Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Chapter 29

'Happy birthday too you, happy birthday too you, happy birthday dear pain in my a*s, always grumpy, couldn't cope without me future Alphaaaaaaaa, Happy birthday toooo000000 youuuuuuuuuuu' Daniel sang off key as he bounced on top of Riley's blanket covered body causing the teenager to groan loudly and try to push his Beta off his bed without opening his eyes.

'Go away' he grumbled into the blankets, 'it's still the middle of the night!'

'It's six am! I let you have a whole extra hour in bed as a birthday present!' Daniel exclaimed grinning.

'Ugh, why did you heal so damn quick?' Riley moaned, as he prised open his eyes to glare at his over excited friend who was straddling him before his eyes moving to Sebastian who was sat up in his own bed brushing his hair out of his eyes. Catching the teenager looking at him he smiled back, 'Happy birthday mate, finally the big eighteen' he said before heading into the bathroom.

The three men had been staying with Clarissa now for three days whilst the two warriors healed from their wounds. Ruby had come the day before last and upon checking their injuries, deemed them to need two more days before they were free to go. Tipping Daniel off his covers, Riley got out of his bed and pulled on some clean clothes, scowling at the clock that read 6:10am. 'I hate you, you know that right?' he muttered as he dragged his fingers through his messy hair, yawning loudly. 'Nah you don't' Daniel replied, 'you love me! If you didn't have me then you'd have to buy soooo many alarm clocks because they would break every morning when you threw them at a wall. he smirked.

'Wish I could throw you at a wall' Riley grumbled, standing up and heading into the bathroom as Sebastian walked out and over to his bed to get dressed.

Heading downstairs twenty minutes later, the three boys filed into the dining room where Clarissa appeared with a huge home made chocolate cake that had two candles on top of a one and an eight. Placing it in front of the teenager she ruffled his hair affectionately.

'Happy eighteenth Riley' she said smiling.

'How did you know it was my birthday?' Riley asked surprised.

Waving her hand Clarissa replied, 'oh a little birdie told me'.

Glaring at his Beta who was looking studiously at the ceiling, Riley growled, 'I have a feeling it was less a birdie and more a big mouthed wolf'. Standing up he gave Clarissa a tight hug, over the few days that they had stayed with her, the three men had become exceedingly fond of the young bed and breakfast owner.

'Thank you Clarissa, chocolate is my favourite' he said with a grin before sitting down again and blowing out the candles.

Hurrying back into the kitchen, she soon returned with a large pot of tea and four mugs then four plates of fried breakfast which she placed on the table before taking a seat next to Sebastian, blushing slightly as his hand accidentally brushed against hers as he reached for the salt.

Since their return, Clarissa had joined them for each of their meals at their insistence. Smiling at the boys she looked toward Daniel, 'So how old are you Dan?' she asked conversationally.

Swallowing his forkful of food, Daniel grinned back and replied, 'I'm already eighteen, my birthday was eight months ago.

'What about you Sebastian?' she asked shyly.

Smiling awkwardly, Sebastian cleared his throat nervously, 'umm, well I'm, umm, well, umm' he stuttered before clearing his throat again, 'I'm Forty five' he finally managed to say.

Smiling brightly, Clarissa lay her hand on his, 'really?' she murmured, 'you look so much younger.'

How about you Clarissa?' Daniel asked smiling.

'Daniel! You don't ask a lady her age!' Sebastian gasped, removing his hand from underneath Clarissa's and slapping at the youth who dodged back laughing.

'Hey she started the conversation, its only fair she spits out her number' he replied giving Clarissa a cheeky wink.

Laughing Clarissa nodded, 'He's right Seb, I asked you all so it's only fair I answer. I am thirty eight' she said with a slight pink hue colouring her cheeks as she looked toward Sebastian through her lashes.

'Wow, I thought you would be younger Clar' Daniel said surprised, 'you must have a good skin care regime' he added with a grin.

