Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Chapter 30

Making their way into Durango as the sun was setting to their right, dipping below the roof tops, Sebastian led the group through the bustling streets, weaving between the hurrying towns people, who didn't give him a second glance as he made his way purposefully toward the east side of town and the rough buildings that hid the bar 'The Pilot' from view. Standing in front of the old stain glassed windows that gave a feeling of grandeur, Sebastian turned to his young friends with a serious look, 'No offence guys but I think when we get in here I better do the talking' he said. Looking around them at the crowd of unsavoury people who were loitering around the street, Riley nodded in agreement.

'Yeah, that's probably for the best, I think just our accents would be enough to give these upstanding gentlemen a reason to start something' he said with a wry smile.

Opening the double doors, Sebastian stepped inside, followed closely by Riley and Daniel who tried not to look too out of place as they hovered behind the collector. Walking up to the bar confidently, he shouldered his way between the muscular men who were leaning on the sticky counter, drinking and chatting with each other.

Waving a twenty in front of him he waited until the busty barmaid with shockingly white blonde hair that had deep brown roots just starting to show, made her way toward him.

Leaning over the bar, giving a good view of her ample breasts that were straining to remain contained in her tight strapless top, he gave a seductive smile as she reached for the note.

'What can I get you slick?' she purred, her eyes raking over the Collectors chiseled features.

'A beer and directions to someone who can help me replace a lost dog' Sebastian replied with a wide grin.

'Well one beer coming right up sugar, and if it's a lost dog you're seeking, well I'd say you should talk to Tiny, he's over there in the corner, you can't miss him' the barmaid said with a seductive wink, placing a large tankard in front of the collector and holding out his change.

Shaking his head, Sebastian closed his hands around the barmaid's pushing it back toward her. 'You keep that Angel, a little thank you from a grieving owner for your help' he rumbled before grabbing the drink and slipping among the crowd toward the corner. Sat in one of the booths that hugged the walls, a tall well built man covered in tattoo's that had the feel of prison artwork was quietly sipping on a pint. Walking up to the table, Sebastian waited for the man to look up at him before addressing him. 'Tiny?' he asked keeping eye contact with the glowering bruiser in front of him.

'Who wants to know?' Tiny growled, his gaze like ice as he took in the nonchalant collector and his two jittery friends who were looking around themselves uneasily.

'Names Seb, I'm looking for a lost dog' Sebastian replied with a smile, 'Blonde bombshell at the bar said you might be able to help me with a sighting? Or maybe some flyers if he's not been around this way! Leaning back in his chair, Tiny looked over the group appraisingly before waving his hand for them to take a seat.

'So, this lost dog, he got a name?' Tiny asked

'Rowan' Sebastian replied, keeping his eyes trained on the muscle opposite him. 'He's up and run off and his owners want him back, I'm just the collector' he added as Tiny raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'This Rowan must be important if his owners sent out a collector for him' he said quietly.

Nodding his head, Sebastian agreed, 'Very important, a hefty reward is offered for anyone who helps return him home.'

Rubbing his chin, Tiny contemplated the collectors words before saying, 'So, if I happened to know someone who may have heard a rumour about a lost dog, what kind of a reward would we be talking about?' he questioned.

Leaning forward so that his arms rested on the table top, Sebastian muttered in a low tone, 'The owners are offering a five figure sum for him, collectable as soon as he is found. I'm sure you know where collection would be from' he added with a smile. 'That I do' Tiny said

'Then you know this is no scam Tiny, these owners do not renege on a reward.'

Straightening his back, Tiny eyed the two teens before jerking his head toward them, 'These guys? don't look like collectors'

Glancing at the warriors momentarily Sebastian returned his gaze to Tiny, 'They are some muscle I picked up on the way!' he said quietly.

Chuckling lightly, Tiny studied the two teens, 'Muscle you say? I've seen more meat on a chicken drumstick'.

Shaking his head with a laugh, Sebastian replied, 'They may not look like much, but they can handle themselves.

