Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Chapter 45

'Is everyone ready?' Justin called out loudly over the hubbub as the group busied themselves around him heaving their bags over their shoulders preparing to leave. The Oak Ridge warriors took the lead, stepping out of the boundary first checking the surrounding area for danger before motioning back through the barrier to the teenagers and Justin who all held hands so that the non residents of the pack could also pass through the protective shield.

Slowly making their way through the brambles that hid one of the paths to the village they soon reached the main walkway and made their way in single file down to the foot of the mountain that cast shadows across the landscape. Entering the dense tree line, the group split into two, the males heading toward one set of bushes, the females to another so that they could strip and shift. Joining back together moments later, their bags tied to their legs or slung across their powerful backs, the warriors looked toward their Alpha as they waited for direction. Isabella stepped forward to take the lead, Riley and Justin flanking her to her Left, Daniel and Vaya too her right, the pack warriors behind, everyone alert for an attempt to ambush them.

Setting off, Isabella bounded through the trees, grinning as the wind whipped through her fur, enjoying the freedom as she followed the trail toward Graham's hideout.

Finally arriving in the small clearing, the group broke apart, shifting back and getting dressed. Walking out in front of the cabin, Justin instructed the teens to stay back within the trees whilst his men checked the cabin and surrounding area. Spreading out, the men scouted around the tree line looking for any sign of life before making their way cautiously to the cabin door, their leader reaching forward and trying the door which was securely bolted from the inside. Signalling to Justin the leader stepped back and aimed a powerful kick to the wood, striking it three times before the hinges holding the heavy panel in place gave way.

Forcing the wood out of the way, three warriors stormed into the cabin yelling at the occupant inside to stay down and not to shift.

Stepping back out of the cabin, two of the warriors flanked a male, dragging him by the arms before depositing him roughly at Justin's feet.

'Who are you' Justin growled forcefully.

'I told your men that I would come peacefully Alpha, as long as I could speak to Isabella' the man replied keeping his head down.

'That doesn't answer my question, who are you' Justin demanded, his Alpha tone causing the man to flinch slightly.

Looking up the man sighed, 'I am Rowan, Alpha, I am the man who took Isabella from the nightclub'.

Growling angrily, Justin grabbed Rowan by the throat lifting him off the ground and holding him inches above the floor as he choked desperately for air clawing at Justin's hand.

'Uncle Justin' Isabella shouted, 'Let him go!'

Turning to stare at Isabella, Justin replied, 'But Izzy, he kidnapped you! He deserves to die.

'Please Alpha' Rowan croaked, 'I just ask for a few minutes to talk to Bella to help her replace Felicity, then you can do what you wish, I will not fight you.' he gasped.

'Please uncle Justin' Isabella begged, pulling herself out of Riley's grasp and racing over to her uncle, pulling at his arms desperately.

Taking in his nieces pleading look, Justin slowly lowered the werewolf to the ground, releasing him where he fell coughing to the floor.

Catching his breath, Rowan scrambled to his feet, his eyes glued to Isabella's who was staring at him blankly.

Taking a step toward her he faltered as she took an involuntary step away from him back toward Riley who was walking up behind her, fury written on his face.

'Bella' Rowan said beseechingly, halting her steps. Looking at him as though in a daze, Isabella stepped toward him, slowly closing the distance until she stood in front of him. 'Bella' Rowan repeated, 'I'm so sor..'

A resounding slap rang through the area, Rowan placing his hand against his already reddening cheek as Isabella snarled at him angrily.

'You LIAR' she screamed, punching him in the arm, 'you low down, dirty, scheming piece of scum' she yelled.

'Bella l' Rowan tried again.

'Don't even try to explain yourself' she snapped back, 'you take me from my family, drug me, lie to me, tell me that you are my boyfriend.. 'she growled.

'What??' Riley roared throwing himself toward the werewolf who didn't even try to defend himself.

Daniel caught the Alpha just before he reached Rowan, holding him back as Riley tried to rip his body apart.

'I know Bella' Rowan said sadly, 'I put what I wanted ahead of what you needed, as soon as I had feelings for you I should have backed out of Graham's plan, I should have brought you back to your family' he muttered, as he looked toward Riley, 'back to your mate!' Bella looked at him confused, 'why are you here Rowan?' she asked finally.

Looking down at his feet, Rowan sighed, 'to right a wrong Bella, I will help you replace Graham and Felicity if you will let me.

Justin glared at the warrior, 'why should we trust you, you could be leading us into an ambush to try and take Bella back!

Rowan shrugged his shoulders, 'you shouldn't' he admitted, 'but I'm telling the truth. If I didn't want to help you I would have done exactly what Graham told me too, taken the money and disappeared'.

Isabella studied the defeated werewolf's face for a moment, 'why do you want to help us Rowan?' she asked quietly.

'Because I love you' Rowan replied sadly, 'and though I know you don't love me back, I want to make you happy, and getting Felicity back would make you happy wouldn't it?'

Isabella nodded as she turned to Justin, 'I think he's telling the truth Uncle Justin, I think we should take him with us!

Justin nodded sternly before glaring at the werewolf, 'you realise that the collector is waiting for us at the edge of the forest, once we replace Felicity I will hand you over to him. One moment of help does not erase what you have done to our family, our packs and your council.' Rowan met the Alpha's eyes, 'I know, and I accept the repercussions of my choices, just please let me right my wrong to Bella.' he asked.

Looking out toward his men, Justin raised his voice, 'Rowan will be joining us, Bailey and Karl will flank him at all times, if he tries to escape you will kill him on the spot' he added with a meaningful look toward the silent man in front of him. 'I am not going anywhere Alpha' Rowan replied simply.

'OK everyone, lets shift and get to the diner, Sebastian should be there waiting for us'.

Disappearing behind trees and bushes, the group shifted back into their wolf forms, Riley placing himself next to Isabella and growling warningly at Rowan when his brown wolf stepped out between a large black wolf and a large dirty blonde wolf. Rowan showed his neck to Riley in submission, remaining back from the teens.

Justin and the lead warrior made their way to the front, and set off at pace toward the edge of the forest and the diner where cars were kept hidden for pack use.

Thundering their way through the falling leaves, Rowan was surrounded by warriors that circled him and his guard as they ran. Isabella didn't look back at him, her snow white fur glinting in the light that streamed through the thick foliage above them.

Rowan sighed to himself as he watched her prancing effortlessly over logs and bushes, the huge mahogany brown wolf staying close to her protectively. Seeing the two of them keeping pace, he knew that Isabella was where she was supposed to be. Blinking away the stray tear that tried to fall from his eye, Rowan concentrated on what Graham had said before they had parted ways, ready to let the Alpha know as soon as he asked for the information.