The Alpha's Lost Mate

Trust in me

James' P.O.V.

As we drive, I feel Raleigh stir and groan, holding her head. "Raleigh, it's ok we're almost home."

"What happened? Oh, my head hurts.."

"You were attacked while I was in the meeting, we found you on the floor in a pool of your blood. You have a few cuts and a broken nose, but you'll be ok, love. I will protect you and I'm sorry I couldn't.."

"Oh my goddess....You still want me as your mate and Luna? I probably look revolting.."

"No baby. You do not. You are so very beautiful, I don't care what others think" I can't imagine what this is doing to her self esteem.

"Do you think you can just sneak me in? I don't want anyone to see me..I'm a disgrace."

"When we get to the castle, stay in the car, I will dismiss everyone and take you in to get you settled. Then I want our doctor to take a look at you. I had Dr. Garcia forward all of your records and scans to Dr. Abrams, she will be taking over your care until she feels that you have healed." I say moving a few strands of hair away from her furrowed brow. Gods was she gorgeous.

An hour goes by, she has fallen back asleep, and we finally approach the territory gates. Now only 20 more minutes until we reach the castle. I only hope there's not a crowd waiting. I don't want to scare the poor girl any more than she already was. So scared that she will disappoint, or be rejected by the pack. She has been through hell and I want to make her life so much better. 

Finally, we arrive at the castle, Declan parks in front of the steps, to my relief, there is not a wolf in sight, I mind like my parents, Finn and Lucille.

~Mom. Dad. I'm home but I want all halls and corridors clear of anyone. I will explain in a bit, just please do as I ask.~

~Of course, Dear~ I wait a while before exiting the car, I step out and walk over to the side Raleigh is on, asleep still. Good, she needs this rest. 

I scoop her into my arms, telling Declan, "Be sure to clear the halls. I do not want anyone looking on her to judge her. And make sure my parents are available to meet in my office in half an hour."

"Yes, Alpha." He replies, dashing off into the castle. 

I receive a mind link giving me the all clear and I head in with Raleigh snuggled into my chest as my grip comforts her. I head up the stairs to my room, once in, I gently lay her down and cover her up. Letting her rest, I write a note for her if she wakes up while I'm gone. 'Darling, I had to meet with my parents. Declan is outside the door, yell if you need anything. -James'

I head out of the room, looking back to see my stunning mate sleeping in my bed, I can't help but dread leaving her alone again. I always wish to be near her, to never leave her side. Pulling my self back to reality, I need to discuss everything with my parents, knowing mother, she will want to meet her only son's mate. And I absolutely dread it. 

Unknown P.O.V.

I saw the Alphas vehicle pull up to the castle. Hoping to have a welcome home reunion with him, my hopes are shattered when he pulls a strange girl from the back of the car. Who is she and why is she with him? What is so special about her? 

I follow them into the castle to inspect further. He carries her all the way up to his room and disappears behind the door. Posted outside of the door I see the Beta, Declan. 

Not wanting to be seen, I head back down to the living area, hoping that eventually, I'll see James. Or I'll get lucky and some slutty she-wolf will lure Declan away from his posting so I can investigate further. Everyone in the pack that he can't resist a female, there's a reason he's called a man-slut. A very good reason. 

Fifteen minutes pass, and I go up to see if my hope has come true, but much to my disappointment, he's still there so I change my game plan. I lower my top down so my breasts are showing more, pinch my cheeks to give them some color. I walk up the remaining steps, and strut towards Declan.

"Hello Beta, I've missed you" I say rubbing his very sexy, built arms.

"Hello, I'm sorry but you need to leave this floor, the Alpha is busy."

I sigh with a smile on my face, "Oh sweetie, I'm not here for him. I want you, baby. You, you are just so yummy. Surely, you can sneak away for some much needed relaxation. You look stressed, handsome."

"No. I have orders to stay until James is finished with his meeting." I can see the sweat dripping, his desire growing. He wants to but he knows if he leaves with me, James will have his hide for a throw rug. 

"Oh, well I guess you just missed out.." I say trying to sound disappointed. I turn away, pouting a bit, head downstairs to think of another way to find out more about that mystery girl. I need to know why my Alpha brought her in and seemed to care about her more than he did me. I need to stake my claim and make him realize that he is my mate and I will have him. Even if i need to get rid of that little wretch resting in his room. 

