Sold To The Alpha
Blood L**t Chapter 17

Running back into the cinema room, Halle spun round to show off her outfit to Vallance who grinned at her excitement. 'Comfy?' he asked

'Very' Halle squealed throwing herself into a chair as Vallance hit play on the DVD.

Sitting together silently, they wee engrossed in the film when Halle started to sigh, shifting in her seat before sighing again, curling her legs under her to then straighten them again. Pausing the film, Vallance raised an eyebrow at her, 'OK princess, spill it' he said with a chuckle. 'Spill what? We were watching a film' Halle protested, averting her gaze.

'Nuh uh, something is bothering you, now spill it or I'll tickle it out of you' Vallance warned.

Her eyes widening, Halle shifted away from him, 'you wouldn't dare!' she growled as he raised his hands toward her, moving his fingers as he gave a mock sinister laugh.

'Fine!' Halle grumped, grabbing his hands before he could reach her, 'I miss my family OK?' she muttered, 'and I feel bad about it because it's really nice here, and you are nice and so are Carter and Iris and I'm over here missing my stupid brother.

Giving her a sad look, Vallance nodded in understanding, 'it's OK to miss them Halle, I'd hate to not see my dad and I've been with him for two hundred years! You'd think we'd be sick of the sight of each other in all honestly' he added with a smirk as Halle giggled. 'What do I do about it?' she asked sadly, sobering up.

'Ring them?' Vallance offered

Halle shook her head, 'I can't someone took my phone' she replied.

Sitting up straighter, Vallance stared at her, 'hold up, someone took your phone? Where from? Why didn't you tell me or my dad?' he demanded angrily.

Raising her eyebrows in surprise Halle held her hands up in front of her protectively, 'hold up Mr irate! You only stopped being an a*s like three days ago! I didn't know if you took it, or your dad maybe? I felt bad accusing you and after a bit I kinda forgot about it' she ended feebly.

Glowering slightly, Vallance suddenly stood up, grabbing the teenagers wrist, 'come on' he mumbled pulling her toward the door.

'Wait, where are we going? What about the film?' Halle asked perplexed.

'Shh' Vallance hissed as he checked the hallway before setting off at speed down the hallway toward Halle's room, throwing open the door and pulling her in behind him before shutting it again and pushing Halle onto the bed before checking the bathroom and returning to her.

'What are you up too?' Halle asked defensively, eyeing the agitated Vampire.

'Halle, we are going to see your parents' Vallance said quietly, looking around him as if expecting a member of the castle to suddenly appear beside them.

'W.. what?' Halle spluttered, 'we can't leave the castle!' she argued in a furious whisper.

Shaking his head, Vallance gazed into her eyes, 'Halle do you agree to fulfil the promise you made to my father and marry me on my 200th birthday when I get handed the title of king?' he asked solemnly.

Halle reached for his hands, holding them softly in her own, of course Val, I made a promise, I will not break it. I stay here with you and your people do not destroy those that I love!' Halle replied softly.

Nodding Vallance dropped to his knees next to the bed, 'then you are not bound to the castle, it will let us leave as we both promise to return to it and rule.' he said with a smile.

'Uhh.. the castle? Will let us go?' Halle asked, looking at Vallance as if he was insane.

Vallance chuckled, 'why do you think the servers do not leave without guards? The castle is the sanctity of the Vampire King, it is an entity in it's own right. It won't let them go as they will not promise to return, they are bound to it, unable to pass the perimeter of the walls without guards to make sure they return. As we have both sworn that we are not going to leave and fail to return, the castle will allow us to step over the boundary! he explained softly.

'What's to stop me changing my mind when I get outside the perimeter?' Halle argued, shaking her head confusedly.

'The castle knows when someone is lying and if they try to step over the boundary having uttered a falsehood, their heart stops if they are alive, or their body turns to ash if they are among the dead. Once you swear an oath to return you must return, you don't have a choice, you have to do so' Vallance murmured.

'What happens if you don't come back?' Halle whispered, suddenly nervous

'You die' Vallance replied simply.

'So as long as we promise with our hearts to return, we can leave and visit my parents?' Halle asked suddenly hopeful.

