Kingsley's POV
"Alpha, what made you decide to buy this perfume? Despite Alice's reputation, this one seems to have missed the mark."
Jeremy glanced at me through the rearview mirror, a hint of confusion passing over his face.
"I can't say for sure, but whenever I smell this scent, it feels oddly familiar. I just can't recall where I've encountered it before."
I rubbed my eyes, feeling a bit tired after a day of running around.
I came to Norma on business and was going back today, and I was going to bring a gift for a friend, but instead I was unexpectedly attracted to this perfume.
"Alpha, are you still missing..."
"Jeremy!"
I interrupted Jeremy with a cold tone, afraid of what name might come out of his mouth.
Jeremy shrunk back and nodded apologetically.
"By the way, when you were paying earlier, an older gentleman mentioned that Alice wanted to thank you in person and asked if you had a moment."
"Thank me? For what?"
I frowned; something didn't feel right.
"Not exactly. He mentioned that the perfume meant a lot to Alice, and she would like to express her gratitude to a customer who truly understood it in person."
Jeremy waited for my response.
"How dull," I responded coldly, twisting my face to the side.
"So, are we heading back now?"
"No need."
I answered and picked up the bottle of perfume named 'Remembrance'.
As I opened the box, a card fell out with some vaguely written words.
"Dear stranger, thank you for purchasing 'Remembrance.' This bottle of perfume holds a special meaning for me, as it carries a period of unforgettable memories. I believe that you must also have a time in your life that you find it hard to part with or someone you can't forget. However, people must always look forward in order to embrace a different and more wonderful tomorrow."
I looked at the message and shook my head gently.
Just as I was about to discard the card, the name on the inscription caught my eye and made my breath stop instantly.
"Freya Quinn."
My eyes widened in disbelief, and my blood nearly froze.
"Turn around! Right now!"
"What?" Jeremy craned his head, clearly confused.
"I said, turn around!"
I lowered my voice, and the wolf inside me grew restless, as if tugging at my heart, bound by a soul contract.
"Okay... Okay."
Jeremy, seeing my unwavering expression, didn't dare to slack off. He immediately turned the car around and headed back to the perfume appreciation conference we had just left.
"Alice?" I mumbled the name to myself as my thoughts rushed like a tidal wave.
Fond memories of Freya flashed back and forth, tightening my chest and leaving me feeling breathless.
It had been two years.
The car sped along the road, and my vision gradually blurred.
Back at the perfume appreciation conference, the crowd had long dispersed, leaving only the empty pavilion behind.
Impatiently, I made my way to Norma's perfume store, the place Jeremy had inquired about, rumored to be where Alice worked as a perfumer.
When I expressed my intention, I was greeted by an older gentleman with a knowing smile.
"I recognize you; you're the gentleman who purchased 'Remembrance' this morning!"
"Yes, I wanted to see Alice."
I had initially intended to inquire about Freya directly, but since she had chosen to conceal her name, there must have been a reason for it.
"Oh, she mentioned wanting to thank you in person this afternoon. She would have been thrilled to know you were coming!"
The old gentleman looked delighted, leading me towards the door.
"There's a ball tonight; you should go inside and look for the girl who shines the brightest in the room, and she's Alice."
I thanked the old gentleman and hurried toward the ball he mentioned.
As I reached the door, my eyes were immediately drawn to Freya in the center of the dance floor. Even with a mask covering her face, the bond between our souls was so powerful that my heart couldn't help but race rapidly.
The closer I get to her, the faster my heart beats. Just in case I lose my mind, I grab a black mask and put it on too.
As I was contemplating my opening line, Freya suddenly sprang to her feet and smiled as she approached me.
I took a deep breath and slowly raised my hands.
"Hi, long time no see..."
"What took you so long to get here?" Freya's face lit up with a smile I hadn't seen before, but to my dismay, she wasn't addressing me.
Frozen in place, I watched as a tall man passed me and naturally took Freya's hand.
"Finley?" I cried out in dismay.
I hadn't expected to see the two of them together here. How could Freya stand beside him and smile so beautifully?
Finley led Freya straight to the center of the dance floor, drawing the attention of everyone around them. He cleared his throat, then glanced at Freya, who stood beside him, and slowly picked up the microphone.
"Thank you all for coming. Today, I have an announcement to make. Freya, the beautiful and lovely girl beside me, has finally agreed to accept me as her mate."
An enthusiastic cheer erupted at Finley's words, and I stumbled into a sitting position at the bar, filled with disbelief.
A pang came over me, and my wolf whimpered almost uncontrollably.
"I'd like to thank two people here. The first is the person who didn't know how to value her, which is why Freya had the courage to pursue the happiness she truly wanted. The other is the buyer who purchased her work today. His encouragement gave Freya the courage to embark on a new life."
Finley paused and lowered his head to gaze lovingly at Freya. I could see Freya's breath quicken, a sign of her nervousness.
"So, I'm picking up the tab tonight!" Finley shouted as he grabbed his phone, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the cheers on the dance floor.
Smiles spread across everyone's faces, and champagne flew into the air as they extended their well-wishes and cheers to the couple in the center of the dance floor.
Except for me.