Sold To The Alpha
A Love spoken Chapter 36

As they made their way up the staircase and along the corridor, the visitors tried to absorb their surroundings, passing multiple doors, they finally stopped in front of one that had 'Silva' on a plaque, screwed into the wood at eye level. Rapping his knuckles smartly on the hard surface, they stood silently as rustling sounds came from within. The door soon opened to reveal a young girl who looked to be in her early twenties, surprise crossed her face momentarily before she smiled warmly. 'Beta Royal, what an honour, and you bring guests? Please come in' she said, her voice soft and melodious that complimented her waif like appearance and silver coloured hair.

Standing back, she opened the door wide to allow the five people entry, the apartment was small, comprising of an open plan kitchen and living room with two doors leading off that the group assumed lead to a bedroom and a bathroom. Ushering the visitors toward the large sofa that dominated the room, she quickly grabbed some chairs from her kitchen table, so that everyone had somewhere to sit.

'As Royal has brought you here to visit me today, I can only assume that you are after answers' Silva said quietly, her eyes meeting with each of the group in turn, her grey eyes piercing through them as if reading their souls.

'Yes please Silva' Gabriella replied quickly before the others could speak, 'this is my mate Rowan, there is something wrong that stops him from being able to speak, touch or claim me in any way, please, could you tell us why it's happening as he can speak to anyone else if I am not there' she said, the desperation evident in her voice.

Nodding silently, Silva stood up and motions for Rowan and Royal to change places so that Rowan was sat in the second kitchen chair. Moving her own chair, the gifted wolf placed it so it was directly in front of the warrior before arranging herself comfortably back on the cushion that covered the wooden seat.

Placing her finger under Rowan's chin, she forced his eyes to meet with her, staring unblinkingly into them as she searched for something that no-one in the room could see. Moving her hands slowly, she traced her fingers across his shoulders and down his arms to his fingers. Her gaze became unfocused as she made her way back up and then down his torso, causing Gabriella to growl testily.

Olivia shhed the agitated princess immediately while giving a worried look toward the gifted wolf who seemed not to have heard the sound.

'You have pain' Silva suddenly whispered, 'in your heart but it is not just your own, another has placed their pain within you. There is a barrier, it holds your most primal emotion captive refusing to allow it to surface!

'His love for his mate?' Gabriella asked hesitantly.

Silva nodded at her words though her clouded eyes never left the warriors frame. 'His love is there, I can see it but it cannot break free' she said sadly as her eyes refocused and she looked over at the group sat hunched forward on the sofa beside her and Rowan. 'Do you know why the barrier is there?' the princess asked quietly.

Silva gave a pained smile, 'it is tied to the pain of another, as long as she hurts so will Rowan' the gifted wolf replied soberly. 'This warrior will be unable to claim a mate until the spell breaks at his death.

Gabriella gave a pained groan, 'Rowan is immortal, that's eternity' she whispered.

Silva shook her head, 'no, the warrior is not immortal, he was once but no longer is, he can die!

Everyone stilled at her words, even Rowan looking at the young woman in shock.

'can you help him at all?' Gabriella asked in a small voice.

Silva shook her head, 'I am sorry Princess, this is a spell of the heart, it cannot just be removed, it bonds Rowan and the caster together, they are tightly interwoven. A curse or a poison can be cured with the right ingredients, a bonding of pain cannot. 'Can anything be done?' Olivia asked quickly as the teenager's face crumbled.

Silva contemplated for a moment before murmuring, 'there is possibly a way, the only thing that I know of that has any chance to break through a spell of pain like this is an act of true selflessness, though even this is not a guaranteed cure! Gabriella perked up, 'so we just need to replace someone who needs help? Rowan helps them and he's OK?' she asked.

Olivia took the young girls hand in her own, 'it doesn't work like that Gabby' she said softly, 'if Rowan helps someone to break the spell upon him then it's not a selfless act, this has to be something that is done without thought, planning or knowledge, a time when everything wipes from his mind but the need to protect that person.

The room was silent for a moment before Royal stood up, thanking Silva for her time before starting toward the door, the friends taking that as their cue to leave.

As each of the group shook hands and thanked the gifted wolf for her help, she smiled until Olivia stood before her, grasping her hand the she wolf suddenly gazed at her intently as she murmured, 'you are special, your past makes you reluctant but you must trust. Olivia gave the young woman a shocked look as her face melted back into its calm smile, the she wolf seeming oblivious to what she had just said.

Making her way out into the corridor, Olivia was silent as they followed Royal to the elevator and up to the top floor.

Once back in the seating area, the Beta motioned for them to sit down as he took a seat across from them.

'I am sorry we could not be more help to you' he said sincerely.

Vaughn shook his head with a tight smile, 'we appreciate the help you could give us, we may not have a cure for Rowan's problem but at least we now know what that problem is' he replied.

A few moments later, the warriors from earlier appeared out of one of the tunnels, each one taking up position behind one of the visitors.

'Apologies again Prince, Princess and friends, but you can see why we need to keep our whereabouts secret' Royal said sadly.

Olivia raised her chin slightly, catching the Beta's eye, 'there is no need to apologise Royal, we thank you for allowing us to meet with one of your gifted few, we swear to keep your pack secret and are happy to be blind folded before we are lead out of your territory' she said firmly.

