AURORA'S POV

I stood before the cliff where I had thrown my adopted parent's ashes. The wind ruffling my clothes and hair.

It's been exactly a week since I left the pack territory. I haven't been in contact with anyone neither have I tried to contact them.

I completely blocked everyone even Liam. I needed the break to make my plans and giving them a an opening through the link might not be a good idea. Especially since Liam can sense emotions.

When do we leave? Cora asked.

Tomorrow afternoon during the guard switch.

It was quiet before I asked. Do you think it's going to work?.

Cora shrugged. It's the best we can do for now. Plus it's gonna keep them on their toes.

I released a tensed breath.

No matter what happens we've got each other. As much as I don't want to lose our mate. I also don't want to lose you.

I smiled as a tear trailed down my cheeks. I don't want to lose you too. And we'll do everything to keep our mate.

I wasn't sure why I came back to Tennessee but am glad I did. Being here brought back memories and made me realize that no matter how strong or powerful I maybe.

I still need help and more importantly I need my mate.

And that is the reason why am heading back to the pack territory. Tomorrow I plan on sneaking into the territory to drop a message.

Knowing that I can easily sneak in and out of the pack territory  will show them that they are certainly not safe.

~~~~~~~~~~

LIAM'S POV

I parked my motorcycle by the garage rubbing a hand down my face in an effort to calm myself but it wasn't helping and Xavier has been pacing restless.

Although I don't fault him. It's has been a week since our mate was taken and no sign from her, no link, I couldn't even feel her emotions. It was like a total void.

I wasn't even sure if she was alive.

Xavier whimpered in pain.

I rubbed my chest trying to get a little relief from the physical pain I was feeling. Getting off the motorcycle I headed to my room.

"I see you're back" Maxwell mumbled the moment I got into inside the room.

He was seated on my bed legs crossed and a scowl on his face but I wasn't in the mood to deal with him. "Why the fuck are you in my room?".

He shrugged "you left your door open, thought I could help you keep watch". I chuckled darkly "I never leave my door open, not like it would make a difference since you always sneak into my room".

His gaze wavered but he recovered quickly "I don't know what you're talking about but the Alphas want to speak to you about your sudden disappearance for the past week".

I shrugged "I was on a self assigned mission". He raised his brows "which is?".

Getting tired of presence Xavier growled "get the fuck out of my room before I take you out myself and it will not be pretty"

Maxwell stood nervously "Luke is up and be in the Alphas office in an hour's time".

As the door got shut I growled and punched the wall, sitting on the bed I ran a hand through my head and tried to calm my raging wolf.

We won't stop buddy. Not until we get our mate back in our arms.

~~~~~~~~~~

I walked to the Alphas office a glare on my face. Everyone was already seated, the Alphas, enforcers, Rex, Nathan, Damien, Mark and surprisingly Luke

Greeting as nicely as I could I took a seat by the door.

"Care to explain where you've been?" Alpha Stevens asked not missing a beat.

"Had to search round the territory for anything that might be a lead".

Rex scoffed "why do I feel there's another reason". I shrugged, "she's my student and it's my responsibility to look out for her".

She's our mate and its our responsibility to protect her. Xavier growled.

I don't think it would be nice to say that now. I grumbled.

"Well you took it pretty serious for a trainer, you were gone for a week. Want to tell us why?" Maxwell asked with a smirk.

I wanted to wipe it off his face but I clenched my fist instead.

"I told her to wait by the forest for our training since she wasn't familiar with fighting in a tight place" I lied smoothly. "It's only natural I feel responsible for her disappearance and the last thing I want is for enforcer Michael to have my head".

A slight grin crossed enforcer Michael's face while the Alphas nodded. Well Rex looked like he swallowed a frog.

"So what have you gotten so far from your week long search?" he gritted out.

Xavier rolled his eyes. Ignore him as much as you can, as much as I would want him dead, now's not the time.

Yeah you're right, we need to find our mate first and fast.

Releasing a heavy breath I shook my head "nothing, it has all been futile".

"Well that is what this meeting is about, Luke woke up two days ago so am sure he's got something".

I turned to Luke hopefully "it's good to see you again" he nodded "thanks man".

"Now let's get this started, tell us all you remember from the day of the party till you were released".

He nodded and took a deep breath, "Aurora wasn't feeling well, I offered to walk with her so she could clear her head. We were headed to the creek".

He stopped, looking deep in thought before continuing "we were probably halfway there when she stopped saying she saw someone with glowing eyes. I could pick a scent and I didn't see anyone, so I concluded that it was probably the drinks or maybe a fellow pack member. I linked with Rex telling him to come towards our direction. I was about telling Aurora that we should hang around when she suddenly screamed at me telling me to watch out".

