The Alpha's Lost Mate

Her Protector

James' P.O.V.

I sit in my room watching the clock.. It's as if time has crawled to a complete stop. 11:30, 30 more minutes. I need to know more about Raleigh, everything about her. I call Dec into my room.

"You needed me Alpha?" 

"Yeah get on the phone and get a hold of Felix. Give him the name Raleigh Martinez. I want to know every detail about her. Tell him to hurry. I get a feeling she isn't going to trust me to not hurt her. I've heard what a harsh and unforgiving Alpha Damien can be."

"Of course I'll get that started right away James."

I sit back and think about her beautiful features. Hair flowing down her back those piercing green eyes that seem like they can peer through my soul. That complete innocence, she is the perfect woman for me. So sweet, and tender. 11:45. Time to go looking for that pond and await my love. 

Raleigh's P.O.V.

I wasn't sure if I truly wanted to go to the pond to meet the Alpha I met today who is supposedly my destined mate. 

I ask Rosaline

Sigh, I get up from my spot on my bed and sneak up the stairs to the kitchen looking around to be sure nobody is watching me, especially Damien. If he were to find me with another male, he'd probably kill us on the spot. 

Seeing that I'm alone I head to the back of the mansion towards the koi pond. As I reach the pond, on the bench I see him. So handsome. And built. He looks as if he'd rip his clothing if he moved too suddenly. 

As I get closer, I notice his hair is the most seductive color black, cut short on the sides and longer at the top. He hears me approach and jumps to his feet, turns around to face me, oh his eyes could melt my soul. The fiercest blue color, a gentle but eager smile on his handsome face eases my mind.

"Hello, Raleigh." 

"Hello Alpha Nelson"

"Oh please, just call me James."

"James."

"Please, join me so we can talk. I want to know everything about you baby."

"umm.." I begin nervously. 

"Well you know my name already."

"Haha, yes that's a start I suppose. Are you a member of this pack?"

"Uh no. I came here when I was 12 years old when my pack was attacked by the wildfire I'm the lone survivor. So Damien took me in and I've been the pack house slave ever since.." Hoping that truth about my painful past doesn't scare him off..

"I am so pained to hear you say that, love." he replies with pity dancing in his eyes.

I don't want pity, I want away from this hell hole. I had been secretly planning my escape for months now as soon as I gained my wolf I was leaving and going rogue. But nobody knew of my plan. Now that I had found someone who sees me as anything except a punching bag, I'm not sure what to do. 

"So, my wolf says you're my destined mate?"

"Yes, you felt the attraction too."

"I wasn't sure what it was. I just turned 18 today. I still don't know anything about being a wolf or what to expect."

"Well, you know about the Goddess, and the gift of a mate that she bestows upon us...." he begins

Suddenly, his explanation is cut off by yelling.

I look up to see a very pissed off Damien. Stalking towards us yelling. You could see the fury in his yellow eyes. 

"GET AWAY FROM MY F**KING MATE!!"

James stands tall and firm in front of me, as if he was protecting me from Damien.

"She's mine Alpha Damien. The Goddess chose her for me. Not you"

"NO!! Raleigh, GET OVER HERE!"

I cower behind James. Thanking goddess that he's here shielding me from Damien's fury. 

"I suggest, Alpha, that you go back into your shitty mansion, go find another to mate with. Raleigh belongs to me and I know what you did to her over the last 6 years. The torture and beatings end here. Tonight. She will be leaving with me tomorrow after the alpha convention."

"....." Damien had no words being put in his place. Finally, I was free from beatings. From being called useless and stupid. I look up at my liberator, seeing his fierceness and  determination to protect me made all my fears melt away. 

James turns to me after he's sure that Damien has left.

"Are you alright, lovely?" he asks tenderly.

"Y-yes. Thank you, James. Nobody has been in my corner before. I've been all alone all these years."

James reaches up and touches the bandage on my cheek, I flinch and shy away from his touch. 

"I won't hurt you. And nobody will ever lay a hand on you again. I will protect you till death."

I stand there speechless. 

"Raleigh, where is your room? I'd like to see where that animal has been letting you sleep."

"Uh it's through the kitchen. Follow me then. Please don't be angry with what you see."

"I will try my best, my love."

I lead James to the mansion, into the servant doors and down the stairs and into my space. I look at his face and instantly I see the anger and disgust. 

"You will not sleep here any longer, Raleigh." I finally hear James say. "Gather all of your belongings and bring them to the 2nd floor to my room."

"oh, ok. I don't have much, so I will be there shortly. Thank you James. For everything."

He kisses my head and leaves me to gather what little clothing I own. 

I finish packing and begin to head to James' room. As I get to the 2nd floor, where Betas and Alphas live, I'm stopped by Emileigh.

