Sold To The Alpha
Blood L**t Chapter 25

Viktor slumped back in his chair, staring at the young girl who was still under the influence of the pot 'Ashley?' Justin called out, 'will Iris remember everything we have spoken about?'

'Yes, the potion you gave her has stopped me from shutting her out entirely, she is very worried abou 'Can you release control to Iris?' Justin asked carefully.

Iris' shoulders shook slightly before her head lifted slowly, she stared around the room before her eye 'Iris?' Justin called, drawing her attention to him, forcing her eyes over to him, Iris nodded slightly, 'are Nodding again, Iris kept sending fearful glances at the Vampire who hadn't moved from his seat. 'I didn't know' Iris whispered desperately, 'I swear I didn't know.'

Halle knelt by the maid and placed her hand comfortingly around Iris' fingers, 'we know Iris, it wasn't Iris shook her head, 'I should have known that she was doing something' she whispered fearfully, 'I ke 'You know about Ashley?' Justin asked suddenly.

Iris nodded, 'she appeared after my family was killed, she would surface to protect me but she never had decided that I was OK now.' she mumbled wearily.

Justin looked over at Viktor, 'we can't punish her, she wasn't in control at the time' he murmured Viktor shook his head, 'I know but I also can't have her roaming the castle when Vallance is in the stat As everyone contemplated the difficulty, Carter reappeared in the banquet hall, 'my apologies your Ma Standing up immediately, Viktor hurried from the room, calling over his shoulder for two of the Vampi Running up the stairs, Viktor entered Vallance's room his eyes trained on the witch who was holding a Once the bowl was drained, she looked over at the silent group, 'He now has three weeks before the a antidote to give us any chance of saving him' she said gravely.

Justin nodded, "thank you Auriele for all your help, we appreciate it'

had given her.

will happen to her now' Ashley replied

ted on Viktor and she tried to push the chair away from him with her feet as she let out a squeak of fear. K Iris?' Justin continued with concern.

ult, you didn't do anything!

ng a feeling that something wasn't right, that I wasn't completely with it, but I thought I was being paranoid.

thing to harm anyone, just took over when I couldn't cope with what was going on. The longer I was here the less she felt the need to come out, I figured she

in, if Ashley pushes forward he could be in even more danger.

Alpha' he said bowing to the two men, 'I went to check on Miss Auriele and she has said that she is almost done with the potion for his highness! vatch over Iris, Halle, Jason and Justin on his heels, Vaya and Daniel deciding to stay downstairs with the frightened human.

bowl to the prince's lips, pouring its contents into his slightly open mouth.

completes its path, before my interference he had roughly three days. You must replace Agnes and get her to tell you exactly what spell she used to create the

'A pleasure Alpha, I still owe your pack a debt, I shall always assist you when I can!' Auriele replied with a soft smile.

'Dad, I'm going to stay here' Jason said in a strangled voice

'That is a wise choice young warrior' Auriele said before Justin could reply, 'your presence helps calm the prince which helps him fight against the antidote.'

'OK son, Leo and I will do everything we can to replace Agnes and either bring her back here or get the information out of her that we need to save him' Justin replied pulling his son into a hug.

'I shall also be coming' Viktor said suddenly surprising the room, looking at the werewolf faces around him he added, 'I can do nothing for my son here but I can help you in the search and I have absolute authority over every Vampire in the world, if we need help, shelter or a lead on Agnes' whereabouts my people will provide'.

Halle stepped forward, 'I want to come too dad' she said stubbornly.

Turning to the teenager, Justin shook his head, 'no sweetie, you need to stay here where you will be safe!

As she started to argue, Viktor cut in, 'Miss Halle, the castle still holds ownership to you, it will not let you leave as it knows you will be walking into danger, plus I need you to stay here and look after the castle, with me gone and Vallance unresponsive you are now the highest ranking member of the castles occupants' he said softly.

Justin walked over and put his arms around his daughter, pulling her into a tight hug, 'I need you to take care of Jason, he needs his family to help him through this' he whispered into her hair as she clung to him, 'also take care of Iris, she is going to be confused, scared and guilty for her part in what has happened.' Pulling back, he met Halle's gaze, 'You are one of the strongest she wolves I know, you have your mothers heart, you can take care of everyone here whilst we are gone!

