Chapter 5: Meeting

**LUCIEN**

I have been restless the last few weeks since only seeing the silhouette of the woman and her two children. The cutest little kids I have ever seen in my life.

The little boy was brunette and looked smart for his age, always scanning his surroundings. And the little girl was so precious. Like a princess but a second mama all in one. And their mother, holding onto them for dear life. Worry shaking through her body. I want to find her. See her face.

I wonder if I can find anyone around town that might know her. Just as I am trying to leave the butcher shop this Saturday afternoon we start to get completely slammed. We usually have a lot of boyfriends and husbands here getting a list of meats for their wives and households. They would say things like, “Only a man knows the correct cuts of meat. These lists are just which animal they want.” And everyone would laugh. Today is much much different. 

“Alex, why are there so many women here?” I asked leaning to the side towards him, not tearing my eyes away from the crowd.

“I think everyone heard about the Alpha’s Bad Boy little brother working here now. Now all the wives and girlfriends are starting to volunteer to come pick up their orders. Some come three times a week. At this rate we will be sold out before the next freezer order comes in.” He started chuckling. And all I could do was grumble to myself. Just what I needed. A bunch of deprived wives flocking to my job drooling… Most of these women were werewolves. Alejandro knew that but some were just human women.

“I am going outside, I need a breath of fresh air. The room is stifling with cheap perfume and cake faces.” I laughed as some of the female wolves shot me a scowling look. When I step into the street I am quickly met with a crisp breeze filling my lungs. Nothing feels better than this. Honestly, being away from the pack. From all the constant reminders of my failures, it is refreshing. Maybe I will just stay here for good. 

I look over to the playground that is near the plaza, I see the little girl.. The same little girl with her brother, and another little boy.. The other little boy.. I know him.. Dammit, I can’t place the name. He is a pup, a werewolf pup. 

‘Cooper, he is the son of two of our top Warrior’s, Niklaus and Nicole. They live here and patrol for us on the border of this town. Nicole’s mother owns an Italian restaurant in the plaza. The same one you have been eating from for a month. How am I retaining all of this information but you have no idea?’ Ragnar scoffed. How am I supposed to know?

‘You were training to be Alpha, Lucien. And you don’t even know your pack member’s names?’ Ragnar then retreated into my mind.The withdrawals and cravings from drinking have been taking its toll on me, and making us both crabby. 

‘I know but the alcohol really did a number on me. But if her son is playing with that little boy and girl, she could be how I figure out who that girl is.. Maybe meet her. Figure out if she's snobby or a terrible person, as my luck would have it , and then get her out of my system and move on.' I tried to reason with him. 

'As long as it doesn't run you into a drinking fit, I'm good with it.' He snarked and found him a cozy corner in my mind to rest. 

I guess while I was talking with Ragnar, I wasn't paying attention and I no longer saw the kids playing. I sigh and run my hands over my face. 

If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck. I go to turn and go back inside the shop when I see the little boy walking with who I'll assume is Nicole.. Perfect timing. 

"Hello, Nicole. Right?" I ask hoping Ragnar didn't give me the wrong information. 

"Hello Mr. Dubois. Yes I'm Nicole. Is everything alright? "She asked, eyeing me wearily. 

"Oh yes, everything is fine. But I need some help. And I think only you can help me." Now she's got her eyes wide in shock. Now that I said it out loud, it sounded a little weird. 

"Hear me out. The kids that your son was playing with, I'd like to meet their mother.. Who is she? I know she's not a part of the pack." He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mr. Dubois." I stopped her. "Call me Lucien or Luc, please. " She nods. Her baby boy is sleeping and her older son is looking at me in awe.

"That woman is a human. And she's running from something. And by the looks of it. It's a man. Maybe her ex husband. She's timid and scared. I just befriended her and she still looked at me like I had an ulterior motive. I only know her and her children's names."

Running? From who? And why would she need to run from her ex husband? Did he hurt her? Or her kids? I growled lowly. Just the thought. 

I realized I scared the oldest boy. I get down on his level. "I'm sorry for scaring you, bud. I'll try not to do that again, okay? "He nods shyly. I hold my fist out. "Friends?" He was hesitant, but bumped it. "Friends." 