Giving the boys a final look, Tiny returned his attention to the collector, 'Well, there was someone in here a few months ago, was looking for some friends to help him with a collection, your lost dog's name may have been handed too him as his collection wasn't quite above board. From what I understand, your dog met up with the customer and took the job on, and the collection went well.

Nodding intently, Sebastian leaned closer, 'any word on where my lost dog may have taken his bounty?' he asked.

'There was talk about an old house, out in no mans land, surrounded by woods, you can't get there by truck, no roads in or out.

Keeping his voice steady, the collector lowered his voice, 'and would you happen to know where I might replace this house, if I was to go looking?'

Looking out of the window, Tiny replied, 'Due East, three days, you'll reach the edge of the forest, once inside I can't help you, you'll have to scout for it, that is as much help as I can give you!

Draining the last of his beer, Sebastian dropped the tankard onto the table and rummaged in his pocket, pulling out a solid gold coin with the picture of a serpent engraved into it. Sliding it across the table he muttered, 'Once my dog is found, take this and hand it over for your reward! before holding out his hand and shaking Tiny's firmly and then leading the way out of the bar into the darkening street lit only by a few lanterns that hung from the buildings around them.

Walking slowly over the uneven cobbles they stopped in front of a tired looking mid terrace house that had a hand written sign in the window saying 'Room to let'. Stepping up onto the stoop, Daniel pulled the fly screen toward him and rapped his knuckles on the peeling paint of the wooden front door before letting the screen go and stepping back.

After a few minutes a grey haired old woman, stooped over from years of hard work, pulled the door open, peering at the three men suspiciously.

'What?' she questioned distrustfully.

'Evening ma-am, we are looking to rent a room, we spotted your sign' Daniel replied politely, pointing to the flimsy cardboard that was propped in the window.

Following his finger, the old woman glared at the sign before beckoning them inside. Shutting the door, she stood in front of them studying them cynically.

'It's $20, no discounts, no deals, no matter if you stay all night or just the hour, that's the rate' she rasped holding out her hand expectantly.

Rummaging in his pocket, Daniel pulled out a crumpled $20 note and placed it in the woman's wrinkled fingers, starting as she quickly closed her fist and shoved the money deep in her cardigan.

'There's no morning food either so don't ask, room is upstairs, there's only two beds so you gonna have to figure that out between you. First door on the right, end of the hall is the bathroom. With that she turned on her heel and disappeared into the room behind her shutting the door in the travellers faces.

Shrugging his shoulders, Daniel led the way upstairs, pulling open the bedroom door and flicking the light switch, bathing the small room in artificial light.

The room consisted of one double bed and one single, a small dresser and a window that overlooked the street below. The stained carpet was cut two inches too short for the room revealing the unsanded wooden floorboards underneath.

Looking around Sebastian walked over to the single, dropping his bag on the thin blanket before looking at the two werewolves.

'No offence boys, you are nice enough lads, but I don't know either of you well enough to be comfortable sharing a bed for the night, so you two get the double and I'll stay over here in the single!

Letting out a relieved sigh, Riley nodded, 'that works for me, at least if Daniel snores or annoys me I can just punch him until he stops, not something I can do with you mate!

Readying themselves for bed, Daniel groaned as his stomach rumbled, 'who's got food left?' he moaned, 'my stomach is starting to think my throat has been cut!'

Feeling around in his rucksack, Sebastian pulled out a pack of biscuits, throwing them to the Beta who ripped them open and forced three into his mouth with a groan of contentment.

His two friends managed to wrestle one each off him to eat before he devoured the remainder of the packet.

'Good job I'm used to your stomach and having no food' Riley grumbled as he pulled the covers up to his chin.

'I am a strong warrior, I need to keep my strength up for the next time I have to save your a*s from a Vamp' Daniel replied with a smirk.

'Yeah, cos you were soooooo much help with the last one' Riley retorted pulling the blanket further over himself as Daniel got in beside him, immediately puling the blanket back his way starting a tug of war until Riley started to elbow his Beta sharply in the ribs until he let go, curling it around his body victoriously.

'A's hole' Daniel muttered rolling onto his side facing away from his Alpha, who sniggered in response before silence fell over the room.