"MINE"

CHAPTER 7

"MINE"-

Lucca’s POV: 

         The music continued to blast out loudly while I waited for my mate to return to me. She was ravishing, I couldn’t recall a woman so beautiful, my wait had sure been worth it.  She had porcelain skin, emerald, green eyes, and thick luscious auburn hair flowing down her back, and my mind wandered to her body. Her hourglass shape was magnificent, curvaceous, and sultry; so perfectly balanced it appeared her bottom had been made to flow into that stool. And when I had touched her, the sparks ignited within my fingers, and I knew immediately that she was the one for me.  

         I could also tell that she was a powerful wolf and there was indeed a story behind her. When I had radiated my Alpha aura, one thing I had noticed was that she had not reacted to it, had not bowed her head, had not submitted, and then simply smiled at me. That told me that she had to be an Alpha herself, but where did she come from and why? Her accent alluded that she maybe Scottish, however I couldn’t be sure. 

         I glanced back over to the bathroom and frowned, I realized she was a woman, but seriously how long did it take? I wondered to myself. I was nearly done with my drink, while the one I had ordered for her still sat in front of me untouched. 

        “So, didn’t work out huh. I guess Chris won’t be getting that house after all.” Cohan announced allowed as he walked up behind me and took my mate’s seat. My eyes flickered dangerously at the nerve of him to take my beloved’s chair. 

         “How dare you sit there.” I growled venomously. Cohan raised his drink to his lips, however paused when her saw my anger towards him and tipped his head at me curiously. 

        “Why, she’s not here.” He answered hesitantly, cautiously trying to read my disposition as he slowly took a sip. 

         “She simply went to the bathroom; she will be returning.” I snapped angrily at his boldness, I felt as though I may have need to remind my men just exactly who the Alpha was. I slid Bridgette’s drink closer to me as I noticed the bewildered and confused look gravitating in my Beta’s eyes. 

        “But I was just outside, and I watched her get into an Uber and leave.” I felt as though my heart had just been ripped out of my chest and my anger exploded. I stood immediately, his words hit me like a vile of wolfsbane, knocking the chair over behind me and into another patron beside me. 

         “Where the fuck did she go?” I roared, making a handful of the patrons nervously glance over at me. I was so furious I was nearly shaking. I was 32 years old and had been waiting for my mate loyally my entire life! Because, in my heart, I knew the Goddess had blessed me with one, I always knew, I just needed to wait for her. And wait I did. However, I was never going to sit idly by for her to simply lie to me and walk away! Hell no, this was not happening! I needed my mate, and like it or not, she was it!  

         Cohan reached forward carefully and placed his hand on my shoulder. I was trembling with both fear and fury, the thought of losing what I had yearned and waited for so long was nearly debilitating. The bartender had heard my outburst and had instantly walked over to me, the last thing he wanted was a neighboring Alpha losing his senses in a human club. 

         “Lucca, what’s going on?” he whispered yelled at me, however I simply stared straight ahead, unable to process my next move. It was then Cohan spoke up on my behalf. 

        “The girl slipped out.” He answered, nearly afraid to speak those words. The bartender nodded and leaned over the bar, directing Cohan to inch over to him. 

         “I saw a hotel key for the Hampton Inn when she had opened her clutch bag. She paid cash every drink.” He told my Beta quietly; although I had heard him clearly with my werewolf hearing. Cohan nodded, then gripped my forearm to pull me away from the bar. 

         “Do you want to take some men and we can come with you to get her?” I instantly shook my head and took a step back from my faithful Beta. 

         “No, this is something I need to take care of myself.” I answered as I tossed a $100 bill onto the bar top and quickly strode out of the club. 

Bridgette’s POV: 

          As I returned to my hotel, I quickly turned and locked the door behind me, including the dead bolt. I walked back over to the bed and sat down; utterly exhausted.  

         “What is wrong with you! That is our mate, Bridgette! And such a beautiful specimen of male!” Aurora whined furiously. “I can hardly wait to see what his wolf looks like, and you left him!” 

         “I think it’s best if we just return to Scotland. This was a horrible idea! I had no intention of coming to America and finding some mutt for a mate. Just think, the Moon Goddess matched us with an American!” 

         “He could be something special, but we may never know if you don’t even give him a chance… and I can tell he’s a powerful wolf!” Aurora scolded me as I quickly snatched the luggage bag from the rack and placed it on the bed. She was livid, and I could understand why. It was a wolf’s nature to look for their mate, and I was letting her down. I let out a sighed as I took out my cell phone. 

         “I’m going to call Meredith.” 

        “Yes, by all means, call the witch and Goddess forbid you listen to your own wolf!” Aurora growled at me furiously. I tapped on Mere’s name and the phone rang, and finally on the 3^rd ring a young woman’s voice picked up the line. 

        “Hello?” 

         “Mere? You there?” 

         “Bridgette! How are you doing? Your parents, OMG! I don’t think your father has ever been so angry!” My friend’s beautiful Scottish voice echoed through the line. I frowned, if only she knew my father had banned me from returning home and had broken my link to the pack. I sat down onto the bed slowly as I considered my next words. 

          “You didn’t hear?” I asked solemnly. I could almost see Meredith shaking her head as she responded with a No. 

        “My father banished me from the pack. I am no longer his heir.” I paused for only a moment before I continued. “Which, I mean, I am fine with no longer being his heir, but the banishment was a touch harsh.” There was silence over the line, and I could tell Meredith was processing everything I had just told her. 