"I turned to see what made her scream but whoever it is, was so fast he punched my face, I was disoriented for a moment but the person punched my stomach and hit me again knocking me out".

He drank a little water, breathing heavily "that's all I remember, next thing I know am waking up in the hospital. It was like I fell into a long nap".

It was quiet everyone deep in thought but Luke spoke again "Aurora, is she alright, she wasn't taken right?".

I gripped the hand of my seat, "she was taken, that is why we want you to try and recall you can".

He stood up but swayed holding his head "what do you mean sbe was taken, why would he want her? And wait if I just woke up how come she has been missing for a week, how long have I been out?".

"You should seat, you've missed out on a lot of things", Maxwell mumbled.

~~~~~~~~~~

Luke sat mouth agape a confused expression in his face "so you mean I've been missing for nearly a month and this supposed person has been wrecking havoc in the pack and he is also responsible for Aurora's disappearance and she has been gone for a week."

"It was just like when you are taken, no link, no sign if she's still alive, not even her friends can feel her wolf" enforcer Michael added.

The Alphas nodded in sync. Luke slumped in his seat, "but what do we do, how do we trace this person, aside from the tracker which nearly worked, do you think we have a mole in our midst?".

"I don't think we have a mole in our midst. The only reason he escaped is because he was in the territory dropping you off when we ambushed him". Maxwell growled.

It was quiet until Alpha Miguel asked "why did you offer to walk with Aurora that late at night, knowing it was dangerous and anything could happen".

He looked round nervously before answering "Rex wanted to talk with her so he could try to get her back. I offered to help since she's my friend and I know she would listen to me". Maxwell tensed in his seat while Rex shuffled uneasily.

He was quiet, lost in thought "it feels like there's something am forgetting, I've been trying to get to it but it seems to be getting further from my grasp".

"I suggest you rest, am certain it will come back to you" Alpha Stevens suggested. Luke nodded excused himself and left the room. With a glance from Alpha Stevens, Rex, Mark, Nathan and Damien left also.

"Now why did you leave without my permission?" Alpha Miguel asked the moment the door shut.

"Aurora is my mate" I stated without second thoughts.

Enforcer Michael's eyes widened, Alpha Stevens and Miguel looked surprised but Maxwell looked livid.

"What do you mean she's your mate, she belongs to my son and as an assassin you're not supposed to have a mate" Alpha Stevens boomed.

I rolled my eyes, "they're not mates Alpha, your son rejected her and she also rejected him remember. Besides having a mate doesn't make me less of an assassin".

"It certainly does, you have been gone for a week because of that girl, she has already distracted you" Maxwell raged but I ignored him.

Enforcer Michael and Alpha Miguel were oddly quiet but I noticed their eyes glazing. Finally enforcer Michael spoke up.

"I don't think you're good enough for my daughter so am going to ask you to stay clear".

Xavier growled. He better keep his mouth shut or he won't be talking ever.

"With all due respect enforcer, am going to decline" I gritted out.

Alpha Stevens laughed, "you're not good enough for her Liam, she needs a sane and complete wolf. What do you think she's going to do when she knows about you, your past and all you've done huh?, Do you really think an innocent sweet girl like her will ever be with you?"

"Shut up" Xavier growled out

But Maxwell laughed, "let it go Liam, you don't need a distraction and you're not worth having a distraction either. Just accept it already she belongs to someone else.".

I clenched my fingers, my breathing heavy and laboured. Looking round the room I saw the matching grins on their faces.

My hands were already changing and I could feel Xavier trying to get out amd devour them all.

Alpha Miguel chuckled "this is why you can't have a mate, you will never be able to control yourself, you would just end up killing her".

"Assassin or not Aurora is mine and I don't plan on giving her up. Most certainly not to your scumbag of a son Rex or anyone else".

Standing up abruptly, I walked out of the room and headed to the elevator.

Getting to the fourth floor, I headed to room 124, picked the lock and entered the room.

Her scent calming me immediately. Taking off my shoes I laid on the bed.

We're going to prove them wrong, they'll know that having a mate doesn't make us weak. I growled.

But Xavier was quiet.

Hey buddy what's wrong?. I asked worried.

What if they're right, what if we hurt mate? He whimpered.

I shook my head. It won't happen because she's the only reason we've been able to control ourselves. We may not be all she wants but we'll try to be all she's going to need.

And what's the difference?.

We're going to be the best mate and we'll start by being honest with her on all counts.

What if it chases her away?.

Then we go after her till she understands. She's the best thing that has happened to us and we won't lose her because some fools think we're not good enough.

Xavier nodded. If being honest with her would help then we need to tell her everything about us before someone does.

I nodded. That we will but we need to find her first.

Xavier retreated back and I stood up surveying the room.

The colours of her walls though dark were welcoming. The space neat and everything well arranged.

Walking to her desk I shuffled through the items on them, finding nothing interesting.

Turning on her laptop I noticed it wasn't locked. Shrugging I decided to glance through.

Going through I smiled. She sure did have the best parents even if they adopted her.

I wonder why she never mentioned them. Xavier mumbled.

It would be too painful for her to say anything to us.

Do you think we should tell her?. He inquired.

I chuckled. No but I think we should surprise her with a present.

Still smiling, I went back to the bed but my informant reached me.

You busy? We need to meet up.

I'll be there.

Strolling out of the pack house I walked to the training grounds, where he stood leaning on a tree, walking closer I nodded at him "Anything yet?".

He shook his head "Nah. It's been quiet well almost quiet. Rex is grumpy".

I rolled my eyes "It's nothing new. If he wasn't grumpy I'll would be suspicious."

He smirked "I understand. You seem happy, any news on your mate yet?".

I shook my head with frown "Nothing yet. I plan on heading to nearby towns today, maybe I could get her scent somewhere". He nodded. "Don't stress too much over it, she'll be okay. Aurora is a fighter". I groaned, "I hope so".

He stood straighter, "I have to go, haven't had breakfast yet"

"Wait up. You never answered my question on why you are helping me". I inquired.

He shrugged, "well I hope to get something in return from helping you"

I frowned "Which is?". He smiled "you'll find out soon. See you around Liam".

I nodded watching him leave.

Wanna go for a run. I asked Xavier.

Yeah, I feel cramped up.

