Sold To The Alpha
A Love spoken Chapter 57

Olivia's feet pounded against the flagstone pavement as she fled from the tavern, tears streaming down her face as she blindly weaved her way through the narrow streets until she was hopelessly lost. Finally stumbling to a halt, she looked around herself, shivering at the unfamiliar area that surrounded her, her eyes darting back and forth as she took in the few people who were walking around, their demeanours menacing to the terrified young woman. A small sob left her lips as she wrapped her arms around herself protectively.

Suddenly a hand snaked out from the alleyway behind her and grabbed her, pulling her back, as she tried to let out a scream, another hand covered her mouth stifling her.

'Shh, it's OK, I'm not going to hurt you, I'm trying to help you' came a voice from behind her.

Feeling the hands tentatively release her, the she wolf swung around to face the tall dark haired man, his face lined with age, dark grey piercing eyes studying her.

Keeping her hands clenched beside her waist she took a small step back, opening the gap between them.

'Who are you? What do you want?' she demanded accusingly.

The stranger held up his hands in innocence, 'I don't want anything but to help you Olivia' he replied.

'How do you know my name?' she asked suspiciously as she narrowed her eyes at him.

The man chuckled, 'I am a visitor to Aunt Dee's tavern, though I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you, she was always boasting about the young lady who had appeared on her doorstep' he replied with an encouraging smile. Olivia nodded slowly, her hands gently unclenching as she relaxed slightly, 'why do you want to help me?' she asked.

'Firstly, how about I introduce myself' the stranger replied, 'my name is Eton, and the reason I want to help you Olivia is that Aunt Dee was my friend, I feel like I should help the young woman that she had become so attached too! Olivia tilted her head, considering his words, 'why do I need protecting? She asked finally.

Eton grinned, 'well I don't know about where you are from, but around here, questions are asked when two men burn to death without a fire being built' he replied softly.

'I..uh.. I didn't mean too' Olivia replied, her voice cracking as she fought the tears.

'I know sweetheart, I know' crooned Eton, 'it was a mistake, but the police might not understand that, they might see you as dangerous, lock you away' he added as Olivia's eyes widened.

'I don't want to be locked up, I can't' she replied worriedly.

Eton reached for her hand, taking it in his own and rubbing soothing circles on her skin with his thumb, 'I won't let them take you Olivia, I know somewhere that you can go and be safe, would you like me to take you there?' he asked softly. Olivia hesitated for a moment, the man was still a stranger, 'obviously, you can always go back and try to get the authorities to understand what happened' Eton added pointedly, his tone still coaxing.

Olivia shook her head as she swallowed, 'no, uh.. I go with you, please take me somewhere safe' she replied as Eton smiled and tightened his grip on her hand, leading her away from the alleyway, through the streets, leaving the tavern behind them. Back at the tavern, minutes after Olivia had rounded the corner, sprinting away into the evening light, two shadows appeared in the sky, landing silently and moving unnoticed, closer to the crowd of people that were outside the tavern.

Some were talking quietly, others were shrieking in fear as some of the humans ran into the establishment, coming out moments later with the owner in the arms of a strong muscular man who was shouting at people to get out of the way just as an ambulance and police cars screeched to a halt nearby.

Listening intently, the hidden duo eavesdropped on the conversations that were happening as the old woman was being quickly placed into the back of the ambulance, another medic rushing into the building after being told of a second victim. 'She made fire' one woman said shakily, 'with her hands, she burned them both with her hands!'

'She hugged him and he started to scream, agony filled they were man, like his blood was boiling or something' another patron added, his horror still etched into his features.

'She made fire with her hands' the officer repeated disbelievingly, 'like she had a lighter in her grip?"

'no, she made it! In her palms, flames were just in her hands but they were not burning her skin' the first woman replied anxiously.

As the police officer nodded and left the pair to interview other witnesses, the two men slipped back into the shadows, where they transformed into their creatures and took off into the sky, returning to their waiting group who were watching for them hopefully.

******

'My King' one of the scouts called as he came rushing into the office only taking time for a cursory knock, 'My King, we have a lead' the Vampire shouted as he entered the room. He hadn't stopped from the moment he left the tavern, desperate to bring back some positive news to his leaders and calm the young Prince down.

'What is it? Where is she?' Vaughn demanded immediately as Rowan, sat next to him on the sofa, placed a hand on his arm, restraining him from jumping at the scout who skidded to a halt out of breath.

'Your highness, there is word of a woman in a small town that burned two men' the Vampire huffed out as he tried to get his breath back, 'she was a stranger too the village and was taken in by the landlady of the local tavern. The story that is being whispered it that the woman had fire that came from her hands, fire that did not burn her, obviously the human authorities are disbelieving of the tales.

Vaughn strained against Rowans tight grip as he growled, 'take me there, this instant, it's her!'

The scout nodded immediately, 'yes your highness, I and my team will escort you immediately!

'Vaughn' Vallance warned, drawing the attention of the hybrid, 'you cannot go alone' he growled.

Vaughn scowled, 'I won't be alone, your scouts will be with me' he shouted back, his wolf taking over momentarily, letting out his Alpha aura that made Rowan and Gabriella flinch.

'We will also go with him your majesty' Rowan said in a low voice, 'I will protect Vaughn with my life' he added solemnly.

Vallance studied the warrior for a moment, in the week that they had been home, he had seen how dedicated to his son the older wolf was and had no qualms that Rowan would defend the young prince with everything he had.

'Fine, you go with him, but keep a damn leash on the boy, he is volatile right now and an angry Vaughn is a dangerous one' Vallance replied finally.

Nodding, Rowan stood from his chair and helped Gabriella to her feet, Vaughn leaping up himself and rushing for the door to go get his bag ready to travel.

Jason, who had been sat silently during the interruption, nodded to the scout, silently telling him that he was dismissed.

'Your highnesses' the scout said with a bow before he swept from the room, closing it behind him.

Looking over at the Vampire, Jason gave him a surprised look.

'What?' Vallance grumbled, 'surely you are not going to contradict me over this too?' he added petulantly.

Jason laughed as he stood from his chair and moved over to Vallance's desk, perching on the edge and taking his mate's hand in his own.

'Of course not, I'm just surprised that you agreed so readily to our son going out there again without you' Jason replied with a grin.

The Vampire huffed as his eyes wandered the room, 'well obviously I don't like it' he growled, 'but.. I just thought that, if it had been you out there, alone and frightened, it would have eaten me alive to sit here. Nothing would have stopped me searching for and replaceing you' he admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly.

Jason chuckled, 'you are such a softy babe' he muttered as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the Vampire's lips, 'and just so you know, I wouldn't even have waited for scouts to replace you, I would have hunted you down myself.'

Vallance gave a smirk, 'don't let Vaughn hear you say that, or he will be kicking off big time about us making him stay here with us' he muttered as his eyes darkened and he slid the werewolf across the desk until he was sat in front of him. Jason grinned down at the Vampire, his heart fluttering in his chest just as it did every time his mate was close to him, 'our boy is growing up Val, he understands it now' he whispered before he crashed his lips to the Vampire's hungrily.