Alpha Mate Series novel Chapter 61

Lucas POV:

"Charlie, I need to ask you something and I need you to be honest with me, okay?" I asked her as we waited for our food to arrive.

"Um... Okay." She responded nervously. "I need to know why you look so nervous and afraid all the time. How do your parents treat you?" I asked her softly.

I saw the panic rise in her eyes and instantly took her hand. "Charlie, please. Tell me what's going on."

"I.. Nothing is going on." She replied. "Please, don't lie to me." I said, practically begging.

"Well.. They don't exactly love me." She said quietly. That's all I needed to know.

"Charlie.. I want you to pack your things when we get back. Can you do that for me?" I asked.

She tilted her head, slightly confused. "Why?" She asked.

I sighed. "I know they're abusing you Charlie. You didn't have to say it. I'm leaving early, seeing as how I won't be allying with your father because of this." I told her.

She looked down instantly. "I'm sorry." She said as her voice broke slightly.

I instantly went to her side. "Hey, it's not your fault. None of this is. Your... Family.." My wolf growled loudly suddenly, startling everyone in the restaurant including myself.

"I'm sorry." I told her.

Charlie POV:

I was surprised when Lucas asked me to leave with him so suddenly. I had no idea he would find out so easily. I felt an overwhelming amount of guilt about this truce coming to an end. I felt it was my fault, but Lucas is slowly showing me that not everything bad that happens in my life is my fault. He never once blamed me for this. He never judged me. He's been nothing but good to me the entire time he's been here.

"Can you do that for me, beautiful?" Lucas asked again. Every time he called me beautiful, butterflies filled my stomach.

My wolf suddenly began to purr. I haven't heard a peep out of her in a long time. I looked down, slightly embarrassed at how loud she was.

"Our plane leaves early in the morning, so Charlie will be leaving tonight." Lucas told her.

"I thought you weren't leaving until the day after." My father said.

"There's no need, Alpha Smith. I won't be needing any further assistance from your pack." Lucas replied, dryly.

"What changed your mind?" My mother asked.

Lucas then turned to the both of them. "What changed my mind." He repeated. "Well.. I discovered what kind of people you two really are." He said.

"I'm sorry?" My father asked in shock.

"Do I need to repeat myself, Alpha? You two are abusive to your daughter. I can clearly see that. I also see that you were trying to push me toward that woman that came in here like she owned the damn place. I'm done here and I will be taking Charlie home in the morning."

Home. Taking me home. It was music to my ears.