Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Chapter 23

Trudging through the muddy fields, Riley, Daniel and Sebastian were low on moral, bent forward, trying to keep their footing as the rain hammered down onto their already soaking bodies. 'We need to replace somewhere to take shelter', Daniel finally shouted at his companions, sweeping his eyes around the never ending sea of open fields around them before spotting a small hay barn two fields over. It had open sides but the roof and hay bales would provide some shelter from the storm that raged around them. Pointing it out to his comrades he led the way as he veered right heading toward the sanctuary, his head bowed against the lashing rain that surrounded them.

Stumbling through the muddy bog that grasped hold of their boots they finally reached the hay barn, scooting around the towers of neatly stacked hay bales, the three hunkered down into a small gap between the rows, peeling off their sodden clothing and dragging out a blanket each from their back packs to wrap round themselves as they lay out their clothes to dry.

'Well this sucks' Daniel said with a grin looking at the two unamused faces that were either side of him. 'I thought these adventures were supposed to be all marching songs and warm summer days?' he joked.

'Yeah, not so much mate' Riley replied gloomily tipping his boot upside down and watching the river of water fall to the ground before placing it upside down on the ground and repeating his movements with his other shoe. 'Trust us to get stuck in the mother of all storms in the middle of nowhere' Sebastian grumbled angrily.

'I told you we should have stopped at that B&B' Riley shot back annoyed.

Raising his eyes to Riley's, Sebastian bristled at his tone, 'and I told you that the longer we take to get to that bar, get the Intel and act on it the less chance there is of your sweet girl even being there' he growled back. 'She's not my sweet girl, she's my friend' Riley muttered, his annoyance evident.

'Yeah, what ever mate, you keep telling yourself that and I'm sure it will be true' Sebastian replied laying on his back and shutting his eyes, ignoring the agitated growl from his companion.

Glaring over at his Beta, Riley grumbled, 'what is his problem?'

Shrugging his shoulders Daniel pulled a face, 'dunno mate, maybe he just likes to wind people up' he answered though his eyes were guarded.

Shaking his head in annoyance, Riley lay back on the ground, pulling the blanket tight around him as he listened to the howling wind and the hammering of the rain drops on the tin roof above their heads. Slowly sleep over took the trio, the rhythmic beating of the rain lulling them all into a light sleep.

Waking suddenly, Daniel sat up, noticing the storm had ceased as he looked around for the cause of his disturbance. Noticing nothing unusual, he shook Riley and Sebastian, rousing them from their slumber before checking his clothes and putting them on, grimacing as the damp fabric clung to his torso but knowing there was nothing he could do until they found somewhere to rent a room.

Scrambling to their feet, Riley and Sebastian also dressed, grumbling about the cold and discomfort of cold clothes as they bundled their blankets into their ruck sacks and made their way out of the barn and back toward their route leading to Durango. 'Ugh, my feet are squelching in my boots' Riley groaned, as they marched through the fields their eyes fixed on a distant spire that promised civilisation and a warm bed.

'Come on boys' Daniel cajoled, 'once we reach the next town we can rent a room, have a shower and maybe even replace a laundromat to wash and dry our clothes. Not to mention a nice hot meal to sink our teeth into.

Smiles fighting at the corners of the mouths of his two companions faces at the thought of hot food and a shower, Daniel picked up the pace, striding toward the distant town, Sebastian and Riley right behind him.

Stepping into the small town, the trio gazed around the empty streets surprised, 'where is everyone?' Daniel muttered as he nervously swept his eyes over the area.

Shrugging, Sebastian stepped forward, leading the way down the main street, his gaze trailing on each shop that was devoid of any movement or lights. Turning down a side street, they walked up to the office of the a tiny bed and breakfast, Daniel trying the door that was locked.

Lifting the knocker, he dropped it loudly onto the metal plate, the sound reverberating around them as they stood back and gazed up at the windows, looking for some sign of life.

One of the nets in the bay window moved slightly drawing the attention of the men, 'Hello?' Daniel called out, 'We are looking for a room for the night'

For a few moments they were greeted by silence before the sound of a bolt pulling back could be heard and the door inched open to reveal one green eye peeking out at them. Leaning forward, Daniel smiled warmly, 'Hey, do you have any rooms to rent?' he asked in a friendly voice.

Hesitating for a moment, the eye widened in concern before the door shut again and the sound of a chain being removed could be heard and the door was then swung open. A red headed, green eyed woman in a simple blue pinafore dress stood in front of them, her eyes darting around the streets as she quickly ushered them inside, shutting the door behind them and replacing the chain and dead bolt.

