Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 56

Waking up the next morning, the group quickly washed and dressed before making their way downstairs to the small dining room, taking a seat at a set of two tables that had been pushed together for them, they looked up as a friendly woman in her forties bustled up to them, a small pad and pen clasped in her hands. 'Good morning' she said jovially, smiling around the group, 'I'm Meredith owner of this here guest house, can I get you some drinks first or are you ready to jump straight in and order?'

Looking around at the nodding group Aaron cleared his throat, 'Umm could we get 5 fried breakfasts, four coffee's and a tea please?' he asked.

Whipping her pen over the paper, Meredith wrote down their order before heading back to the kitchen, returning momentarily with four cups of coffee and a small teapot and empty mug, along with a jug of milk and a small sugar bowl that contained brown and white sugar cubes. Placing everything on the table she gave them a friendly smile before heading back to check on their food.

The men each grabbed a coffee, whilst Charity helped herself to the tea pot, letting out a sigh of contentment as the hot liquid hit her lips.

Soon enough they were delving into their breakfasts, the boys groaning over the flavoursome sausages as they demolished everything on their plates.

Coming back out, Meredith grinned at the five empty plates, 'so are you all just passing through? or you thinking of staying a while?' she asked conversationally as she collected their plates.

'We are just passing through' replied Charity with a smile, 'we are actually looking for someone, we think she may be around this area'

Meredith grinned, 'well I know everyone in this town, who are you looking for, maybe I can point you in the right direction' she offered.

Looking a bit embarrassed Charity replied, 'umm well we don't actually know her name, we just know her as the Sorceress' she admitted, colouring slightly.

Meredith's smile faltered at her words, 'You are looking for the Sorceress?' she repeated as if checking she had heard right.

Noticing the older woman's change in demeanor, Charity hastily continued, 'we are not looking to cause trouble ma-am, we are hoping she can help us with a personal problem, she may actually be the only one who can help, please what can you tell us about her?' she asked hopefully.

Sighing deeply, Meredith placed the plates on an adjacent table before pulling out one of the empty chairs and sitting down. 'We don't call her the Sorceress, though she can definitely cast a spell' she admitted, 'we call her the white witch, she leads men to their death, well that is what we assume because no man who has followed her has ever returned' she said sadly. Looking around at them all her eyes became beseeching, 'please, don't go, you seem like nice folks, nothing could be so important that it's worth visiting her'

Looking horrified, Charity stared round at her all male companions, suddenly panicked, 'Women are not affected by her?' she asked tentatively

Meredith shook her head, 'no, just the males' she agreed

Aaron caught Charity's eye, 'don't even think about it' he growled, 'you are not carrying on alone'

Gazing into his determined face, she allowed her eyes to flick to the other warriors who all had the same look, sighing she relented, 'fine, but you better all return with me or there will be some serious trouble' she muttered. Turning back to Meredith she asked, 'Please, Do you know where she is? This is literally a situation of life and death, I need to see her'

Nodding reluctantly, Meredith pointed out of the window toward the Loch, 'she lives on the island in the centre of the Loch, you can only get there by boat, the currents are too fierce to swim' she replied, 'You'll struggle to replace someone to take you though, none of the men will go near in case she ensnares them'

Taking hold of the woman's hand, Charity stared at her intently, 'is there any woman who will make the journey with us?' she asked, her eyes studying those of the older woman.

Studying Charity's desperate face, the woman slowly nodded, 'head to the waters edge, ask for Angel, she'll want paying to go there but she'll take you, she could sail these waters blindfolded' she said as he rose from the chair, taking her hand from Charity's and picking up the dirty plates. Looking at the group she smiled 'Please be careful, stay together and what ever you do, don't listen to her promises' she said before turning and making her way back toward the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her. 'Well that fills me with confidence' said Merrick rolling his eyes as they rose from the table, and made their way back to their rooms.

Packing up their stuff, they threw their bags back into the trucks before setting off toward the Loch, following the road down to the water, they parked up in a small parking area before jumping out and heading toward a small wooden shack that stood at the edge of a small pier where four motor boats were moored.

Walking up to the small hatch they read the signs that decorated the outside advertising tours of the Loch and a timetable regarding transfers to the other side of the water. Pressing on a small bell that was resting on the hatch ledge, they waited as the shrill ting echoed around them. Moments later a small boy of roughly twelve years old, with short brown hair that was swept from his face, appeared behind the counter, grinning at the group he hopped up on the tall stall, 'Hiya, what do ya need?' he asked happily. Smiling down at the young lad, Charity stepped forward, 'Hi, what is your name?' she asked

Warming to her motherly vibe the young boy grinned back, 'I'm Robert, my dad owns these boats, do you need a boat lady?' he asked

'Actually I'm looking for someone to take us out on the Loch' replied Charity carefully, 'I was told to ask for Angel?'

