Unfortunately, her size compared to Conri's became an obstacle. She pleaded, but forcefully, he removed her hand and barked at her.

“Kiara, enough of this madness, please. Stop tempting me. I don't have such feelings for you. Get hold of yourself”.

As he said those words, he started leaving the room. She was stunned as she followed him out in disappointment.

Conri went into the kids' room and started playing with them, while Kiara, in disappointment, stormed into her room and slammed the door in annoyance.

“Damn it Conri, what kind of a man are you? Am I not beautiful enough? I will never give up because I want you. I will be your Luna. No matter how long it takes, you will be mine, Conri”.

Not long after he entered the children's room, his phone began buzzing insistently. He tried to ignore it, but the repeated ringing finally broke his focus. When Kiara heard the continuous buzzing, she appeared at the children's door. He excused himself, reluctantly tearing his attention away from the playful scene before him. Kiara's eyes followed him, filled with a quiet longing that made him uncomfortable. He avoided her gaze, feeling a pang of uneasiness, and retreated to his room to answer the call.

The caller ID displayed the Chief Director's name from the hospital where he worked, and his heart sank. He knew this call wouldn't be good news. Just as he was about to answer, Kiara appeared in the doorway again, her eyes pleading with him. He couldn't bear the weight of her gaze. It was too tempting but he managed and snapped at her, "Can't you see I need some privacy?" The hurt in her eyes was evident as she slowly backed away, her face falling. With a heavy sigh, Conri finally answered the call, bracing himself for the conversation ahead.

“Hello, Director.”

“Yes, Doctor Conri, sorry to bother you. I heard that you are off duty tomorrow, right?” The director asked him.

“Yes, sir, do you need me around?” asked Conri.

“Not in the hospital, I need a little help from you tomorrow concerning that health talk with the Sunset City University students. That talk is indispensable, and I am unavailable to run it. Please, I need you to create time and assist me with it. I know you can handle it, what do you say, hmm?”. He asked hopefully.

“Alright, Chief, I can deal with those youngsters. What was the scheduled time?”.

“Oh, thank you, Conri, you are one in a million. It's between noon and two pm. I will let the dean of studies know that you are the one replacing me there. Thanks a lot, Conri”. He said gladly.

“You are welcome, Chief, you owe me a drink for the favor. You will get the feedback”. He responded happily.

The director of SC Hospital was a good friend of Conri. He was just a few years older than Conri, and they helped each other out once in a while. He was supposed to have a health chat with the medical students of Sunset City Hospital. However, he couldn't meet up with the appointment and needed someone else to cover for him. Luckily, Conri was available and agreed to help out.

The next day, precisely five minutes before noon, Conri arrived at the Dean of Studies' office, where he was promptly escorted to a hall filled with medical students eager for knowledge. The discussion was in full swing, with both lecturers and students fully engaged, their questions answered and doubts clarified. Conri himself felt no regret at being part of the health chat, enjoying the lively exchange and the opportunity to share his expertise.

As the session neared its closing time, Conri suddenly paused his senses on high alert. He inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet aroma that filled the air. His wolf, Zeeb, was equally fascinated as he whispered to Conri, "What's that intoxicating scent? Is my nose playing tricks on me? It's so alluring, I can't help but sniff it in!"

Conri's eyes lit up as he identified the fragrance. "Ah, it's a heavenly mix of rose flowers and vanilla-flavored cupcakes! I think it's coming from outside the hall... and it's getting stronger by the second!"

His wolf growled in agreement, its curiosity piqued. The lecturers and students noticed Conri's sudden distraction and followed his gaze to the door, but there was no one there, so they overlooked it. To Conri, the sweet scent had filled the entire hall.

“Oh, I love vanilla flavor, come on, let's step outside and see where it was coming from. It's too hard to resist”. Zeeb pushed on.

“Calm down, Zeeb, let me close the talk normally so there won't be any… “

Conri didn't finish the words in his mouth when Zeeb exclaimed, “Mate”.

Conri turned in the direction of the entrance, where the fragrance was coming in from, and much stronger. His heart jumped up with joy as he repeated what his wolf said. “Mate, Oh Zeeb, she is so beautiful.

He stood, his eyes on her as she walked in, gazed at his side, and turned instantly without even showing any notice of him, and walked straight to a seat. Conri excused himself and stepped out to avoid the people's eyes on him.

At a worried pace, he said, “Zeeb, at last, we have found her, but why didn't she take notice of us? Why did she move straight to a seat? Can't she perceive me?”. Conri asked worriedly.

“You mean perceive us, I am here too, you know, and I perceived her as well”. Zeeb responded angrily.

“Fine, calm down, you know what is mine is yours. Why are you getting worked up?”. Conri complained.

“You should know better and use your words well”. Zeeb responded unapologetically.

“Fine, I have heard you, but I am uncomfortable with her reaction. I can sense it, she felt nothing, or could she be pretending?”. Conri asked in confusion.

“Let me take a close look at her. I have waited a long time for her. I can't bear any long story. I need a straight action”. Zeeb tried to take control, but Conri resisted him.

“No Zeeb!, you can't do that now, just stay calm. Something is wrong somewhere. Damn it, let me close this fucking health chat”. He responded in anger.

Zeeb backed down, concern etched all over Conri, as he hurriedly ended the chat. The students and lecturers erupted into applause, giving him a standing ovation that echoed through the hall. Conri's gaze, however, remained fixed on the mysterious figure, his eyes burning with an unspoken intensity.

As the lecturer escorted him out to his car and bid him farewell, his mind was preoccupied with the young lady. He started the engine, responding to the lecturer's goodbye, but his thoughts were already racing ahead.

As soon as the lecturer turned to leave, Conri slammed on the brakes and stepped out of the car, his mind whirling with questions. He needed to see her again, to talk to her, to understand why she seemed oblivious to his presence despite the intoxicating scent that drove him wild. He needed to claim her, and fast.

After about two hours, students started departing the lecture halls and leaving the school compounds. Conri kept his eyes and nose alert. Then, close to where he was, he heard someone call out loudly, “Tala”.