Halle reluctantly nodded, stepping backwards and out of her fathers embrace, 'I will stay here' she sighed before turning and heading out of the room and back down the staircase.

Justin turned back to Viktor concerned, 'are you sure you want to leave Vallance?' he asked.

Viktor nodded resolutely, 'I am not help to my son here, I believe his match will guard him with his life while I am gone, I have no fear of anything but Agnes' revenge taking him from our world' he replied evenly.

'I will not leave his side' Jason muttered, his eyes not moving from the sleeping form.

'Just remember to sleep yourself son' Justin said with a soft smile, 'you are no help to your mate if you pass out from exhaustion.'

Auriele stood from her position beside the Prince, 'if it is acceptable Vampire King, I shall remain here within the castle until you return, I would not want to hinder any chance the Prince has of recovery due to having to travel back to you!

Viktor met the beauty's gaze and nodded, 'you are forever welcome in my home sorceress, I owe you a debt just for trying to help my child, I shall instruct the staff to prepare you a room, please feel free to treat the castle as your own home' he answered sincerely. The group left the room, leaving Jason and Vallance alone, the warrior curling up on top of the blankets next to the Vampire, clasping his hand firmly in his own after they left the room.

Making their way downstairs, they returned to the banquet hall where Iris was still tied to the chair, Halle leaning over her helping her to drink from a cup.

Looking up Halle gave a small smile, 'Iris was thirsty, I am just giving her some water' she said quietly.

Auriele walked over to the still terrified girl and looked deeply into her eyes, 'Iris' she called as the girl pulled her gaze up to the witch, 'I can help you but you need to want to be helped' she said softly.

Iris blinked rapidly before stammering out, 'what do you mean?'

'I can give you something that will hold Ashley back, stop her gaining control without your knowledge' Auriele replied in a low voice.

'Will it hurt her?' Iris asked, her voice trembling slightly at the thought.

'No, but she will not be bale to take control from you without your permission' Auriele said with a smile.

'What is it?' the maid asked uncertainly.

Her smile widening, Auriele opened her bag and pulled out an ancient talisman that hung from a leather necklace, holding it up in front of the human girl she watched as Iris' eyes followed the spinning amulet mesmerised.

'This is an amulet, it has the power to subdue whatever I tell it too, as long as you wear it, Ashley will be unable to surface, only if you take it off will she be able to take control' Auriele murmured.

Iris nodded slightly and bowed her head so that Auriele could place the amulet around her neck, holding the amulet in her hand, Auriele then whispered so quietly that no-one could hear her words before laying it carefully against Iris' chest where it glowed for a few seconds.

Turning back to Viktor, Auriele smiled, 'Iris can be released, she is no longer a threat to the castle or the Prince' she said confidently.

'What if she takes it off why were are not here?' Viktor asked uncertainly.

Auriele shook her head, 'that is part of the spell I placed on it, no-one but I can remove the amulet from her neck, once I return I shall remove it and then Iris will b able to decide for herself if she wishes to wear it or not.

Turning back to Iris, Auriele raised an eyebrow apologetically, 'I am sorry dear, I know within me that you would not remove the amulet but I must allow the Vampire King to leave the premises without worry, he will need all his wits and powers to replace and deal with Agnes who is no ordinary witch.

Iris dropped her gaze nodding, 'I understand, thank you, without your help I would spend the time in the dungeons or be killed so I have no right to be upset by the stipulations of your talisman'

Viktor snapped his finger and the chair uncoiled from around Iris' wrists, 'Halle, would you kindly escort Iris to her room, after her ordeal today I feel that she could do with some rest' he growled sullenly.

As the two girls walked toward the door Viktor suddenly spoke out again, 'Iris? I.. I apologise for your family, I was so blinded by rage and grief that I never attempted to stop and learn that anyone tried to save my beloved' he said hesitantly.

Iris nodded, 'It is OK your Highness, I can't say it didn't destroy me or that I didn't hate you for what you did, but I think what Ashley has done far outweighs your guilt' she replied simply before allowing Halle to guide her from the room.