Sold To The Alpha
Blood L**t Chapter 9

Racing down the hallway, Vaya and Daniel skidded to a halt outside of Justin's office, walking through the open doorway just as Leo and Jason appeared behind them, everyone taking a seat as Leo shut the door quietly behind him. Sobbing uncontrollably, Hazel waved Halle's letter at her husband, 'she's gone, she handed herself ov ktor' she cried as Justin snatched the letter and quickly scanned it, his face paling as he absorbed the words written on the paper.

'Dad, we need to go and get her back, what was she thinking?' Jason growled, his face taut with emotio

'She thought she was saving our pack' Justin replied heavily, rubbing his eyes with his fore finger and thumb before pulling his wife into his arms, comforting her as best he could. 'She can't stay with them baby' Hazel whispered frantically, 'she's only a pup, she's not ready for marriage and pups of her own!

Justin smiled up at his mate, 'don't worry, I'm going to go and get her back' he said softly.

'I'm coming too' Jason said immediately.

'No son, you are going with Vaya and Daniel to look for your mate, I will go with Leo and some of our warriors and retrieve your sister' Justin replied determinedly.

Fixing his father with a glare, Jason shook his head, 'I am coming dad and you will not stop me, if you send me out with Vaya and Daniel, we will just replace our own way to Viktor's castle' he shot back obstinately. Growling at his son's insubordination, Justin started to puff up in anger, 'remember who you are talkin n' he warned.

'I do, my father, the man who raised me to take care of my family, watch over my sister and not back down from any fight' Jason replied stubbornly.

Placing her hand onto her mate's arm, Hazel drew Justin's gaze to her own, 'take him with you babe, you are going to need all the help you can get' she said softly, 'he's just as stubborn as you are, don't fight a losing battle' she added with a small smile. Sighing heavily, Justin nodded, 'fine, you come but you are under my orders, got it?' he said glaring down at his son's triumphant face.

'We are coming too' Vaya butted in, fixing Justin with a steely gaze that shut the Alpha's mouth immediately.

'Damn kids' he muttered, 'don't remember us being this indifferent to authority!

Shrugging, Vaya smiled, 'Alpha Aaron gave up trying to tell me what to do a few months after I joined Silver cross, don't feel too bad you caved immediately' she said with a smirk, earning herself a dirty look from the Alpha.

'OK, well I assume that as they have Halle, there will be no battle, someone needs to go and check outside the barrier for any Vamps watching us' Justin said as Leo nodded, his eyes clouding momentarily as he mind linked one of the warriors. His pupils returning to their usual grey, he said, 'Graham is going out there now, he'll report back in a w minutes.'

Nodding, Justin caught the Beta's gaze, 'we need a team of warriors to come with us to retrieve Halle, we are not going to start a fight but we'll need some sort of back up if things get ugly, I can't see Viktor giving her up easily. Call Nathan, we need to prep him to watch the pack whilst we are gone, also once he's been outside, get Graham up here. I won't force him to come with us as Felicity is so close to giving birth so he will be Nathan's right hand man while we are gone!' he said quickly before turning to his wife, 'you need to stay here babe, our pack need their Luna right now!'

Hazel gave him a small smile, 'I know, just bring my baby back to me' she whispered.

******

The soft swaying of the bag had caused the exhausted teen to fall asleep, the soft thud of the bag touching down on to the ground jolted her awake. Hugging her knees to her body, her back pack clung tightly to her chest, she waited as the sides of the bag got pulled down and the harsh early morning sun light pierced her eyes causing her to snap them shut in pain.

Prising them open hesitantly, she allowed her pupils to adjust to the sudden glare before looking around her. Taking a sharp intake of breath, Halle gazed up at the massive structure in front of her, the castle was centuries old, the cold grey stone dominating the landscape. Two carved gargoyles stood guard over the main entrance, their fierce expressions sending a shiver down the young girl's spine.

Behind her, she saw high stone walls that were topped with viscous looking spikes, two large metal gates were embedded into them. They looked to be silver and screamed do not trespass to anyone who may come across them.

'There is a protective charm on the perimeter' came Viktor's voice behind her, turning her neck quickly, Halle's eyes widened as she saw how close the Vampire was too her.

'w..w.. what?' she stuttered nervously

'The boundary' Viktor repeated indicating, 'there is an enchantment on it to stop human visitors replaceing us, we also have sentries to watch for the supernatural, you are safe here our Queen'

Reaching out his hand, he waited as Halle slowly placed her own trembling palm into his, allowing him to help her stand before leading her toward the castle.

The large medieval doors swung open of their own accord allowing the pair entry, the remaining Vampires and Vampresses waited for them to enter the building before shifting and taking flight into the air.

Dropping Halle's hand, Viktor swept his arm wide as he boomed, 'welcome to your new home Queen Halle.'

Looking around herself in awe, Halle's mouth fell open into a small O as she took in the large crystal chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, the antique rugs that softened the harsh flagstone floor, muting the footsteps of the residents. Two staircases swept up either side of the room leading to the first floor, each dressed with a deep red runner that exuded importance.

The walls were decorated with portraits of people long dead and polished suits of armour were positioned around the wall giving an imposing feeling.

'This way Halle' Viktor said taking her hand again and leading her toward one of the staircases, making his way upstairs as Halle's head swivelled from side to side trying to take in the magnitude of the place she would now call home.

Reaching the first floor, Viktor walked along past numerous closed doors until he reached the very end, opening the door, he stepped back so that Halle could enter.