Robert nodded, 'Everyone likes Angel to take them, she's fearless' he replied proudly, 'she's my big sister' he added. Hopping down he disappeared through a door, returning with a brown haired, brown eyed sixteen year old girl who eyed the group warily. 'You looking for me?' she asked candidly

Charity nodded, 'The lady at the guest house said to ask for you, we need to go to the island in the centre of the Loch' she replied

Angel's eyes widened, 'Not gonna happen lady' she said bluntly, 'I don't take men to that island' she added crossing her arms over her chest whilst looking at Charity's companions.

Charity lent on the hatch, her eyes meeting the determined gaze of the young brown haired girl, taking in her muscular physique that was just visible under the black t'shirt depicting a heavy metal band, her long tanned legs giving away her life outdoors. 'Please' she begged, 'we know the risks, but this is urgent, I wouldn't take my husband or my grandfather over there unless I didn't have another choice'

Angel studied the Luna's face, slowly taking in the desperation that was clear to see, sighing she nodded, 'OK, but y'all understand that what you are doing could cost you your lives?' she asked solemnly.

The group nodded as Merrick stepped forward, his wallet in his hand ready.

'Look, I don't go there for no reason, it's gonna be Forty bucks to take you' she said with her hands on her hips, 'I also don't stay there and wait, I'll give you a walkie talkie, when you are done, you call me and i'll come back and get you, it's another forty bucks to bring you back, ok?' she asked.

Silently, Merrick pulled Eighty dollars from his wallet and handed them to her, 'all upfront, we expect you to bring all of us back again' he said as she took the cash surprised.

Eyeing them she whistled, 'you really want to go there, I thought the price would put you off' she said shrugging, putting the cash in the till before turning to Robert who was about to open his mouth, 'No you can't come, no you will not sneak on my boat, no you will not tell dad, got it?' she growled at the youngster who's face dropped as he nodded.

Hugging him she smiled, 'i'll be back in an hour and a half ok? don't worry' before opening the door at the side of the hatch and stepping out leading the way down the jetty to the boat at the very end, pulling on the rope to hold it still as the group clambered on board. Once they were on and seated, she untied the rope, throwing it in the boat before hopping on, tidying it out of the way and making her way over to the motor attached to the back. Pressing the starter button, she gunned the engine before slowly moving the boat away from the jetty and out into the open water. Checking around she pushed the throttle forward and began to make her way toward the intimidating island in the centre of the Loch.

Looking over at the warriors, Angel shouted over the engine noise, 'it takes forty five minutes for me to get there so when you call me, understand i'll be a while reaching you, you might want to call before you hit the water's edge'

Nodding their understanding, the five passengers turned their gaze toward the island, watching as it slowly grew as they got closer, Charity gripping Aaron's hand tightly as they waited for Angel to complete the crossing.

Pulling into a small inlet, Angel jumped out of the boat and into the water, hauling on the rope, pulling it toward the shore, as the bottom of the boat ground against the sand under the ripples in the water, Angel beckoned for the five to jump out, 'I can't get any closer without getting the boat stuck' she called, 'You'll have to walk, it's only knee deep'

Rolling up their trouser legs to their knees and pulling off their shoes and socks, the four men lowered themselves into the sparkling water, flinching a bit as the cold touched their skin. Reaching up, Aaron helped Charity onto the edge before picking her up bridal style and making his way to land.

'I can walk you know' Charity admonished annoyed.

'Why would I let you get wet when I can keep you dry?' asked Aaron ignoring her tone before setting her on her feet in the soft sand that surrounded the island. Turning round, they watched as Angel gave the boat a shove, pushing it back into the water then clambering in and taking her seat, restarting the engine as she turned slowly and made her way back over the waves toward the main land.

Turning back to the small beach, Charity lifted her head and set off toward the trees that edged the sand, keeping her senses heightened for any trouble.

As they entered the woods, they followed a path that had been trampled into the undergrowth, pushing their way past the over grown tree branches, no one speaking as they listened to the silence around them.

After ten minutes the trees thinned to reveal a clearing, in the middle was an old stone single story cottage, the walls were painted a soft blue and each window was framed by white wooden shutters. The grounds around it were carefully tended, vegetables and fruits growing in the soil to the right of the front door. Walking up to the dark blue painted oak front door, Charity lifted the door knocker, dropping it onto its back plate with a resounding bang.

Minutes later the door opened to reveal a ethereally beautiful woman, long silver hair fell down her back in a cascade of curls, a simple white dress clung to her body showing off her every curve. Looking oer the group her eyes lit up at the males as she opened her mouth and began to sing, the sweetest sound they had ever heard filled the air around them as the four men gazed at her motionless. Beckoning to them all, she stepped back, her eyes sparkling in the sun light as the five stepped through the front door, Charity turning to watch as the stranger shut the door behind them and locked it.

Leading them through the cottage, the woman continued to sing her song, the four men following her as she made her way into a large room that contained what could only be described as a throne in the centre, the rest of the floor covered in rugs which she motioned to the group to sit upon.

Stopping her song, they woman turned to Charity with a smile, 'What is it that you require that is worth bringing me four males to ease my loneliness?' she asked her gaze penetrating Charity as she assessed her.