Vallance nodded smiling, 'it does! Though we will have to walk as I won't be able to carry you in bat form and I really don't think it's a good idea to publicise our plan. The castle might approve of us leaving, but my father is another issue so I think it's better we sneak out after dinner, when everyone retires for the night, which will give us time to get away from the castle before anyone notices we have gone!

Halle looked uncertain for a moment, struggling with breaking the Vampire Kings trust and the overwhelming desire to see her family and explain her choice to leave, to make sure they didn't hate her!

Finally, she met Vallance's gaze again, smiling widely, 'lets do it' she replied, 'but please can we leave Viktor a note or something so he knows we will be coming back, I don't want him to worry about us!

Vallance nodded, pulling the teenager into a tight hug, 'deal' he agreed happily, 'I quite like being a bad boy' he added with a grin as Halle burst into peels of laughter.

'Val, you couldn't be a bad boy if your life depended on it' she laughed, rolling on the bed, 'your noble training has been ingrained into you! I'll bet you some of Graham's cookies that you try and turn round at least once when we cross through the perimeter' Vallance huffed at the young girl giggling uncontrollably, 'I'll have you know that I could be very bad if I wanted too' he argued pouting.

'Yeah?' name one time you did something bad Val' Halle countered in amusement.

Furrowing his brow, Vallance suddenly smiled, 'I once swapped the sugar in the kitchen to salt before Carter made himself tea!' he said proudly.

'Uh huh, and when did you tell him what you had done?' Halle asked with a smirk.

His face turning red, Vallance looked at his fingers embarrassed, 'just before he put some in his drink' he admitted as Halle broke down into another squeal of laughter.

'Your Highness?' came Iris' voice through the door hesitantly, 'are you there?'

'Yes Iris' Halle replied sitting up and trying to straighten her face, 'come on in' she called back.

Pushing open the door, Iris' eyes widened slightly at the sight of Halle sat on the bed in a dishevelled state, Vallance still kneeling on the floor beside her, his blush still evident.

'Oh my apologies your Highnesses, I did not realise you were busy' Iris flustered as Halle and Vallance looked at her confused before looking at each other and starting to laugh again. 'We were not up to anything Iris' Halle giggled madly, 'we were just talking!

Iris nodded, 'yes your highness, Carter has asked me to inform you that dinner will be served in fifteen minutes.' she said quickly before bowing and hurrying out of the room.

Holding on to her sides, Halle gasped for breath, 'Oh.. My... Goddess.. she thought.. we were.... messing... around!' she gasped out as Vallance chuckled next to her.

Standing up he grabbed Halle's hand, pulling her too her feet before leading her out of the room and down the hallway to the stairs. Walking down, the pair teased each other mercilessly until they reached the banquet hall and Vallance opened the door for her. 'Told you that you can't be a bad boy' Halle teased as she walked through and made her way to her seat, smiling at Viktor who watched the pair approvingly.

As they took their seat, the servers began to bring in their meals, filling their bowls with the delicious home made stew that Carter had painsakingly prepared.

'I am glad to see that you are both getting along' Viktor commented as they began to eat.

'Once you get past that snobby exterior, he's just a big puppy dog' Halle replied with a small smirk at Vallance who feigned horror.

'I'll have you know that I am a vicious and feared Vampire' Vallance retorted as Halle tried to cover her amusement by picking up her napkin and using it to cover her mouth.

'Even vicious and feared Vampires have a soft side son' Viktor replied with a smile, 'especially for their chosen one' he added with a tinge of sadness.

Eating their meals, the three finally stood from the table, Halle and Vallance thanking the staff before they walked out of the banquet hall and toward the stairs.

'I must apologise Miss Halle, I have a lot of work to do so I must bid you goodnight' Viktor said apologetically.

Halle gave him a big smile, 'that's OK Viktor, I am extremely tired so I think I'll just go to my room and watch a little TV and get an early night' she replied softly as the Vampire King smiled down at her affectionately.

'Such a lovely child' he murmured to himself before placing a fatherly kiss on her forehead and making his way up the stairs to his office.

'I'll see you tomorrow Halle' Vallance said loudly as he raised his eyebrows at her before making his own way up the stairs to his room.

Shaking off the feeling that she was breaking the older Vampire's trust, Halle climbed the stairs and walked to the opposite end of the hallway, entering her room and shutting the door carefully behind her.