Alpha Nicholas
Chapter 10 –

Bonnie

He ran, my mate saw me and ran, and the worst part of it all was that a small part of me felt shocked. Stupid girl! Growing up every wolf hears the stories of how mates meet, of how they have an instant love, instant connection and are immediately glued at the hip and yet my mate saw me and ran away from me like his ass was on fire and I allowed myself to be disappointed with that, why? Why did I do that to myself when let's be honest, both my wolf and I already knew that our mate wouldn't be interested in us so what just happened shouldn't be a surprise. "Hmm, no way missy. You're the only one who thinks that, so don't drag me into your negative thoughts." Lexi practically growls causing my head to thump. Ok, so maybe she is right about that but so am I, because he did exactly what I knew he would, exactly what my family has always told me would happen. "Maybe it was just a shock and he needed a moment to gather his thoughts. Maybe he wasn't expecting to meet his mate tonight and got spooked." Lexi tries to reassure me but it doesn't help even knowing that he wouldn't want me, to have it happen still hurts.

"Where's he going? I wanted to talk to him!" Blues whiny voice pulls me out of my throughts as she comes to a stop next to me and stomps her foot. "What, who?" I turn to face her and swear she looks ready to explored. "Alpha Nicholas! he's my mate, I know he is and now that I'm 18 I can finally talk to him and allow him to replace out for himself!"

I almost burst out laughing at her words, but thank the Moon Goddess I manage to hold it in. I'm not up for any more beatings tonight. "Who's Alpha Nicholas? I've never met him." Whoever the guy is I hope he keeps on walking because no one deserves to be saddled with her bitchy self. "Right there!" She points across to the outside of the ball area while once again stamping her feet. I follow her finger and soon feel sick when I notice that the only person leaving that way right now is the man who ran from me, my mate. Wait... my mate is Alpha Nicholas, that can't be right. "It sure is, baby girl." Lexi purrs and I swear I feel my blood leave my body. Oh, fuck! Why didn't she tell me?

My mate is an Alpha? Finding my mate was bad enough but the fact that he's an Alpha... Fuck im dead! My father will kill me for being such a huge disappointment. He'll blame me for the poor Alpha being mated to me and beat me, then he'll beat me again for the shame of an Alpha rejecting me and if im lucky enough to survive that, Blue will no doubt have her turn at beating me because clearly, she wants the man thats already got a mate, and of course, that will be my fault too.

I need to get out of here and fast. Lily and I agreed to leave once the ball was over or at least almost over but I can't risk it. The Alpha doesn't want me and thats fine, because I wouldn't wish myself or my family on him which will make leaving easier but we need to leave sooner than planned before anyone could replace out what happened, especially my family.

"I'm sure he'll be back soon, darling girl." My dad's voice is soft and caring when he speaks to Blue but I don't ever remember hearing him talk to me like that. Of course, over the years I've gotten used to it and accepted it but even now after all this time, I still have moments where I replace myself wishing for him to speak to me like that. I shake my head reminding myself why wanting that is a big mistake.

Do I really want a man like him to be my hero? A man who can abuse his daughter, can allow his other children to also abuse her? No, I wouldn't and I dont. I guess replaceing my mate and then him running from me has stirred up some emotions in me that I don't need right now. My dad continues to stroke my sister's ego keeping them distracted enough that I could make a quick exit and search for Lilly. I haven't seen her yet, but I know she's already down here as she linked me when she left her room to let me know.

I slowly start to walk around the large area that has been transformed into a beautiful outdoor ball area. There's a huge make-shift dance floor in the centre with a massive stage at one end that has a DJ set up and playing music, while to each side of the dance floor, there are rows and rows of tables and chairs all dressed beautifully in white table clothes and flowers and candles in the centre.

The trees that surround the area are draped in hundreds of pretty lights while old-style lanterns are hanging off odd branches lighting the place up beautifully. As I look around I realize that there are no food tables anywhere. Usually at balls, this large food is laid out BBQ style for everyone to help themselves. If there are no food tables then that must mean that there's a sit-down meal.

That seems like a lot of work and effort and even though it was a lovely effort for them to put into the ball, it will also no doubt mean that I won't be eating again tonight. It's been 3 days since I last ate and that was just one piece of bread and I'll be honest, it's starting to take effect. I'm used to being starved for days and have gone longer than this before but the endless beatings that I have taken these last few days aren't helping. I can slowly feel myself starting to fade and I hate it.

Shouting and cheering bring me out of my daydream and I quickly realise that someone has found their mate causing a small smile to grace my face. It's always happy news when someone replaces their mate, even if I don't know them, I wish them well. My sad smile quickly turns to a wince when something accidentally bumps into me causing my ribs to scream out in pain.

"Shit, I'm sorry. Are you ok?"I look up at the tall guy who looks concerned and can't help but smile and nod "I'm ok. Thank you." This person has no idea that he's the first person outside of Lily and the Elders to be nice to me in so long that the tears that are trying to break free are not from the pain im in, no, they are from the kindness that he's showing me. I'm pathetic. He gives me another smile and then carries on walking through the crowd while I pull my head out of my ass and go in search of Lilly.

I make my way through the crowds taking my time trying not to bump into anyone. Walking is insanely painful and I can't even try to hold my ribs to help because it will look suspicious and my father will lose his shit. After walking around for a few minutes, I head over to a corner that looks quieter to take a breath before I continue to look for Lilly. I see Alpha Stone standing on his own seeming to be watching everyone looking happy and it makes me smile. Elder Stone is one of the good ones. These balls must be incredibly hard for him and yet from what I've heard he turns up every year and is always genuinely happy for the couple that replaces each other here. He met his mate here over 20 years ago, sadly she died a few years later giving birth to their son, their son also died and from what I've heard, Elder Stone almost ended his own life. To go through that much pain and sorrow and still be such a good person... yeah that man is one of a kind. As far as I know, he's remained on his own since then but I'd like to think that one day he'll give love a second chance. I can't imagine his mate would want him to be alone for the rest of his life.

I decide to go and say hi and slowly make my way over to him only as soon as I'm just a few feet away from him Lexi starts whining in my head and my stomach feels like it going to fall out of my ass. Fuck, he's close, isn't he? "He is, baby girl. Please, let's go say hi!" Lexi begs but I can't. I won't. He doesn't want me and I'm not about to try and push myself on someone, especially an Alpha.

I take another step closer and I swear his scent instantly gets ten times stronger then suddenly my whole body starts to tingle, it's so intense that a gasp leaves my mouth as his broad back comes into view. He turns around to face me and our eyes lock for a moment, the look in his eyes telling me that he doesn't want to see me then he turns around and starts talking to Elder Stone as if I'm invisible and this time I run. I'm in pain physically and emotionally but somehow I manage to run and not look back at what could be but never will be.