Sold To The Alpha
Chapter 31

The drive to the Red Moon territory was long, both girls soon tired of the scenery and dozed off, sinking into the plush black seats in the back of the car as the miles rolled by beneath them.

The slowing of the tyres beneath them awoke Charity and Chloe from their slumber, they shuffled forwards in their seats to gaze through the front windscreen at the large wrought iron gates that swung open slowly before them. Flanked by two large brick pillars, that each supported a large stone lion statue, the entrance gave the girls the impression that Red Moon did not take their security lightly.

Seeing them staring through his rear view mirror, Lucian smiled, 'Your grandfather takes his duties to his pack seriously, especially their protection. Our grounds are surrounded by a 2-metre tall double layer brick wall with built in pressure sensors, that encloses the forest and our properties, we have platforms at intervals, hidden within the trees that hold archers who guard the wall from intruders. The gate is also alarmed to forceful entry, no-one gets in without our knowledge.' he said confidently.

As they drove up the extensive driveway, they found their route nestled between rows of small hand built wooden housing of various designs and an abundance of fields growing various crops that were being tended by members of the pack.

'We try to be as self sufficient as we can' explained Lucian, as he wove his way carefully forward 'Everybody works here to keep the pack sustained, our families live here in the grounds, each mated couple replaces their spot and builds their home, unmated members live within the building until they replace their other half. Males on the first floor, Females on the second floor, The Alpha, myself and the gamma on the third floor along with guest rooms for visitors, the Alpha's office, my study and our extensive library, which assume you would like to visit Lady Charity?' he asked glancing back at her.

Nodding silently, Charity stared up at the large building that came into view, though not as tall as the Silver Cross pack house, at four stories high it was still a formidable building. The arch shaped windows were protected by one inch thick wrought iron bars on the outside, and security cameras were evident at intervals along the walls and on each corner of the extensive building that stretched endlessly in both directions.

Pulling up in front of the grand entrance, they were confronted by a large open fronted brick porch that concealed a double sized metal spiked door. The porch was guarded by two well built warriors who bowed respectfully as Lucian stopped the engine and stepped from the vehicle to open the rear car door.

Reaching his hand forward, Lucian helped Charity from the car before similarly extending his hand to Chloe in the same manner. Turning to the door he whistled loudly and seconds later two young girls of about fifteen appeared from within, bowing to the Beta. 'Take these bags to the guest rooms' he said sternly, 'This one is Lady Charity's, and this one Lady Chloe's, you know which rooms they have been assigned too'

As he turned to invite the girls inside the door slammed open again and Marcus hurried down the stairs his arms outstretched as he lifted Charity from the ground and engulfed her in a bone breaking hug.

Putting her down he looked at her sheepishly, 'Apologies Lady Charity, but I have waited many many years to spend time with you'

Charity smiled broadly back into the older mans face, 'It's fine grandfather' she said shyly, 'And you can just call me Charity or grand daughter you know' she added laughing.

Beaming broadly he shook Chloe's hand greeting her before ushering the girls inside, introducing them proudly to everyone they passed as 'My grand daughter Charity and her friend Chloe'. The girls were embarrassed, waved to the pack and murmuring 'hi' as everyone bowed to them, greeting Chloe as 'Lady Chloe and Charity as 'Future Alpha'.

Leading the girls toward the staircase that governed the foyer, Marcus held both their hands in the crooks of his arms as he led them upstairs toward his office, Lucian bringing up the rear. As they reached the third floor and started to pass some of the closed doors, a loud growl was heard and the door on the far left was yanked open to reveal the foreboding structure of James the packs Gamma.

His eyes drawn immediately to Chloe, he strode toward her grabbing her to him possessively as Marcus let her go with a small smile. Crushing her lips to his he breathed out 'Mine!' as Chloe moaned softly and melted into his embrace. Pulling back slightly, James' eyes sought out his Alpha silently asking for permission from his leader to take charge of his mate. Nodding happily, Marcus said 'Chloe, how would you like to be shown the grounds by James? And Grand daughter, I will show you my office and your room, then Lucian can show you around our grounds and the pack house?' he asked, facing Charity, his eyes watching her kindly.