Walking through the door, the teenager was struck dumb at the elegant room in front of her, the queen sized four poster bed was covered in rich satin sheets, a bear skin rug placed on the floor beside it. Antique furniture decorated the space and thick purple velvet curtains hung down from the ornate curtain pole, framing the French doors that led out on to a small balcony.

To her right was a small polished oak door that she assumed led to a bathroom, on one of the chairs clean towels had been placed in anticipation of her arrival.

Clearing her throat she turned to the expectant face of the Vampire King, 'umm, it's lovely' she managed to squeak out, 'I don't have many clothes' she added holding up her ruck sack.

Sweeping over to the wardrobe, Viktor opened the doors to reveal an array of dresses' we were unsure of your size so I instructed your maid to get you a variety of sizes of each garment' he replied.

'My maid?' Halle asked warily

Clapping his hands together, he waited a few moments until a young girl scurried into the room, her eyes glued to the floor. Her flushed skin told Halle that she was mortal, her scent confirmed her as human. 'yes your Highness' she whispered, keeping her gaze lowered.

'Iris, this is our future Queen, you will address her as Your Highness or Your Majesty' Viktor commanded as the young girl shivered at his words.

'Yes your Highness' she replied tentatively, turning back to Halle, Viktor indicated to the maid, 'this is Iris, should you need anything, she will obtain it for you, if she displeases you, I will see that she receives consequences' he said with a glower at the human who cowered at his words.

Swallowing hard, Halle forced a smile, 'oh I'm sure Iris will be perfect' she said hurriedly looking at the girl who refused to raise her head. 'Um Your Highness, would it be OK if I had a wash?' she asked hesitantly, 'I'm a bit dirty from the trip' she added as way of an explanation.

'Of course Halle' Viktor replied with a smile, 'please make sure you dress in one of the gowns I provided, we will be having a formal lunch in two hours so that you can meet your future husband.' he said jovially, 'oh and please call me Viktor little one, we are nearly family after all.' he added before sweeping from the room.

Iris, quickly made her way over to the wooden door, twisting the handle to reveal an ornate bathroom with an elegant porcelain tub. Lacing the plug into the bottom, Iris started the water running, bustling around the room getting bath salts to add to the water along with products for Halle to wash her hair and body.

Stepping into the room Halle tried to take the bottles from the girl, 'I can do that, you don't need to wait on me' she said quietly.

Shaking her head, Iris held the bottles to her chest, 'I must your Highness, please, it is my job' she replied, her tone pleading as she continued to study the flag stone floor.

Stepping back, Halle sighed defeated, waiting for the maid to finish running her bath before stripping out of her soiled clothes and slipping into the hot water, a small moan of comfort leaving her mouth as her tight muscles reacted to the heat. Gathering up her clothing from the floor, Iris quickly left the room, allowing Halle some privacy. Grabbing the body wash, Halle lathered her body, inhaling the scent of the creamy lotion as she rubbed it into her skin. Rinsing off, she picked up the gold handled shower head that was nestled in a cradle built into the top of the taps, leaning her head back as she washed the grime from her long brown hair.

Washing it thoroughly, she rinsed her hair clean before conditioning it, letting the liquid soften her strands before washing it out again. Pulling the plug, she stood up from the tub as Iris bustled back in holding out a towel ready for Halle to step out and wrap around her self.

'This way your Highness' Iris whispered, leading the way out of the bathroom and gesturing toward a chair in front of a vanity. Sitting down, Halle tried to protest as Iris took out a brush and hair dryer and started to dry and style the teenagers hair for her. 'Please Iris, I can do this, you don't have to' Halle protested.

'You are our future Queen your Highness, it is my duty and honour to assist you' Iris replied as she carried on completing her task. Soon Halle's hair was perfectly styled and Iris helped her from the chair so that she could dry herself off before handing her body lotion to use on her skin and walked over to the wardrobe to pick out a dress for Halle to wear to the dinner.

Making her way back over to the teenager, Iris held out a midnight blue ball gown with a plunging neckline, the bodice encrusted with diamontes that shimmered under the light.

'I think this would look very fetching on you your Highness' Iris said hesitantly.

Taking the dress, Halle smiled, 'it's perfect, thank you Iris, you have incredible taste.

The young girl let out a soft breath before assisting Halle into the garment, zipping up the back before hurrying back to the wardrobe to pull open the drawers in the bottom that housed an assortment of footwear. Carefully removing some silver heels, she made her way back to Halle and placed them by the girl's feet, easing them on before standing up and stepping back to check over Halle's attire.

Her brow creasing slightly, Iris suddenly brightened as she rushing over to a small box on the vanity, opening it and lifting out an expensive looking diamond necklace, carrying back to Halle, she briefly met the teenagers eyes, 'may I your Highness?' she asked holding up the necklace so that Halle cold see it.

Nodding silently, Halle moved her hair out of the way as Iris placed it around her neck, fixing the clasp before arranging the youngsters hair back perfectly down her back.

Touching the necklace hesitantly, Halle gazed at her self in the mirror, hardly recognising the girl that stared back at her, 'it's beautiful' she breathed as Iris smiled behind her.

'Yes you are your Highness, a beauty worthy of her King' she said encouragingly. Clearing her throat to attract Halle's attention from her reflection, Iris asked, 'are you ready to be escorted to the banquet hall your Highness?'

Smiling at the timid girl in the mirror, Halle nodded, 'yes I am' she replied pushing down her nerves as she made her way to the bedroom door.