Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Chapter 12

The two wolves raced through the trees, One significantly larger with mahogany brown fur, his companion deeply muscular under his blonde hair, their pace matched as they jumped over fallen logs and skirted round bushes and trees heading toward an invisible line that separated the woods from the Silver Cross pack lands. As the well known boundary neared a loud authoritative growl came from their right, slowing to a stop, the pair immediately shifted into human form, donning a pair of shorts as the light brown wolf that had challenged them did the same. 'Good evening, I am Riley of the Red Moon pack, this is my Beta Daniel, we are here to see my Aunt, Luna Charity and Uncle, Alpha Aaron' Riley greeted formally.

Looking the pair of them over, the warrior bowed his head to Riley respectfully, 'Good Evening Future Alpha, my apologies, I did not recognize your scent, please follow me I will take you to the pack house' he said before his eyes clouded momentarily, mind linking to his pack members. His eyes clearing, he beckoned the two forward and led them through the trees passing another warrior who came jogging up to take the first warrior's place on the boundary.

Making their way through the woods, the guard introduced himself to the visitors, 'My name is Blair, apologies again future Alpha for the challenge' he said with a wry smile.

Riley waved his hand dismissively, 'To be honest, i'd have been more worried if I had been allowed to enter another territory unchallenged, even if it is our sister pack' he admitted, 'It show's Uncle Aaron has tight security which will deter any rival pack's or Rogue's from attacking'.

Blair nodded with a grin as he led the way carefully toward the distance pack house that could just be seen through the dense leaves that surrounded them. Minutes later, they broke through the shadows of the trees onto the well kept lawn, walking briskly toward the large brick building where Blair opened the front door for them and stood with them in the foyer until Merrick appeared from one of the side rooms.

Thanking the warrior, he dismissed his before turning to the two teens, a knowing look on his face, 'I would ask to what we owe this pleasure Riley, but i'm pretty sure I know the answer and I also know that no amount of arguments from our Luna is going to stop you going out there' he said jovially.

His own face breaking into a smile, Riley shook his head, 'Mom already tried repeatedly, so Aunt Charity has no chance' he agreed. 'Bella needs me and i'm going to go replace her' he added determinedly.

Nodding approvingly, Merrick led the pair upstairs to the Alpha's office, knocking smartly on the wooden door and waiting for Aaron's grant of admission before pushing open the door and stepping inside, the boys walking in behind him. 'Alpha' Merrick announced, 'Riley and his Beta from Red Moon are here to see you'.

Looking unsurprised at their arrival, Aaron looked up and beckoned the boys over to the chairs, offering them a seat. Pulling up the chair, Riley, looked at his Uncle across the desk from him, taking in the tired face that seemed to have aged ten years in the three weeks since he had last seen him. The black shadows under his eyes gave away his lack of sleep and the five o'clock shadow that graced his angular jaw line showed that the Alpha was not taking care of himself.

'So you are on a mission boys' Aaron stated, confirming to Riley that his mother had already been on the phone and warned the Silver Cross Alpha of their impending arrival.

Straightening himself in his chair, Riley looked Aaron directly in the eye, 'Uncle Aaron, I am heading out to try and replace Isabella, she is my best friend, we have been together since I was born, I cannot sit hidden in my pack house while she is being held by someone we don't know' he stated strongly.

Aaron smiled wearily, 'Son, you are going to get no arguments from me about your plans' he said gently, 'my baby girl is missing and I will take all the help I can get to return her to where she belongs, her mother on the other hand, well she's going to feel the need to at least try and keep you away from this'.

Riley smiled at the sheepish look that Aaron gave him, 'I've already had mom try and talk me out of it, I shall give Aunt Charity the same answer I gave her, as a future Alpha and a best friend it is my duty to go out and search for the most important person in my life, if I am happy to hide behind my mothers skirt folds when Bella is in trouble, how can I ask my pack to follow me into battle when the need arises?'

