Sold To The Alpha
A Love spoken Chapter 35

Stumbling for what felt like hours, twisting and turning through the forest until they were hopelessly lost, the four visitors finally felt themselves enter a structure, the air becoming warmer as they started to walk downwards along a smooth path. After some time, they were brought to a halt and helped into a sitting position, their head covers were removed and they blinked in the bright lights that shone from bulbs that hung over their heads. Looking around, they saw that the two other warriors that had been sent away whilst they spoke had been the ones to return and escort them to their current location.

Looking around, they took in the smooth carved rock faces around them.

'Are we underground?' Gabriella murmured in awe as she took in the smooth stone walls that surrounded them, including the well lit corridors that jutted off in different directions from the seating area leaving them with no idea of which one would take them back to the outside.

'Yes we are' came a new voice, as a strong blonde haired male walked out of one of the corridors and made his way toward them his hand outstretched, 'welcome to our pack, I am Beta Royal. Prince Vaughn, Princess Gabriella, it is an honour to entertain you and your friends as our guests today. Apologies for the rather unorthodox method of granting you access, I will happily explain why it is necessary to you in due course!'

Nodding to the Gamma and his men, Royal silently dismissed them, waiting until they disappeared down one of the tunnels before turning his face back to them. He had a strong friendly persona that made them feel at ease, but his muscular frame left little doubt that he knew how to take care of himself if necessary.

'Sorry, did you say your name is Royal, isn't that a bit.. odd for a werewolf?' Gabriella spluttered, trying not to laugh.

Royal on the other hand laughed loudly, his chuckles bouncing off the wall, 'yes my name is Royal, that was not supposed to be my name though' he admitted with a grin, 'my name was actually supposed to be Roy Allan, but after I was born my dad was so excited about his first born that it seems he and his friends got a bit carried away with the were whisky, when the Alpha came down to join the celebrations, he asked my dad what my name was and he slurred out Royal, and the Alpha announced it to the entire pack. From what I was told, my dad finally fell into bed at 4am to then be woken up at 7am by an extremely pissed off she wolf demanding to know why everyone was asking to see the new Beta's child Royal. Obviously by this time it was too late to change it, the entire pack had been told by the Alpha, even her attempts to shorten it to Roy were fruitless, so my mum finally had to admit defeat and call me Royal.

The group started to laugh along with the Beta, 'how long did it take your mum to forgive your dad?' Gabriella asked with a giggle.

'The story goes that Ma put him on bum changing duty for a month and refused to so much as kiss him until he literally got on his knees and grovelled for her forgiveness. Needless to say, when my sister was born two years later, he marched straight up to the Alpha's office to tell him her name was Alexis Jane before he so much as looked at a whisky bottle.

The visitors laughed loudly at the Beta's tale, 'oh my Goddess, my mum would have literally murdered my dad if he had got our names wrong' Gabriella giggled, 'no-one would have ever found his body!'

Royal grinned, 'my mum is much more of a, you will suffer my anger for the rest of your existence, type of she wolf, I'm thirty two years old with a family of my own, and she still brings it up if my dad upsets her.' Sobering up Royal turned to Gabriella with an encouraging smile, 'so what can our pack help you with today?' he asked warmly.

Sitting up straighter, Gabby launched into the story of Rowan being unable to speak or make any kind of movement toward her despite being her mate. 'We don't know why he can't talk to me as he can talk as long as I am not present' the princess said sadly, Tia who works in the shop at a nearby town could sense that he had a problem and thought maybe you could help, as you are werewolves with seer like abilities'.

Royal listened carefully as she spoke, not interrupting until she had finished, mulling over her words for a moment he leaned back slightly before replying. 'Right first I need to explain our pack, despite common belief, we are not a pack full of seers' he said with a chuckle, holding up his hand as Gabriella's face fell. 'That is not to say we do not have werewolves that have certain abilities, but it is not all of us.

We do have a select few wolves who were born with additional gifts, mostly to do with physical or magical injuries to others, it's hard to explain but I will do my best, they can 'see' if something has been altered within another person either through a poison or a spell and can in most cases explain what has happened and in a few even help to reverse the effect. The rest of us are their guardians, this is why we keep our pack house secret, we are all sworn to protect these gifted wolves with our lives, their importance in a fight is equal to the Alpha.

The four stared back that the Beta shocked, no pack they had ever encountered before placed others above the Alpha and Luna, they were protected at all costs.

'How many gifted wolves do you have?' Olivia asked softly, her penetrating gaze not leaving the Beta's face.

Royal glanced over to her, 'we currently have five gifted wolves, two are still children so as such would not be used to read anyone unless it was an emergency, we know they have the gift from things that they say and they are taught by the three wise ones how to utilise their gifts ready for when they come of age' he explained carefully.

Olivia nodded in understanding, 'would one of your three wise wolves be willing to take a look at our friend and see if they can help him?' she asked hopefully.