'You smooth talker' Clarissa replied smiling, 'I feel sorry for the she wolf who gets you as a mate, she's going to drown in all those cheesy lines you've got. she added as the table erupted into laughter at Daniel's shocked face.

'Hey! I'll have you know that my lines are not at all cheesy, all the girls fall at my feet' he huffed.

'Yeah from the stench of all that mouldy dairy' Riley replied chuckling.

As the table quietened down, Clarissa looked round at her guests a tinge of sadness on her face, 'so will you be heading out today?' she asked as she busied herself cutting them each a large slice of the chocolate cake despite the fact they had all just put away a gigantic breakfast.

Nodding his head, Riley took the woman's hand in his, 'yeah, we have too Clar, Isabella needs us and it's already been too long since she was taken.' he said sadly.

Nodding, Clarissa wiped a stray tear away that had rolled down her cheek, giving a watery smile. 'Yeah I know, it's just I got used to you all being here' she confessed, 'who's going to give me cheesy pick up lines now?' she asked with a chuckle.

'We'll come back and visit' Daniel said with a grin, 'we promise! we'll bring Bella, you'll love her, she can totally kick Riley's a*s' he added with a snigger as Riley punched him in the arm with a growl.

'Watch it you! No-one can kick this Alpha's a*s' he grumbled, stuffing a forkful of cake into his mouth.

'OK mate' Daniel replied, an evil grin playing around his lips, 'I'll be sure to tell Bella when we replace her how you don't think she's tough enough to beat you in a fight'.

Riley's eyes widened, 'umm, yeah, no need for that' he said quickly, 'she already knows, no need to rub salt in the wound is there'.

Sniggering Daniel looked at the abashed Alpha out of the corner of his eye, 'yeah I suppose not, we don't want to upset the future Alpha of the Silver Cross pack do we' he said in mock seriousness.

Standing up from the table, Clarissa began to clear the plates as the men headed back up to their room to start packing. A few minutes later, she appeared around the door holding two large carrier bags, stepping in she dropped them both onto Daniel's bed. Pointing to the first she said 'All your clothes washed and ironed, pack them carefully' giving particular attention to Daniel who dropped his mouth open, spluttering whilst trying to replace the words to defend himself.

Ignoring the teenager Clarissa pointed to the second bag, 'food for you to take with you, I don't want you going hungry. I also wrapped up the other half of Riley's birthday cake, make sure you eat it before it goes stale! Her lip trembling slightly, she made to leave but was stopped by Riley who pulled her into a tight hug, 'Hey, we'll be back' he promised smiling into the older woman's eyes as she hugged him back tightly. 'Ugh' she said finally pulling away, 'you've all made me into a crying mess! Get away with you all before I become one of those atypical females from story books' she huffed walking out of the room and back downstairs. Finishing their packing, The trio traipsed down the stairs to where Clarissa was waiting for them by the reception desk.

Pulling each of the teenagers into her arms one after the other, she gave them a tight squeeze before releasing them and turning to Sebastian who looked at her nervously.

Smiling lightly at him, she give him a quick squeeze before stepping back, her face flushed. Meeting the older man's gaze she glared at him, 'you look after my boys Seb, don't you let one hair on their head get hurt or I'll be after you, got it?' she said angrily. Raising his hands, Sebastian gave a small chuckle, 'OK! I think its going to be more them taking care of me than the other way round but OK I shall make sure no harm comes to these boys, I promise' he said.

Nodding Clarissa turned to the two teens who were stood beside her trying to cover up their smug looks.

Poking Riley in the chest she growled at the pair, 'and if anything happens to any of you, I will personally come and replace your bodies, hunt out a witch, get her to resurrect you and then kill you again myself! Got it?' she warned.

'Got it Clar' the boys replied in unison laughing as they pulled her into a final bear hug whilst she half laughed, half cried into their chests.

Giving their new friend a final wave, the three men grabbed their ruck sacks and stepped out of the front door and head off toward the forest. Once the town was behind them, they stopped to check Sebastian's compass for their direction and then set off for the far off town that hopefully contained information about and a direction for Rowan and Isabella.