Pregnant After One Night With The Lycan By Kellie Brown
Chapter 18 Special Perfume
Tanya’s POV:
Sunlight pours into the room, bathing me in a warm light. I blink a few times to shake away the drowsiness that clings to me as I look around. I need to sneak back to my room, but when I move, Marco’s eyes meet mine. They’re a bit groggy with sleep, but they’ve returned to their usual shade of blue, with no trace of the crimson that burned in them during the night. I take in a sharp breath, startled by the intensity of his gorgeous gaze. Then, he takes in the sight of our entwined bodies, his brow furrowing.
“What happened last night?” he asks defensively, pulling away slightly to survey our surroundings.
Something tightens in my chest as I realize he doesn’t remember anything that happened. My mind races to explain.
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“You were howling in pain. I know you told me to stay in my room, but I was worried. I came to check on you… but nothing happened. I mean, you k*issed me, and we ended up sleeping in the same bed, but you didn’t… we didn’t have s*e*x. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, but when I tried to leave, you held me so tight.”
I know I disobeyed his orders last night by coming into his room, but before I can apologize further, Marco pulls away from me completely, sitting up on the edge of the bed. I try not to let my eyes wander over his exposed torso as he rubs the back of his neck, coughing a few times awkwardly. His golden curls are tussled, and his skin almost seems to glisten in the morning sunlight. “You probably heard the rumors about the second prince having a curse…” he says, seeming more embarra*s*sed than I’ve ever seen him. “I call it the curse of the blood moon because I’m trapped in my lycan form on every full moon and fall into a frenzy of bloodlust. I lose control completely, reduced to a primal state of madness. Even on nights when the moon isn’t full, I’m plagued by pain and nightmares. We got lucky last night. It’s dangerous to be around me during a full moon since I can’t hold back under the effects of the curse.”
He sounds almost apologetic as he explains, and my heart aches for him. Something he says catches my attention, and I sit up slightly as well.
“You said you’re trapped as a lycan, but last night you were able to gradually shift back into your human form.” His eyes widen slightly with disbelief at my words.
“That… that’s impossible. Nothing can alleviate the symptoms of the curse while the full moon is out.”
And yet something did. All I can do is shrug in reply. I have no explanation for what I saw last night. Honestly, I’m just grateful. I was able to help in any way.
Marco turns away from me, his gaze becoming distant as he’s lost in contemplation. I take the opportunity to slip quietly off the bed, and the floor is cold against my bare feet. Marco is lost in thought, barely registering my movement. I should go and let him rest. We both had an intense night.
Before exiting the room, I stop to pick up my ruby necklace from the floor.
A part of me expects to feel something as I clasp my mother’s necklace around my neck, but nothing happens. I’m filled with strange suspicion that whatever changed last night when I took the ruby off isn’t going to revert back even if it’s back on.
The ruby necklace… Marco’s curse… The howling… The way he called me ‘mate’…
I don’t understand what happened last night, but I can’t shake the feeling that somehow, we crossed some kind of line. Maybe it’s all in my head, or perhaps something changed deep within me.
And now, things will never be the same.
The next day at work, my mind is clouded by the memories of everything that happened last night. In spite of this, I do everything I can to stay focused since today is an important day at the Eau de Lune Parfumerie. I can’t afford to be distracted.
One of the perfumery’s senior managers is hosting a tour for the newer employees. Oscar, the guide for the day, will be showing us some of the company’s most famous fragrances. He leads us through the winding halls of the perfume factory to a showroom at the back. I’ve never seen this part of the company before.
My colleagues and I explore the display as Oscar explains that these perfumes here are the pride and joy of the perfumery, custom created by Lily’s family; the Monteneros. The Montenero family owns the Eau de Lune Parfumerie. Their unique fragrances and formulas date back generations of apothecaries, chemists, and perfumers.
