Her Fate, His Mate

Chapter 20

I sniffed the air and began pacing and waiting for my father. I could smell his scent and I could smell he wasn't alone. I inhaled deeply trying to pinpoint the familiarity of the scent. I had to contain my excitement when I realized who it was, my best friend. They were also in their wolf form and met with us.

"We need to be careful, Grant is not stable today. He has lashed out at a few staff members and even some warriors. We must proceed with caution." My father's link was serious and I turned and relayed information to our pack of warriors and Eric's qpack. He replied with a thanks and I could tell our men and women were uneasy feeling.

"I don't want to give the element of surprise away. I only want our five strongest warriors near when I storm their party. Asher you go with me and pick four others to follow. Kingston you stay back and be the leader in case s**t hits the fan." I linked the group.

I walked to Gracie and our heads and necks linked and rubbed in a hug the wolves do. I could see her wolf relax.

"Lets go."

We made our way through the thick forest and pushed hard. We still had to stop by my parents and change into clothes. We could sneak through better in our human form than wolf.

As we reached the outskirts of the woods we changed into our human form. My father and Gracie went and changed into the clothes they left at the wooded edge.

My mom walked out and greeted them. She paused looking into the woods and I could tell she was smiling. She motioned in a direction and her and Gracie were off on a distraction detail to ensure we could get into my parents home.

It was a big home, fit for my fathers retirement which would of been official tomorrow for the Beta ceremony. I was thankful they were moved early.

My father motioned for us and we took off sprinting to my parents home. We darted in through the back door and we all made it in safely. Gracie and my mother came back just a few moments later as we were all changing into the clothes they provided. Of course my mother went over the top for Ryker and myself providing us in proper attire for an Alpha ceremony. My hair was pinned in a messy elegant bun, thanks to my mother. Light make up was applied and we were ready.

I walked out of the bedroom and stopped to look at the clock on the wall I heard ticking. We had just enough time to crash their ceremony. I was fixing my dress and smoothing it out when Ryker came up behind me and wrapped his strong arms around me. He kissed my marked spot and I melted into him. I turned in his arms and smiled at him. He bent to me and softly kissed me.

"No matter what happens tonight, I love you." he whispered into my ear and placed a soft kiss against my earlobe.

"I love you too. Always." I nuzzled against him.

We walked down the stairs and everyones eyes were on me. I felt strong and in tune with Amethyst who was ready for a fight. Everyone bowed what us and I knew it was the aurora being pushed out by my mate and myself. We were stronger together and united.

The sun had set and we walked in the shadows to our destination. We slipped inside in a back entrance opened by Gracie. My mother and father left before we did to not raise any alarms. I linked them both and the packs "We're inside. Be prepared for anything that happens."

We stood listened to several speeches being told and it was boring. Finally the moment we waited for. His father was taking the stage. We made our way out in the middle of him speaking.

Gasps and chatter of speculation began through the crowd.

"It's Annabelle."

"Who is that with her?"

"I thought she was missing?"

"Wait she's been marked, I thought Grant was her fated mate?"

I smirked at the Alpha, who was just taken aback by our arrival. My grip tightened in Rykers hand and I placed myself between the two. I looked and seen Grant, seething and begin growling.

I stared at him with a blank expression, letting him know he doesn't phase me. Ryker glares at him, growling through his teeth.

"Alpha Duncan, good evening. I am sorry for the intrusion on this evening festivities." I smiled at him.

My father stood and walked up to his side and placed a hand upon his shoulder. "Hear them out before we move forward."

He nodded in my direction and I walked over to him, Ryker bright behind me. "Maybe we should discuss this in your office?" He nodded and looked back out to the pack "We will resume momentarily feel free to the beverages and the food while you wait."

We all started to walk toward the Alphas office.

"Make sure you guys keep an eye on Grant. I want to know where he is at all times." Ryker spoke through the link.

We reached his office and I could tell Duncan was furious. He slammed his fist on his desk "How dare you Ryker. Marking her after kidnapping and taking her away!"

Ryker growled and I let out a small laugh throwing Duncan for a loop.

"You laugh, why?" He was obviously oblivious to the entire situation.

I sighed and took a deep breath "You remember the night I disappeared? Ryker never took me. It was Grant. He forced me out the back entrance.."

Duncan exploded "Lies! You have been brain washed!"

I stood then baring my teeth and growling. My aurora strong causing him to blink and shrink back "I am not you will sit there, shut your mouth and listen to what I have to say!"

He nodded. I continued to recall details, some painful for me to bring up. I pushed through the entire thing. I told him everything the kidnapping, the a***e, and how his dear son forced himself on me.

The alpha hung his head low and shook it. I stepped to him and held my hand and placed it in his. He took it and I closed my eyes. I showed him what it was like through my eyes. Every struggle, every hit, how he used his alpha on me. How I escaped and fought him back.

He slid back from his seat and looked at me in awe. "How did? What? Just you showed me.."

"Yes I have powers, thankfully." I smiled.

"You do understand now, that your son has to be punished to the full extent of the law." Ryker crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat watching Duncan nodding.

"Anna, words and gestures could never compare to exactly how sorry I am for you. My son is a disgrace. He is not fit to run this pack. I will not be giving up the Alpha title it seems." he sighed and ran his fingers through his salt and peppered hair and leaned back.

Two warriors busted through the door and we all turned to look at them. "He is gone! He went into the bathroom and just vanished! He was taking a while and I figured you know, but after another 5 minutes I went in to be sure and he's just gone!" The warrior panted.

Ryker growled and slammed his fist down and broke the arm of the chair he was sitting in. "How long ago was that?"

"Uh. It was uh.." He was stumbling over his words.

"How long!?" Ryker boomed.

"I would say 20 minutes." He stepped back and Ryker absolutely lost his mind.

"How could this happen Duncan? Secret tunnels? HOW!?" He was standing and I just placed my hand over Rykers arm.

Duncan stood and nodded "We have several tunnels through the house, they lead to different areas to the outskirts. It is only to be used as a safety measure to get our children, women, and weaker wolves out in case of a deadly raid or attack."

"Well he has a twenty minute start in any direction! Let's get a move on." Ryker ordered and we all left the room.