We Are Overtaken

Alpha Jasper's POV

"Jasper! You won't believe this, I swear," I hear my Beta shout before I can even see him.
And then he runs into my study, out of breath and completely red-faced. Amazed, I look up at him and wonder what drove him to act out like this. He could have easily used the mind link, which is more efficient and takes less physical strength.
"Jasper, the King has brought the mating ceremony to next weekend," he brings out, gasping for air. "I'm sure he knows about you meeting Rain. He must have noticed something on her, the man is a Lycan". Startled, I stare at Jace, this was the least I expected. I thought I had at least three weeks left to come up with a strategy to get my mate back without unleashing a war. And now I have only one day left. This means I have to act faster.
Like a zombie, I rise from my chair.
"We've already written to the Council. Alpha King Remus called me yesterday to confirm the receipt of the letter and stated they are meeting next week on this matter," I resume. "The Sages of the Kingdom await the judgment of the Oracle. According to Elder Nicolas, it will speak on the day of the ceremony. The King-Father has sided with the Sages and is also awaiting the Oracle's response," I sigh. Jace falls into the guest seat, totally discouraged.
"I could tell from these two that they are very fond of Rain and want her as the Queen. Hence their lax attitude. They refuse to address the King on his wrongdoings," he replies. "The Elder himself sounded like he didn't believe us, despite me sending him a copy of the stamped announcement that the Alpha of Storm Forest accepted Rain Weiner as his mate in a public ceremony. This Kingdom is so fake, they are institutionalizing their own injustice".
I pace around the room. I have to do something.
Rain is mine and the King will have to respect that. Our mating ceremony has already taken place and Rain has no intention of rejecting me. She could have done so long ago if she wished, even while living in Human Town, she maintained our bond. If only I had marked her when I needed to. At the time, I did not want to be selfish and give her the joy of marking simultaneously. So I was willing to wait for her wolf. But now the situation has changed drastically.
"We have only one option left that can spare our lives," I tell Jace. "We must call Alpha King Remus and present him with the changed situation. The Council is the institution to resolve such disputes, that's what they were set up for." As I talk I open my desk drawer and take my phone out. In the contact list, I look for the Alpha King's number.
When I end the call after fifteen minutes, I desperately hang my head in my hands.
"Jasper, what was the man's reaction? What can we expect from the Council? We don't have much time left, they have to make up their minds," Jace growls. "I've already ordered Cleo to put the warriors in a state of readiness. We may not be physically stronger, but we have enough trained men to get Rain out of there before the Lycans realize she has left." What Jace says there makes sense, but I want to avoid putting Storm Forest at risk. Provoking Lycans is tantamount to signing your death warrant. In the extreme, I'll go to the Kingdom alone to publicly claim my mate.
"Well, he will call for an emergency meeting for tonight itself. When he was handed a formal invitation to attend the ceremony, he already had reservations", I inform my Beta. "The other Council members also asked the Sages of the Kingdom for advice and got the same story about the Oracle. But the Alpha King will let me know the verdict right after the meeting". I get up and walk to the drinks cabinet. A double whiskey is really what I need right now. Rain must be on the lookout for me now, I promised to get her. Whatever happens, I am present at the ceremony to claim my mate.
"Jasper, I'm telling you. We can try with our intelligence. We can get into the Kingdom unseen and get Rain," Jace tries to persuade me, without thinking of the consequences for Storm Forest. I am the Alpha of this pack and am not allowed to put my mate above the pack. Even if I did, the Lycans would surely avenge and slaughter the pack. None of it is worth it. Informants have already reported to us how infatuated the King is with Rain, he doesn't leave her out of sight for a moment.
Suddenly the door bursts open.
It angers me; never before has anyone dared to storm into my office like this. My eyes turn red, my wolf protesting this insolence. Jace too, jumps up, ready to attack. But seeing who ran in, we relax a bit but remain alert.

"Jasper!"
"What am I hearing? Rain is in the Kingdom and will become the King's mate tomorrow? How is that possible!" Kenston forgets to keep his voice under control, actually that is understandable. The whole situation is unbelievable! I grab him by the shoulders. "Calm down, Kenston. We'll figure out a solution to this. I've already sent the Council the necessary documents to prove that Rain is my mate. There's no such thing as two mates," I cease him. "Rain didn't reject me either. She never will, no matter what. If she wanted to, she would have done so two years ago. She and I will never break up".
Behind him, I hear Ana crying, the woman looking terribly jaded.
The uncertainty about her daughter matted her mentally and physically, she looks three times older now. I beckon Jace with my eyes to take care of her.
"Jasper, I have to go there. I want to speak to my daughter. The King cannot determine that he takes an Alpha's mate as his own. There are rules, the Were laws are clear and apply to everyone. I do not want a new or one more son-in-law. Even if he is the King," my father-in-law now bursts out.
To my horror, I see Elder Antonius enter.
Man! This afternoon will test my Alpha abilities. As I look at the man, I see he is in total calm, looking confident. "Alpha! The solution to this dilemma is not in our hands. Our history has caught up with us".
Fuck!! I hate riddles!!! ...