~~~~~~~~~

AURORA'S POV

Swimming to the edge where I knew the cameras wouldn't get me I raised my head taking a huge breath. The creek was silent but I could hear two distinct heartbeats and from the scents a normal wolf and an assassin. But both were far from me.

Pushing off the water I flopped behind a rock tired. My body aching from the excessive swimming I just undertook. Grateful my backpack was waterproof I took out my phone checking the cameras.

Few minutes later after gathering my strength I stood up masked my scent and began crawling my way through the forest, stopping when I heard a guard moving close. He glanced round keeping most of his attention on the tree tops.

Guess we'll have to abandon moving like a monkey. Cora grumbled.

I chuckled. Well it was fun while it lasted.

After a while he moved ahead but I waited it was silent again before moving forward.

I kept crawling till I got to the exact point I had staged Luke's kidnap.

Scanning for any scent or heartbeat I opened my backpack and took out the clothes I last wore. It still smelled like me so I knew it was only a matter of time before the assassins would get the scent and come here.

Zipping the backpack shut, I crawled more faster till I got to the creek ensuring to not leave my prints. I needed them to feel insecure at all cost.

I need them to know that they aren't too smart for me.

Getting to the creek I froze at the figure sitting on the rock I had rested on. He looked up at me with a smile that made my worry increase.

Oh shit. Cora mumbled.

Standing up he approached me "You should be more careful, although not everyone is as smart as you are". I nodded my head unsure what to say or do.

"You won't hurt me will you?" He asked obviously worried. I opened my mouth to say something but nothing would surface, so I shook my head instead.

Tilting his head he motioned towards the river "go on, someone's coming". Immediately the stench of an assassin came closer, moving quickly but quietly into the water I stayed still holding my breath. My vision quiet blurry.

"Heard you talking, came to check what's wrong" the person spoke looking round.

He held his phone out "was on a call with a friend, was there something suspicious around?".

The assassin shook his head still looking round but he stood at an awkward distance, the pack link was still quite except for occasional check ups, the assassin obviously settled that nothing was wrong so he walked back.

I nearly gasped aloud at the scene that unfolded, walking behind the assassin, he unexpectedly snapped his neck and dug his heart out. The action so quick am convinced he's been doing this for ages.

Walking to my direction, he washed his hand in the flowing water "don't worry, the cameras won't get this".

Taking my head out I wiped the water from my face "why did you do that?". He shrugged "beats me but I do know you were nearly caught. You have to be more careful".

I nodded again still not sure what happened. He streched his hand over my head. I could feel him arranging the wig I wore.

"When will you be back?, you've got a lot of people worried about you".

I shrugged "soon. Where you also worried about me?". He nodded "I was but now I won't be, at lest not as much as I was before".

I tilted my head "and why's that?" He smirked "I've got your back, ain't no one getting to you".

With a final tug on my wig he stood, "they've gotten your message. Go on".

Going to the pack's link I heard the commotion about the clothes left behind.  Some guards are already checking round the perimeter. Smiling I went deeper into the water but came back up "thanks and be careful".

"Always and you too Aurora. And don't worry your secret is safe with me". With a wink he walked back.

Swimming back to my hide out I flopped on the floor drained.

Aurora am not sure what happened back there but I do know things are about to get interesting. Cora chuckled.