Sold To The Alpha
A Love spoken Chapter 40

Making their way through the streets, dodging past the other early risers that were already out and about, the four made their way to the edge of the town and headed back out into the empty countryside. Setting a steady pace, the four travellers walked across the fields, enjoying the early morning sunshine.

The girls chattered happily to each other, the excitement for their nearing destination palpable. The further they walked, the more withdrawn Vaughn was becoming, the weight of his decision anchoring his feet, making them harder and harder to lift. 'Come on slow poke' Gabriella called behind her with a giggle, 'we want to get to the castle today, and that is not going to happen if you keep dawdling.

Olivia glanced over her shoulder, giving her mate a radiant smile that both lifted him up and crushed his heart simultaneously.

Hurrying his feet, he caught up with the trio, Olivia instinctively taking his hand in hers and giving it a soft squeeze. Meeting her eyes, he saw the concern flickering within her gaze and gave her a warm smile in return, calming her worry.

'How much further?' Gabriella asked, looking around them at the vast expanse of green that surrounded them.

'About half a day' Vaughn muttered back tersely, keeping his gaze forward so neither of the women would see his conflict that was etched into his features.

Strolling across the broad fields, the girls faces started to cloud slightly as on the horizon they could see the beginning of a charred forest.

'Umm you live in there?' Gabriella asked hesitantly, turning to face the hybrid who kept his face stoic.

'Oh it doesn't usually look like that' he replied quickly, 'there was a fire a while back, some stupid human kids stumbled across our forest, they couldn't get too far in due to the protections the castle has against non supernatural beings, but they started a camp fire on the edge of the tree line, the wind was blowing the wrong way and the flames caught the edge of the trees. The kids ran away, it took us a while to put it out but the Vampires managed it, leaving the trees looking like that, we hope that they will return to their usual life at some point.'

The teenager nodded, accepting the Prince's answer and continuing toward the forest with Olivia by her side.

The closer they got to the edge of the tree line, the more nervous the girls became, Gabriella's hand tightening within Rowan's as she huddled close to him instinctively.

Once at the tree line, Vaughn stepped between the burnt trunks, leading the way out of the sunlight into the gloomy interior.

'Welcome Prince Vaughn' came a voice from the shadows as a beautiful young woman stepped out from behind one of the trees, her deep grey eyes soft and welcoming as the sunlight glistened off of her ivory skin. Vaughn halted immediately, his stance tensing slightly as he took in the young Witch in front of him.

'She is waiting for you' the witch continued softly.

'She? Vaughn? Who is she talking about?' Olivia asked hesitantly stepping up next to her mate, 'I thought we were going to your castle' she said, her face turned to the hybrid's, studying him for an answer. Vaughn swallowed heavily, his body shaking, 'I'm sorry' he whispered.

'Gabby!' Olivia shouted suddenly, 'we need to leave now!'

Suddenly her body went rigid, only her eyes able to move, the rest of her frozen, staring around in panic she noticed that the rest of her friends were in the same situation.

'I am sorry Crescent Moon' the witch said quietly, 'I cannot allow you or your friends to leave. Lifting her hand she waved it toward them, mumbling incoherently as the four travellers began to walk forward automatically. Marching in line, they stepped through the trees, the smell of burnt wood tickling their nostrils.

After a while they stepped out into a small clearing in front of a dingle storey stone building, large stone steps leading up to the foreboding front door.

The group came to an abrupt stop as a hooded figure stepped out onto the top step. Lifting her hand, she slowly pushed back her hood to reveal her face, her deep violet eyes tracing over the youngsters in front of her.

'Prince Vaughn' the High Priestess called out, her voice carrying through the still air, 'you have done well bringing the Crescent wolf to me, and as such have fulfilled your grand father's blood oath.

Waving her hand, she compelled Olivia to walk toward her, the she wolf fighting internally with everything she had as her body moved her steadily toward the witch who waited patiently for her to arrive. Once stood next to her, the Priestess beckoned to Vaughn who found his body back under his control.

