Chapter 24

**Marilyn**

"Finally we make it," I said relieved to finally get out of the car and stretch my legs. Daniel just chuckled and grabbed my hand.
I took a minute to admire the scenery. Everything was beautiful. There was a nice lake off to the side. The packhouse was huge but still gave off a homey type of feel.
Rick and Jasmine were walking ahead of us and for the first time I felt like I was important to the pack. It might sound silly, but I was being treated like the gamma female and Daniel's mate. I was being included and not just a figure head. It was nice.
Before I knew it we were being greeted by what I assumed was one of the guards.
"Alpha, Luna, Gamma," he said bowing. He motioned for us to follow him inside. The inside of the house was very modern, not unlike our own. Although ours was slightly bigger anyone could easily see this pack was strong and well off.
"The meeting will be held in the conference room on the left. I will inform the alpha that you have arrived. The other guests are in the dining room on your right. Feel free to make yourself comfortabl,e" the guard said before heading up the stairway. We did as he suggested and headed to the dining room.
Daniel and I were laughing and talking. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he looked at me lovingly before handing me a drink. It wasn't until I felt his body tense that I knew something was wrong.
"Daniel what's-" He growled and I followed his gaze. To my surprise there stood the one person I never thought I would see again. The one person I didn't want face as long as I lived, Ryland.
My first instinct was to calm Daniel.
"It's okay Daniel," I said rubbing circles on his chest. I didn't want him to shift and by the looks of it he was going to at any moment. He seemed to relax under my touch, but only slightly. He pulled me closer to him and held on tightly to my waist.
"Mine," he said breathing in my scent.
"Only yours," I said softly. He needed to hear it. So did his wolf.
"Alright everyone the meeting starts now. Please follow me into the conference room," a voice said. I looked to the doorway and saw a man I assumed was the alpha. He was tall and built which wasn't surprising. Judging by the sound of the voice I knew it had to have been him that spoke.
I had never been so glad for an interruption. Daniel calmed down even though he was far from relaxed. When I looked back I noticed Ryland was on edge as well. The girl he was with was glaring at me. If looks could kill I would be six feet under. Luckily everyone remained civilized and no one caused a scene.
We all took our seats and the meeting started. It was mostly talk about strategies and precautions that needed to be taken to ensure the safety of the packs. Halfway through my uncle was brought into the conversation. His name wasn't mentioned directly, but it didn't take a genius to figure out who they were talking about. I felt a slight bit of fear but tried to suppress it. They had to discuss him now that they knew he was a treat. I hadn't expected this. Thankfully no one mentioned that we were related, nor the fact that he was most certainly after me. I had never been so grateful that Rick was my alpha. He may have been intimidating, but he didn't hang me out to dry, neither did Marcus.
As the conversation went on and they started to discuss the attacks in more detail. I needed air. I knew what he was capable of but hearing some of the cruel things thata had been done made it all the more real.
"I just need a minute," I told Daniel.
"You want me to come with you?" he asked full of concern.
"No, that's okay I'll be fine," I said giving him a weak smile. He needed to be there. He was the gamma after all. I didn't want him to look like he wasn't taking things seriously.
I quietly got up and left the room. I stepped outside and took a breathe of fresh air. I don't know how much time passed but it seemed like a while. I finally got myself together and was about to go back in when I came face to face with Ryland.
"We need to talk," he said as I just stood there. I was conflicted. Part of me felt like I owed him that much. That I at least should give him some kind of closure. The other part of me felt I owed him nothing. My mate found me and there is nothing left between us, simple as that. He had been a good boyfriend, always there for me. The truth is I don't know where I would be without him. But I had Daniel now. He meant the world to me. I didn't have the slightest bit of feelings for Ryland anymore other than a friend.
"Ryland I-"
"Look it's not what you think. I just want to talk that's all. Please can we just go somewhere private. Five minutes that's all I'm asking," I heard the sincerity in his voice. I didn't see any harm in hearing him out. Before I could agree or disagree someone beat me to it.
"Like hell you will. You're not taking my mate anywhere." Daniel was standing there and he was furious.
"I just wanted to talk her you asshole. This doesn't concern you."
"If it concerns her it concerns me. Call me asshole again and I'll show you what a true ass I can be."
"Ryland, Daniel what's going on?" said the girl from earlier whose name I didn't know. I could tell she didn't like me much, but I didn't care. At that moment me and Ryland had the same look on our faces. I knew we were thinking the same thing.
"You two know each other?" I asked Daniel curiously raising an eyebrow and crossing my arms.
"How do you know him?" I heard Ryland growl.
"I met her once at a party," Daniel answered. I knew he wasn't being completely honest with me. But I would deal with that later.
"Is that true. You just met at a party?" Ryland asked the girl accusingly.
"Yes. Back when I was visiting Hayley. She dragged me there and we ran into each other," she answered. I didn't know who the girl was. But Ryland was very possessive of her. That could only have meant one thing.
"Ryland is she your-"
"Yes she's my mate and she's in quite a bit of trouble."
"Is that what you wanted to tell me?" I asked smiling.
"Kind of. I just wanted make amends. Let you know that there were no hard feelings. I'll admit that it was hard for me when you left. But when I met her everything changed. I understand now why they say that a mate is worth waiting for. I should have just been happy for you instead of pissed. But I was alone and it drove me crazy for a minute. I may not like your mate very much, but I understand why he did what he did. I would have done the same thing in his position. Now if you'll excuse me I have a mate that needs to be taken care of." He threw the girl over his shoulder and took her only the moon goddess knows where. I laughed in amusement at the pair of them. They made a cute couple. The girl was pretty, a little too pretty.
"Now they're gone you have some explaining to do," I said turning to Daniel. "Tell me what really happened that night at the party when you two met."