“The Montenero’s custom line of perfumes is unique for several reasons. They were created by Ms. Lily Montenero’s ancestors; their craftsmanship and skill with scents are still unrivaled. Besides, many of them also have special functions. The substances in this room are also medicinal. These perfumes go above and beyond the practice of aromatherapy and have been used to treat various ailments. Some are potent enough to be used as sedatives and anesthesia, while others have powerful effects similar to opiates that can induce hypnotic or even hallucinogenic states,” he says before pointing to one vial on the display. “This solution has been used to relieve symptoms of respiratory diseases, and this other one can effectively treat insomnia and improve sleep disorders.”
Some of these seem more like magic potions than simple perfumes! I look through the various flacons and bottles. The labels indicate that many of the extracts and solutions were created by one of Lily’s ancestors, a woman called Margaret Montenero.
The other co-workers gawk and gasp in amazement as Oscar shows us some of the books left by Lily’s forefathers, which include various studies and formulas for the extraordinary perfumes. But the scents are so vivid and alluring that I struggle to focus on Oscar’s words. Somehow, I feel like my senses have sharpened, and I’m surprised by the intensity of the smells and the ease with which I recognize them.
“We still have documents on the Montenero’s process for creating fragrances, but only the Montenero family possessed the ability to create the extraordinary effects of their perfumes. Unfortunately, the skill required to craft them has been lost by this generation.”
But even as Oscar speaks, I close my eyes and imagine how the different aromas come together in each vial. I frown, filled with an uneasy sense of shock. If the Montenero’s unique skill has been lost, how can I instinctively distinguish the ingredients that fill the air?
My attention glides across the display, caught by a particular scent. I let my intuition guide me, following the strangely familiar fragrance across the room. I recognize those floral notes and earthy accords, and I find myself drawn to them.
“Tanya,” Oscar says suddenly, appearing in front of me. The manager cuts me off, blocking a path I was subconsciously following. “What do you think you’re doing?”
I snap out of my daze and stare at the ground self-consciously.
“I’m sorry, I thought I smelled something….”
“That area of the display is not open to the public. We keep Ms. Lily’s custom creations there. Her perfumes have won contents and are a testament to her unique craftsmanship. But those are not for sale, and they are not part of today’s tour, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. My apologies,” I mumble sheepishly before rejoining the group.
I stay with the other employees for the rest of the tour, haunted by the familiarity of Lily’s collection and the intuitive sense of Margaret Montenero’s extraordinary creations.
When I arrive home, I’m surprised to find Marco waiting for me in the townhouse. He leans against a nearby window with his arms crossed in that commanding, unbothered posture of his. When he sees me, he nods towards an iron key resting on the nearby glass counter. An elegant black ribbon is tied around the ornate key’s handle.
“What’s this?” I ask, picking it up gently.
“A belated Valentine’s Day gift. I said I would get you, something official. This is it.”
I examine the key in my hands, filled with curious excitement.
“Marco, thank you. You didn’t have to….”
“You don’t even know what it is yet,” he interjects, the corner of his lip curling almost imperceptibly in an amused smirk. “The key opens a small attic on the top floor of the townhouse. Your gift is there.”
I glance down the corridor, wondering what it could be. “But before you go look, I need to tell you something,” Marco says, “The autumn equinox is coming, and the royal family will be holding a celebratory banquet at the palace. You’ll be expected to attend with me.”
It’s not exactly a casual invitation, and I can’t help the anxious butterflies in my stomach at the thought of going to the palace with him. I remember Cathy stopped with a list of perfumes for an upcoming banquet the other day. She must have been referring to the celebration of the autumn equinox.
“Well? Don’t just stand there,” he says, and I can’t figure out if his tone is impatient or playful. “I told you what I needed to say. Go enjoy your Valentine’s Day gift, little flower.”
I blush at the nickname before nodding and heading towards the attic. I hesitate in the doorway, looking at the beautiful little key before sliding it into the lock. The door swings open with a soft ‘click.’