I need a plan, and fast. And I know just the people who are going to help me. 

Raleigh P.O.V.

Ouch, my head is pounding, what the hell happened? I slowly open my eyes, taking in my surroundings. I'm laying in a bed, a very soft bed at that. Soft pillows, thick warm covers keeping me warm against the cold air from outside. I look to the left of me and I see beautiful french doors leading out to what I guess is a balcony. Across the room I see a bathroom, oh good I need a shower, next I see a door that I guess is the closet. Slowly, I sit up holding my head, I get up to use the bathroom, slowly walking in the door and shutting it behind me. After finishing up and wash my hands I look in the mirror to see my face, how can anyone love a face this scarred and bruised? Lacerations, a broken nose great, I say to myself. 

Sighing and pulling myself away, I hear voices outside the door and head back to the bed. I climb in and cover up, finally being able to sit up without getting the urge to pass back out, the door opens and I see a worried looking James. As he sees me sitting up, looking at him, I see the worry on his face disappear and turn to love as his gaze soften and a gorgeous smile beams at me. 

"I'm glad to see you awake, do you need anything?" he asks gently sitting on the bed next to me. 

"Uh..no I think I'm ok right now. Thank you." I reply tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I flush red because James has not taken his eyes off of me. 

"Our doctor will be coming by to check on you later on if you're up to it. And I'll be here if you need anything. I'm going to be waiting on you hand and foot if you need anything."

I begin to protest when he puts his hand up to stop me from arguing. "No no. No arguing please, you have been through so much in the last day I want to make sure you get better and heal. Do you remember anything?" he asks softly.

"Well, I remember...." I begin trying to recall all that happened. "I remember being at Night Walker Pack, in your guest room..I got attacked.?" I ask in the form of a question because in all honesty, I don't remember for certain.

"Yes, I came up to the room to have you tell your story to the other Alphas and Elders, I found you laying on the floor in a pool of blood. You were unconscious, I had the doctor sit with you as I finished the meeting, and we left. I brought you here, Midnight Moon Pack." he explains slowly giving me the rundown of what's happened. 

"So where are we right now" I ask timidly.

"This is my room. Well, it's more like a hotel suite actually. It has a living room with a t.v., a full bathroom, a walk in closet and a small kitchen where I have mostly just snacks. This is your space as well. Since we're mates we share a room. If you're uncomfortable, I can give you a space of your own. Or sleep in the living area until you get used to it here. I don't want you to be nervous, no one here will hurt you." 

I begin to speak up when there is a knock at the door, "Alpha, it's Declan, the doc is here." the voice states. 

James looks at me, "are you up for another exam?"

I nod my head, he goes to get up, I grab his arm, "James, will you stay with me this time? I'm scared."

He smiles, "Yes, if that's what you want, love." He gets up to let the doctor in to see me. As the door opens, Declan waves at me and flashes me a friendly smile. At least I have a friend here other than James I think to myself. 

James P.O.V. 

After giving my family the details of what happened at the meeting and who Raleigh really was and what happened to her, Mother wanted to meet her. 

"Mother, she has been through enough today. Give her time to heal and get used to everything. I will introduce you in due time." I reason with her.

She gives me a concerned look, and finally gives in throwing her hands up in defeat. "Alright son, I will give it time. She needs a female to guide her, so don't keep her all to yourself." she warns, I just roll my eyes at her and warn the others that the information does not leave this room and dismiss them. 

Walking back to my room, I see Joanna sulking in the hall. I ignore her and step into my suite. I walk through the living area, Declan trailing behind me. I cannot shield my expression of worry. What if she rejects me? I don't want to lose her. I've waited so long to find my mate. 

My worry fades away as I open the bedroom door and see Raleigh sitting up in bed, looking so beautiful, so fragile and innocent. A smile forms on my face seeing her awake and I sigh a breath of relief, she's ok James, calm down, I tell myself. 

"Glad to see you awake, do you need anything" I ask gently sitting on the bed next to her.

"Uh..no I think I'm ok right now. Thank you." she replies tucking a strand of her beautiful brown hair behind her ear. She blushes bright red realizing I have not taken my eye off of her. But how could one not look at her beauty.

