2 Lucien Chapter 2

I sighed, resting my palms flat on the two sides of my head. I raked my fingers through my brownish-blonde hair and squeezed the strands gently. Twirling my stripe of blue hair between my fingers, my eyes swiped over the cursive script again and the words tugged a smile on my face.

Jasmine, my sister, was inviting me to Woodbridge High to visit the wolves in training and prepare them for their pack entry exams. My wolf, Caspian, howled with delight at the news that our beloved younger sister wanted to see us again. Living almost two hours away, I hardly had time to see Jasmine, and Benedict was driving me crazy about his mate. That, in addition to the stack of papers that continued to grow on my desk--being Alpha King, wasn't as easy as it sounded.

I scanned the letter again, golden eyes catching a bold name somewhere in the middle of the text. I licked my lips. Raleigh. That same name repeated in almost every one of Jasmine's letters. I had heard of the girl from my Beta female, Logan. Apparently, they were best friends. Just the thought of Raleigh made my stomach tingle in delight. I had never met the girl in my life, yet Caspian seemed to enjoy looking at her name. He'd make me spend hours just re-reading the parts about this girl...Raleigh Rivercrest.

I pushed myself up from my office chair, stretching my limbs with a grunt. I hoped I'd see Raleigh when I went to visit Jasmine. Maybe then her scent can talk some sense into Caspian. He keeps claiming she's the one for us, but I put him down fast. I'd rather not get my hopes up.

I glanced at the duffel bag resting in the corner of my office. Packed with a small gift for my sister and a few emergency items, I slung the sack over my shoulder and made my way out of my house, rounding the packhouse as I did so. Some pups were playing by the small playground, their mother's waving to me.

I took a second glance at the pups, Avery and his sister, Ananya. They had joined my pack recently, found on the road abandoned and I couldn't help but take a liking to the outspoken pup and his shy sister. I would have stopped to talk to them, as Avery already had a reputation among the pups as a chatterbox, but Jasmine would give me an ear full if I was late.

Since Drew was already in Woodbridge High, I left my Gamma, Conner, in charge. I had no qualms about leaving the pack to him; he was just as responsible as Drew was, which made me wonder sometimes why he was never made Beta.

The drive to Woodbridge was long and quite boring. Nobody but me had gone, so I was left to my own devices in the car while driving. I tried listening to music, but soon got bored and began to play 'I Spy' with myself. Caspian howled with laughter in my head, but honestly, I could care less.

Soon, after I grew bored of the childish game, I let my thoughts wander aimlessly in my head. At some point, they all circled around the same bold name on the paper Jasmine had sent me: Raleigh. I snarled to myself, gripping the steering wheel tighter than I already had. Who was this girl? Why was she so important? Caspian tried to argue with me, but I shut him off quickly, drowning my thoughts with excitement as I reached the small town.

Rahway was smaller than I expected it to be. Maybe living in a large pack had made me forget the simple town life had to offer. I parked close to a small park by Rahway River and decided to do some exploring before I checked out Jasmine's school. The sun gripped the horizon with its hot fingers, begging for some more time in power before the moon rose.

I glanced at the tattoo's on my arms, having to squint to see the scars scratched underneath. One of them, my moon tattoo, symbolized my leadership as Alpha King of North America. On my cheek, a light blue moon and two white stars, my mate mark. When I found my mate-if I found her-she'd bear my mark once I marked her.

Licking my lips, I sighed wistfully. Almost everyone in my pack had a mate, everyone except me, and a few teens and pups. The void in my chest only grew deeper with every wedding paper I had to sign.

I strolled quietly through Rahway park, stopping to admire the children playing by the playground. A mop of dark hair caught my eye and I smiled. I knew the Alpha of Rahway, Greg. He was playing with his daughter on the slides. He saw me and waved slightly, dusting his jeans and leaving her to play with her older sister. I stayed in my spot as he joined me.

"Alpha King." He acknowledged. His hazel eyes were slightly hard, assessing me carefully. "Is everything alright? How are you?"

"I'm good Greg. And yes, everything is fine. I'm just visiting Jasmine at her school," I answered. Greg grinned and led me to a small bench, sitting with a heavy sigh next to me. His eyes melted as if they were bars of chocolate.

"Jasmine invited you? Haven't seen her in a while? Have you Lucien?" He asked, now knowing I meant no harm to his territory. I nodded.

