Chapter 108: Unexpected

Carter I stared out the window at the caravan of cars that was now pulling down the long driveway to the house. What seems like a hundred different SUVs slowly making their way to my front door. Vehicles that hold those who are willing to listen to my plight and help me to get my mate back if they believe me. "Carter, go out and greet them. We are right behind you, no matter what they say or decide to do we are here for you. We will always be here for you," My mother's hand rests lightly on my shoulder a reminder that I am not alone in all of this craziness. My whole family, Elinn's family, Ecstan, and Annelise were all waiting with me to help greet everyone. I carefully made my way down the stairs that lead to the entrance and took a deep breath. I was going to have to try and control myself while these Alpha's were here, they couldn't see exactly how weak I became when I lost my mate. If they knew they might use it against me someday and I don't think I could ever do this again. When other Alpha's were around I tended to put on a different persona. I became a young Alpha who had beaten his father at sixteen and been unafraid to take his spot. I was cocky and arrogant, but since I did have the largest pack on the continent it wasn't unexpected. There were few occasions where I really let down my guard around the other Alpha's but I was going to have to today, or we would have no chance of convincing them. I threw open the main doors just as the first SUV pulled up so it was even with the doors. I walked out and stood at the top of the steps to see who it was who was going to be the first one to greet me. Alpha Severina climbed out of the car and I walked down the steps to greet him with a genuine smile on my face. "Alpha Haden Severina, it is good to see you," I reached out to shake his hand and we shook. "Alpha Johnson, it has been a long time since I've seen you. You've grown since then and apparently been drawing trouble towards you like a magnet." Severina said letting go of my hand and turning around to open the side door of the SUV. Before I could say anything else there were two little figures who jumped out of the car and ran straight at me. "Sam, Katen, you two get back here!" I watched as Haden's mate tried to corral her two young children, but her pregnant belly made it an almost impossible task. As the two boys tried to run past me I scooped them up into my arms. "Who are you?" the tinier of the two asked me. "My name is Carter, and what is your name?" I asked him as he stared up at me curiously. "My name is Sam, can we go play now?" The bigger one asked trying to wiggle his way out of my grip. "I have an idea," I said turning and looking up at my family. They looked strong and united making me glad that I had them as my back up here. "Do you see that little girl hiding behind the tall woman over there?" I asked pointing out Annelise to the two boys. They both nodded and looked back at me as if waiting for instructions. "She is going through a really hard time right now and I think it might help her if you two became her friends. Would you be okay with that?" I questioned putting them back on the ground. Before they could give a reply they were racing off towards Annelise. Over the past couple of weeks, Anne had become very withdrawn. She hardly ate anything and spent most of her time staring out the window. My mother was doing the best that she could right now, but pretty soon she would have to start seeing someone more professional. It was to be expected after such a traumatic event, but it was sad to watch the bubbly little girl become a quiet sad thing that hadn't said more than two words to anyone. As the two boys neared Anne she scurried to hid behind mom's leg. She had become quite antisocial and it was going to be hard to change that. The boys instinctively changed their pace slowing down and approaching her cautiously as if she were a scared animal. Sam slowly reached out a hand to Annelise and she looked at it quizzically for a moment before slowly taking it in her own. Katen did the same and she accepted his hand as well. "We are going to take care of you now," Sam told her smiling down at her and she just stared up at him as if still trying to process what was going on. I could hear the slight change in Sam's voice and I suspected and turned to see his parents reaction. They seemed to be thinking the same thing I was. "It would seem that you might want to stay longer than originally expected, at least for a little while. I guess it's a good thing that our packs are right next door to each other isn't it," I said riley and they both rolled their eyes and came to stand beside me. My mother was slowly ushering the three children inside and I knew that she was aware of what was going on as well as I did. She would probably take them to the kitchen and have them help her make cookies which would let them talk and have snacks. Mainly she could supervise these new little mates who probably didn't even know what was going on right now. "I can't believe my twins just found their mates, they are only ten, after all, that is so young." Luna Emiliea tucked a lock of hair behind one of her ears looking exhausted and excited at the same time. "Well Annelise is eight turning nine in a couple of weeks, so they are only a year older than her. Maybe they can help her after everything that has happened." I say and I couldn't help the look of pain I knew crossed my face at that moment. "Carter, we were going to help you anyways, but this, this guarantees our help in this matter. Can't have my future daughter in law in danger now can I?" Haden asked a sly smile growing on his face. "What do you mean help her after everything? I thought your mate was the only one who got kidnapped?" Emiliea probed gently not demanding any answers. "The night before her kidnapping, her parents held a party to celebrate her return. Just after it was over the man who took her murdered five of my pack members before taking off. One was her father and the other was her older brother, her mother died nine years ago giving birth to her." Emiliea's hand flew to her mouth and Haden let out a low growl. "Let's go inside and wait for the other Alpha's to join us I do believe you will have quite a bit to tell us all," Haden suggest and the three of us headed up the steps. !