Numbers that follows

chapter 14

We entered this large room like the dance hall at home, however it’s bigger and more delicately decorated, chandeliers hung from the ceiling. There were groups of people talking, some dancing, some just watching. Caster pulls me to the left. I turn to see Ellie and Alastair over in the direction we are headed.

“You are just breathtaking, I mean you look stunning. The dress suits you perfectly. Turn. Let me see you.” Ellie says, directed at me.

I obliged and did a small turn around, I could hear the small gasp. She saw my back. I know because that was how Arrah sounded when she saw. I turned to face her.

“Arrah thought it best to show them.” I whispered.

“My dear there are so many.” Ellie Gasped

“It’s fine they heal and disappear.” I will try to explain.

“They are all recent.” She says still in shock.

“Yeah, I have an authority problem.” I joke.

“It will never happen again.” Caster spoke breaking conversation.

He motions for me to follow him as we make our way to the groups of dancing people. He takes my hand and spins me to face him. He adjusts my hand and then places his on my waist.

"I didn’t get to dance with you the other night.” Caster says.

“I don’t know how.” I admit.

“I can show you.” He smiles.

He leads me around the dance floor, as well as keeps me balanced. It’s as though I know when and where he is going to move. I smiled and was lost in thought when I felt like I was sinking. I started breathing fast. I felt Caster stop and cup his hands on my face.

“What's wrong?” I heard a worried caster say.

I turn to look around and I see him. Arken talking to a man across the room. I look back at Caster. He followed my gaze.

“I need to get up, and I need to be fine.” I pull his gaze back to me.

“Him?” Caster askes looking back over.

I nod. It was Him. I had to show no weakness around him.

“He can’t touch you here, especially that you're my mate.” Caster says.

“You didn’t mark me or… so I am not technically. I read the book.” I look Caster in the eyes.

“Follow me.” Caster pulls me toward the door on the opposite door from Arken.

He pulls me down a short hallway and he stops and turns around looking. He then grabs my hand and looks me dead in the eyes.

“I know that the marking process has some other details that we can sort out later. Right now do you trust me?” Caster says still holding eye contact.

“Yes.” I say without a second though.

All the sudan caster moves very fast and I feel a sharp pain in my neck and the most amazing feeling throughout my entire being. He marked my neck.

“You need to do the same,” Caster directs.

I follow his command and he leans down and my fangs come out and I bite down on his neck in the same spot he did to me. His whole body tensed and slowly relaxed. As I looked at him it was as if he now stood stronger.

He pulled me into a hug. And placed his chin on the top of my head. My legs felt slightly weak. He was holding me up. I regained my balance and Caster let go. He looks at me for just a moment.

“Now technically you are.” he says brushing my hair out of my face.

“Okay, I guess we have to talk later.” I said, but my words were slightly airy.

We made our way back to the ballroom to continue the dance. We reentered the room and I searched the crowds. I saw him talking to another person. Caster waved down Alastair and Ellie.

“Hey where did you guys go?” Ellie says “we saw you dancing and then you walked out.”

“We had to regather our thoughts, as it seems the problem for the summit is here. Him over there.” Caster point right at Arkin.

“Arkin?” Alastair asks.

“Yes, It’s him.” I murmured.

“Who is he?” Caster asked.

“He is the Alpha of Crimson powers, the Pack to the south of you, He took over after his brother, sister-in-law and their child died. From what he has said a rogue attacked the house unnoticed and killed them all. I find it suspicious considering his brother was going to kick him out of the pack. Not weeks before the attack.” Alastair answers.

“Why was he going to kick him out?” Caster asked.

“No idea, Alpha Reece never told me, but his brother has always been bad news.” Alastair says.

“Best plan is to act normal. Let's introduce you to some of the lunas” Ellie grabs my hand.

She leads me to a group of ladies sitting at a table across the room. I turn to see caster and Alastair talking to some other men.

“Ladies this is One, She is my nephew's mate. Alpha Caster.” Ellie introduces me.

“Oh darling, it is so good to meet you. I am Abby, Luna of ridge wood.” She smiles sweetly at me.

“Nice to meet you.” I replied.

I ended up meeting 6 Lunas and 3 of their beta’s wives. They were all so sweet and one asked about my scars. Elliie told me to answer honestly and I did. I told them I was beaten by a capture and I escaped and coincidentally ended up in my mates pack.

They all listened and all were supportive and kind. I explained why I had come. The six I had talked to said that they were going to talk to their husbands and that they supported us. It was a little reassuring knowing we had people supporting us. That we would not walk into a room tomorrow alone.

I turned My head and saw Arkin. He finally saw me and started to make his way over to me. I looked around and saw Caster.

“Thank you all but I must find Caster.” I quickly said.”Bye I will see you all later.”

I stood and made my way to Caster Arkin close behind. I made it to Caster and Alastair before he caught up to me. I grabbed Casters arm.

“One, I would love for you to meet Liam. He is the alpha of Silver creek.” Alastair says.

“NIce to meet you.” I shake his hand.

“Liam! Alastair! I don’t believe we've talked tonight.” Akins voice rang behind me.

“Arkin.” Liam's voice was very serious.

“Oh, And One, I wandered where you ran off to.” Arken grabbed my shoulder.

Caster pulled me away and stood right between Arkin and myself.

“Do not touch her.” Caster demands.

“She is a member of my pack.” Arkin states, “young wolves are so over the top. I am simply wanting to talk to her and figure out why she left.”

“I can help with that.” I found my voice. “First the scars on my back, you put them there, or more accurately you guards did. Second I was a child who grew up in a captured grasp, you took me from my parents. And lastly, definitely the most important, you killed 15 children because they were not up to your standards. They were my friends and my family.”

“Excuse me?!” LIam asks.

“My bad, Arkin has had a child army he kidnaped as infants and toddlers.” I clarified.

“You little Brat, I raised you.” Arkin snaps.

“You kidnapped me.” I replied.

“You will come home with me right now.” Arkin demands.

“She will never leave with you.” Caster interjects.

“She is a member of my pack, she belongs to me, it's the law.” Arkin says smugly.

“The law also says she leaves her pack and stays with her mate.” Caster says. “You failed to see that she is marked.” Caster smiles.

“WHAT?” Arkin’s said with his anger slipping out.

“Arkin, this is Caster my mate. I will be staying with him.” I introduced him.

“I think it best you leave Arkin” Liam says.

Arkin leaves. He goes and sits at an empty table.I also see Abby from earlier walk over and she grabs Liam's arm.

“Oh dear, you’ve met One.” Abby says. “What did I miss?”

“Is what you said all true?” Liam asks me.

“Yeah, It’s the reason I came, I was hoping to help the others that are still there.” I nodded.

“Others?” Liam says.

I shake my head. They were still trapped and all alone. I needed to get them out. It was up to me to save them.

“You weren't the only one?” Abby asks.

“No, there were 22 of us. I was the oldest at 21, the youngest twenty two, is only 5. Arkin killed all of them but 5, 9, 14,17,18 and 22. I watched.” I answered.

“Tomorrow this needs to take precedence, I know it is not normal to start with problems but this is more important.” Liam says.

“We should all get some sleep. The dance is basically at an end.” Alastair suggests.

“That is a great Idea, One has met enough people.” Ellie agrees.

“I’m taking One to our room. good night.” Caster said, grabbing my hand.