Sold To The Alpha
Chapter 26

At 2 pm the next day Alpha Marcus, his Beta Lucien and 6 guards arrived at the front entrance to the Silver cross pack house. Walking up the driveway, Lucien gave the signal for the guards to remain approximately six metres from the entrance so as to be close but not give an intimidating stance to the hosting Alpha. Walking up the steps, Lucien lifted the heavy knocker and tapped it sharply against the heavy oak door. Within a few seconds, the door was opened and Jared greeted them before ushering them inside.

Both men were obviously impressed by the ornate decor of the foyer, taking in the gilded cornice, large

chandelier and beautifully crafted furniture. Smiling at their barely concealed appreciation of the aesthetics, Jared said, 'Our Luna has a wonderful eye for detail, she remodelled most of the pack house when our Alpha was handed the title from his father.' he motioned toward the stairs, 'please follow me, I will take you to the Alpha's office' he said before stepping ahead of them leading the way up the curving staircases to the fourth floor.

Reaching the Alpha's office, Jared knocked smartly and waited for Alistair to grant access before turning the handle and leading the visitors in. Stepping forward he announced, 'Alpha Marcus and Beta Lucien, to see you Alpha. before stepping to one side for the two men to enter and closing the door behind them.

Alistair rose from his seat behind the ornate desk and extended his hand in welcome which Marcus accepted and shook, before seating himself again and gesturing toward the seat opposite him for Marcus to take.

Charity was sat in the other chair in front of Alistair while Mary was perched next to her husband on the corner of the desk and Aaron was stood behind his mate, his hand resting possessively on her shoulder which did not go unnoticed by the new arrivals. Jared walked toward the chairs by the fireplace and beckoned to Lucien to join him there, once they were all settled Alistair looked at Charity, silently telling her that this was her meeting and she was in charge to run it as she saw fit.

Clasping her hands together she looked toward Marcus and quietly asked, 'Alpha Marcus, please could you tell me why you are so desperate to meet me, I'm just some human that Alpha Alistair rescued from a family in a village, why would your pack be so interested in me?'

Marcus breathed out heavily as he looked at Charity, taking in her beauty, her ivory skin like porcelain her long blonde hair falling down her back in waves and the startling aquamarine eyes filled with questions and just a trace of fear.

'As I said yesterday, he started, 'its a long story, and it starts with the death of my wife' he said sadly as the room stiffened at his words.

'My Luna Anna-Marie, she was beautiful, she had a smile that could light up the darkest of days, her laughter filled our pack house as she played with the young cubs and cared for our members' he began looking at the other two Alphas who gazed back at him, each with complete understanding in their faces.

'She was loved by all of Red Moon, even more, than they loved me, I was their Alpha, respected as was my right, but Anna-Marie, she was the glue that held our tribe together. If a cub was hurt, he or she would run to the Luna for a hug and to show off their scar, Warriors would regale her with tales of their escapades when they went out to defend our pack from Rogues or attacking rival packs. The She-Wolves would call for her when in labour, wanting their Luna beside them to hold their hand, which she always did, no matter what the time of day or night, even if she had just laid her head to her pillow, she would get u un to the side of her labouring female to support and encourage them, not leaving till the new life was welcomed into our world and confirmed healthy by from this wolf about his mate.

the pack doctor.' He looked up at Charity with a sad smile as she listened, awed at the pure love that por 'One day she came to me, she was radiant, beaming with happiness' he continued, 'She told me that she was pregnant with our first cub, I was thrilled, nothing could make our lives better than a baby, he or she would join us making us into a complete family. Over the months my mate blossomed, the she-wolves doted on her, trying to get her to rest, cooking her meals, fluffing her pillows, it drove her mad' he said with a chuckle that was mirrored by Alistair who gave a sly look at his own mate as she swatted him playfully. Looking at the exchange, Marcus gave a sad smile toward Alistair, 'it seems to be a Luna trait' he acknowledged, 'They are the carers, not ones who like to be cared for. Shifting slightly in his seat he continued his story,

'Anna-Marie went into labour on the afternoon of 17th April, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was as if even nature knew that someone special was about to enter this world and the Goddess herself was waiting with baited breathe for this miracle to arrive. I had to forcibly remove all the she-wolves from the doorway whilst my mate pushed our child into the world, every member wanted to be there to hold her hand as she had for them, but no-one was going to support my mate except me as she brought our beautiful daughter into the world.'

'Our daughter made my breath catch, if I thought my Anna-Marie was beautiful, it was nothing compared to the tiny bundle the doctor placed in my arms, her chubby pink cheeks and rosebud mouth, and a head of blonde hair. She looked up at me with her aquamarine eyes, just watching me, she didn't cry or wriggle or anything, she just seemed to settle into my embrace like she knew I would never let another being hurt her as long as there was breath in my body!

'Anna-Marie was a wonderful mother, she doted on our daughter, teaching her to speak and walk, talking about what her wolf would be like and how she would be there for her first shift so that they could run together through the forest. She would shift into her wolf, a stunning silver colour that reflected the moonlight, and would take our little girl on rides around our territory as she squealed with delight and waved at our warriors and pack members as they bounded past'

Marcus stopped his story for a moment, his face rippling with pain as if the memory physically hurt him, he shook his head as if to ward off the feeling and continued his narrative.

'Our daughter grew older and more beautiful every day, her smile lighting up the halls and laughter filling the rooms just as her mothers did. We celebrated her 5th birthday, we had a huge party, all the pack children came, Anna-Marie always insisted on it for every pack child, birthdays were an important milestone to be celebrated she would say.

'For a few months, beforehand my mate had began to feel unwell, which got worse after our daughters celebration. At first, she was just tired, a little short of breath, she would have to lean on the bannister when climbing the stairs instead of taking all three sets in one go. The pack doctor couldn't understand what was wrong, he ran every test he could think of, but nothing came up, we obtained the services of local powerful witches in exchange for favours and wealth but none of them could reverse the force that was sapping the life from my mate. We even took her to a human doctor in desperation, all he could tell us was that her heart was giving up but there was no reason why'

'Over the months she grew weaker and weaker, spending her days in her bed as the she-wolves would read to her and our daughter would cuddle up on the blanket brushing her hair away from her face as Anna-marie smiled down at her. Finally, one day she called me to her, as I entered the room, she reached for my hand, as I took it she smiled sadly at me and whispered, 'its time for me to go, Marcus, take care of our princess. before she shut her eyes and her chest stopped moving!

'I howled and howled as I held her but there was nothing I could do, my Anna-Marie was gone from this world and I was left to raise our daughter alone!'

As she wiped a tear from her face, Charity looked at Marcus steadily, 'your daughter' she whispered, 'what was her name?'

Marcus looked at Charity, pain and grief evident, 'Her name was Annalise' he said quietly as Charity gasped in shock, 'she was your mother'