Royal grinned back broadly, 'I will take you to our Alpha, he is ultimately the one who decides if anyone can gain access to the Gifted few, if you would all like to follow me, we will make our way to the Alpha's office.'

Standing up, Vaughn grasped Olivia's hand possessively in his own, Gabriella taking Rowan's as they stood behind them waiting for Royal to lead the way.

Leading them through one of the corridors, they turned left and right, looking curiously down offshoots that were cut into the walls around them, each step took them steadily downwards until they finally stepped out onto a mezzanine that had solid railings. Over the side was a vast void that continued down, looking downwards, the four were greeted with a large circular area that was lit by thousands of lights, around the sides there were further mezzanines with doors that were carved into the stone work. The hole went down six floors, smiling, Royal commented, 'it's set up the opposite to a standard pack house, our meeting rooms, kitchen and dining room are up here, the floor underneath us is living quarters for the single wolves and has the games room and entertainment room. The floor below that is unmated she wolves, down again and you have two floors for the mated members and their families where the rooms are more of apartments, then its the gifted wolves, Gamma and Beta quarters and guest rooms, and finally the bottom floor is reserved soully for the Alpha and his family.

Staring in awe, it took the beta a few minutes to get the groups attention again, 'would you all like to follow me?' he asked with a broad grin as he carried on around the open sided corridor until he reached 2 shining metal doors. Pressing the button by the side, he waited, humming happily to himself until a small ding sounded and the doors slid back to reveal a small elevator.

'You have an elevator?' Gabriella gasped in shock.

Royal chuckled at her excitement, 'yes, our ancestors soon realised that walking up and down six flights of stairs constantly can get pretty tiring, they actually started with a pulley system that two wolves were employed to pull up and let down until technology brought us a more convenient way' he replied as he waved his hand to indicate they step inside.

Stepping in behind them, he pressed the button for the bottom floor and leaned against the wall as the metal doors slowly slid back together and the elevator made its way downwards.

it came to a stop, the doors slid open again and Royal led the way out, across the flag stone paved floor past beautiful sculptures that decorated the floor space and cosy seating areas until the reached a pair of dark Mahogany doors. Knocking smartly, Royal waited until a low gravelly voice bade them to enter, pushing down on the handle, the Beta opened the door, making his way inside, the four visitors following behind him with a slight hesitation.

'Alpha' Royal said formally, 'I have brought the visitors that were brought in by the Gamma and his guards, the come to ask for help from the gifted few. He indicated to each group member in turn introducing them to the Alpha as they bowed in respect as their names were mentioned.

'and this is our Alpha Robert' Royal finished with a proud tone entering his voice, you could tell that he took great pride in his pack and had deep respect for the man that sat in front of them.

'Please, take a seat' Alpha Robert said, waving to the seats in front of him, Gabriella and Vaughn took the seats indicated, Royal, Olivia and Rowan making their way to a comfortable sofa and chairs, sitting down as a soft knock emanated from the door. 'Come' called Alpha Robert, waiting as a young girl entered shyly carrying a tray of drinks. Placing them silently on to the table next to the sofa, she bowed deeply before scurrying out again, closing the door quietly behind her.

Royal stood up and handed out drinks to everyone before taking his seat again, waiting patiently for his Alpha to speak.

'Royal has sent me the reason why you are here' Alpha Robert started softly, 'normally we try not to meddle in the problems of the outside world as the less who know of us the better, but I have heard of the Silver Cross pack and the leadership of Alpha Isabella. Even here in the depths of the forest, news has travelled of the White wolf Alpha and the great changes that have come about since she took over from her father.

It is because of her that I have not immediately turned you all away, Alpha Isabella respects and appreciates the gifts that the Moon Goddess can choose to bestow upon us so I am assuming that her daughter would hold those same beliefs and as such keep our existence between herself and her friends' he finished, surveying Gabriella with his deep green eyes.

The princess immediately straightened her shoulders, 'you are correct Alpha Robert, my mother is very protective of the Moon Goddess' gifts and instilled in my self and my brothers a deep respect and desire to keep those gifts from being exploited. Whether you are willing to try and help my mate or not, my friends and I will never utter a word about your pack or the gifted few to anyone else' she promised.

Alpha Robert smiled back at the teenager, 'I thank you for that Princess Gabriella, and I am perfectly happy for you to go and meet one of our gifted few. I am sure Royal has told you that we do not allow our young gifted to use their powers as they do not gain complete control until adulthood, but I am sure that one of the three that are of age will be able to at least help you understand why your warrior mate cannot talk to you.'

Nodding to Royal, the Beta immediately stood up, placing his empty glass on the tray and beckoning to the group to follow him. Standing up, each of the visitors bowed respectfully to the Alpha, Vaughn thanking the man for his time before they filed out ahead of the muscular warrior who walked out behind them and shut the door to the office.

'OK, if you are ready, I will take you to Silva, I think she will be the best of our gifted to help you with your questions!

Nodding quickly, the group followed the Beta as he started to make his way toward the centre of the floor where a staircase lead up to the next floor where the gifted few resided.