"You don't see what we see, Autumn. Jacob nearly lost himself while you were gone. He spent sleepless nights looking for you, sending search parties all over the country."
Diana pulled a towel and some clothes from the closet, handing them to Autumn.
"I was ordered to help you shower and change," she said professionally. "And before you think about attacking me and running away, let me remind you that I am a Beta for a reason."
Autumn accepted the towel and clothes reluctantly. She knew all too well how powerful Diana was as a Beta. Fighting her was not a wise choice.
"Why did you help him, Diana?" Autumn asked softly. "You know this is kidnapping. It's against the law, even our own pack law."
Diana gave her a pointed look. "Pack law says that the alpha has the ultimate authority. And in the case of a mate... well, history has shown that anything is justified."
She gestured toward the bathroom door. "Now, let's get this over with. Jacob is having dinner with you in an hour, and he wants you to look presentable."
Autumn reluctantly made her way to the bathroom. The room was large and luxurious, with a large marble bathtub and separate shower. Under Diana's watchful eye, Autumn cleaned herself up, feeling the warm water flow over her tired skin.
As she stood in the shower, her mind raced for a way out. The bathroom window was too small to fit through. Diana stood in the doorway, watching her every move. There was no phone or other means of communication within reach.
"What exactly is Jacob planning?" Autumn asked as she dried herself off with a towel.
Diana handed her an elegant emerald evening gown. "Just like he said. Three days to get used to it, then the wedding."
"The wedding?" Autumn laughed bitterly. "He expected me to say my vows in front of a priest after he kidnapped me?"
"The priest is taken care of," Diana replied flatly. "And the pack will be there as witnesses. They are all eagerly awaiting the return of their Luna."
Autumn felt despair grip her. Jacob really had planned everything out in detail.
"And what about my family? My friends? They will be looking for me."
Diana smiled faintly. "For the past six months, your family has thought you were on a spiritual retreat in Nepal, thanks to the emails and voicemails you 'sent' regularly. They even received photos of you doctored with the Himalayas in the background."
Autumn felt the blood drain from her face. "That's... impossible."
"Jacob has resources, Autumn. He's the strongest alpha in the area with extensive connections. Editing a few photos and emails shouldn't be too hard."
Once fully dressed, Diana helped Autumn straighten her hair, combing it so it fell beautifully down her back.
She even applied a little makeup to Autumn's pale face.
Looking in the mirror, Autumn barely recognized herself, a beautiful woman in a fancy dress, but with eyes that held fear and desperation.
"Perfect," Diana said, assessing her appearance. "Jacob would be happy."
"I don't care what makes him happy," Autumn snapped back.
Diana sighed. "Listen, Autumn. I know this isn't ideal for you. But try to see it from Jacob's perspective. He loves you so much that he's done extreme things."
"This isn't love, Diana. This is an unhealthy obsession."
"Maybe. But maybe this is a second chance for you two." Diana looked at Autumn with a slightly softened gaze. "I saw you two back then. You loved each other with an intensity that every wolf in the pack would envy. Maybe that's still there somewhere."
Before Autumn could answer, there was a knock on the bedroom door. Diana rushed to open it, and Jacob was standing there, wearing a black shirt that contrasted his pale skin, and dress pants that emphasized his athletic build.
"Thank you, Diana. You may go," Jacob ordered without taking his eyes off Autumn.
Diana nodded obediently and quickly left the room.
Jacob entered slowly, his eyes sweeping Autumn's appearance up and down with an undisguised hunger.
"You are as beautiful as I remember," he said in a low voice. "The dress suits you very well."
Autumn hugged her body, feeling naked under his intense gaze. "What do you want now?"
"Dinner," Jacob replied shortly. "I have everything prepared in the main dining room."
He held out his hand. "Come with me."
Autumn stared at the hand reluctantly. "Do I have another choice?"
Jacob smiled thinly. "There is always a choice, dear. But I am sure you are smart enough to choose the path of least pain."
With a heavy heart, Autumn accepted his outstretched hand, feeling the familiar warmth she had missed so much. Jacob led her out of the room, down a long corridor with classical paintings hanging on the walls.
"Where are we exactly?" Autumn asked, trying to gather as much information as possible.
“My private vacation home on the northern border of the pack,” Jacob answered. “A place not many people know about. It used to be my grandfather’s, but I renovated it over the last few years.”
They arrived in a lavish dining room with a long table set for two at one end. Candles twinkled in the romantic lighting, while the aroma of delicious food wafted through the air.
Jacob pulled out a chair for Autumn, a gentlemanly gesture that was in stark contrast to the kidnapping situation.