"Yes. She's been bugging me for the past few weeks to come over! Says she has someone for me to meet." I flushed slightly at the memory of Caspian tracing Raleigh's name, and Greg noticed. He grinned, sharp, canine teeth visible enough for me to remember when Drew and I first found him. I shivered, but he didn't notice.

"Any chance this 'someone' is a girl?" He teased. I growled though I knew Greg knew I was only playing.

"Yes," I managed "And Caspian's been over the moon every time Jasmine mentions her." Greg raised an eyebrow.

"What's her name?" He asked.

"Raleigh."

"Raleigh? Isn't that the name of a place?"

"Yes. North Carolina's capital."

"Oh..." Greg remained quiet, and I turned to him.

"Do you know her?" Greg chewed his bottom lip as if debating his answer. I frowned. He was chewing his lip; that meant he knew something,

"Gregory," I growled, pulling my full name card. Greg sighed.

"Yes. She's...something," he finally decided. I frowned.

"Something? Is she human?" I asked. Greg shrugged.

"I would like to think so; I don't make it a habit of giving a handshake to every inhabitant of Rahway. I have a file on her, but all I really know it that she lives in Lexi's home for kids," he said. I felt Caspian pacing in my head.

She not a werewolf?

No, I don't think so, buddy

I don't care. I want to see her.

You're being pretty restless these days Caspian. Are you sure you're alright?

Yes, Caspian snapped, retreating to the back of my mind. I sighed, standing up. Greg hastily copied me, waiting for me as I brushed my jeans.

"I'd better be going," I said. "Jasmine should probably be getting impatient by now." I paused, and Greg looked at me warily, waiting for me to continue. "If-if I need any more info on Raleigh...?" He nodded.

"Just come over. I'll look through her folder," he said. We shared one last nod and parted ways, Greg back to his girls, and me to the school right across the park.

I proudly looked up at Woodbridge High. Brick by brick, long and wide. A large banner draped over the front and the lawn cleanly shaven. I climbed the steps up to the office and pulled the metal ring on the door open, slipping inside to the main office. Luckily, nobody was there except Anastasia, one of my pack members, who nodded and smiled to me, bowing briefly before jerking her head to Jasmine's door. I nodded to her and reached for the door, opening it slightly and closing it behind me as I walked in.

Jasmine was bent over her desk, studying a pale yellow notebook in front of her. The window was open, a strawberry and vanilla scent drifting to my nose. I inhaled, and Jasmine's head shot up comically, much to my amusement.

"Gah! Ana I-! Lucien!" Jasmine jumped from her seat, her mouth touching the corners of her ears as she rounded her table to give me a hug. I reciprocated warmly, though my mind was still on the sweet strawberry scent. It made me hungry.

"How are you, bro?" She asked. I shrugged.

"As well as I can be."

"And Caspian? How has he been?"

"Caspian's...okay. He's been on edge ever since you invited us," I said. Jasmine raised a brown eyebrow, frowning.

"Why?" I shrugged again.

"I don't know. He's taken a special interest in one of the girls you mentioned...?" Jasmine suddenly grinned.

"Oh! Do you mean Raleigh? Yeah! Speaking of, this is her notebook," she pointed me to the loopy cursive handwriting on the page, and I found myself yet again tracing her English script. Jasmine coughed leaning against her desk.

"So you say Caspian's taken to her?" She asked. Sighing, I nodded.

"Yes, as irritating as it is. Now even I can't get my mind off her! And I've never even seen her!" Jasmine grinned.

"Maybe she's your mate," she said. I snorted.

"Yeah right. And I'm Cleopatra." Jasmine slapped my arm, glaring when all I gave her was a deadpan look.

"Men," she muttered. "So in denial. Ever think why Caspian's so attracted to her? Her smell? Her writing? Her-!" Jasmine was cut off by a shy knock on the door, and as it opened, a large blast of strawberry and vanilla hit my senses, almost knocking me unconscious. Jasmine shot me a look and smiled playfully, gesturing whoever it was inside.

Once my eyes saw her, I knew she was mine.

She was beautiful. Innocent, dark chocolate eyes looked hesitantly above dark eyelashes. Her bangs, sharp and triangular, fell along her eyelids and brushed her eyelashes. Her long hair kissed her waist, partly tied up and partly loose. She wasn't like other girls though. Her face was round and soft, unlike the sharp jaws most women I've met had. She wasn't as skinny as them either, her stomach slightly soft, but not so much to push against the fabric of her shirt.

