Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 29

Stumbling into the camping area, Alessia and Nathaniel found Landen pacing back and forth worriedly, all the other warriors were missing. Spotting the pair, he ran forward shouting, 'thank the Goddess! Where did you both go? Rowan woke up and found that you were both missing!' Nathaniel helped the young she wolf sit by the dying fire, throwing some logs on and stoking it as Alessia inched closer, her trembling hands moving toward the warmth.

Straightening up, Nathaniel shook his head, 'long story man, and I'd rather tell everyone at once, where are Rowan, Dad and Daniel?' he asked as he peered around them. 'Looking for you two of course' the Beta ranted angrily.

'Why didn't you just mind link me?' Nathaniel asked bemusedly.

'We tried, your walls were up, we couldn't break through, not even your dad' Landen replied as he raked his fingers through his hair in agitation, 'we couldn't contact Alessia as she isn't Silver Cross, your dad was going crazy!'

Opening his mind link, Nathaniel immediately reached out to the Luna, 'dad? Can you hear me?' he called.

'Nate? Where are you? Are you safe? Is Alessia with you?' Riley's voice came back, worry echoing through the future Alpha's head, making him feel guilty.

'I'm fine, so is Lessi, we are at the campsite, we'll wait for you all here' he replied.

'OK, don't move' came his father's abrupt order before the link shut down again. Minutes later, Daniel's wolf came crashing through the trees from where they had entered the forest, Rowan appearing in human form from their right and Riley from behind them. Hurrying over to the warrior, the Luna pulled him into a tight hug as Nathaniel patted his back awkwardly. 'I'm fine dad, honest I am' he whispered quietly as he finally managed to get the older werewolf to release him.

'What the hell happened, why didn't you tell us you were going somewhere?' Riley demanded, staring from Nathaniel's guilty face to Alessia's panic stricken one, who's eyes had yet to lift from the fire.

Clearing his throat, the Alpha indicated for everyone to take a seat around the fire before sitting down next to Alessia who automatically shuffled closer to him as she picked up a stick and blindly poked the logs in front of her. Starting his story, Nathaniel explained how he had heard his mate calling to him, that he had been unable to ignore her and had began to follow the voice. How Alessia had woken up and seen him leaving and had followed him, unable to get him to respond to her.

He explained about the cliff top and how he was seconds from stepping off when Alessia had grabbed him around the waist and pulled him back, away from the danger.

At his words, Riley had choked, his face pained as he stared at the young Alpha in horror, 'I'm OK dad' Nathaniel replied to his silent fear, 'Lessi saved me' he added.

Standing up, Riley walked around the fire until he was next to the she wolf who looked up at him slowly, a small crease of confusion on her face. Silently he knelt down and pulled the woman into a tight hug, crushing her against his chest as he muttered, 'thank you Alessia'.

The Green Vine member nodded numbly as she tried not to cry, her voice still unable to come forward for her to reply.

'Ariana tried to hurt you?' Rowan asked worriedly

Nathaniel shook his head, 'no, a split second before Alessia grabbed me, I heard her voice telling me to wait, if I hadn't have halted at that exact moment, Lessi would have been unable to reach me in time!

Riley dropped to the floor at his words, the blood draining from his face as he cradled his face in his hands. Daniel scooted over and placed a comforting arm around the Luna, patting his back until Riley regained his composure again.

'OK, Nathaniel cannot keep watch alone again' he said shakily, 'we cannot risk this happening again, next time we may not be lucky enough that one of us woke up in time to see you leave. 'But dad.. 'Nathaniel protested.

Riley held up his hand, 'no buts Nate, our other option would be to tie you to one of us so that you drag us behind you if you try to leave, but that kind of hinders you and your guard if we get attacked. At least with someone else awake on watch, they can see you I leave and stop you' he growled with finality.

Growling in frustration the young Alpha nodded reluctantly, the group once again settling down to sleep with Daniel taking the first watch.

Alessia curled up into a ball, her body gradually calming its tremors as she breathed deeply.

Rowan edged closer to her, placing his face near to hers, 'are you OK little warrior?' he asked softly.

The she wolf nodded with a weak smile, 'yeah' she whispered in a strained voice, 'it's just.. I keep seeing Nate stepping over that cliff when I shut my eyes. If he hadn't had hesitated for that brief second, I wouldn't have reached him' she gulped as tears began to form in the corners of her eyes.

'Hey' Rowan growled kindly, 'don't think like that, you did reach him in time Lessi and I can tell you now that everyone in this group is thankful that you woke up and followed him. I can't believe how quietly that damn kid can move that even I slept through him leaving!

Alessia nodded as she tried to swallow the lump that was forming in her throat, 'I just can't stop shaking' she muttered.

