The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Alpha Blaze POV
The restaurant was practically empty. “Do what needs to be done and don’t delay. I’m expecting a record turnover of profits again this year, Brody, and I don’t need to tell you what will happen if this deal doesn’t go through” I said gruffly, holding the cell phone tightly in my hand, my knuckles turning white, my mouth turned down in displeasure.
“Oh, I understand Alpha Blaze, sorry to disturb you at such a late hour. I know you’re a very busy man” Brody said nervously on the other side of the line.
“See to it that you don’t disturb me for the rest of the weekend. Not unless it’s an emergency Brody, do you understand me “I snarled.
“Perfectly Alpha Blaze. My heartfelt apologies. You have a goodnight sir and I will send you a progress report during the week.”
“Perfect.”
I hung the phone up, leaned back against the chair, and sighed. I rubbed my eyes and took a sip of my vodka, feeling a bit morose, even as a small smile played on my lips at the thought of my mate, sleeping deeply upstairs. Initially, I thought she had fainted or gone unconscious but it had turned out she had fallen into a deep sleep, presumably brought on by the strenuous and tiring s*x we had had. I smirked thinking about just how responsive my little kitten had been. I still had scratches down my back from her nails, marks that I wore with satisfaction. Her little cries, her whimpers, still sounded in my mind. My c**k twitched and I fidgeted uncomfortably on the chair. When Brody had phoned, I had left the room, not wanting to disturb my little princess, assuming that she would sleep for several hours. Part of me felt awful at the fact I hadn’t thought to ask her, her name, I had been so overtaken by the mate bond and the desire I had felt towards her, that I had completely lost control of all of my senses.
I sighed. I still had to go and make my presence known in the ballroom. Should I do it first or do it later? I was hesitant to go and see my Aunt and Uncle, but it was the polite thing to do, I mused, sipping at my drink. I finished off my glass and placed it to the side, yawning slightly. A waitress came back over, leaning forward, her shirt straining at her breasts, a seductive smile on her face as she looked me directly in the eyes. I looked at her with disinterest. She didn’t light a candle in comparison to my gorgeous mate. Her eyes flickered as she glanced at my hand, obviously looking for a sign of a wedding ring.
“Is there anything else I can get for you sir?” she purred, a smile curving on her lips.
I shook my head. “Thank you but no thank you. I think I’m done here” I said calmly, standing up and tossing a hundred-dollar bill on the table to cover the drink and the tip.
Her mouth gaped open. “Well maybe then if you don’t mind…” she stammered as I raised an eyebrow and regarded her cooly “We could go out sometime and have dinner?” she asked tentatively.
“I’m afraid that I have a mate,” I said bluntly and watched disappointment enter her eyes. She nodded tightly and took the money, heading back towards the bar, while I put my hands in the pockets of my jacket and sauntered out of the exit, heading towards the ballroom. I would get the introductions taken care of and then go back to my luscious goddess of a mate.
It didn’t take long to spot my aunt and uncle in the ballroom. I headed toward them and interrupted them mid-conversation. “Aunt Mary, Uncle John,” I said evenly as their heads turned towards me “How nice to see you again. Thank you very much for the invitation.”
“Blaze” Aunt Mary squealed, flinging her arms around me as I fought the urge to wince “it’s so nice to see you” she gushed “Oh I hope the trip wasn’t too much for you or too tedious” she added.
“Not at all,” I said politely. I kept the fact that I’d met my mate to myself for now.
My uncle shook my hand. “You’re looking good son,” he said heartily “and your reputation proceeds you. You’ve done well for your pack” he added.
I inclined my head. I was in no mood for chit chat and it evidently showed as they looked at me awkwardly.
“Where is my cousin Grant? I want to give him my well wishes before I go back to my room” I said blithely.
Aunt Mary looked around the room. “He must not have come back with Sarah yet” she murmured with a sigh. “They went to go talk with each other. He should be back soon” she added, “if you want to stay for a bit and talk to him when he gets back?” she suggested.
I was not about to leave my mate alone for who knew how long while Grant was supposedly sleeping around with some chick. I fought to keep my expression calm.
“I’m spending the night, so if it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll retire early and give him my well wishes tomorrow morning” I advised my aunt and uncle.
“You don’t want to stay and dance with some of these single, available women?” Aunt Mary said in dismay.
I glanced around the room and fought not to shudder at the hungry looks several women were giving me. They were sizing me up like I was some sort of delicious appetizer. I knew it was because I looked rich, and wealthy, not to mention was good-looking. None of them would actually give a damn about what was underneath the surface. They were all shallow, vain, insipid creatures. I had an inkling that my mate would be the exact opposite, kind, caring and compassionate. She had an open and honest-looking face.
