Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Chapter 18

The two warriors woke up the next morning as the sun streamed through the gap in the curtains, lighting up the room with a soft warm glow.

Sitting up, Daniel stretched his arms above his head with a loud yawn before jumping up and walking into the bathroom whistling happily.

Groaning loudly, Riley pulled the pillow over his head, 'For the love of the Goddess mate, why are you so damn happy to get up at the crack of dawn?' he grumbled into the linen.

Laughing over the sound of running water, Daniel came back in the room and deftly pulled the covers off his Alpha dumping them on the floor whilst shouting 'Rise and shine!'

Growling angrily, Riley drew his knees up to his chest as the cold air hit his skin, 'Did I ever tell you how much I hate you sometimes?' he muttered as he grudgingly sat up and threw his pillow at his Beta who dodged it easily chuckling.

'Oh pretty much every morning since you learned to talk mate' Daniel replied with a grin. 'Get your a*s up and mommy will make you a nice cup of coffee before we go down for breakfast' he cajoled as Riley gave him the finger and dragged himself from his bed, heading into the bathroom.

Shaking his head with amusement, Daniel flicked on the small kettle and threw on his clothes while it was boiling, then pouring a coffee sachet into each cup before adding the water and some milk.

Handing the steaming cup to Riley who was now dressed, the pair sat on their beds drinking the burning liquid as they discussed what what they would do that day.

'I think we need to get our asses to that bar that Candy mentioned, maybe say we are looking for an old friend, play down why we are there' Riley said as he sipped his drink.

Nodding his agreement, Daniel replied, 'sounds good, we don't want anyone who may work with him knowing who we are and that we are looking for Bella'.

Plans made, the pair dropped their empty cups onto the tray and made their way out of the room, descending the stairs and entering the small dining room, seating themselves at the table that had the number 34 written on a folded piece of paper. As they made themselves comfortable a rosy cheeked woman bustled through the door, placing two plates in front of the guests at a separate table before making her way over to them, a welcoming beam on her face.

'Well hello, you are new faces, I hope you slept well? I'm Barbara, but everyone calls me Barb, What can I get you both?' she asked smiling happily.

Taken aback by her friendliness after the sullenness of the older gentleman the night before, the two warriors looked at her silently.

Laughing the woman looked at the pair appraisingly, 'Let me guess, you came in late last night and you got checked in by my husband?' she asked smirking.

'Uhh, a gentleman checked us in, yes ma-am' Daniel replied embarrassed.

Chuckling to herself Barb gave a knowing look, 'oh I can surely imagine what a delight he was, no doubt you we're keeping him from the racing, or his favourite soap, or the news' she said rolling her eyes dramatically. 'We have a young girl who mans the desk during the day, but when she goes home it's up to Mr Grouchy to welcome people, just know his bark is worse than his bite'.

The two men nodded looking slightly relieved.

'Now, looking at you two strapping young men, can I suggest a full English breakfast? We take pride in filling our guests up before they head out to their onward journeys' Barb said with a wink.

'Yes please Barb' Daniel replied smiling at the older woman as she grinned and headed back to the kitchen to give their order to the chef.

Soon enough, Barb returned with a pot of tea and two cups then their breakfasts, each plate piled high with sausages, bacon, eggs, hash browns, beans and tomato, then a small metal rack with brown and white toast was placed in the centre of the table between them before Barb set off to tend to the next set of guests who had appeared in the room.

Demolishing their food, the two warriors sat back contented, Daniel patting his stomach as he grinned happily. 'I am so full, I reckon I have enough fuel to run flat out for 3 hours' he said contentedly.

Riley muttered his agreement though his mind was obviously elsewhere.

'Hey, earth the Riley, where is your head at mate?' Daniel asked snapping his fingers under the future Alpha's nose.

Swatting his hand away, Riley growled at his Beta, 'I'm just thinking, we are sat here stuffing our faces with fried breakfasts, what about Bella, what is she eating? Are they feeding her? Is she being looked after' he muttered worriedly.

Leaning forward on the table, Daniel dropped his voice slightly so that only Riley could hear him, 'Hey, we are going to replace her, Isabella is a kick a*s future Alpha, even more kick a*s than you if we are being completely honest, she's fine, she just needs the pair of us to move our asses and replace her.' he said solemnly.

Sighing, Riley scraped back his chair, rising to his feet as Daniel did the same, the pair thanking the land lady before making their way back upstairs to collect their things.

Returning to reception they were greeted by a bubbly teenager who was perched on the desk behind the table, looking up she smiled enthusiastically.

'Was everything ok with your stay?' she asked as she held her hand out to take their room key.

'Everything was fine, thank you' Daniel responded, returning her grin.

Stepping out into the brisk morning air, the two friends made their way toward the tree line, walking into the shadows of the trees where they made sure they were not being watched before stripping and shifting into their wolf forms and setting off at speed in the direction of the next town, their feet thundering through the fallen leaves that scattered the forest floor as they ate up the miles that separated them from their next search area.

As they reached the edge of the woodlands, the pair shifted back into their human forms, donning their clothing before making their way through the thinning trees to a main road that cut between the forest and the built up area of the town.