James' P.O.V.

I hated how my Raleigh was being forced to live. I told her 25 minutes ago to bring her things up to my room. I was beginning to get worried when I heard her angelic voice filled with worry and fear outside my door. 

"Please Em, let me pass. My mate is expecting me.." I hear her say.

I step in the hall to see my love cowering in the corner away from this unknown female.

"Step away from her." I say in my Alpha tone. 

"She doesn't belong on this floor. She said her mate is waiting on her. I see no mark, so either she's lying or she finally accepted my Alpha Damien." she shoves Raleigh further into the corner making her hit her head off the wall. 

"DO NOT TOUCH HER!" I boom. Now that caught everyone's attention on the floor as the other Alphas and their Betas begin to flood the hall to see what the commotion is about. 

I grab the female by the hair and pull her away from Raleigh grabbing her bag of belongings and her hand I pull her away from danger and into my room. 

Seeing the fear in her eyes and hearing the panic in her voice made my blood boil. I swear on my life, I will never let anyone mistreat my darling again. 

I pull Raleigh into my chest and hug her. We stand there clinging to each other when I hear her begin to cry. As I hold her and let her cry her fear out, I notice how small in stature she is compared to my 6' 3". She had to have been but 5' 4" and from what I could tell, malnourished. 

"Raleigh, did that female do that to your face?" I ask breaking our silence.

"Yes. It was a part of my latest punishment."

"Punishment? You mean they actually physically hurt you? Why? I need to know everything, baby. You can trust me. I just want to help you escape this horrible place."

Sitting on the couch, she takes a deep breath and begins to tell me all. Sparing no detail, and I listen intently not interrupting even though Bruno wants to go find this bastard and kill him. 

"Well, I have many scars, physical and emotional. And I need you to know that I'm no longer pure. And I hope that doesn't make you care for me less. I had no choice in the matter. Damien took what he wanted."

"He put his hands on you? Took your purity from you by force?" I ask my voice shaking. 

"Yes."

I let out a frustrated sigh. Wishing I could do something now. Like rip his worthless being apart. He took everything from this delicate creature at such an important age. I felt for her, not with pity but empathy of everything she has been through. 

"Raleigh, don't worry. You will never have to fear me or my pack. I want to take you back with me. I want to accept you as mine and can only hope you accept me and can learn to trust me."

"Even if my face looks like this?" she asks taking the bandage off her cheek showing her latest injury that is sure to leave a scar. I look at it and can only imagine what else these monsters have done to her. 

"What happened?" I ask with worry taking over.

"Damien wanted me to accept him as my chosen mate and I told him never. So he had that female from earlier beat me and she cut my face. She said even my destined mate wouldn't even want me if I was disfigured." She looks down at her feet in shame. 

"I'm taking you to see someone. That could get infected. Let's go."

I mind link Declan to meet me in the hall in 5 minutes. We finally step into the hall after she re-bandaged her injury. 

"Dec, this is Raleigh. Raleigh, this is Declan Hale my Beta and best friend." I explain. 

"Good to finally meet you!" Declan outreaches his hand in excitement, Raleigh flinches back into me. 

"Uh I'll explain in a bit Dec."

"I-I'm s-sorry Beta."

"Oh no apology necessary Luna."

We walk down the stairs and head to the pack clinic where we see the pack doctor giving orders to a nurse. 

"Excuse us Dr." I begin

"Yes? What can I do for you Alpha?"

"Yes my mate here needs some medical attention. I want blood work, scans and an exam done. And also be sure to look at her cheek. Many thanks."

The doctor looks at Raleigh with concern and pity. 

"Of course I'd be happy to assist. Please follow me."

We follow the doctor to an exam room he closes the door and hands Raleigh a hospital gown. "Please put this on and I will come in personally to begin your work up and exam young lady." He gives her a gentle smile. 

"I'll give you some privacy holler if you need me dearest." giving her a peck on the uninjured cheek and walk out. "Ok Declan, I want you to stand guard. No one but the hospital staff is permitted to enter this room."

Declan stands in attention, "Yes Alpha I will guard the Luna with my life." 

"Good. Now for that explanation. The Alpha here, Damien is his name, has allowed his pack and family members to treat that poor creature with so much hate and malice that she is very very skiddish. Until she gets to know us better, make no sudden movements or loud noises. She has been through enough in her life and I do not want to frighten her. I need her to trust us, trust that we only want to protect her. Understood?"

"Yes I understand. Oh, that reminds me, Felix called. He has your report on the matter we discussed earlier he said to have you call him when you get time."

"Perfect let me go tell Raleigh and I want you to mind link me when the doctor finishes up with her."

"I will."

Raleigh's P.O.V.