"I saw you playing with that pretty little girl earlier. Do you like her?" He instantly blushed.

 "I think so. She's really pretty. And funny." He looked away and Nicole was smirking. 

'Do you think she could be his mate?' I asked Nicole. 

She smiled. ‘I think it is possible. But of course we won't know till he gets his wolf.’ 

“Just treat her well, okay? Any girl you ever like, always treat her well. Got it?” I said, turning my attention back to him. “There will never be another girl, Mr Alpha. Just Angelina.” He said blushing again. 

“I want to meet her. When will you be seeing her again?” I asked Nicole as I stood up from talking to Cooper. “She is coming to my mother’s restaurant later to see if she’d like to work there. If you want to make an appearance like you do every night to grab your dinner, that wouldn’t be too weird. But don’t cause her any discomfort, Lucien. I want her to be comfortable and to feel safe here. Whatever she is running from I want her to find solace and friendship here.” She said sternly. She is respectable because I am a part of the Alpha family, but I can tell she truly cares about her new friend. All I wanna do is meet her.

“I won’t make any advances with her, and I will be as nice as possible. I just want to have a conversation with her and see why I am drawn to her.” I said, honestly. I have no reason to lie.

“Very well, Lucien. She will be there in a few hours. Stop by then.” She said, getting ready to leave. 

“Wait, what is her name? And the little boy too, since we know the girls name is Angelina.” I said, shooting a smile to Cooper. 

“The boy's name is Lincoln. And her name is Monica. See you later, Lucien.” She said as she waved her hands. Cooper fist bumped me before taking off behind his mother. 

Monica. Monica, Angelina and Licoln. 

Monica. It’s a beautiful name. 

‘In Greek origin, Monica means ‘Unique and Solitary.’.’ Ragnar spoke up.

Unique is the perfect word, and apparently so is solitary… Beautiful.

‘I can’t believe you are in love just by hearing a name and seeing a silhouette.’ He chuckled in my mind. 

‘You don’t feel it, Ragnar? I feel a connection to Monica and her kids and I haven’t even met her yet.’

‘I feel whatever you feel, Lucien. I am just surprised about this connection to a human woman you are feeling. I am happy about it. Finally another feeling other than sorrow, hatred and guilt. At least infatuation is a step up. Next stop, happy town!’ He laughed.

‘Yeah, yeah. Don’t get ahead of yourself, there old man.’ I said, shaking my head and heading back inside. 

Even with my comments from before I walked outside, there is still a sea of women swarming the counter but not placing any orders. I quickly walk around the counter, wash my hands and throw my apron on and get to helping Alex. As soon as I make it to the counter, the women flock. 

Goddess, could any of these women be anymore thirsty? It’s like a herd of hungry lioness’ after their prey. Except I am the prey. Ragnar is rolling around in my head laughing. He thinks this is the funniest thing in the world. 

Cheap perfume and the smell of old and overused foundation are causing me to choke and it seems like every single woman that comes to counter, the stench of fake is stronger.

I have aunts and cousins, and they wear high end stuff, so I can tell the difference. Thirsting over the Alpha’s Brother, like I could be of use to them. 

‘I think they just want to get into your pants, Lucien.’ Ragnar chuckled again in my head. All I can do is roll my eyes. 

I hear the door ringing constantly as people are coming in and out. Too many women have asked for my phone number and there is still a line for more to try thinking they have shot with me. 

Suddenly, I am hit with a vanilla and pineapple scent. It smells tropical with a hint of coconut finish on the end. That isn’t makeup. Is that someone's perfume? I scan the crowd and my jaw drops. There she is. Monica. 

‘Who knew she would be amongst the thirsty ladies in the crowd?’ Ragnar snarked.

‘She is human, Raggedy. She doesn’t know of me being a werewolf let alone an Alpha werewolf. To her I would just look like a butcher shop manager. What if she thinks I am ugly? Or doesn’t want to talk to me?’ I asked him.  

‘You are talking like someone who is already in love. Or a teenage girl chasing after the High school quarterback. Goddess. Just talk to her.’ He said with an eye roll before treating into the back of my mind. I’m on my own now.

