Chapter 3 mate

Lucas POV

I arrived at the royal stones packhouse. However, a very kind old lady instructed me that the alpha and his children lived in a house 20 minutes from here. Taking the directions she had given us on how to get here. We pull up to a huge building that is brown with what seemed like tinted windows and a huge fountain of a dove in the front lawn. Their beta was waiting for me at the front door. After my beta told me her name Alice Elizabeth Gold, I did my own research on her. I wanted to know everything I could about her. She has just finished high school and has applied to multiple colleges. I wonder what she plans on studying.She had perfect grades and never missed a single day. I also came across a report about her mothers death, she was only 7 when it happened. It didn't give any details about what happened, it just said a “robbery gone wrong”, I wonder if she knows what happened or even remembers. I didn’t look into her past after that, I wanted to hear everything she wanted to tell me about her, well from her. To hear her voice tell me all the memories of her life,I wonder what she sounds like. Theo, my wolf purred at the thought of our little mate saying our name. He led me into the house, it was more old fashioned than I’d expected.No rugs, hard wooden floors, glistening as if they were just polished. There was no couch or anything in what seemed like the living room, only a few family photos that hung on the wall. He led me to a set of double doors that must lead to where everyone else is. The house was quiet as if no one was even here. My house is always loud with pack members always coming in and out. As we approached the doors her scent became stronger. I could live off that scent forever.It's so sweet and innocent. 

I walked into the room apologizing for my absence. I looked over by the counter and locked eyes with her, her beauty takes my breath away everytime I see her. Her hair wrapped in a messy bun with little hairs falling out shaping her face. She’s gorgeous even when she’s not even trying. Her green eyes almost glowing from the sunlight coming from the window shining towards her. Her eyebrows were pushed together. Oh how I wished I knew what she was thinking about, she looked mad, hurt, and scared. I wanted nothing more but to run over there and wrap my arms around her taking all that fear and hurt from her.

“ tell her she’s gorgeous Luca.” Theo howled. I rolled my eyes at him at how attached he already is to her. But he wasn’t wrong, she was breathtaking, I could look at her everyday, smell that sweet scent and never grow tired of it. 

As the meeting went on I could feel her tension. She seems stressed as her eyebrows stay pushed together, fidgeting with her fingers and picking at her food. It makes my wolf sad to see our mate so uncomfortable. All I want to do is comfort her and let her know it's okay,that I’ll always protect her. But I want her to explain why she ran from me last night. I want to correct what I did to make her leave. 

Without even thinking about it the words just came out like word vomit. 

“ Why did you run from me mate?'' Keeping my voice soft and soothing trying not to frighten her more than she already is. I noticed her cheeks turn a bright red on her skin. How I would love to make that happen over and over. I looked into her eyes in hopes to find an answer to change that surprised hurt look on her face that made my wolf whimper. I can smell the effect I have on her but the look on her face said otherwise like her mind and body aren’t agreeing with each other right now. I hear her father trying to tell her to talk to her in his alpha tone, to force her to speak to me . It took everything in my power not to yell at him for commanding her infront of me. Theo pushed through just enough to let out a low growl, catching Alpha Mason off guard. But because we haven't completed the mate bond he still was her alpha. I kept my eye contact with her till she bowed her head looking down at the ground. My jaw clenched at the thought of her bowing to me. I’m her alpha but I’m also her mate which makes us equal, she never feels as if she needs to submit to me.

That’s when I heard the sweetest sound, her voice.

“ I don’t want a mate. It’s horrifying.” She whispered, stuttering over her words. Her jaw clenches as if she was ashamed at how it came out. I can tell she isn’t a fan of showing weakness.

 These words had made my heart feel like it was going to shatter. Her voice sounded like an angel but her words cut deep. How could someone with such innocence have so much hurt in their voice.

I looked at her in true shock. Who wouldn’t want a mate? We are wolves, that's what we do. And before I could argue, tell her she has to be out of her mind. 

She left.

Again. 

Is it me? Is she afraid of me?

“ I’m sorry for her, she hasn’t been okay with mating after what happened with her mom.” Alpha Mason said with a long look on his face. 

Her mom? So all that pain and hurt in her voice and her eyes is from what happened to her mom? But that took place when she was 7? I have to remember to have her tell me what she remembers.

“ I’ll go get her for you, Alpha Luca.” Jace said as he stood walking out of the door. 

My wolf was angry at the thought of another man comforting our mate. But I couldn’t help but feel like it was my fault she ran again. Not really sure what I do to make her want to run, I nod my head at Jace as he runs out of the kitchen in search of my mate. In the meantime I spoke to her father about taking her back with me to my pack.

********* 

Alice POV 

I stepped out and sat on the back porch. Sighing, I walked over to the lake. I stare at myself in the water. I took deep breaths trying to calm my nerves. I was panicking, I leaned down and splashed some of the lake water on my face, racking my fingers through my hair. I pull out my messy bun and fix it due to me messing it up. Rolling my eyes at myself I take a seat. I didn’t sit at the dock this time, brushing my fingers through the grass, staring out to the beautiful lake water. I wish mom was here. She'd know what to say, how to talk me through this whole mating thing. 

“ What's wrong with me?” I thought. 

What would my mom think of me or even say If she saw the way I’m being towards my mate? Laying backwards against the grass I hear footsteps walking towards me.

“ What's going on kid?” Jace said, sitting next to me. 

“ What do you mean?” I rolled my eyes at him 

“ He’s your mate, kid, I know what’s bothering you and it’s not mom. But if you just tell him everything will feel better. He loves you, and he’ll protect you.” I stayed silent as he talked. I didn’t know what to say. I knew he was right but how do I tell him about it? I couldn’t even tell my own father, I made Jace swear he wouldn’t tell a single soul about that night. But all I felt was the pain in my chest and memories that flashed in my mind. My decision made my wolf crazy. Screaming at me to go back to him in the back of my mind. Jace's voice broke me out of the deep thoughts I was tangled in. But even Jace, my best friend, couldn’t save me. No one could save me.

“ Okay look, just promise me you’ll give him a chance.” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Still not responding to him, he pats me on the shoulder and heads back inside. 

I know he’s right, I'm just scared. How can I just accept him? When he deserves someone who wasn't damaged.

 Once I head back into the house everyone is staring at me. I know my face was flaming red from my tears and my eyes were puffy and red from crying. I cleared my throat and broke the silence  swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. 

“ I’ll go with you under one condition” 

I whispered