"Our pack doctor will be coming by soon if you feel up to it. And I'll be here if you need anything. I'm going to be waiting on you hand and foot if you need anything". She opens her mouth to begin protesting, but I put my hand up to silence her, "No no. No arguing please, you have been through so much in the last day, I want to make sure you get better and heal. Do you remember anything?"I ask her softly.

""Well, I remember......" she tries to remember and I can see her focusing very hard to put the details together in her head before continuing. "I remember being at Night Walkers Pack, in your guest room..I got attacked.?" she asks with uncertainty in her voice.

"Yes. I came up to the room to have you tell your story to the other Alphas and Elders, I found you laying on the floor in a pool of blood. You were unconscious, I had their doctor sit with you as I finished the meeting, and we left. I brought you here, Midnight Moon Pack." I explain to her. 

"So, where are we right now?" she asks timidly.

"This is my room. Well, it's more like a hotel suite actually. It has a living room with a t.v., a full bathroom, a walk in closet, and a small kitchen where I have mostly just snacks. This is your space as well. Since we're mates, we share a room. If you're uncomfortable I can set up a space for you. Or I can sleep on the couch in the living room until you get used to it here. I don't want you to be nervous, no one here will hurt you."

She opens her mouth to say something when there's a knock on the door, "Alpha, it's Declan, the doc is here." 

I look at Raleigh, "are you up for another exam?"

She nods her head, I stand up to open the door and before I even took a step, she grabs my arm, "James, will you stay with me this time? I'm scared" Raleigh confesses to me with a waver in her voice as if she was about to burst into tears.

"Yes, if that's what you want, love." I smile and go let the doctor in. 

Raleigh takes a deep breath to settle her nerves, lays down and I take my spot next to her, grabbing her hand so she knows I'll never leave her. Ever. 

After the doctor finishes up the exam, I help Raleigh sit up, after she's situated, I ask, "are you hungry, love? I can have them make what ever you want".

"No, I'm not hungry, just in some pain. Maybe I should rest." 

"Alright, you lay here and rest. I'm going to be doing some work on my computer in the living room. I will leave the door cracked so if you need me, no matter how small just call me." I kiss her on the head.

I go out to the living room and open my laptop. I've been waiting on Felix's report to come in all day. Opening my email, I finally got the report while I was in the room with Raleigh. Let's see what I can learn about the monster that abused and tormented my baby. I open the report to read it and as soon as I saw his rap sheet, I wanted to punch the screen out. He had several human police reports on file. r**e, domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder. To think, that innocent creature sleeping in the next room had to live with this monster for 6 years. Enduring all of the pain, taking the beatings and being forced upon by someone who wasn't her mate disgusted me, not with her but with him. 

My rage grew and grew I could barely contain it when Declan came in to see if he could help with anything. 

"Hey, you need anything done?" 

"No. I'm going to kill that worthless piece of s**t one day. Mark my words Dec, that creature, not even qualified to be a man anymore, will die by my hands if it's the last thing I do.." I trail off into deep thought.

"What happened? Did she tell you more?" Declan questions with worry in his voice. Raleigh hasn't accepted me completely yet, but knowing the respect Declan already has for her makes me proud to have him as my Beta. 

"No, she hasn't but I want her to take her time, the last thing I want to do is rush her and freak her out. Ya know?" I ask.

"Absolutely. You are very patient and someone as sweet and innocent as Raleigh is worth the wait."

Sigh, he knows how to calm me down. I'm finally calm enough to show him what I received from Felix about Damien. 

"So, when we go to kill him, can we double team? I am dying to get a piece of action!" the fury in his face tells me that he's serious and would do anything to protect her from any danger if I were to not be around. 

"She needs clothes and things of her own. But I have no clue what she's into or her sizes. I don't want to scare her introducing her to my mom or Tate, or anyone for that matter. What should I do?"

Declan sits back in his chair, deep in thought. "Ask her if she'd be willing to meet your mom and really get it through to your mom that she's fragile right now and needs some space but also needs someone to be there for her for female things." I knew I chose the right Beta when I chose him. He may be a man w***e and a huge goofball sometimes, but he really helps me in situations I know nothing about. 

I suddenly hear a tiny voice pipe up from the next room. "Uh....James? Are you out there? James?"

I jump up and run to the side of the bed "I'm here, baby, I'm right here. What is it? Are you hungry? In pain? Bathroom?" I must be acting like a lunatic, I need to know she's taken care of.

