Banished by the Alpha

Awkward

Lucas POV

            After Corbin told us that Nan found Corinthia unconscious in the orchard after an attack, I had shifted and run all the way to their house with him and Connor close behind. No vehicle on the road could get there as fast as we could in wolf form cross country. We arrived to find Nan tending to injuries on her daughter who she had dressed in some comfy pajamas. There was a pile of shredded clothes nearby that I was assuming Corinthia had been wearing when she had been forced to shift to defend herself during the attack. I could still make out a little line of chickens on the remnants of her shirt. She had clearly embraced farm life and it was adorable.

            I scoop her up and load her into her parents’ truck. Corbin drives and I ride in the back with Corinthia’s head in my lap. I carefully sweep loose strands of hair off her face and undo the remaining bit of a half-ponytail from the back of her head. It takes me a while since it’s pretty badly tangled but it keeps me distracted from being concerned. I lean down and kiss her forehead. I hold her hand the rest of the way to the pack hospital and carry her in once we arrive.

            Dr. Walters promptly goes about hooking her up to a heartrate monitor and some sensors to watch her breathing and oxygen levels. She tells us all the monitor read outs look good and that the injuries Corinthia sustained would heal on their own fairly quickly since she had just let her wolf out. She wasn’t concerned about Corinthia healing easily but hooks her up to a saline/electrolyte drip just to help give her system all the fuel in needs in the process, especially if she stays unconscious through dinner, which Dr. Walters thinks she will.

            After all the stress of the day and finally having her near me, my body all but collapses on the couch across the room from her bed. Granite wants me to climb in bed with her to sleep but I advise him that, that would probably be a bad idea since we haven’t really met yet and I drift off.

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            A low, grumbling noise wakes me a few hours later. I figure it’s probably my stomach since I haven’t left Corinthia’s room to get dinner. As I stretch my body on the tiny couch, I feel someone watching me. Since Granite was panting like a lust filled animal in heat, I assume she must be awake. Or maybe Granite’s just that horny, I’ve honestly never seen him act like this…

            I sit up and rub my eyes then blink them open to find her staring at me from her bed. I’m so happy, I have to stop myself from rushing over and hugging her. She’s awake! She’s eyeing me cautiously and I know I need to be careful not to scare her. She had run clean out of a mall and gone all the way home just from bumping into me last time after all.

            I clear my throat, “I’m Lucas Raven, you can call me Lucas.”

            “I know who you are. I remember you from when I was younger. I’m Corinthia McCallister. My dad was Alpha Corbin.” She said the last part somewhat defiantly but then adds, “You’ve gotten taller” looking me up and down with curiosity, or maybe appreciation.

            “I was barely an adult back then; I’ve gotten taller and filled out more. I’ve also grown more hair.” I chuckled with the last part. I hate constantly having to shave and basically always have 5 o’clock shadow now.

            “I see that.” She states while looking more at my mouth than my beard. She licks her lips slightly and I want to kiss those perfect lips.

            I swallow a bit hard to regain some composure and hopefully charm, then ask, “Do you know why I’m here? Sleeping on the couch in your hospital room, unable to leave your side darlin’?”

            She nods, “Opal tells me you’re our mate. I assume your wolf has told you the same.” She’s still staring at my lips distractedly.

            Why is she acting like this is no big deal? She’s clearly distracted by my mouth but seems to be ignoring the fact that she wants more than just conversation. I’m doing everything I can, not to jump into the bed with her and wrap her in my arms while burying my face in her perfect neck and breath in her amazing scent!

            “My wolf’s name is Granite; he’s been driving me nuts since we first smelled you in the mall. I’m sorry I startled you yesterday, I really didn’t want you to find me spying on you but I couldn’t help but watch you reading your book. You looked so peaceful and engaged, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

            “How long were you watching me for anyways? It’s kinda creepy, you know that right?” She snaps.

            “Well I saw you and your sister separate in front of the bookstore, that’s when I was first hit with your scent. I had to finish getting fitted for a new suit. My brother’s getting married and mom insisted I needed a new one for the event.” I’m rambling, apparently, I do that when nervous, which I’ve never really been since challenging Corbin. “The tailor finished with me about 20 minutes later and I went in to look for you. So, maybe 20 minutes of being a creeper.” I tried to make it sound innocent since it was such a short amount of time.

            “Hmm. Well it’s weird. I was enjoying that book though. Now I wish I would have bought it so I could finish it.” She said slightly disappointed. “Especially since I’m stuck in the hospital for now.”

            I pull the book out of a small bag I had Cade put some clothes in so I wouldn’t have to leave the hospital. I had picked it up and bought it after I saw her throw it while running away from me. I really was going to find my Cinderella with a book if I had to.