Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 55

The two leaders decided to wait a further week before setting out to follow the compass again, giving Marcus and Charity extra time to get over their ordeals. Making her way down the stairs, Charity smiled to see her four boys waiting patiently for her, Marcus looked up with a tender look on his face, 'ready to set off baby girl?' he asked 'Yes, lets get on the road' she replied as she hopped off the final step, handing her bag over to Aaron who slung it over his shoulder and made his way outside.

Darius and Merrick followed bickering over who would drive as usual, Marcus chuckling, 'it's like listening to an old married couple' he grinned with a wink toward his grand daughter.

'I hope you can put up with them' Charity replied sniggering as Darius unceremoniously tripped Merrick up and hauled open the drivers door whilst the Beta swore loudly, scrambling to his feet.

'In the back you go sweet cheeks' called Darius blowing him a kiss through the drivers side window, growling angrily, Merrick threw the bags in the boot before clambering in the back, leaning between the front seats to mess with the radio.

Marcus gave Charity a quick squeeze before hobbling over to the passenger side, easing himself into the vehicle before slapping Merrick's hand away and tuning the radio to his choice of station.

Pulling open her own door, Charity slipped into the passenger seat next to her husband smiling happily as he started the engine and began to follow the 4x4 down the driveway and back out onto the road, this time heading westwards.

Following the highway, the two cars devoured the miles as they sped along the invisible line set out by the emerald necklace that hung around Charity's neck. Watching the scenery fly past her window, the Luna let out a breath which momentarily fogged up her window, raising her finger to the glass, she absentmindedly tracked it through the mist, watching as it slowly disappeared leaving the glass clear again.

'We are on the right track this time babe' came Aaron's voice, cutting into her reverie, turning to face him, Charity hitched a grin onto her face.

'What makes you so sure?' she asked quietly, studying her husband's chiseled features.

Shrugging, Aaron continued to watch the road, 'I just have a feeling' he said simply.

Slowing down, the two vehicles pulled into a motel for the night, booking three rooms so that Marcus could have a room to himself. They washed up, ate at a local diner and then dropped into their beds, exhausted and wanting to get back on the road as soon as the morning light hit.

As the sun rose the following morning, the five travelers piled into their vehicles, having grabbed some pastries from a small bakery situated next door to the Motel, eating them as they continued down the road, led by the small needle that still pointed resolutely Westward. In the distance they could see the soft shimmer of water glittering in the morning sunlight, as they sped ever on wards, the body of water grew larger, glistening tantalizingly as if beckoning them toward it.

As the sun reached it's height and started to fall behind them, it became evident that they were destined for the Loch that stretched out across the land, it's blue green fingers reaching through the terrain as far as they could see.

As the roads became smaller and the scenery dotted with homes, Aaron mind linked through to Merrick, instructing that they replace some where near the water to sleep then followed the 4×4 until it rolled to a stop outside a pretty white cottage that had pink roses decorating the doorway and large bay windows to the front that looked over the sweeping landscape.

Stepping from the vehicle, the party made their way up the gravel path and into the house, as their eyes adjusted from the outside light they were presented with a small hallway, a set of stairs to their right leading up to the first floor. To the right of them was a small alcove that encompassed a receptionists desk that held a large ledger, an old computer and a till. Behind the desk was a young girl with bright pink hair and the tattoo of a wolf on her wrist, who sat with her feet on the desk, earphones in her ears as she tapped her foot to the music.

Merrick stepped forward clearing his throat loudly, the young girl didn't move, oblivious to their arrival, walking up to the desk, Merrick smartly rapped his knuckles against the wood causing her to shriek with fear as she toppled backwards out of the chair, her legs flailing above her as she landed with a thump on the floor.

Leaning over the desk, Merrick stared at her worried as she scrambled to her feet, glaring at him as she righted her chair and sat back down. Pulling the earphone from her ears she glowered at the warrior, 'Geez mister, you trying to finish me off?' she asked, brushing the lint from her clothes.

'Sorry, I was just trying to get your attention' Merrick replied, a little out of sorts at the obvious indifference the girl had for him.

'So?' she asked making a circular motion with her hand, 'what do you want?'

'Umm we need three rooms for the night' Merrick replied, reaching for his wallet.

Sighing dramatically, the young girl flipped her hair over her shoulder and started to tap her black painted nails on the old keyboard as her eyes scanned the screen, finally she rummaged under the desk and pulled out three keys, handing them too Merrick before grabbing a pen and looking up at him, 'name?' she demanded

'Merrick' replied the warrior uncertainly, watching as she wrote his name in the ledger, then how many nights before looking up again.

'How are you paying dude?' she inquired, her eyes still hostile.

Pulling out a wad of notes Merrick silently handed them to her, snatching them, she counted out $90 before handing the rest back and pushing the ledger to Merrick to sign.

'Breakfast is at 8am, it's fry up, juice that kind of thing' she said in a surly tone, 'dinner tonight is at 7pm don't be late unless you want to go hungry' she added before sticking her earphones back in and tuning them out.

Turning to raise his eyebrow to Aaron, Merrick silently handed him and Marcus a key each before he and Darius headed back out to the cars to get their luggage. Checking their keys for room numbers, Marcus, Charity and Aaron headed upstairs to replace their rooms, Aaron opened the door marked 21 as Marcus turned his key in 22 and stepped inside.

Walking into their room they were pleased to see a pleasant room with a view overlooking the distant Loch, the room itself had a king size bed that was covered in a duvet with a floral blanket over the top, a writing desk and wardrobe furnished the room along with a small kettle and some cups.

To the right of the room was a small bathroom that housed a shower, toilet and sink, everything was spotlessly clean, the owner obviously took great pride in their guest house. Smiling up at her husband, Charity sank down on to the bed, for the first time in a long time glowing in the feeling that they might be getting closer to their goal.