hydrogen sulfide for example which had a characteristic rotten egg smell.

I was starting to get comfortable with my new life in New York City when I bumped into him while I was out buying Chinese take-out. I smelled the wolf on him and froze, praying to the Moon Goddess he wouldn't be able to smell the wolf on me. When our eyes locked, it felt like time stood still. I couldn't move nor did I notice I had stopped breathing. I saw my future in his eyes and he saw his in mine.

"Alarick, what are you gawking at?" A woman with white blonde hair and gold eyes suddenly appeared from behind him. I sniffed and smelled the wolf on her too. That was when I panicked. I turned and started walking as fast as I could, away from them, fearing for my life.

"Wait! You dropped this." She caught up to me and handed me my small purse which had a bottle of one of the scents I used to mask my scent. When she gave me my purse, it was wet, the contents of the bottle had spilled out and the scent of soiled clothing was emanating from it.

"That's a very strange type of perfume to use. Do you make it?" The woman with the golden eyes looked at me with interest. She was wearing a very expensive red dress with red heels that clicked on the pavement. A gold locket of the moon rested on top of her breasts while a big yellow diamond ring adorned her finger. I nodded my head as my reply.

"Don't be frightened, my dear. I will not hurt you. My name is Adella and this is my handsome friend Alarick. What is your name, my dear?"

"Amelie, madame," I whispered my name.

"You are French." Adella's eyes twinkled with delight. "Alarick, do you mind if I invite Amelie here for lunch? I assume all of us are here to have some dimsum." I glanced at the very tall young man beside her. He looked to be around my age. He was staring down at me, smiling while nodding his head, pleased I would be joining them for lunch.

That lunch at my favorite Chinese restaurant sealed my fate to become who I am known now, The Perfumer. Adella built me a factory and invested in my work. She introduced me to the High Elder who rarely speaks to someone of my stature, an omega, however because of my ability to concoct scents for various disguises the wolves gifted with magic conjure, I became part of his inner circle.

Alarick, on the other hand, was a young wolf studying in New York in preparation for his appointment as Alpha of his pack. He would come to my laboratory and study while I created the scents Adella would ask of me. When we were free, we would go watch movies, eat pizza and beer, walk around Central Park or just simply visit the hotdog stand and count the taxi cabs that drove by. It was the happiest two years of my life until Alarick's father, Adolph, came visiting to attend his son's graduation.

"Father, I want you to meet my future mate, Amelie." Alarick held my hand, proud to introduce me to his father. We stood in front of him while he was seated behind the desk in Alarick's apartment.

"I heard of a she-wolf who fled her pack in France. Are you this wolf?" His father was huge like Alarick and his voice menacing. I could only nod my reply.

"You are practically a rogue. We wolves have laws and follow these laws. How can you lead as Luna beside my son if you yourself do not follow these laws?" Adolph looked down at me as he spoke.

"Father, Amelie was being mistreated. Surely, those are not laws wolves abide by," Alarick argued with his father.

"It may not be our way, son, but she still has to abide by her Alpha and her pack. I forbid this union. You, my son, are not Alpha of our pack just yet. Thus, I still have the last word. After you graduate, you are entering the military. And Alarick, you must obey for my word is law!" Adolph hit his desk with his huge fist which made me jump in fright. He motioned for his Beta to throw me out of the apartment building. I gave a threatening look at his Beta, warning him not to touch me. I walked out on Alarick, even if he begged me not to leave him, with my head held high, and I never spoke to him again.

Adella tried to convince me to talk to Alarick. She said he was heartbroken and also said once appointed as Alpha, he would come find me and make me his Luna. I decided to move my factory and hide from him. I would send Adella and all my other clients their scents via courier to avoid my whereabouts being known. When I heard Alarick was sent to the Pacific, I slowly began going out in public and started meeting up with clients. When Adella stopped talking about Alarick, I knew Alarick had moved on. It was my turn to do the same. She only mentioned his name again when she called to make me promise I would look out for the well-being of her daughter. It was the last time I spoke to her.

Now, he is here, about two hundred pounds heavier with a beard. I should stop being mad at him. It happened years ago...a lifetime ago.

"Forgive me for my reaction, Hope. Where are my manners?" I laughed to hide my emotions. "Alarick is an old friend." The group approached our table with big smiles on their faces except for Alarick. Alarick had shock written all over his face.

"Amelie? My love? Is it really you?" Everyone turned to look at Alarick with confusion on their faces. I looked at Hope who seemed to understand and noticed a small smile on her lips.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet Amelie. She is the owner of this restaurant. Amelie, these are my parents, Jim and Mirasol. This is Diane, Alexander's mother if you have not met her yet. This man is Yuri, Alarick's bestfriend and I think you already know Alarick, Alpha of the Moon Howlers Pack. Come, sit. Alexander, sweetie, vacate your chair and sit next to me. I think Alarick should sit there. They have much catching up to do," Hope said, instructing everyone where to sit and motioned for menus.

Alarick took his seat beside me. "Amelie, my sweet, I looked for you. I swear I did. I asked Adella and all the other Alphas, and they could never give me a straight answer." He looked at me with such longing. "You are still as beautiful as the day I met you." He took my hand and kissed it.

I jerked my hand out of his grasp and slapped him in the face. "That's for letting your father win and you leaving me," I said angrily.

Alarick rubbed his jaw. "Okay. I deserve that, but remember you left me. I was begging you not to leave, that I would fix everything with my father. We just needed to wait for me to take my position as Alpha of my pack." He took my hand again. "Have you...have you taken a mate?" I noticed his eyes had glanced down at the place where my neck met my collarbone. "I see there is no mark." He gave me a warm smile and I saw the hope in his eyes.

"It's not too late. I made a vow to wait until I saw you again. Amelie, will you take me as your mate?" Alarick went down on one knee. I heard Hope make a girly squeal, obviously excited she was witnessing lost soulmates finally reuniting. She walked up to the both of us and opened her hand. I was surprised to see a small diamond ring nestled in her palm. I looked up at her and saw her gold eyes twinkling with anticipation.

Those golden eyes. It was as if I had Adella with me once again. "Alarick promises to wait until you meet again." Those were her words when I last spoke to her. My eyes began to fill up with tears. The two people who meant the world to me were with me once again...one in spirit and one infront of me, professing his love.

"Yes, Alarick, my teddy bear. Yes!" Alarick slipped the ring on my finger. It was a perfect fit! Everyone around us bursted into sudden applause, celebrating our sudden engagement. They cheered happily for this wonderful new chapter of my life.

Alexander motioned to all the servers. "Your finest champagne please for everyone. Everything on me." He stretched out his arms, beckoning for Hope, and she went to him, kissing him quickly on the lips. Love, what a wonderful thing!

"Ah, it is a good thing I decided to come to New York. I now have a mating ceremony to officiate." Arthur patted Alarick on the back.

"Arthur, mon ami, thank you for this surprise. I will never forget this day." I embraced him, a feeling of contentment washing over me.

My life was now complete.