         “And you won’t believe what happened tonight. I went to a club, and great Goddess, I ran into my mate! Can you believe it?” I heard a gasp from the other end of the line. I stood, turned my phone onto speaker and then set it onto the bed as began pulling clothes out of the drawers and repacking the luggage. 

         “Is he handsome then? Tell me what all happened!” Meredith pried as I piled the clothes into the luggage. I paused before responding, biting my bottom lip as his striking face filtered into my memory. 

         “He is a very handsome man. When I first laid eyes on him, I honestly thought he was some kind of mafia boss. His Aura appears strong, so my guess is that he is an Alpha” I chucked as I recalled our meeting. “He introduced himself as Lucca Mariano, but that is as much as I know. I didn’t stick around long enough to find out more. I am catching the first flight back to Scotland.” I sighed once again as I rubbed my forehead with frustration. “What are the bloody odds?” 

         “Britty, Ya know, with your father severing your link with the pack and disinheriting you, perhaps it would be best for you to learn more about your fated mate? I mean, isn’t that the reason you left here to begin with? You were fighting with your father about being forced to take a chosen mate and not being allowed to wait for your fated mate? I mean, the moon goddess has blessed you with a handsome Alpha and you’re turning your back on such a gift.” 

        “Honestly, I got spooked. Besides, I came back to the hotel and left him at the club. It’s unlikely he will find me anyhow. Best I just get back home and concentrate on my career. I can watch from the sidelines as my brothers fulfil our destiny.” 

         “You have always believed your brothers are made for greatness, but what of you? My premonitions of late have showcased triumph for you. Maybe you are destined to be the Luna of a foreign land? You don’t have to be the Queen to be important.” There was a hesitation in my friend’s voice as she paused before continuing. 

         “I love you Mere. I am going to continue packing. I will be coming home soon.” I told her bluntly, deciding I did not want to continue our conversation. I guess I had been expecting a different outcome than I received.  

         “Britty, the triumph is the ultimate reward, the trials to get there are harsh. Your fearlessness and bravery shall be tested. I will look deeper into my premonition; I have only glimpsed it and honestly didn’t dwell on it with your departure to the Americas.” There was silence on the line before I heard my friend speak once more. 

         “Alright then.” Meredith sounded slightly defeated, realizing that I was closing the call selfishly, but I needed time to process everything and as of this moment, I just wanted to come home. “I love you Britty.” My friend said somberly, realizing that discussing this matter with me anymore was futile. 

           “I love you too, Mere.” I said quietly, as I lifted my phone from the bed and closed the call. 

         I finished packing my belongings and hurriedly changed into some black yoga pants, my black tennis shoes, and a multi-colored athletic top. I compiled everything together, set the luggage on the floor, swung the backpack over my shoulder, grabbed the keys to the car I had rented and strode quickly over to the door. It was nearly 2:30 in the morning so I didn’t expect anyone to bother me, or so I thought. That was until I opened the door to the hallway of my hotel room. 

         “Shit!” I gasped as I dropped my keys and backpack to the floor and stood, mouth wide open in horror as I saw the God-like figure of my mate standing directly in front of me. His hand was up in a fist, it appeared as though he was just preparing to knock on my door. He smiled with amusement when his eyes met mine and I immediately felt panic. 

         “What in the living hell are you doing here?” I growled once I regained my composure, staring at my mate furiously. My mate grinned wickedly at me as he lowered his hand and took a step towards me.  He took another, and then another, causing me to slink back uncomfortably until I was nearly standing beside the bed, and he was fully in my room, and my eyes widened with alarm as he kicked the door closed behind him. 

         “I met this girl, ravishing, lovely woman while I was out on the town with my friends for a bachelor party this evening. Now, this girl, I bought a drink for and sat anxiously waiting for her to come out of the loo, I think she called it, to join me.” his toothy grin sparkled as he slowly began circling me like prey. Although he seemed pleased to see me, his eyes were flickering with danger, and I could sense his wolf near, causing me serious unrest.

          “And the most intriguing scenario of this story is, that she is my long-awaited mate. I could tell even though I believe she had attempted to cover her scent from me.” I frowned listening to his words, my legs now firmly pressed against the mattress. I remained standing, watching him cautiously. His aura seemed more powerful than before, more menacing, and I was attributing that to his wolf and his anger at me.

         “Sir, I think this is all a huge mistake.” I said, appearing much more confident than I actually felt. I was a small female, and my mate was a very large male. Overpowering me physically would not be a difficult task for him, and even Aurora, well, I had no intention of letting her out. So, I was on my own. And although my aura was significantly stronger than most all other wolves, my mate didn’t really seem to be affected by me. 

         “I don’t think so. See, I know you are my mate, the sparks don’t lie. The only thing that is a bit confusing is how you masked your scent, so I didn’t catch wind of you sooner. Some kind of witchcraft, I am guessing?” he asked, although it wasn’t much of a question. He took another step closer to me. There was nowhere for me to go, then he swiftly took me into his arms, the sparks exploding throughout my body, making my knees feel like they were going to give out, causing me to learn into him to catch myself from falling, my hands pressed against his rock-hard chest. 

        My breath caught in my throat as I looked up into the handsome dark eyes, and like a rattle snake, his lips found mine in a soul crushing kiss. The alarm signaled in my head; however my body began to meld into him, betraying me. He traced his tongue across my bottom lip requesting invitation, and my body complied eagerly. His tongue swirled within mine and a soft moan escaped me. As we broke apart, I opened my eyes to see his dark eyes flickering with gold and a satisfactory smiled graced his lips. 

         “Mine.” He whispered.