Nodding approvingly, Aaron stood up and walked round the desk, clapping the young warrior on the back as he replied, 'That is exactly the answer I would expect from a future leader Riley, your pack is going to be just as strong with you at the helm as it is now with your father'

The door banged open and Charity rushed in, her hair flying behind her as her eyes fell upon the shocked face of her best friends son, 'What do you think you are doing?' she yelled, flustered, 'I just finished on the phone with your mother, It's not safe out there, what if something happens to you too? you should go home young man!'

Riley, slid from his seat and walked over to the frantic woman, putting his arms around her and hugging her tightly as the older woman tried to hold back her sobs that were gently shaking her body.

'I'll be fine Aunt Char' he muttered quietly, 'but I have to go and look for her, she needs me and you know she would insist on doing the same thing if it was me out there missing' he added.

Pulling back, Charity wiped her eyes with the back of her hand carefully, 'I know, I know you'll be fine, I know you are well trained, I also know that nothing I say will change your mind' she said smiling weakly, 'but I have to say it, I've already lost my daughter, I can't lose you too' she said sadly.

'I'll replace her Aunt Char, I have no intentions of returning home without her' Riley promised solemnly.

'I know you wont, and she would be the exact same if it was you, she'd be out there until she found you. You are both lucky to have each other you know. Charity said with a watery grin.

Returning her grin, Riley replied, 'I'm the lucky one, I always feel a bit sorry for her getting me as a best mate' he admitted as Charity laughed, swatting his arm playfully.

'Shh yourself, my Bella is lucky to have such a loyal friend and I know that where ever she is, the one thing she is sure of is that you will be looking for her' Charity chided him, 'Now I may not be able to talk you out of going to look for her but I can insist that you and Daniel stay here tonight so I can feed you both up, stock you with food for your travels and at least have the comfort that for one extra night I have you sleeping in a real bed.'

Riley held his hands up in surrender, 'it's a deal Aunt Char, we would love to stay here tonight rather than sleep out in the woods, also I was wondering if Bella's friends that were with her at the club would be up to talking to me?' he asked hopefully.

Charity's eyes became saddened at his words, 'You are welcome to talk to them Riley but be warned, what happened has hit those two girls hard, they feel like they failed Bella and our pack, Darcy is taking it particularly badly, she thinks if she hadn't suggested they go to the club this would not have happened.'

Riley gaped at her open mouthed for a moment before replaceing his voice, 'what is she talking about? This was planned! it had to be, they must have been watching Isabella for ages awaiting a time when they could get to her, if they hadn't how the hell did they know that she would be at that club? it's not like she was a regular there' he muttered vehemently.

'We tried telling her that' Charity said sadly, 'but she's not giving up her guilt'.

'That is an interesting point though' Aaron interjected suddenly, 'how did they know that Bella would be at the club that night? as Riley said, it's not like she was a regular and that bouncer said that that Rowan guy approached him and offered him money before he took her. So are they watching the pack house or do we have a traitor?' he asked angrily.

Charity's hand flew to her mouth, 'I don't believe someone would betray us Aaron, this is our pack we are talking about' she argued.

Aaron sighed, running his fingers through his already messy hair in exasperation, 'I don't want to think that either babe but until we know for sure we need to try and keep any information about the search for Bella to ourselves, Merrick, my parents, James and Justin' he said determinedly.

Taking this as his cue to leave, Riley bowed to the Alpha respectfully and gave Charity another quick hug before beckoning to Daniel who stood from his chair where he had been silently listening, he bowed to the Alpha and then the Luna as he followed his future Alpha from the room.

Charity walked over to her husband who enveloped her in his arms comfortingly, 'I hope they stay safe' she whispered as Aaron nuzzled his head into her neck.

'If there is anyone I trust to replace my daughter, its the young man who just left this room' answered Aaron strongly, 'I don't think anyone loves our girl more than that boy does!

Charity gave a small knowing smile, 'You may be more right about that than you think' she muttered back, giving her husband a secretive smile as he raised his eyebrows at her intrigued.