'Thank you for your understanding Olivia' Royal replied with a smile before signalling to the men who each carefully covered one of the guests faces before helping them to their feet.

'Friends' Royal called out, his voice slightly muffled to their ears through the fabric, 'you are always welcome here, if you ever need our help in the future, just return to the forest, we will replace you!

'Hopefully we will meet again Royal, until then we appreciate your hospitality' Vaughn said formally.

Each visitor then had their elbow taken by a pack warrior and were carefully guided along a tunnel and out into the fresh air, weaving their way through the trees they kept walking steadily until they came to an abrupt stop and their head covers were removed. Blinking in the sudden sunlight, the group allowed their eyesight to clear, turning to the Gamma, Vaughn held out his hand to shake the other wolf, 'thank you Gamma for taking us to your Beta' he said.

Grabbing his hand and shaking it firmly, the Gamma replied, 'a pleasure Prince Vaughn, and as our Beta said, if you ever need to return to us, come back to this spot, we will replace you! Nodding, the friends stood and watched as the warriors disappeared into the trees, their footsteps silent.

Once they were sure that they were now alone, the four set off back the way they had originally came, making their way to the edge of the forest just as the night time air started to set in.

Making camp, they crouched around the warm crackling fire, eating out of their back packs rather than one of them heading out to hunt. Slowly each of them fell into a light sleep, Vaughn curled around Olivia, Gabriella tucked into Rowan's embrace. Soon only Rowan remained awake, looking up at the stars that twinkled over their heads, he thought over what the gifted wolf had said.

As hard as he tried, h could not remember who had bound his heart or what he had done to make them do it, letting out a frustrated sigh, he felt Gabriella snuggle closer to him as she slept.

His heart hurt to look at the beautiful angel that held him tightly to her, silently cursing the unknown woman who had decided to stop him claiming his mate as his own as he finally succumbed to sleep.

The following morning, stretching her arms above her head, Gabriella let out a small yawn as she shifted herself to look into the sleeping face of her mate, she was saddened by the packs inability to cure Rowan but was trying to hold on to the shred of hope that they could somehow replace a selfless act that he could perform.

Groaning softly, Rowan's eyes fluttered open as he raised his hand to wipe the sleep from his eyes. As Gabriella's face swam into view, his heart leapt just as it did every morning though his face remained stoic. Sitting up, he brushed the leaves from his clothes, looking over at the other couple who were just awakening as the sunlight flickered through the leaves and landed on their faces.

'Morning' Vaughn called with a grin as Gabriella waved idly as she grabbed her bag with her other hand and started to pull out a drink and some biscuits, sharing them with Rowan who accepted them silently.

Packing up, they checked the map again for their direction before setting off, the girls setting the pace as the boys fell into step beside them. As they made their way down a path that edged the large expanse of fields, they discussed Silva's words. 'How do you do a selfless act when you already know that doing that act will benefit you?' Gabriella muttered in annoyance.

'I don't know Gabby but we have got to believe that there is a way' Olivia replied squeezing her friend's hand comfortingly.

The boys had fallen behind them Vaughn was talking in a low tone, Rowan listening intently as he nodded at the Vampire's words.

'What are you two whispering about back there?' Gabriella called as she turned around, walking backwards as she spoke.

'Gabby! Turn around before you get. 'Vaughn shouted just as the she wolf tripped over a stone that was jutting out of the dirt, falling backwards with a yelp of pain.

'Gabby!' Olivia shouted, trying to grab her as she fell, landing on the ground, Gabriella clutched at her ankle as she groaned in pain. Hurrying up to her, the two werewolves dropped to their knees beside her as Olivia quickly checked her ankle, grimacing as sh removed the teenager's boot and sock and saw the rapidly swelling skin that was already a deep purple.

Feeling it carefully, her face cleared, 'I don't think it's broken but it looks like a nasty sprain, we need to give her wolf time to heal' she said.

'No, it's fine! Come on, lets get going' Gabriella protested, trying to push herself up onto her feet and collapsing with a scream of pain.

Vaughn shook his head, 'no, there was a town ahead of us, we will head there and replace somewhere to stay tonight' he replied sternly, standing up, he lifted the she wolf into his arms and handed her too Rowan who held her tightly to his chest. Picking up her bag, Vaughn placed it on his shoulder next to his own and they set off at a quick pace toward the town that was just visible in the distance.

It took a few hours but they finally made it too the small town, weaving their way through the streets until the found a small hotel with a hand written sign that said 'rooms to rent'. Heading inside, Vaughn quickly pulled out some money for two rooms, snatching the keys and leading the way upstairs.

Entering the first room, Rowan gingerly placed the injured teenager on the bed, Olivia running into the bathroom to soak one of the flannels that she brought back out and draped over the princess' startlingly bruised ankle making her hiss violently. 'Rowan, are you OK to take care of her?'Olivia asked, obviously worried about whether the warrior would be able to do anything for the teenager of his own volition.

Rowan nodded silently as Vaughn pulled her toward the door, 'we'll come and check on you in a couple of hours, try and get some sleep Gabby, we'll sort out some food when we come back' he said before walking out the door and shutting it behind him, leading Olivia to the adjoining room and opening it for her, allowing her to enter first before stepping in behind her and shutting it softly.