Sold To The Alpha
A Lost Princess Epilogue

ark flagstone floor, and the harsh clink of Rowan's chains as he hurried to keep up with the silent Collector beside him. Large foreboding carvings of animals minedly for the ancient oak door at the far end of the hall.

back along the corridor long after he stopped.

e large room, walking forward to where four men sat in regal chairs behind a large hand carved desk. ce, I hope I replace you well?'

has he lent forward, placing his elbow onto the desk as he addressed the man in front of him. his eyes grazing over Rowan who stared back at him without a flicker of fear.

xcellency, but I am pleased to finally be able to return him to your care.' he said bowing his head with respect. s since you left our sanctuary.

Marching their way down the stone corridor, the only sound was the echoing of their footsteps agains in various stages of pain lined each side of the walkway, yet Sebastian gave them no mind as he strod Coming to a halt, he raising his fist and pounded as hard as he could against the wood, the boom reso 'Come' called the monotone voice of a man from inside, pushing the door open, Sebastian led Rowan Dropping to his knee, Sebastian lowered his gaze as he muttered, 'your excellency, thank you for your Waving his hand dismissively the elderly man smiled down on the Collector, his black eyes holding no 'Welcome Sebastian, you replace the elders well, even better now that we see your companion!' the man Rising from his position, Sebastian met the old man's gaze, 'Rowan here has led me on quite a journey 'What of you Rowan?' asked the Elder, 'Word reaches the Council that you have kept yourself busy in t Rowan shrugged non-committally, 'I've kept myself in trouble if that's what you mean mate' he replied Chuckling, though his eyes remained soulless, the Elder peered down at the chained man with amuse Rowan gave the four men a small smirk, 'nope, still the same guy I was when I left I'm afraid, sorry to Turning his gaze back to Sebastian who had stood silently during the exchange, the Elder nodded to t for retrieving our lost puppy, let us know, we would be happy to show our appreciation for your work. Sebastian drew in a deep breath as he steeled himself to speak, 'you excellency, I do have a request, in ouncil would be willing to hear it.' he said softly. 'Of course Collector, please, speak to your Elders' the old man replied.

Meeting the man's cold gaze, Sebastian cleared his throat nervously, 'if it pleases the Council, I would Surprise crossed the Elders face as he studied the man's face in front of him, 'an unexpected request Bowing his head again, Sebastian replied, 'I am getting older your excellency, my body is not as fit no forward and take my place.

ntly, 'If you're going to go out, might as well go out with a bang, don't you agree?' he asked smoothly.

still the fire cracker Rowan' he chided, 'your time away from us has done nothing to hamper your tongue I see! int you all.

ector, 'The Council thanks you Sebastian, you have done well, your devotion to us will be greatly rewarded. If there is anything the Council can offer to you

request my retirement' he said loudly, his voice carrying through the room with ease.

an' the Elder mused tapping his finger tips together. 'Why would you wish to leave your profession so abruptly?'

ck as it used to be. Now I have caught my most sought lost puppy I feel it is time for me to step back and allow the next generation of Collectors to step

Mulling over the Collectors words, the Elder looked to his companions who each gave a slight nod in refore returning their gaze to the two men in front of them.

'Very well Sebastian, we accept your request for retirement, you have served us well and we will make sure that you have what you need to enjoy your leisure' the Elder agreed, 'do you have a plan for your retirement?' he asked interested.

Nodding slightly, Sebastian's cheeks gained a faint colour, 'I made a new friend during my recent travels, I plan to go back and pay her a visit. he said quietly.

Waving his hand in dismissal, the elder replied, 'we wish you well Sebastian, and we thank you for your service, we hope you enjoy your retirement.

Bowing to each of the Elders, Sebastian turned on his heel and left the chamber, closing the door behind him.

Turning his steel like gaze back to Rowan, the Elder grinned dangerously as he slowly rose from his chair and made his way around the table until he was stood in front of the warrior.

Glaring at the Elder, Rowan squared his shoulders in defiance, 'so, shall we get on with the whole execution thing because I have places to be so I'd rather just get on with it if its all the same to you.' he spat.

The Elders smile widened as he reached out and placed a hand on the warriors shoulder, 'Rowan, Rowan, Rowan, the council has no desire to execute you... yet' he replied softly, his voice almost a hiss as he lent toward the man's ear, 'we have a special reason for wanting you here with us, follow me our little fire cracker, as your future awaits you.'

Taking hold of the handcuffs, the Elder dragged Rowan along behind him as he exited a small door to the right. The warrior tripped and stumbled his way behind the tall thin frame of the Council member suddenly nervous about what was in store for him. Downwards the two men went, deeper and deeper below the chambers until they stepped out into a dark hallway lit by torches that flickered shadows into the archways that lined their path. Stopping in front of one of the arches, the Elder reached out his bony white hand and grasped the thick iron door ring, twisting it to open the door and reveal a small stone chamber with a bed in the middle. Two large guards stood in the room who stepped toward the pair as Rowan started to struggle against the Elders grip, each one grabbing him roughly and dragging him to the bed where they threw him down on to his back and secured him to the frame with thick leather belts that they fastened around his wrists and ankles before stepping outside and shutting the door. 'What are you doing' he yelled in panic, 'what are you doing to me! You said you wanted me to die!'

