Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Chapter 33

'I do not need you to carry my stuff for me' Vaya raged at the flustered werewolf in front of her.

Having woken up, her hand still clasped tightly within Daniel's grasp, Vaya had been secretly touched as the Beta had awoken, spotted their entwined hands and pulled away mumbling apologies to her. She was not ready to admit it to herself but the young werewolf was getting under her skin and she couldn't help the invisible pull that made her want to be near him. Her mind was going crazy though as her usual fiercely independent personality was fighting against the primal need she felt for this stranger. 'I just want to help you' Daniel muttered dropping his hand from the strap of rucksack that had been dangling between them.

'Well how about you help me by moving out of my way stalker' she snapped back, hefting her bag onto her shoulder so it rest against her quiver before snatching up her bow and stalking off to wait by the trees for the men to finish packing up. Sidling up to the defeated werewolf,,Riley gently clapped him on the back affectionately, 'Mate, I don't think she's the kind of she wolf who likes to be molly coddled by her mate' he advised with a sly grin. Groaning, Daniel cast his eyes to the floor, 'I think she hates me' he confided, his shoulders drooping slightly with the confession.

'I don't hate you stalker, you're just a huge annoyance that seems to like to hang off my a*s and I've only known you for twelve hours so far' Vaya's exasperated voice came from behind them.

Looking over their shoulder, they saw that the young woman had moved closer and was now leaning against a nearby tree, her facial expression falling slightly as she studied the Beta's defeated look. 'Ugh, you are so needy' she moaned, stepping toward him and pressing her lips to his quickly before pulling back and walking back to her tree where she lounged against the bark with a look of boredom.

A huge grin broke out onto Daniel's face which he tried to smother as Vaya rolled her eyes at him. 'I'm never washing these lips again' he breathed to Riley as he stared at his mate lovingly.

Laughing, Riley pushed his Beta's shoulder playfully, 'OK lover boy, but can you get your stuff together because we are all waiting for you and as happy as I am that you found your mate, I really would like to get on and replace Isabella'. Looking chagrined, Daniel quickly stuffed his things into his bag, slinging it over his back and walking over to the waiting warriors, positioning himself next to Vaya who scowled at him as she led the way through the trees.

Breaking through the tree line, the group stared across the fields toward a distant dark forest that gave off a sinister feel. The dense trees covered a huge area that made the Alpha's heart drop when he realised how hard it was going to be to search. Grabbing his shoulder in comfort, Sebastian said, 'well, lets get going, the sooner we reach it the sooner we can start searching.'

Striding down the gentle slope they trekked across the large field, the grass rippling around their feet as they walked.

Vaya kept sending quick glances toward Daniel, cursing herself internally that she felt on edge when he was not in her sight that turned to annoyance at him when she caught him doing the same thing to her.

Whilst checking on her mate again, Vaya felt her foot step into nothingness, stumbling forward she threw out her hands to protect herself, her eyes closing involuntarily as she braced for the impact.

Opening her eyes confused, she gazed down at the floor that was still a few feet below her, turning her head she came face to face with Daniel who's arms were around her waist supporting her, his touch sending electricity coursing through her body. Flushing slightly, she pulled her foot from the rabbit hole that she had stepped into and twisted out of the Beta's grasp muttering her thanks as she avidly avoided his gaze.

'Are you OK?' Daniel asked worriedly, 'you aren't hurt are you?' as his eyes raked over her body looking for injuries.

'I'm fine' Vaya replied embarrassed, 'just wasn't looking where I was going' she added as she straightened up and started walking again, keeping her eyes firmly on the ground.

Trekking over the uneven ground that was hidden by the tall grass, the group stumbled and tripped their way onward, the thick overgrown trees growing bigger and more impenetrable as they closed the gap between them both.

As the sun began to set behind them, they discussed whether to set up camp within the forest or just outside and tackle the seemingly impenetrable maze of nature in the morning.

'I would prefer to be within the tree line' Vaya said as she looked around them uneasily, 'I grew up around trees, they make me feel a damn sight safer than the open fields do.

Daniel nodded his head immediately, 'yeah, totally agree with Vaya' he said giving her a small smile as she shook her head in irritation.

'Of course you do' Riley said with a sigh as he turned to Sebastian, 'what about you Seb? Any preference?'