'Come forth Prince Vaughn and claim your prize' the priestess whispered softly, her eyes glinting as she watched Olivia's expression change from confusion and fear to anger and betrayal.

Walking up the stairs, Vaughn stood just below the pair, his eyes on Olivia, filled with guilt and regret as the High Priestess pulled a large gold disc out of the air, flicking it open to reveal a blood red thumb print in side. Placing her own thumb onto the small spike, she pricked her skin, allowing the blood to flow before pressing it firmly to the parchment next to Viktor's.

Snapping it shut once more, she threw it to Vaughn who caught it deftly in his right hand, placing it securely in his jeans pocket.

Looking back up at the witch he growled, 'my grandfather's debt is now paid in full, yes? You have no further hold over my family or my father?' he demanded.

The High Priestess smiled, 'correct your highness, your family is no longer of interest to our coven.

Turning to face Olivia, Vaughn's face fell to witness the pure look of disbelief and heart break on her perfect face.

'Olivia I.. he started desperately.

'Don't!' Olivia yelled, her mouth suddenly freed though the rest of her as still bound, the priestess watching the scene with amusement, 'don't you dare try to justify what you have done. I can't believe I was so naive as to blindly trust you, I knew something was wrong, I knew it!' she spat in fury, 'I couldn't read your emotions, I should have known then that you were hiding something from me!

Vaughn stared at her defeated, his heart shattering at the venom in her voice, 'I had too' he whispered, 'I had no choice!

'You had a choice Vaughn, there is always a choice and you chose to sacrifice me.' Vaughn tried to speak but she cut across him immediately, 'don't speak to me, don't think about me, don't even allow me into your dreams, I will never forgive you Vampire!' she growled.

Vaughn took an involuntary step back as her words hit him, gasping in pain as she rose her chin and said, 'I Olivia, the Crescent Moon Wolf reject you Prince Vaughn, future king of the Vampire's as my mate!'

Vaughn fell to the floor, his screams echoing around the forest as he clutched his heart which felt as if it was being ripped from his chest and stabbed with a thousand knives.

The High Priestess, waved her hand a second time, a smoke swirling around the trio, lifting them up off of the ground and spinning them around. Slowly the winds slowed and the mist cleared to show them all back outside of the forest in the field. Rowan ran to the Vampire who was still screaming in agony, writhing on the floor, his knees clamped to his chest.

Pulling the prince into his arms, the warrior tried to silently calm his friend, rocking him gently as his screams became whimpers.

A rustle from behind them, snapped Rowan's gaze to Gabriella who was shakily clambering to her feet, staring at the warriors in horror, like she had no idea who they were.

'You.. You gave Olivia to Witches?' she stuttered, using all her strength not to allow her legs to buckle underneath her.

'I'm sorry' croaked Vaughn weakly, 'I had to Gabby, I'm so sorry'

Gabriella held her hands in front of her self defensively as he instinctively reached toward her, 'no!' she whispered, 'no, you don't get to call me Gabby, you tricked us, you betrayed my friend, she loved you and you used her' she continued, her eyes widening as she spoke. Flicking her eyes to Rowan, her shoulders began to shake, 'you helped him' she said appalled, 'I thought you were a good guy, I gave you a chance.. Oh Goddess, I'm the reason she's here, I told her to trust you both.

'No Gabby.. 'Vaughn called out, trying to crawl to her as the Princess instinctively backed away from them.

'I can't believe I told her to trust you both' she yelled, her anger breaking through her shock, 'you.. you animals!' she growled, 'you traitorous, disgusting, vile specimens of the super natural world' she screamed in fury. 'Gabby please' Vaughn begged.

'I'm glad she rejected you Vampire' Gabriella hissed, 'now do her at least one favour and accept it.'

Vaughn shook his head, 'no, I won't do that Gabby, I won't accept .. at least not until I have got her back' he added sadly.

'what?' Gabriella demanded, glaring down at the pair.

Vaughn dropped his head in sorrow, 'I will get her back Gabby, I am not leaving her there and if she asks me too once she is free, I will accept her rejection and allow her to leave me.