Her Fate, His Mate

Chapter 3

After dancing and talking with several people and running into Grant. He asked me to dance and I felt like I had to say yes, so I did. As we danced we passed by Gracie and I could see the look of betrayal across her face. I mouthed "I'm sorry" to her but she turned up her nose and walked away.

Great, just what I needed.

As the song came to an end, I felt a small tap upon my shoulder. I turned to see Ryker and I smiled. "Hello cousin." He was speaking to Grant. "Mind if I cut in? I would love to dance and talk to this beauty."

I heard a growl come deep from Grant. I looked between the two of them and stepped back "Ryker, what are you doing here?" Grant said between clenched teeth.

He smiled "Here to witness my cousin graduate and become a man tomorrow of course."

"I do mind if you cut in, we're not done dancing. Annabelle let's go." Grant looked at me, his eyes dark and angry.

"Actually guys, I think I'm going to call it a night. These heels are killing my feet and I am pretty tired." I pulled away from Grant and realized people were watching us. Awesome. I turned before either of them could say anything and headed for the door.

Unbelievable, put on a little make up and now everyone wants to notice me. I have now also made my best friend angry. Great, fantastic, and wonderful news for my life. I walked through the French doors and felt people watching me. I made it halfway up the stairs when a warm hand grabbed mine. "Annabelle?"

I stopped and turned to the deep, seductive voice. "Yes? Ryker?"

"I wanted to apologize for what happened back there. My cousin is very spoiled and gets angry when he doesn't get his way. Would you like to go for a stroll around the Lunas garden with me?" He smiled.

I wanted to say yes but I couldn't make my future Alpha upset or mad. "I'm sorry Ryker, I really am tired and wanting to head to bed." We walked to the landing of the stairs together.

"Thats a shame. I was hoping to spend some time with you." He leaned against the railing with a sad look upon his face.

"I do apologize again Ryker. Rain check maybe?" I gave him an apologetic smile and he perked up.

"Tomorrow evening at Grants birthday bash? Maybe? That is if he doesn't try to toss me out." He laughed a deep, almost evil laugh.

A part of me wondered if he was doing this to annoy his cousin. The other part of me didn't care. "That sounds delightful. I'll save a dance for you then."

"Perfect. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow then." He reached for my hand again and placed another kiss upon my knuckles. "Until tomorrow then, little wolf." He stood and walked back down the stairs and I watched him. He turned back when he got to the bottom to look up and smiled up at me and winked.

I smiled back and turned to walked back to my room. I needed a hot shower, to relax, and decompress.

I opened the door to my bedroom, stepped inside, and shut the door behind me. I leaned up against it and sighed. What a day, what a freaking day. So much going on and happening. I just don't understand. I unzipped the side of my dress, kicking off my heels and walking to my bathroom. I washed the make up off my face while the water warmed up in the shower. It didn't take long and I stepped inside, letting the hot water wash over my body. My muscles began to relax and I let out a sigh of relief. I didn't realize how tense I was.

I generally do not like all eyes on me. I don't want to be made a spectacle out of. I definitely didn't want the future Alpha of our pack and his cousin who was also an Alpha fighting over me. What a mess.

I finished up with my shower and wrapped my hair in a soft towel and wrapped up in my plush robe. I walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom and picked up the clothes I discarded and placed them in the hamper. I noticed it was already passed midnight as I placed my phone on the charger. I laid down on my bed a soon fell into a deep, dream ridden sleep. I tossed and turned my mind replaying an exaggerated version of today's events.

I woke up way before my alarm, hardly getting any sleep. Between the tossing and turning, to the vivid dreams, sleep evaded me last night. I walked into my bathroom and washed my face. I ran the water in my oversized garden tub and added the lavender bubble to the bath. I needed to relax. I flipped the light switch to mood lighting and the lights dimmed throughout the bathroom. I slid out of my pajamas, stepped into the tub, and eased down into the hot bubbly water. I leaned back against the tub, resting my neck against the hand towel I had rolled up for support and closed my eyes.

I must have dozed off because I awoke to a soft knock on my bathroom door. "Anna?" I heard my mother on the other side of the door.

"Yes momma?" I called back to her.

"Are you okay? You missed breakfast. I had one of the kitchen Omegas make a tray for you. I sat it on your bed side table." She sounded a bit worried.

"I'm fine, just needed some relaxing after yesterday's events. I'm sure it's not going to be much better tonight at Grants party."

My mom softly laughed "Yeah, boys hormones make them decided their decisions. Speaking of, do you feel a strange pull to either? They both seem to be trying to claim you."

"You know yes, to both of them. It's the strangest feeling." I stood out of the tub, letting the water drain and dried off. After drying myself I wrapped up in a robe and opened the door. "Gracie wouldn't even give me a chance to explain, mom. She stormed off after the whole ordeal happened in front of everyone."

She shrugged "She will get over it. If not then was she really your friend to begin with?"

I frowned at that. I had known Gracie since diapers. Sure, she was self absorbed but she was a beautiful person. "But mom-"

She cut off my protest with a tap to my nose "Do not worry about it. Focus on yourself and what you want." she stood up and walked out my room.

Just then my belly growled loudly "Okay okay, I'll feed you." I spoke to no one except myself. I sat down and opened the lid and was in heaven. My favorite breakfast waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage AND bacon. I took a bite of the maple coated waffle and. small moan escaped my mouth. These waffles were heaven, my absolute favorite.

I finished up and walked the tray down stairs to the kitchen. Gracie was grabbing a water from the fridge. "Hey Gracie. I don't know what happened last night but I had nothing to do with it. Grant was acting weird. I'm sorry." I tried to make amends with her, even though I had nothing to be sorry for.

A flash of anger was on her face before she softened, "Oh girl, its fine. Grant had a little too much to drink and doesn't like his cousin much. He was at my door this morning apologizing to me."

I smiled "Yeah, I don't know what happened between them but maybe he was just trying to protect a member of his pack."

"Yeah maybe." She started "Oh I have to get going and start getting ready. Do you think I can borrow that sheer lace shawl? I think it will match my dress perfectly."

I smiled at her "Of course. Ill send it right over to you when I find it."

We parted ways and I figured I should go up and start getting ready myself. After I find what Gracie asked to borrow and sent to her room. I found the item easily and sent it off to her room with one of the many workers that helped keep the packhouse going. I sat down at my vanity and began to brush my hair out. Just then a knock came on the door. "Come in." In walked Gabby with a welcoming smile on her face.