Chapter 24

[Owen POV]
The buzzing sound of my phone vibrating on the nightstand next to our bed wakes me up suddenly. When did we fall asleep? We had been together in bed for several hours and must have fallen asleep at some point. I squint at my phone screen and see that it is after 2 pm now, and I have several messages from my mom. My dad is back? He sure decided to cut things close with his return. As I scroll through the messages it is apparent that my mother is feeling tense about my father being back. She says he wants to see me, so with a frustrated groan I climb out of the grip of my mate and start getting dressed.
Amelia is fast asleep and even with me climbing out of her hold she did not wake up. Her hair is half covering her face, but she looks beautiful. I wish we could lie together in bed for the rest of the day, but tonight I will become Alpha and that couldn’t be missed. I leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek before heading downstairs. I walked out of our cottage and began the short walk to the pack house. My mind drifts back to the hours earlier that me and Amelia shared, and I smiled happily. She was amazing, and even without her wolf, her stamina was not hindered at all. That is good to know.
I see the pack house up ahead and notice a car that does not belong to the pack parked in front. My dad must have brought some guests back for the ceremony tonight. I open the screen door and step inside to find several people sitting in the living room. My father, mother , a man maybe a few years older than my father, and a young woman in a way too short dress. She looks up at me and smiles at me. I try to be polite and give her a small smile in return, and then everyone stands to greet me.
“Son, this is Alpha Cole and his daughter Brittney.” My father says with his fake smile showing.
I hated that smile. It was the one he used to try and make people thinking he actually gave a damn, but I had learned years ago that he doesn’t care about anyone.
“It’s nice to meet you both.” I say bowing my head in respect to the Alpha.
“Let’s sit then!” My dad says offering me the seat next to the girl.
“So Owen I have brought Alpha Cole here because we have come to an agreement. He as agreed to become our ally and as a show of his commitment to us, he has offered his daughter to be your mate!” My father says almost happily.
I look to my mom who looks as shocked as me. My father had not heard I found my true mate yet, and I needed to set things straight.
“I apologize Alpha, but I recently have found my true mate, I guess word had not reached my father before he agreed to your terms.” I say apologetically.
His daughter lets out a huff and crosses her arms pouting.
“Who is this girl?” My father asks sternly.
“Her name is Amelia. I met her earlier this week.” I explain.
“Are you fully mated yet?” He asks, his anger growing.
“Yes recently. I apologize to have wasted your trip.” I say with sincerity.
“When did you mark her?” My father asks.
I look at him annoyed by his excessive questioning.
“Last night.” I reply.
“Ok, that may be soon enough.” My father says with his eyebrows furrowed.
I could see he was thinking something over, and my gut told me I would not like the next words that were going to leave his mouth.
“Soon enough for what?” My mother asks softly.
“To break the bond.” My father says simply.
I stand instantly and glare down at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Calm down Owen. You made a mistake, but since it is early enough we can still undo it. If I can get someone her before the ceremony, then we can have this mess fixed and Brittney can be presented tonight!” My father says trying to reassure his new allies.
“What are you talking about? I am not breaking the bond with my mate!” I growl.
My father sighs and looks at me in annoyance. “We will break the bond and you will announce Brittney as future Luna, end of discussion!” He says in finality.
“No!” I reply unwavering.
My father growls and stands stepping toward me. I knew he was about to use his Alpha command to tell me to follow his orders, but I would not back down. He steps closer to me and sniffs the air around me. What is he doing?
“Where is she?” He asks me.
“Why?” I protest.
He walks past me slightly and pulls out his phone.
“Jim, I need you to find a woman that is in our pack territory. She has been with my son recently. Find her and bring her to the dungeons.” My father says before hanging up.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” I yell and lung toward him.
He grabs me by my throat before I can lay a hand on him.
“I am breaking your bond with that whore and fixing the mess you have made. Don’t worry son, once your bonded to Brittney you will not care one lick for that nobody.” He said tightening his grip around my neck.
I lash out at him, my canines extended and ready to fight him. His grip is making me cough though, and I can’t think straight and focus. I am losing consciousness and I can hear my mother screaming at him to let me go. He ignores her, and with the strength of an Alpha he squeezes enough to make me black out. Then I am falling and my body crashes to the floor.

[Amelia POV]
I had not slept so long before and my body feels so heavy right now. Before I am fully awake a hear a crashing sound and soon a man opens the door to my bedroom and stands looking down at me with an angry glare.
“Get dressed!” He says forcefully to me.
“Who are you?” I say my voice quivering.
“I am the Beta of this pack and you are officially being taken into custody for questioning and judgment.” He says coldly.
“What are you talking about? Where is Owen?” I say slightly raising my voice in frustration.
“He is where he needs to be. Preparing for the Alpha ceremony and the appointment of the next Luna.” He says with a smirk. “Don’t get too excited, the next Luna will not be a little whore like you!”
Whore? What is he saying? I am not!
Before I can move he walks over to the bed and pulls me to the floor. His boot comes into contact with my stomach and I let out a scream.
“Get dressed slut!” He yells kicking me again.
I let out a cry and fold myself smaller trying to protect myself, but he only kicks me again. He pulls me up by my hair and drops me. I can’t help but cry out in pain as the weight of my body lands on my leg in an awkward angle. The man laughs and leans closer enough to whisper in my ear.
“Whoops.” He says with an unnerving deep chuckle and I shiver from the sound.
He grabs my clothes and throws them at me and stands leaning on the way waiting for me to get dressed. I look back at him and from the look he is giving me, I don’t think he plans to turn away as I dress. I freeze, and glance at him not moving.
“GET DRESSED!” He yells ripping the blanket away from my naked body making me whimper.
I cry out but quickly get dressed as he watched me. When was finished he took out a zip tie from his pocket and tied my hands together. He pulls on my tied hands out of my room and down the stairs. The pain from my leg makes me wince and I trip stumbling down the stairs. A sharp pain radiates through my head and my vision becomes blurry. Before darkness takes me the man walks down the stairs and let’s out another laugh.
“Don’t worry, once I am done with you death will be waiting.” He says and then darkness is all I see.