Reaching a hand out, Rowan patted her arm comfortingly, looking up the she wolf met the warrior's gaze, 'Ro' she said hesitantly.

'Yes Lessi?' the ex-Rogue replied, giving her a smile as he motioned for her to continue.

Taking a breath, she whispered, 'I'm sorry if I put you in a difficult position before, I swear I wasn't trying to flirt with you or anything.. you just remind me of Alex, I wanted to hold on to the connection.

Rowan nodded, 'I didn't think for a moment you were' he replied, 'I like talking to you Alessia, I like laughing and joking with you, you remind me of someone too' he added sadly.

'I do?' Lessi asked, her curiosity getting the better of her, 'who do I remind you of?' she asked.

Rowan shook his head, 'It doesn't matter, not anymore, but I know that she would have liked you so much.'

Swallowing her questions, Alessia reached out and took the warrior's hand in her own, 'you can tell me anything Rowan, I will never tell you secrets' she said sincerely.

Rowan tightened his fingers around her as he nodded, 'I know, and one day I will tell you my story, but not tonight! Hitching a smile onto his face he said, 'now young missy, you have had a horrible scare and not enough sleep, so shut your eyes! Rolling her eyes, Alessia grinned, her first real smile since they had returned from the cliff, 'yes dad' she replied sassily.

'That's more like it, though I'd prefer big brother to dad' the warrior grumbled, making the she wolf laugh lightly.

'OK, big brother it is' she said with a wink before laying her head onto her arms and closing her eyes.

'Goodnight little sis' Rowan replied softly before a soft rustling told her that the ex-Rogue was also settling down, his hand not releasing hers, and for that she was thankful.

Waking the following morning, the group packed up their gear, eating the remainder of the meat that was still on spikes over the now cold embers. Making sure that the fire was fully extinguished, they each threw their backpacks onto their backs and set off toward the Vampire Brood.

Nate and Landen took the lead this time, Riley and Daniel in the middle, with Rowan and Alessia walked side by side bringing up the rear of the group.

Nate checked the crude directions that Vallance's warriors had given him, pointing ahead to a small town that was nestled between the fields.

'That should be Hallington, which means we are two days walk from Fletchling' the future Alpha muttered as he shoved the scrap of paper back into his back pocket.

'Hopefully we can get some supplies' Landen replied, 'I don't really want to hunt for the next three nights and the sandwiches that we got from the castle won't sustain us especially as we don't know what kind of reception we are going to get when we reach the Brood.'

Grimacing, Nate glanced back at the ex-Rogue who was dee in conversation with the she wolf, 'lets assume that we are not going to be welcomed in with open arms and asked to stay for dinner' he replied.

'So we need to up our food and water supplies just in case' the Beta mused with a small nod.

Marching toward the town, they soon found themselves within the bustling streets, many humans hurrying up and down the busy road without a glance toward the strangers who looked around themselves warily.

Walking toward a small convenience store, Landen and Nate stepped inside, leaving their companions outside as they grabbed a basket and began to roam the aisles, grabbing food and bottled drinks as they passed. Making their way to the till a young spotty youth looked up bored and mumbled, 'you need a bag?'

'No thanks mate, we are all set' Landen replied as he placed his backpack onto the counter and opened it.

Nodding, the teenager scanned the items slowly before his monotone voice muttered, 'twenty seven fifty five.'

Pulling out his wallet, Landen handed over thirty dollars, pocketing his change as Nate threw the items into their rucksacks.

Giving the youth a cordial wave that was not returned, the young man already having tuned them both out. His gaze was already back on the top shelf magazine that he had hidden under the counter, the pair walked back out and over to their friends who were waiting by a small fountain nearby.

'Got everything you need boys?' Daniel asked as they approached.

'Yep, and it wasn't even all cookies and cakes' Landen replied with a grin.

'I'm amazed' the older Beta replied as he rolled his eyes.

'Oh don't get me wrong old man, there is definitely cookies and cake in there but we also got some more savoury items' Landen smilrked.

'Pfft, old man? I could still kick your a*s in a match kid, don't forget it' Daniel retorted.

'I dunno about that dad, you are getting older you know, and I didn't really want to be the one to mention it to you, but is that a bit of a spare tyre you've got going on round your middle?' the younger warrior asked in mock concern as he pointed at the older man's rock solid stomach.

Daniel growled, his eyes darkening as he reached out and clipped the warrior around the ear, 'watch it short stuff or I'll tell your mum when we get home that you were the one that dragged mud across her brand new rug!

Landen's eyes widened as his mouth fell open, 'dad! That is not cool!' the warrior pouted in horror, 'pulling the mum card? Seriously?'

Daniel smirked as he turned away, 'teach you for calling your older and better version fat' he retorted as the group laughed at Landen's face.