She walked up to the counter with her children, Angelina and Lincoln. 

“Good afternoon, ma’am. What can I get you?” I asked a little lower than normal to see if there might be any effect on her. 

She shivered a little and bit her lip before shaking it off and smiled.

“Hello, yes I need a pound of sliced honey ham. 4 ribeye steaks and one chuck roast.” She finished with another smile. Her voice is like hearing angels sing on your walk into heaven. I felt harps strum in my eyes. I could feel my face heating up a little as I started to prepare her order, but I mind linked Alex that I needed a little extra time with this customer and he just winked at me. 

Cue the eye roll. 

“Are those your children? They are very cute.” I said, trying to gauge how much she would be comfortable talking to me. 

She smiled slightly but the smile fell. “Yes, they are mine. And thank you.” 

The little girl Angelina was smiling hugely at me. 

“Why do you keep giving my mom that look?” I choked on the spit in my mouth.

“Ahhemm. Uhm, what-t do you mean?” I asked hesitantly. She smirked mischievously. 

“Like you think she’s pretty or something?” Angelina is on to me. She starts giggling as her mom tells her to stop it. Now is my chance. 

“Oh that’s because I DO think your mom is pretty. More like beautiful though. I see where all of your cuteness comes from.” I said with a chuckle as Angelina and Monica both blushed. I bagged everything up for them and she started to pay. But then I remembered that Nicole said she was running from something, she doesn’t have a job so she must be low on money.

“I can’t accept your money. As a new resident of this pretty little town, I mustn't let you pay. This time at least.” I said with a wink.

“Oh no, I insist. Let me pay. I can’t ask you to do that.” She said a little worriedly. 

“Please, as a welcome to Pocatello, Ms. ?” I know I know her name, but when I say it later on I don’t want her to freak out. She blushes and I think it is honestly the cutest damn thing in the world. 

“Monica. My name is Monica, this is Angelina, and this is Lincoln.” The kids smiled brightly. Whatever she is running from she might’ve gotten out before anything could happen to her kids. But not so much her. 

“Lovely to meet you all. My name is Lucien, but you three can call me Lucc.” I said with a bright smile. 

“Thank you, Lucc, for the kind gesture. I hope one day I can return the favor.” As soon as she said it the smile on Angelina’s face spread even wider. 

“I hope to see you around soon, Ms. Monica.” I reached my hand across the counter and grabbed hers as she reached for the bag and planted one small kiss on her knuckles. 

There are small sparks, but if she were my second chance mate, there would be fireworks… But honestly, with how my first mate went, I don’t think I even want a mate. I want someone to fall in love with me for who I am. Not what I am, my rank or what status I can give them. 

And I feel this deep connection to Monica. Like something deeper than mates, something instinctual. Or divine. 

I let go of her hand as she continued to blush profusely. Angelina giggling and Lincoln running after them both asking what was so funny. I walked away from the counter now that the crowd had died down. I guess the attention I gave Monica killed the crowd. 

“She was very pretty, Lucc. But be careful. She’s human.” Alex added with a smirk.

“Yeah I know, Al. But I still want to get to know her.” He nodded as I headed to clock out. I need to go for a run before I head to the restaurant. I don’t want her to think I am following her. 

‘Someone sounds like a lovesick puppy already.’ Ragnar snorted as he came back into view in my mind.

‘I don’t even care. She is amazing and her scent was perfect. She is timid, and I hate that. But maybe we can bring out the fire within her? What do you say, Ragnar?’ I asked, batting my eyes to him in my mind. He had this huge hope for a second chance mate. 

He hated and mourned longer than me when Carrie rejected us for my brother. And I am hoping that even though Monica isn't my second chance that he will still feel this deep seeded connection I have for her.

He just shook his head with a chuckle. ‘As long as you take me for a run, I’ll help in any way I can. Also, when you see her again you need to scent her. She’s a beautiful human, Lucc. If we are trying to woo her, I don’t want ANY other males trying to get near her.’ He said with a growl.

‘And I’m the love sick puppy.’ I said with a scoff and a smirk.

For the first time in a month, I am smiling genuinely. Not forcibly. 

Genuinely happy.

All because of Monica, Angelina and Lincoln.