Crossing over, the boys slowly made their way though the buildings, passing people going about their morning as they searched for 'Jack's'. As they walked further and further into the town, the warriors noticed that the friendly faces and well kept shop fronts had given way to hooded figures who seemed not to want to be noticed, the surrounding structures now having a tired and uncared for look. Keeping their heads down, Riley and Daniel hurried through the rubbish strewn streets, keeping their eyes on the shadowed corners, careful not to make eye contact with any of the people they passed. Keeping their heads down, Riley and Daniel hurried through the rubbish strewn streets, keeping their eyes on the shadowed corners, careful not to make eye contact with any of the people they passed.

Hastening down the winding streets they followed the twists and turns of the cobbled roads until hopelessly lost within the maze of shadow filled alleyways.

Finally admitting defeat, Daniel scoured the surrounding area, taking in the varied faces of the few people that littered the doorways of the local buildings. Drawing a deep breath, he stepped toward an old woman, who was wrapped in assorted shawls, a woolen hat pulled down over her ears, who was perched on the doorstep of a run down block of flats, a basket of lavender placed at her feet.

Looking up as he approached, the old woman gave a toothless smile, 'A quarter for your fortune m'lad?' she asked holding out her hand.

'Umm, no thank you' Daniel replied, stopping just shy of her reach.

Picking up one of the small lavender bundles she held it out, 'For your good fortune sir' she said grinning.

'Umm, we would just like directions, if you could help us?' Daniel said, keeping his voice firm as the old woman studied him.

'Directions?' she asked, peering at him intently through her hooded eyelids, 'and where would we be looking at going?'

'We are looking for Jack's Tavern' Daniel replied confidently.

A surprised look crossed the woman's face, 'would you now?' she asked, 'forgive my sir, but you and your friend do not look like the kind of patrons that would frequent a place such as Jack's' she added, looking over at Riley who was stood behind his Beta, his eyes on the surrounding street. Raising his eyebrows, Daniel replied, 'we are looking for an old friend, we have heard that he has been known to visit the tavern so are hoping we can catch him there this evening!

Studying the pair intently, the old woman seemed to make up her mind, holding out her hand she smiled, a glint in her eye, 'cross my palm with silver young man, and maybe old Agnes here can help you out with how to replace the tavern!' she said. Muttering under his breath, Daniel pulled out a handful of change, placing it in the old woman's dirt encrusted hand before thrusting his hands back in his pocket and waiting.

Hiding the coins among her shawls, the old woman pointed up the street, 'Follow the road, third right, second left, 500 yards and you'll replace the bar, just skirt around any fracases that may be going on outside' she said airily before tuning the boys out and calling to passers-by to buy her lavender.

Following her directions, Riley and Daniel hurried through the streets until they were confronted with the dark foreboding building of Jack's bar, the dirty windows were cracked, a few were covered with boards. A few men were leaning against the wall next to the door, pints in hand as they shouted and leered at the passing women.

Striding past the drunks, the warriors pushed open the door, making their way inside taking in the crowd that were already sat in the various booths, drinking and laughing.

Making their way too the bar, Daniel took out a ten and waved it at the barman who came over raising his eyebrow inquisitively, 'What you want boys?' he asked suspiciously, 'Two pints and a bit of information if you have it mate' Daniel replied, keeping his voice confident.

Glaring at the pair for a few moments, the barman finally pulled two glasses from under the counter and placed them under the pump, pulling on the lever until each was full, then placing them in front of the warriors and snatching the money from Daniel's fingers. 'What information you after?' he asked as Daniel took a small sip of the beer.

'We are looking for someone' replied Riley, 'and old friend, we lost contact a while ago and we heard from a mutual friend that he sometimes comes in here'.

'Oh yeah' the barman murmured his voice becoming dangerous, 'and what friend might it be that you are looking for, here in this dive?'

Meeting the muscularly built bar tenders eyes, Riley said, 'His name is Rowan, some people know him as the collector?'

'The Collector' repeated the barman, evidently surprised at Rileys words, 'you two are friends with the Collector's? Forgive me boys but that is a very brave affiliation to be making'

'Well we really only know him as Rowan, we've never needed his services' Riley added hurriedly as Daniel grabbed his arm, leaning toward his ear and whispering, 'Ry, I think we need to leave, NOW'.

Looking around the bar, Riley noticed that the chatter and laughter had stopped and they had become the focus of everyones attention.

Looking back at the bar tender, Riley gave a friendly smile, 'Never mind mate, he's obviously not here, so we'll be on our way!' he said as the pair backed their way toward the door and slipped outside, hurrying down a side street, not stopping till they had put a few blocks between themselves and the bar.

Leaning against a wall, Daniel met his Alpha's gaze, 's**t Riley, we were way over our heads just then'.

'I'd agree with that lads' came a voice from behind them. Turning round the warriors were faced with four well built men, each one rugged and dangerous looking. The man who had spoken had a large scar that ran from his right eye too the corner of his lips, sneering at the pair he stepped forward, eyeing them carefully,

'So, you are friends of Rowan are ye?' he asked coldly.

'Umm we know him' replied Riley cagily.

'I see' replied the man, rolling up his sleeves to reveal a tattoo of a green and blue dragon, his comrades mimicking him, each revealing a tattoo of their own. 'See the issue we have is that we have a problem with people who know Rowan' he continued as they walked slowly toward the warriors who took a fighting stance, each one eyeing their opponents, waiting for one of them to make a move.

'We are not looking for trouble' Riley said forcefully, balling his fists as he watched the approaching danger.

'Maybe not lad, but ye see, trouble is exactly what you get when you throw around Rowan's name' the stranger said with an evil grin.