Chapter 13

MARKI arrived back to the pack just as the festival was starting. I had run into some traffic for no apparent reason and I was now a little later then I had intended to be. I was annoyed that I would have to get ready for the festival and then drive back off pack lands to the destination it was being held.I headed into the pack house after I parked my car. Once in the alpha suit I dropped my suitcase and headed to the bathroom. Taking a quick shower and then throwing my suit on, I head back out to my car. I am wearing a black suit with a white shirt. It's all fancy and annoying but as the alpha of the pack I need to look my best. When I reach the festival I see tons of cars and shifters scattered all over the place. Many congregating by the door as they make their way inside. I go around to the back to an entrance that no one else seems to know about."There you are!" Is what I was greeted with the minute I walked through the door."Hello mom." I said."Your late. How was your trip?" She asked. At five feet she seemed like a short lady but I knew she was fierce and not to mess with her. She was scary when she was angry."It was a waste of time. Not a single alpha believes that these attacks are for a reason and no one wants to help us look into it. I can't just send warriors out to investigate and then more to guard the pack. We are already at our limit of warriors." I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. It really was frustrating. I had already had to up security and patrols and it was hard on the warriors who had families to be away for so long."We will figure something out. I'm just glad your home safe." My mom said."Mark! There you are." Came a booming voice down the hall."Hello dad." I didn't even have to turn around to know it was him."I thought you were going to get here right before the event started?" He said as he put his arm around my mother."I ran into some traffic." I said."On the back roads?" He asked."Yea. And there wasn't even a reason for it. It was odd." I said looking around. As much as I wanted to chat with my parents I needed to get out and start greeting people. Maybe some of the other alphas that are here have an idea of what's happening. Or maybe they have a rogue precence like we do. I know some of the alphas did not attend the council meeting.I excused myself from my parents and headed further into the building in search of my beta. As I got further in I could smell what smelled like pumpkin and chocolate. It smelled amazing. I figured it was just coming from the food in the dining hall but as I got close the smell got stronger."Mate!" Zorro shouted in my head. That really got my attention and I started to look around for where the smell was coming from. I was stopped constantly to talk to alphas and other members of the festival and was getting pretty frustrated. I decided to step out into the hall and get a break from everything. As I got closer to the hall the smell got stronger. But mixed in with it was a scent of fear and that confused me a little. This festival was supposed to be fun and neutral. Why would anyone be afraid of something?I stepped into the hallway and the scene before made my blood boil but also had me excited.Being pressed against the wall by another male was my mate. She was beautiful with her long blonde hair, wearing a pale blue dress and black flats. She was being held against her will. I saw her struggle and try to get free. I started to see red. I let out a loud, deep growl and released my alpha aura. The unknown male dropped to his knees and exposed his neck. He looked like a beta or a gamma. Definitely was not an alpha.I noticed that she did not react to my alpha aura and that had me really curious. I recognized her as the female that come to the pack a few days ago from the pictures my beta sent me. She also looked like the girl from the dream I had a few nights ago. That had me confused some.Zorro was trying to get free and take off the head of the beta that was holding her against her will. He must be beta Derek from the river moon pack, her previous mate. I reigned back my aura so he could get up.He stood up and bowed slightly."Alpha mark, I was just having a conversation with my mate." He said, lying through his teeth. It was taking everything in me to hold Zorro back."Your not my mate." She growled out. She was very slowly inching away from him."Indeed you are not her mate. She is my mate." I said."Impossible." Derek said."I would believe that if I didn't know what happened between you too. Now why don't you get back to your chosen mate and leave my mate alone." I narrowed my eyes at him."This isn't over." He growled looking at her. I let out a low warning growl. We watched as he walked off and disappeared back into the party."Are you okay?" I turned to her and asked."Y-yea. Thanks alpha." She said bowing to me. Zorro growled in my head. I reached out and lifted her chin, trying to ignore the things that came from the bond."You do not bow to me. You are my equal. And you may call me mark. None of this alpha business. You are my mate. I might be your second chance but I will honor that bond." I said to her, hoping that she wouldnt think I was anything like her previous mate."Please excuse me." She said and then ran off before I could say anything, leaving me bewildered. I knew she was scared but I was determined to make sure she knew I was nothing like her previous mate.