Banished by the Alpha

Finding Cinderella

Lucas POV

I decided that I didn’t want this beautiful woman to meet me while I was spying on her in a bookstore like some creep. So, when I saw her headed in my direction, I ran to the next aisle hoping to get out of the store before being confronted. I was so focused on making sure she wasn’t behind me that I wound up running right into her. Great, this was going to be awkward.

For a second, she just stared at me, looking over my chest and stomach, then up to my arms and head. I enjoyed how her eyes widened a little at my biceps. I peered down at her with raised eyebrows realizing she was checking me out. Granite was practically howling inside my head; he was going to give me a headache. We found our mate.

She was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. Her hair was a gorgeous brown and fell in waves from a half-ponytail at the back of her head. The touch of eyeshadow she wore made her hazel-green eyes look absolutely stunning. She had on a brown tank top that wasn’t tight but showed her hourglass shape and a pair of tight, faded blue jeans that flared a little below her knees. She had plenty of muscle but still had a soft, feminine look. She was definitely in great shape. I wondered how flexible she was before returning to the current situation.

“s**t” was all she muttered before bolting from the store. I watched her throw her book down as she went. I was so stunned that I just stared after her for a moment blinking. She was our mate, wasn’t she? Why would she run from her mate? I didn’t think I was gods gift to woman or anything but I knew I wasn’t run-away ugly either. I finally realized I should try following her and figure out what was going on and at least get her name or I was going to be trying to find my Cinderella with a book she never bought instead of a glass slipper.

I spotted her with the young woman I had seen with her before she went into the bookstore, both tearing out of the store like their lives depended on it. Why are they running from me or is it something else?

“Stop, please, I just want to talk to you!” I yell after them. Cory, seems to hesitate for a second at my words before the other woman says something I don’t hear and she picks up speed again.

I go back to Cade, my Beta, and my mom at the entrance to the suit shop. They are thoroughly confused by my behavior. As we walk towards our SUV I explain that I thought I found my mate but she ran from me. I ask my mom if I could be wrong and she isn’t my mate.

“Dear if you knew the instant you saw her that you wanted her forever, she’s your mate.” She replies with a soft, warm smile. She’s clearly delighted by the information

“I wanted to scoop her up and kiss her, I wanted to bury my head in her neck and never let go” Which I then realize I just said out loud, and to my mother. That’s slightly embarrassing.

Mom nods and smiles, “then she is your mate and you are hers. She might have recognized you and heard of your reputation. Are you sure she isn’t from our pack?”

“I’ve never seen her before, but the woman with her, I think it was her older sister. I recognized her but I’m not sure where from. She called the other young woman she was with Em”

Cade seemed to be thoroughly entertained by the fact that I had finally met my mate and she had turned and run away from me but now he slams on the breaks before we had even pulled out of the parking lot, throws the SUV in park and turns to face me in the backseat.

“You said their names are Em and Cory? Like Emily and Corinthia McCallister, Corbin McCallister’s daughters?” He laughs hysterically at my situation. “You would manage to banish the girl who would eventually turn out to be your mate.”

“Careful Cade, you may be my Beta and best friend but I will still give you a beating. Then I shrink in my seat, “No wonder all she did was mumble ‘s**t’ when she saw my face. My mate probably hates me for what I did to her father and is terrified of what I could do to them for being near pack territory. My reputation isn’t exactly for being very forgiving”

“Don’t worry, I know where they live dear.” Mom says so nonchalantly. How can she be calm at a time like this? I finally find my mate and she ran away from me. I’m freaking out about it all but my mother knows where to find her and is just sitting here picking at her nails!

“Relax dear, storming over there and demanding to see her will only scare them all more and if she can, she’ll probably go into hiding. Right now, we know where they don’t know that.”

“What do you think I should do then? I know how to beat one-on-one challengers, I know how to strategically plan attacks for wars, and run the packs businesses and day to day but I know nothing about having a mate or even much about how to woo a female mom.”

“We send a pack member who was a friend to their family to check on them. Let them know that you feel conflicted about your decision to exile them and that you believe Cory is your mate. Since she is, indeed your mate, their family would be welcomed back under terms that you, Corbin, and Connor would have to agree upon. We will use the chosen pack member as a go-between until they are comfortable coming to the pack house to discuss further dear.”

“I think I know just who to pick.” I turn my attention back to Cade who has started driving us home again, “Cade, have Ricky meet me in my office as soon as we return. I want him to go check on his old best friend.”