Growling slightly, Daniel moved toward the woman, 'why have you locked us in?' he asked, a slight threat evident in his voice.

Looking startled, the woman smiled weakly not meeting his gaze, 'umm just precaution sir, you never know who might be outside' she muttered before leading the way to the back of the hallway, picking up a pen and looking to the trio questioningly. 'You need a room sirs?' she asked timidly.

Shaking off the feeling of discomfort at her strange behaviour Riley smiled down at the woman seeing her face relax slightly. 'Yes please, if you have one with three singles in we can take that' he said lightly. Nodding her head, the woman reached for a key behind her, 'We have one family room sir, it has a double and two single beds, you'll have to work out who gets the big bed between you' she laughed nervously. Thanking her, they followed her directions up the stairs to the room, Riley opening the door and walking inside dumping his bag on the double bed.

'Who says you get the big bed?' Sebastian asked testily, 'I'm older, I need more comfort than you two sprites'

Riley puffed out his chest, 'I am a future Alpha, that means I'm the highest rank here so the big bed is mine.

Sebastian snorted derisively, 'I am not a member of your pack mate, so your rank doesn't mean jot to me' he growled.

Daniel watched the exchange amused as he sat himself down on one of the single beds, 'you know, there is only one way to settle this' he called out, stopping the two mens bickering as they turned toward him. 'Rock, paper, scissors gentlemen, who ever wins gets the big bed. 'Really? A kids game?' Sebastian sneered rolling his eyes

'well the other choice is to spend the night bickering over it and no-one sleeps in the bed' Daniel offered with a grin.

Sighing in annoyance, Sebastian nodded, turning to face Riley who held his hand out in front of him. Lifting his own hand, the pair prepared to count as Daniel stood and placed his own hand in front of him. 'What are you doing?' Riley asked perplexed.

'If the big bed is up for grabs, and its being decided by rock, paper, scissors, then I am joining in' Daniel replied mischeviously.

As he was about to argue, Riley was interrupted by Sebastian who huffed, 'just let him play and lets get this over with, I want a shower.'

'One, Two, Three, go' Daniel said as they each threw out their hands, Sebastian's hand flat like paper, Riley and Daniel both making scissor symbols.

'Whatever, I'm going to take a shower' Sebastian said angrily as he chucked his bag on the empty single bed and marched over to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

'OK, its you and me Alpha' Daniel grinned, 'One, two, three, go!' he said throwing out scissors again as Riley lay his palm flat for paper.

'You a*s hole!' Riley growled angrily as Daniel picked up his stuff and deposited on the double bed, laying back on the blanket making moans of comfort as his Alpha grabbed his things and threw them down next to the single bed that Daniel had just vacated. 'Ahh don't be grouchy Alpha, you know it's fair' Daniel teased as he star fished the bed happily.

Walking out of the bathroom minutes later, a towel wrapped around his waist and his damp clothes in his hand, Sebastian viewed the sleeping arrangements, 'so you got beaten by your own Beta?' he asked casually with a small smirk.

'Oh bugger off' Riley replied angrily as he stalked into the bathroom, shutting the door with a sharp click.

'How did you pull that off?' Sebastian asked, staring at the Beta's smug face.

'Ahh it was easy, we've been sorting out disagreements like that for years, I know that if he throws out scissors, his next move is always paper as he thinks I'll do rock' he said with a chuckle.

'Well played Beta' Sebastian chortled as he dried off and pulled out a pair of shorts to sleep in, placing his clothes over one of the chairs and placing it by the radiator to dry them off.

Once Riley came out of the bathroom, Daniel went for a shower, the three then sat on the double bed, Riley grabbing a small menu off the bed side table and looking down the available meals before picking up the phone and ringing the reception to ask for some room service.

Before long the three men were devouring large turkey mayo sandwiches and gulping down bottles of soda, groaning happily as the food hit their stomachs.

As they licked their fingers and placed the plates on the small table near the door, Sebastian sat back on the bed, leaning on his hands as he viewed his companions. 'Does anyone else feel like something is very weird around here?' he asked nonchalantly. Looking up, Riley's faced darkened as he nodded his agreement, 'yes, something doesn't feel right, I've never known a town to be completely empty of people.

Pulling back the covers and clambering into his bed, Daniel lay back on the pillows as the other two men made their way to their own beds, Riley giving Daniel a dirty look as his friend stretched out happily under his gaze.

Flicking the switch by his headboard, Daniel snuggled down into the covers, listening as the others did the same, each man falling into silence as they settled down into an uneasy sleep, their thoughts plagued with the strange town they were in.