I quickly undress and put the gown provided to me on and climb onto the exam table. I hear voices outside the door and instantly, panic sets in. My panic is interrupted by a light knock on the door. 

"Raleigh, it's James. May I enter?"

So sweet. I think to myself. "Yes you can come in!" I yell.

The door opens and in walks James with concern all over his face. He closes the door behind him and walks over to me and takes my hand in his very large hand. 

"I have some calls to make very quickly, I'm going to leave Declan at the door with orders to not permit anyone in except the doctor or nurses. You will be safe in his care, I swear to you." he kisses my hand.

"I will be back shortly" as he says this another knock at the door interrupts us. The doctor pokes his head in, "Are we ready in here?" he asks.

"Uh..as I'll ever be I suppose." 

He strolls in with an machine he calls an ultrasound, a caddy with glass tubes and needles in it. "Ok Alpha James. I'm going to start here so if you'll please make your way out to the waiting area, I will come find you when we're all finished" he says with a gentle smile. 

"Absolutely, I'll be a mind link from Declan away. Please inform him when you have finished."

He walks out and closes the door. 

"Ok, Miss...." Dr. Garcia waits for my name.

"Oh Raleigh Martinez."

"Ok Raleigh, I'm going to start and if at any time you feel pain or discomfort, please let me know."

"Ok I will."

He gently pulls the bandage off my cheek. "What happened here?"

"Uh...I.." I stutter trying to think of an excuse for my injury. 

"It's ok, I don't need to know the details, sweetie. Don't worry, we'll get you fixed up. How old are you, hun?"

"I just turned 18." I reply. "Ah, I see. Have you gained your wolf?" he asks making conversation while he inspects and cleans the cut. 

"Yes, I have." I answer and wince in pain as he cleans it. 

"Ok looks like, unfortunately, there is a small infection beginning, but it's nothing we can't take care of with some antibiotics. I will need to stitch this up." After hearing that, I hated Damien and his squad. Even more than I already had. 

"Now, have you had intercourse before?"

"Y-Yes?." I answer with a questioning tone.

"I can already guess by your healing bruises, that it was forced. Not to worry, I am going to do an exam and that will tell us if you can carry and deliver pups later on."

My worry sets in, what good was I as a mate a future Luna if I couldn't give James pups. Heirs to his legacy. 

"Go ahead and lay back, dear. Do you want a nurse in here for support?" he asks gently.

"P-please."

His eyes glaze over, and the next thing I knew a very kind looking blonde walks in and takes my hand. "Hello dear, I'm a nurse here in the clinic and I'm here for you." she smiles sweetly at me. I take a deep breath, "Ok, I'm ready." I say, pushing back my tears and fear. 

"Ok, I will be inserting this instrument in you it has gel on it that will allow me to see what you have going on internally. You will feel pressure but no pain, ok?"

I nod my head and start to gently squeeze the nurses hand. I felt the pressure of the instrument, the coolness of the gel. 

"Alright, well, I see some light tearing of the v**ina, but the womb looks good, I don't see why you couldn't have pups in the future." He smiles up at me. With that part of the exam over, he check over the rest of my body, takes notes of my scars and healing bruises. 

"Nurse go ready the x-ray room so we can get full body scans of her see if she has past injuries."

"Yes Doc." the nurse gives my hand another squeeze with a smile and leaves. 

"You can go ahead and relax, she'll come and get you when we're ready for you to get your scans." he leaves me in the exam room when I hear a knock. 

"Luna, it's me Declan, do you need anything?"

"Uh do you know where James is? When he'll be back?" I ask.

"No but as soon as your scans are complete, I will mind link him."

Sigh, I just met the man and I already want him near me always. 

About 10 minutes pass and the nurse comes back with a wheelchair. "You ready, doll?" I get up and sit in the chair and she wheels me down the hall and helps me get on the table. 

Dr. Garcia walks in "Alrighty, we just need some full body scans and we'll be done here. So lay still and Nurse Joyce will finish up and when James returns we will go over everything I found. Sound good?"

I nod my head and let the nurse do her thing. When we finally finished, she took me back to my room. "You can go ahead and get dressed Doc will be in after he reviews the scans."

I quickly get dressed, hop back up on the table and wait nervously for the doctor and James.

James' P.O.V.

After leaving Raleigh in the hands of the good doctor and Declan, I head up to my room and call Felix, head of security at the pack house. 

"Felix, what did you find out?"

"Raleigh Martinez, member of the extinguished Shadow Moon pack. Daughter to Alpha Raul and Luna Regina Martinez. Thought to be dead in the fire that killed the pack 6 years ago."

"Shadow Moon?"

"Yes sir. Is that significant?"

"Yes, they were our closest allies when my father was Alpha." I reply. How did she make it out of that fire? And more importantly, how did she become pack house slave at the Night Walker pack?

