Alpha Mate

Chapter 3

Morgan Pov

What in the hell was that? To say I was confused would be an understatement. Of all the ways I imagined encountering my mate, meeting him while in an infirmary bed had never been one of them. And his reaction to me was something I never could have predicted.

He never even said a word to me. He took one good look at me before he turned and left. How could someone be so disinterested in meeting their mate for the first time? My brother described finding Erin as one of the best days of his life. It was something that all wolves dreamed of. Perhaps it was my injuries from the rogue attack that were keeping me from running after him, but his behavior had me too stunned to move.

In fact, it took everything in me to keep myself from crying. Part of me was furious at my mate for leaving without so much as saying a word to me. The other part of me was left wondering what was wrong with me in his eyes. There had to be something he didn't like about me that he couldn't even stand to be in the same room with me.

I wanted to hate him for his disrespect. My first impression of him was is mistreatment of me. No woman deserved that from her mate. And yet, my heart was still longing for him to accept me and know me. Maybe he had seen something that made him want to back out right away. But I couldn't help but hope that he would turn around and enter the room again to give me a fair chance.

The negative thoughts began to eat away at me in seconds. I sat up in bed, wishing I were well enough to leave this infirmary in the hopes of escaping them. The moon goddess paired our souls together for a reason. There was still hope that we could overcome whatever had happened during our first meeting.

I was grateful when the door began to open once again so I would have a distraction to keep me from dwelling on my feelings of frustration and hurt. My heartbeat picked up, wondering if my mate was back to explain himself. When I didn't get the scent of sandalwood, I realized it wasn't him. Instead, there was a tall young man who walked through the door.

"Hello, Miss. I'm Lance, the beta of this pack." Lance had a stern voice as though he was always one to get straight to business.

"Nice to meet you Lance," I replied.

"Do you remember your name?"

What kind of question was that? Surely as the beta of the pack he would've seen the doctor's reports of my injuries. During the attack, I hadn't hit my head at all.

"Yes, it's Morgan."

"Do you remember what brought you here?"

"Up until I blacked out in the forest at your border."

"Interesting. So you haven't shown any signs of amnesia." It wasn't a question. Lance said this statement more to himself than me. His brows furrowed as though he was trying to connect the puzzle pieces.

"Why would you assume I lost my memory?"

Lance looked at me as though he contemplated whether or not he should tell me his thoughts. He must've decided that confiding in me would be the best way to get answers because he said, "That man who was just in here came to question you. I wondered if the reason he was out of your room in a matter of seconds was because you had forgotten everything. Did you say anything that might've upset him?"

"I didn't say anything. Neither did he. We didn't talk to each other," I told him honestly.

"You mean neither of you spoke to each other at all?"

"Correct."

Lance rubbed his forehead, baffled by the brief interaction that had taken place. It made me feel better to know I wasn't the only one confused by the odd behavior. If I told Lance that the man and I were mates, perhaps he would have a better insight if he understood what hesitation the man had with a mate like me.

Part of me wanted to hold onto that information for a little bit longer. It was humiliating to come face to face with a mate who didn't want me. I didn't need to let anyone else, let alone the beta of the pack, know about my humiliation.

"I should inform you that the man who entered your room was the alpha of this pack, Calum Brown. I would like to apologize to you for his abrupt departure. As the alpha, he often has pressing work to attend to. Something must have come up, but I assure you, he is generally much more welcoming to our guests."

Calum. That was the name of my mate. It didn't surprise me that he was an alpha. It made sense for us to be paired together since I was an alpha's daughter. Not that it would even matter once Calum chose to complete an official rejection.

It was clear that Lance was only trying to cover for his alpha, not understanding the real reason he had run off. There was no urgent pack business to take care of. He left because he didn't want me as his mate.

I couldn't tell Lance this. Not when it infuriated me how Calum could reject me before knowing a single thing about me. From what I can tell, he and I are similar in age. It is possible that I am not his type, but I'm a fairly attractive woman. And if status matters to him, I am from a strong pack and my family comes from an alpha bloodline.

With all my frustrations, a realization hit me. My family.

Not only did I not know anything about how my pack and my family fared through the rogue attack, but I had been entrusted with my niece's safety. Oh no. I am truly the worst aunt in all of history.

"Where's Lilian?" I demanded.

"Who?"

"The baby who was with me," I growled out. "I need to see that she is safe."