She wore a white hoodie with short sleeves and a pink double-sided pocket. On her brown legs, jean shorts covered her most private parts from prying eyes. I couldn't help myself. My eyes trailed over her exposed legs and arms, noting a few scars around her heel and under her knee-caps, as well as on her arms and a slash on her face. She walked with a slightly bent back, and her arms reached just above 90 degrees. She was also breathing heavily as if she was trying to catch her breath

She has Muscular Dystrophy Caspian stated softly.

What?

It's a disability, you idiot!

That doesn't matter I growled She's beautiful. Caspian purred approvingly, happy I was going to accept her...if she knew about me.

Her eye roamed the room, stopping short on me before a soft flush covered her features and she looked at Jasmine, who was watching our exchange quietly.

She your mate Lucien? He questioned through the mind link.

Yes, I all but snarled. The girl gazed questioningly between us, before speaking as if she were cooing a baby to sleep. My heart melted immediately and my mind went blank.

"Sorry for bothering Mrs. Cortes, but I think I left my notebook here?" She asked. I saw her slowly tilt her head up higher and higher as if trying to gauge my height. Caspian began howling in my head.

Mate! Mate! Mate! He repeated over and over again as if I already didn't know. I watched her study me, and I knew my scent had hit her when she gasped, taking a few steps back. My pupils widened at the soft, breath catching sound and I licked my lips inadvertently, turning to look at Jasmine, who was grinning at us.

"Raleigh, I believe I have yet to introduce you," she said. My mind went blank. This shy, innocent-looking girl was Raleigh?! God, she was so cute! Caspian was practically tearing in my head, begging me to let him out and giving me a tremendous headache. My muscles contracted as I tried to keep him at bay, knowing full well Raleigh was looking at me. I looked down at her just as Jasmine spoke again.

"This is Lucien, my older brother. Lucien, this is Raleigh, the girl I've told you about over the phone." I smiled at Raleigh, who had a cute blush overtake her brown cheeks.

"N-Nice to meet you," she stuttered. I took a deep breath to keep Caspian in check and smiled at her.

"Nice to meet you too," I replied, gazing over her again. She leaned against the wall while waiting and my eyes fastened over the loose buckle of her jeans. For a long moment, I was debating ripping the fabric off her and claiming her there. It felt wrong to think like that, I knew, but I couldn't help it! Caspian was pounding my skull for control, thrashing and snarling.

This is probably the first time somebody's looked at her romantically I murmured to Caspian. He growled in my head.

And the last. She's ours! Only ours Lucien! He snarled arrogantly.

She's ours Caspian. Only ours.

"Here you go!" Raleigh jumped and I chuckled as Jasmine popped above her desk, grinning. Raleigh snatched the notebook out of Jasmine's hands, shaking and flushed.

"T-Thank you!" She stammered again, racing out of the office. I laughed quietly again, leaning against the window as Jasmine closed the door. Once locked, she turned to me, eyes ablaze and mouth pressed in a thin line.

"She's your freaking mate!" She yelled. Caspian whimpered and I rolled my eyes.

"Louder Jasmine! I don't think the school heard you!" I snarled. "Yes! She's my freaking mate! And she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!" Jasmine seemed taken aback at my outburst, but as I calmed, I could see out of the corner of my eye that she was smiling.

"Uh...Jazz?" I asked. She swallowed and smiled gently.

"Thank you," she murmured, worrying me even more. I walked up to her, both my calloused hands on her shoulders.

"What's wrong? Why are you thanking me?" I asked. Jasmine choked a laugh and her eyes glazed over. I didn't know if she was crying or if her wolf, was talking to her.

"I'm thanking you for accepting her you goofball! Raleigh's...never been accepted before," she said softly. I growled.

"What do you mean?" I asked, barely controlling to keep my voice in check. Jasmine sighed.

"Raleigh doesn't have many friends because of her disability," She began "She's orphaned and she has terrible self-esteem and hates herself. Apart from that, that's all I know about Raleigh Rivercrest. She's very...private about her life." I growled.

"We'll have to change that," I said. "Has Drew ever mentioned her?" Jasmine nodded.

"He's mentioned her once or twice, but that's only because of her vanilla scent. You aren't the only one that can smell it. Logan's tried, but Raleigh always shuts her down." She sighed. "That poor girl." I snarled again, this time, one of promise, not of anger.

"I'll make sure that changes. Starting today."