"Alright, I have another name for you to track down. Damien Moon, Alpha to the Night Walker pack. Get back to me as soon as you get anything, I have to go. Thanks Felix."

"Not a problem Alpha."

I hang up the phone and I receive a mind link from Declan. 

~They just finished the scans, Alpha.~

~Ok I'm making my way down now. Do not leave your post.~

~Sir~

I get up from my spot on the bed, and walk to the door. When i open it up, I see none other than Damien Moon. 

It's taking everything in me to not rip his throat out here and now. But unfortunately, we still have a pact with these fools. Until tomorrow that is, when I officially rescind the treaty, which was my plan since I became Alpha, and declare the Night Walker enemies of Midnight Moon.

"Alpha Damien," I sneer at his being. 

"How can I help you?"

"Tell me where that little slut is. She missed her morning chores and she never made breakfast."

"Raleigh is no longer your concern, she's with me now. I'm responsible for her care and well being and she will no longer be cooking or cleaning for you lot. Please step aside, I have somewhere to be."

Begrudgingly, he moves out of my way as I lock the door behind me. 

As I walk towards the stairs, I hear him snicker to himself and yell after me, "You know she's no longer pure? She will never be a true Luna. She's useless to you." That hit a major nerve. 

I walk back over to him look him in his evil dead eyes, "Do not ever call her that again.. You may have stolen the only dignity she had left, but in my eyes, that beautiful girl is the most pure thing in this hell hole. After this bullshit convention is over she will be going with me and you will never be able to hurt or threaten her again. Do I make myself clear you spineless piece of s**t?!" 

He just stares at me, thinking of what to say next. I turn on my heel and hurry down to the clinic.

Just as I arrived back to her room, I see the doctor already in there waiting for me. 

"My deepest apologies love, I got caught up with pack business."

I see her smile ever so slightly, "It's ok, I know you have important things on your mind."

How did I ever get so lucky to have such a sweet mate. I turn my attention to the doctor who is ready to give us his full report. 

"Alright after doing a full exam and tests, we have found, you are highly malnourished and dehydrated. In addition, you have vitamin deficiency so I will send you some samples of what I want you to take. Now, getting to the body scans, you have evidence of past injuries that never fully healed. With that being said, now that you have gained your wolf, and found a mate, once you complete the mating rituals, you will heal much faster. However, the cut on your face may never fully heal you will likely have a small scar your whole life. Now for the slightly good news. There was evidence of light tearing in the v***na walls, but the womb looked healthy so I have no concerns about your ability to conceive and birth pups. Again once you complete the mating ritual, you should heal in no time. I'm going to keep you over night to keep an eye on you, Alpha James, you are more than welcome to stay in the room I can have a cot brought in for you."

I sat back in the chair I was sitting in, taking in all of this information. I finally look at Raleigh, tears in her eyes. "Raleigh, I cannot wait to get you away from all of this."

I stand and cup her face in my hands, "I don't care what your face looks like, I still love you regardless. I still believe you are the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld."

I hear a cry escape her and I hug her, I ask Dr. Garcia, "You said she had unhealed injuries, why? Did she not receive medical care?" 

"No today was my first encounter with Ms. Martinez. I knew of her but was never allowed to treat her injuries." 

I push down my frustration, "ok, thank you doctor."

"my pleasure" he replies as he steps out. 

I look at Raleigh, "I'm so happy you're ok baby. I will never treat you horrible. I'm just sorry you had to go through all of this for this long. One more day and we will be leaving. In the morning, I will be checking you out of here and you can go to my room until the Alpha meeting is over, then we will be gone. I swear he will pay. He will wish he never laid a hand on you."

"Thank you James. You have been so kind to me. Now, why does Declan keep calling me Luna?"

"It's out of respect to you. He knows you are my mate and I am the Alpha, so as long as you do not reject me, you are the next Luna. I hope you can learn to trust me and accept me."

Just as I say that, the nurse comes in "Sorry to interrupt, doc wanted me to take you to a private room for overnight observation. If you'll both follow me."

We step into the hall and I motion for Declan to follow us. The nurse leads us to the private room, I help Raleigh into the bed and cover her up. "Declan, same goes, I want you to watch her like a hawk, no one is to enter. I will be back in the morning for her."

"You have my word, I am a hawk now." He salutes me like we're in the army or some s**t. 

Bruno huffs with worry as I turn to look at my love laying in the bed, already sleeping. Poor thing probably gets almost no sleep. I go kiss her head, and she shifts and sighs in her sleep. Content that she is safe, I leave her in Dec's capable care. I slowly walk up to my room to get some sleep myself. Tomorrow will be a long and drama filled day as I carry her off to happiness. Good night my little mate. Sleep well.