Sebastian looked around the fields they had just crossed before bringing his gaze back to the group. 'Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, out here we can see anything coming but there is a lot of land to keep an eye on in the night. In there our vision is limited and the trees could mask the approach of any intruders, but the trees also offer us shelter and will help to keep us camouflaged' he said slowly. 'Personally I prefer inside the trees, the limited ability to creep up on us appeals. We can take turns keeping watch through the night'.

Shrugging his shoulders, Riley replied, 'Within the trees it is then, lets get going and replace a spot to camp before the sun sets completely.

Walking into the woods, it took them about thirty minutes to replace a decent sized spot that was enclosed by trees and bushes making it hard to enter without creating sound.

Dropping their bags, Sebastian and Riley gathered sticks for the nights fire, Daniel starting to take his clothes off as Vaya's eyes widened in shock.

'What the hell do you think you are doing?' she growled, staring horrified at the half naked warrior who was looking back at her perplexed.

'Taking my clothes off so I can shift and go hunt some food' he replied, his confusion increasing as Vaya's face turned a bright shade of red.

Suddenly comprehension hit him, 'oh my Goddess! Did you think... you thought... what... 'he stuttered staring at the sheepish hybrid in front of him.

'Shut up!' Vaya muttered covering her burning face with her hands as the Beta started to laugh.

Stepping toward her, he slowly pulled her hands from her face causing her to look into his eyes. 'Vaya' he breathed cupping her chin in his hands, 'I would love nothing more than to do that with you but I know you are not ready to accept me. I will never ever give myself to you until you ask me too, but I will also never give myself to another whilst I wait, you are my everything!'

Giving a small smile, Vaya reached up and pressed her lips to his, allowing herself for a moment to drown into his body as he softly kissed her back, before pulling back and stepping out of his embrace, feeling the pain that flickered across his face from the broken contact.

'I appreciate that Daniel, I really do, just next time, maybe give me a heads up that you are about to get naked in my presence?' she asked with a giggle.

Turning her back whilst he continued to strip, she soon felt soft fur nuzzling at her hand, turning back she dropped to her knees beside the blonde wolf that stood beside her, running her hands through his hair as she gazed as the powerful beast that looked at her so gently. 'You're beautiful' she whispered awed as she stroked his silky soft fur laughing gently as he rubbed himself against her and licked her cheek. Standing up she grabbed her bow and quiver, 'come on stalker' she said to the wolf affectionately, 'lets go get this group some grub!

Leading the way, Daniel slowly made his way through the trees, picking out a route that he knew Vaya could follow easily. Creeping forward he stopped still, his ears c****d as he sniffed around, zeroing in on a small colony of rabbits that were grazing on the lush grass. Looking behind him, Daniel's heart dropped when he realised that Vaya was no longer behind him, looking around frantically a soft whoosh caught his attention as three arrows whistled through the air in quick succession taking down three of the largest rabbits in quick kills as the others ran.

Dropping from the branches of the tree in front of him, Vaya arched her eyebrow at the wolf cockily as she made her way over to their dinner, pulling out her knife and skinning them quickly before picking them up and walking back toward the Beta. 'Shall we head back?' she asked nonchalantly, as she passed the Beta by, following the path back toward the camp site.

As they sat round the warming flames, Daniel was still put out by the hunting trip.

'Aww come on stalker' Vaya teased, waving her piece of meat toward him, 'don't be like this, you were very helpful standing in the middle of the path for all to see' she said as the two men chuckled at the Beta's ashen face.

'How am I supposed to impress you when you're stealing my thunder like that?' he moaned huffily as Vaya reached over and took his hand momentarily in hers, giving it a small squeeze before letting it go making a slight smile appear on his face. 'I was very impressed' Vaya replied with a smirk, 'your ability to stand out like a sore thumb whilst hunting was unbelievably impressive.'

Turning to the young girl, Sebastian asked, 'so do you have a wolf Vaya? Can you shift like these two?'

Nodding her head, Vaya swallowed her mouthful quickly before replying, 'Yes I can shift but as I haven't really had the ability to train in wolf form I replace it easier to hunt and fight in my human form'.

'What does your wolf look like?'Daniel asked curiously.

'She's a soft reddy brown like my mothers tree wood, which I suppose makes sense as I'm half Dryad' Vaya replied, 'I shifted just after I was sixteen and my mother told me about my father!

'I would love to see your wolf some time' Daniel said softly, 'I can help you learn to fight in your wolf form if you like' he added hopefully.

Smiling at the eager Beta, Vaya looked at him through her lashes, 'I would like that' she whispered, trying to keep her face straight as she watched Daniel's face beam with excitement, happy she had made him smile.