Walking over to the bed, the Elder lent down and brushed the matted hair from the warriors face as he hissed, 'Oh we did fire cracker, but then we realised that you could actually be a blessing to us. Straightening up, the Elder started to pace the room as he spoke, 'as the Council, we are bound by laws, some of which make it impossible to deal with certain situations. You my boy, you work outside of our laws, doing work that is, shall we say, unacceptable for a Collector. Now that we have you back within our family, we realise that you can be our ghost of retribution, dealing with situations that the Council can not be seen to be party too. No-one will question the great Rowan meddling in things that are outside of the Collectors duties as he has long shown the underworld that reworks to his own rules.'

Growling angrily, Rowan flexed against the straps, trying to break free, 'I will never work for you' he spat angrily.

Turning to face him the Elder sneered in the flickering light of the torches that adorned the walls, 'of course you will Rowan, because you won't know of anything else' he replied evenly.

Suddenly the door opened and an ethereally beautiful woman stepped in, her hair was black as the midnight sky, her ivory skin flawless as she paced toward the bed, her dress billowing around her despite the lack of breeze in the room.

'Hello Rowan' she breathed with a tight smile.

'Rowan, this is Ariana' The Elder introduced, 'she is going to help me with your obedience!' he said with an evil grin. 'Ariana is a female empowered with the knowledge of the mystical arts' he added.

'A witch' Rowan growled as he lashed against the bed.

'I prefer sorceress' Ariana replied with a bored expression as she watched the flailing werewolf with barely concealed disdain.

'Ariana has prepared a special potion just for you Rowan' the Elder continued, 'This potion will mean that you will be unable to refuse my orders, every direction I give you, you must follow without question. To make sure that you stay in your prime, as a lot of what we will require you too do will be physically taxing, you will also cease ageing, you will remain as your 26 year old self, unable to die.

Smiling down at the horrified warrior, the Elder turned on his heel and headed for the door. Placing his hand onto the handle, he turned back to Ariana, 'you know what to do Sorceress, your payment will be made upon completion.' before stepping out of the door, shutting it firmly behind him.

Gazing in panic at the Sorceress as she began to lay out a syringe, alcohol wipes and a bottle of sea green liquid in a small vial next to him. 'Please' he croaked, 'don't do this, what ever they are paying you I can pay you double, just please let me go and help me escape. he begged.

'Hushing the terrified man, Ariana sat down on the bed beside him, brushing his hair from his forehead that had become damp from his sweat, 'Oh Rowan, there is not enough money in the world that can stop me from doing this' she replied softly, smiling at his confused expression. 'You don't remember me do you Rowan? You don't remember how I lay on the floor at your feet begging you with everything I had not to kill my love, how you threw me aside and sliced his head from his neck as I screamed through the pain of my soul being ripped in two. The Council didn't have to offer me money to do their bidding, they just had to promise me that I could be the one to take your life when they have finished with you! she purred into his ear.

'I don't remember you but I'm sorry, I was just doing my job' Rowan pleaded, 'I've changed, I'm not that man any more!

'And I am not that woman you left sobbing on the floor that night Rowan, we all change, for better, for worse, but it doesn't matter, all that matters is that my revenge for my beloved will be sweet. You will feel my pain Rowan, every day I want you to feel my agony. There is a clause in this potion, because all magic comes with a cost, you will replace your mate one day, I don't know when, but she'll appear before you and you will be unable to claim her in any way, in fact you will be forced to watch as she wonders why you don't want her. You will never be able to declare your feelings to her, leaving her filled with pain as you will also never be able to reject her. If she rejects you, your curse of eternal life will be lifted but you will never be able to accept her rejection so whilst she goes on to live and love, you will feel every kiss, touch and pleasure she feels with another man until the day you die.

Staring wide eyed at the young witch, Rowan shook his head, 'I'll just kill myself' he growled as tears filled his eyes.

Shaking her head, Ariana gave him a look of loathing, 'Oh Rowan, do you think I would let you off so easily? This spell won't let you take your own life or ask someone else to take it for you, it will force you to defend yourself against any and all attacks against you, I want you to live every second of your miserable life. Oh and just in case you thought about letting your Mate or anyone else know about this little present I'm giving you, you won't even remember it' Ariana added as she started to laugh, her body shaking as he revelled in his pain filled face.

Subduing her mirth, Ariana picked up the syringe and placed the needle into the vial, sucking up the mixture before turning back to Rowan and tying a tourniquet around his arm, flicking his vein a few times before piercing his skin with the point. Leaning forward, Ariana whispered, 'oh and Rowan, this is really going to hurt' as she squeezed the end of the syringe, forcing the liquid into his arm as he screamed through the pain, trying to pull away from the fire racing through his blood stream before his eyes rolled back and he entered the darkness.