"Uh, yeah all of the above I guess." she giggles a little. That's the first laugh I had heard from her since we met. Oh how adorable my little mate is. This is the perfect time to speak with her about my mother. I take her to the bathroom and make sure she's steady on her own, run to the kitchenette to get her a banana and toast, then I grab some painkillers from the bottle Dr. Abrams gave us.

I return to the bedroom and see her come out of the bathroom. I go over to help her but she insists on doing it herself. So strong willed and determined this woman is, no wonder she survived 6 years of all the abuse. 

Once she is back in bed and comfortable, I have her eat the banana first, then take her medicine. I can't over feed her because her stomach has shrunk in size over the years from being basically starved. I need to plump her up but slowly. 

"Now that you're awake, I need to speak with you about something." I start to say as her eyes got as wide as saucers. 

"Oh god, you're rejecting me already!! What am I too weak? Not pretty enough? Too damaged?" she begins to cry and sob so hard. s**t, she's sending herself into a panic attack. I'm so stupid. Why can't I be as good with females and Declan.

"No, Raleigh, quit crying baby. It's nothing like that I swear. I will never reject you. I'm afraid you will be the one rejecting me because of what you have been through. Please stop crying." I plead with her hoping my words of honesty are getting through to her. She eventually stops sobbing and her horrible, gut wrenching sobs turn into light sniffles.

"W-what is it then?" *sniff* she asks through her tears. 

"Sweetie, you need more than 2 shirts and a single pair of leggings. I can't have you only surviving on those. Not that you don't look amazing in what you have, but you need more, you deserve more. And I also want you to meet my mother. I don't have any females around for you to befriend and I know that you're going to have a hard time trusting people, and I want you to know you can trust my mother. What are your thoughts love?"

She looks uncertain, like she's going to throw up from the thought of meeting my mother. "Well, if that's what you want me to do James, but.."

"What is it?" I ask stroking her cheek wiping away the rest of her tears. 

"I don't have any money.. And what if she doesn't like me?" she asks feeling ashamed that she has no money. 

"Don't you worry about the money dearest. I will take care of that. And as far as my mother goes, she's going to love you. You know how I know? Because I love you and she loves anything I care for." I explain. I should probably take this time to explain to her that I'm one of the richest men in Montana. Owning a lumberyard and multiple mills and construction companies to keep appearances with the humans tends to make one a billionaire. 

"A-are you sure? I don't want to put you out James. Clothes now are expensive."

"Don't you worry about a thing. I will take care of you in any way I can." I reassure her. She nods in understanding. "Now, are you up for a visitor?" I ask already mind linking mother to my room.

Raleigh takes a very deep breath, wipes the rest of her tears away and nods her head, putting on a fake smile for my mother. I know it's just her being nervous and still in shock.

"Hello dear, I'm James' mother, Lucille, but you can call me anything you'd like." mother starts introducing herself to Raleigh. 

"H-hello ma'am. It's so good to meet you. My name is Raleigh. Your son has been very sweet and caring towards me. I have him to thank for even being alive right now." she looks over at me giving me a small smile of thanks, I bow my head acknowledging her thanks and smile back. 

"I'm glad he absorbed something I taught him as a pup. Be kind to any woman, especially your mate." Mother replies with a twinkle in her eye no doubt very proud knowing her only son met and saved his mate from that hellhole. 

"James, go run off with Declan or Tate, let us have a few moments to get to know each other. You've been hogging this sweet thing all day and night."

"Alright mom but not too long she still needs lots of rest to let her wolf heal her." I warn her giving her my best alpha look. It doesn't do much for my mother or father. 

I walk out and close the door behind me letting the girls talk and get to know each other. Hoping my ever persistent mother will convince Raleigh to go shopping this weekend with her for new things. She would know better than I what an 18 year old female would need or want. 

I want Raleigh to know I'm here for her and that she can trust in me to keep her happy, healthy, and protected. Hell, I have enough warriors to form a small army and Declan is as protective of her as I am so I know he'll keep her safe should she need to go anywhere. I should look into setting up her own bodyguard for when she goes out without me which will be seldom in itself. I don't want her away too long, I would miss her too much. Just being a room away letting the females talk is killing me knowing I can't look upon that lovely face and hear her angelic voice.