The room began to close in around me, growing so hot that I began to sweat. If I wasn't able to protect my niece, I would never forgive myself. I began to hyperventilate, thinking of what would happen if I had to tell Leo and Erin that I lost their daughter to the rogues. Seeing my distress, Lance put his hand over mine to calm me.

"You can relax. Nobody laid a hand on her while you were unconscious. In fact, she wasn't harmed at all during your encounter with the rogues. We kept her at the nursery while you took time to recover here. I promise you that she's safe."

"Thank you. When can I see her?"

"I talked with the doctor and she said you're free to leave the infirmary so long as you don't do any strenuous activities. If you're fine with that, I can show you to your room," Lance told me.

"I have a room?"

"Yes. We have one set up for you and Lilian to stay in during your time here."

"When can we go home?"

"Truthfully, I don't have an answer for you yet. The doctors don't think your body is ready for travel after the injuries you sustained from the rogues. For now, I have orders to take you to a guest room where you will be on bedrest." Orders. My mate ordered him to take me to a room, where he could keep me close until he decided to reject me. He didn't want me, but he wouldn't let me go either. Lance continued, "Though the alpha was not able to question you tonight, we may ask you for more information about the attack soon to ensure the safety of our pack. Once you are fully healed, I will discuss with the alpha about arranging for you and Lilian to return home."

Home. As if it were sure to still be there for Lilian and I. My pack is strong, but rogues are foul creatures. For all I knew, my pack had been completely destroyed as a result of the attack. Until I had the chance to find out, I would be a prisoner here. My cell might be a guest room as opposed to a dungeon, but I would be at the mercy of my mate.

I needed to see Lilian. It hurt too much to consider the possibility I might never see my family again. Lilian needed her parents to be in her life.

"I'd like to see Lilian, please."

"Of course. Here are some clothes for you to change into." He motioned to a pile of clothes that were on the chair. It wasn't until then that I considered the fact I was still in a hospital gown. "I'll be right outside the door to take you there when you're ready."

True to his word, Lance left me alone to get dressed in the simple tshirt and shorts laid out for me. My wounds had healed enough that I was able to step out of bed, but standing on my injured legs felt like I was standing in fire. I winced with the movement it took to lift each leg into the shorts.

I took a small peak at my calves where the rogues claws had torn through. The depth of the wounds prevented my wolf abilities from healing it in a rapid amount of time. Even so, it would be only a few days or so that the skin currently held closed by stitches would mold together again. Then the scars would vanish as though there had never been an attack at all.

When I left the infirmary room, Lance was right outside the door and led me through the infirmary. We walked at a slow pace so that I wouldn't tear any of my stitches. Each step burned and caused my breath to be labored, but the knowledge that I would be able to see my niece again motivated me to walk despite the pain.

By the time we arrived at the nursery, it was early in the morning. We found Lilian in the arms of a young woman, who was rocking her because she had just started to wake.

"Thank you for taking care of her," I said whilst taking Lilian into my arms.

"She is welcome here anytime. She behaved like such a sweetheart. I'm Ashlyn, by the way," she introduced herself.

"It's nice to meet you."

"You two look so much alike. You share the same nose and eyes. I can tell she's going to be just as stunning as you when she grows up."

Lilian giggled as though she was in total agreement. I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks. "Thank you."

It was an unexpected compliment, but similar to ones I've gotten before. It was true that Lilian and I looked very similar. She received a few of the traits that Leo and I shared together from our mother.

Lance then led me to the guest room Lilian and I would be staying in. I was glad to see that it was a very spacious room. It was decorated in light shades of cream and it even had a crib ready for Lilian to sleep in.

"There are movies and books if you get bored and a few sets of clothes in the closet for you to wear. If you need anything at all, there will be a guard posted at your door. If you need anything, ask him and he will make sure you get what you need," Lance explained.

"Where do we go for meals?"

"Food will be brought to you for every meal. Additionally, maids may come in at times to clean or replace necessities."

"So I really can't leave this room?" I sat on the bed distraught.

"I'm afraid not. It should only be temporary, as we are going to get you home as soon as you are better. The alpha and I will continue to be in discussion about your condition and when it will be best for you to return to your pack. Do you have any other concerns?"

"None that you can help me with. I'm sure you have other responsibilities. I wouldn't want to keep you any longer than necessary."

Lance tilted his head at my comment, but left me without any dispute. Part of me wanted to be alone, despite knowing I wouldn't have a choice now that I was trapped in this fancy prison. At least the bed was comfortable and I could be with my niece.