The only thing I had found surprising was my mate’s willingness to sleep with me the first time we’d met. Had the mate bond been so strong on her side that she’d lost all her inhibitions? She’d seemed almost frantic to have me, not that I was complaining. It just seemed to be so different from what I imagined her personality to be like.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline Aunt Mary,” I said faking regret “The ball is magnificent though and you’ve done a great job. Let’s catch up tomorrow” I suggested, and she sighed but nodded, looking a bit dismal.
“See you tomorrow son,” Uncle John said heartily, beaming at me.
“See you” I muttered, heading towards the exit and manoeuvring through the crowd. I could feel the anticipation building inside of me. When I had left my mate, her long brown hair had been splayed across the pillows, her smooth creamy skin covered by the bed covers, and her dark eyes closed as she slept. I could picture her clearly in my mind, but the reality was far, far, better.
I hummed under my breath as the elevator doors shut and the elevator slowly climbed its way back up to the fifth floor. The doors opened and I stepped out, sniffing, smelling the merest trace of my mate’s scent. I frowned. It should be a lot stronger, considering I was an Alpha wolf with a heightened sense of smell, far superior to the normal shifter. I stalked down the hallway and used my key card to open the door, opening the door quietly, not wanting to wake my mate, should she still be asleep. I stared into the room, for a minute, not comprehending what I was looking at, before cursing heavily under my breath.
My mate was gone! I let out a furious growl and headed into the bathroom, double-checking that the room was empty. There was no sign of her. Why had she run? Had something happened in the short amount of time I was gone? I hadn’t anticipated she would have woken so quickly. I thought for sure it would have been a lot longer. Maybe I had spent longer in the restaurant than I thought I had. Damnit. I paced the floors, beyond pissed. Her shoes were on the floor. I picked them up and cradled them in my hands. They were white heels with straps to go around the ankles. Why hadn’t she put them back on? Strange. I frowned some more. Surely she didn’t go downstairs barefoot?
The bed was extremely rumpled, and the bedcovers pulled back, as though she’d done it in a rush. I saw the blood, evidence she’d been a virgin, and groaned. Had she regretted what she’d done? Or felt ashamed when she woke? I was an ****t, I swore, punching the pillow with my fist in frustration. I should have ignored the business call and stayed in the room until she woke up.
I told you that business call wasn’t as important as she was, but you had to be all cocky and assure me we would be back before she even knew we were gone Lucifer snapped.
Alright, alright, I f****d up. I know that. You don’t need to tell me twice I growled.
Apparently, I do. Now what are we going to do? It’s not like she bothered to leave her details or anything. Just her shoes. Ever heard of the story Cinderella I said wryly.
Yeah, no, going from pack to pack to try shoes on every shifter maiden is not an option. Stop joking and think damnit! Now is not the time for jokes you asshole!
Something glimmered in the dark and I turned the light switch on, my hands sweeping over the bed. Wait, what was that? I picked up the delicate gold chain, with a small nautilus shell attached to it. It must have come off while were doing it, I thought grimly. It was pretty, delicate. She would be missing it, it looked expensive as the shell was pure gold. I gingerly wrapped it up in tissue and placed it in the small front pocket of my suitcase. I placed her shoes in the suitcase as well, then bolted out of the room and into the elevator, taking it all the way down and rushing to the front doors of the hotel.
The same doorman was still there, a pleasant expression on his face as he opened the door for me and I stepped out. “Is there anything I can do for you sir?” he asked.
“Did a girl come out here? She would have been curvy, with long brown hair and dark brown eyes. Creamy smooth skin, about eighteen” I said impatiently “with bare feet.”
The main’s eyebrows rose “Why yes, she did. She took one of the limos over there back to her home” he pointed at a cluster of limousines “I’m afraid I didn’t think to ask what pack she was from” he added apologetically.
No matter. I was certain one of the drivers would have the answers I sought. Just as I was about to step over there, my phone rang. I glanced down at the caller id. It was Thomas. I answered it absent-mindedly. He was too far away for him to be able to mind-link me.
“This better be an emergency” I growled.
“Rogue attack, at least thirty, heading this way, come quick” Thomas shot out and then hung up.
f**k. My pack was in danger and that took first priority. I bolted towards the parking lot, where a car had been placed for me in case of emergencies such as this. Finding my mate would have to wait, but hopefully not for long, I thought to myself, as I raced toward my pack and braced myself for the inevitable battle that I would be heading directly into.