Charity looked up at her grandfather grinning, 'I am sure James will take great care of my friend grandfather' she agreed before turning to Chloe and giving her a small wave as she squealed and held James' hand tightly as he pulled her back toward the stairs urgently, his warning growls could still be heard by the trio as he warded off the attention of any male member of the pack who looked toward Chloe. Lucian chuckled lightly, 'Chloe will be heavily protected' he muttered, 'I feel sorry for any of the pack who try to speak to her in the next three days though'

Charity laughed, happy for her friend who had struggled greatly since discovering James and being forced to stay away from him. 'I'm sure Chloe is more than happy to be protected by James' she replied, grinning toward the Beta.

Tucking Charity's hand back into his arm, Marcus continued to make his way down the corridor before opening one of the last doors to reveal a large office. A huge marble fireplace dominated the room, drawing the eye immediately, a large portrait of a beautiful blonde haired woman holding a small blonde child on her knee hung above it. Gasping slightly, Charity moved toward it without waiting for an invitation, to stare into the eyes of the young girl that looked so much like hers.

'My beautiful Anna-Marie, and my light Annalise when she was just a toddler' said Marcus softly 'this was one of the last portraits painted before my mate became ill, she made me promise to never take it down so she could watch over me and give me disapproving looks through it when I was being an a*****e' he said gruffly with the hint of a chuckle laced in his words.

'She was beautiful' said Charity honestly, staring at the woman's face, so full of happiness as she gazed down at her child, holding her securely in her lap.

'Ah that she was' replied Marcus softly 'I can see them both in you, that was one mighty strong spell to stop me recognising the two loves of my life radiating from you. Now you stand here and I think, how could I not have seen it, it's like standing in front of my Annalise' he said, his eyes filling with silent tears as Charity wrapped her arms around him in a loving hug.

Suddenly a phone started to ring shrilly in her pocket, confused she pulled it out to be faced with Aaron's picture and name flashing up on the screen. Rolling her eyes in amused exasperation she looked back at her grandfather who raised his eyebrows with a grin, 'I wonder who that could be' he mused knowingly before gesturing to Lucian, 'take Charity to her room so she can ensure to the future Silver Cross Alpha that she is not in any mortal danger and he does not need to rush our grounds looking for her' he said as Charity giggled and gave him another quick hug before following Lucian outside.

The phone abruptly stopped ringing only to start again 5 seconds later as Aaron hit redial on the phone, Lucian laughed and pointed across the way, 'That is the Alpha's room' he explained before leading her to the next door and opening it, 'and this is your room' he concluded stepping inside.

Charity gaped at the huge room she had been assigned, against the far wall was a queen-sized four poster bed with a cute floral bedspread, there was a door standing ajar that showed the glimpse of a walk in closet next to a large chest of drawers. A 40-inch flat screen tv was attached to the far wall above a small open grate fireplace, the hardwood flooring in front was adorned with a small rug and a two seater settee was facing it.

To the right of the bed was a set of double doors that gave way to a large tiled bathroom that housed Jack and Jill basins, a large corner bath and a over sized shower. A heated towel rail was attached to the wall that held an abundance of thick luxurious towels and the units held every hair appliance that Charity could ever need.

'The Alpha hopes that this is adequate for you Lady Charity' said Lucian with a bow, smiling broadly Charity stuttered, 'it's amazing, I've never seen a room like it, I feel like royalty'. Lucian smiled, 'here Lady Charity, that is exactly what you are, the heir to the Alpha position makes you a princess' he explained before bowing and backing out the room, shutting the door behind him as Charity's phone started to ring loudly for the third time in as many minutes.