Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 32

Darkness started to fall, and with the dimming light, Terri's breathing became more erratic as she kept staring out of the window that had bars fused onto the inside. 'Hey' Nathaniel said as he sat down next to her, 'you will be OK, we are not going to leave you!

Nodding distractedly, Terri wrenched her eyes from the window to focus on the Alpha who smiled encouragingly.

'You know, for five crazy people who kicked down my door' she said softly, 'I'm really glad you are here.

Smiling brightly, Nathaniel chuckled, 'the pleasure it all ours Terri, we are glad to be here to help you.'

Outside the sound of the clocktower echoed through the silence, the human stiffening as the monotone gongs reverberated through the air. Dong... Dong... Dong... Reaching out instinctively, Terri's fingers found Nathaniel's as she curled her hand around his and gripped it tightly.

Rowan appeared in the room, hurrying over to the widow to peek out between the curtains as Riley rushed to the lights and switched them off.

'Oh God, Oh God' Terri muttered shakily as she huddled closer to the Alpha.

'You are OK Terri, we won't let anything happen to you' Nathaniel murmured softly, his eyes glued to the ex-Rogue who hadn't moved from his place by the window.

Daniel and Landen had taken up position behind the front door as a first line of defence against intrusion, Alessia was next to Riley by the closed living room door, her hands trembling slightly but a look of determination on her face.

The final chime of the clock rang out before silence fell once again, Rowan glanced over his shoulder and shook his head quickly to Nathaniel letting him know that no-one had appeared yet before returning his gaze to the streets. Moment's later, Rowan's body stiffened in the darkness, drawing the Alpha's attention, making him thankful for his werewolf sight.

Lifting his hands behind his back, the warrior held up eight fingers, signally how many night walkers had entered the town square not wanting to link the group in case he missed anything whilst distracted.

Nathaniel quickly linked the others with the number, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Riley surreptitiously tapped Alessia's arm eight times to let her know how many enemies they faced. Her slight nod told him that she had understood and he watched as her claws slowly began to elongate from her fingers in readiness.

'Are they here?' Terri whispered, her voice shaking as she clung to Nate's hand.

'They are here, don't talk we don't know how good their hearing is' Nathaniel murmured quickly.

Outside, the eight figures were stood by the clocktower, they seemed to be waiting. Two suddenly strode forward eagerly, as another two fell into step beside them, walking with them as they split off and headed toward houses further down the street. The third pair were soon following behind, the figure in front almost running as he made his way to one of the houses.

Moments later the splintering of wood could be heard before screams of terror filled the air. Terri squeaked, her hand flying to her mouth as she tried to muffle her sounds.

Rowan's body became rigid, a pair of red eyes had swung in their direction before a tall brooding figure from the final pair had started to stalk toward the house that they were hidden in.

Walking up to the door, a voice whispered, 'come out little one, I can sense you, don't hide from me!

Nathaniel shook his head immediately at Terri, gripping her tighter as her eyes widened.

A sigh came from outside, 'I don't want to frighten you, don't make me force you little one, come willingly and it will be so much easier!

'Oh God, he's coming for me' Terri whimpered, 'why me? Please, save me!

A second figure stood by the first, whispering something as the original gave a small reluctant nod and stepped back. Lifting his foot, the second slammed his heel into the door, sending it crashing to the ground easily in its already weakened state. Daniel and Landen growled warningly making the two intruders' step back, 'wolves' the first spat angrily, 'what are you doing here? Hand her over!'

'Not a chance bloodsucker' Landen growled back as their smell hit the pair, 'she doesn't want to go with you, sorry boys, but no dinner for you bastards tonight!'

The vampire snarled, his fangs flashing under the lights from the streetlights, 'you think you can stop me from taking what is mine wolf?' he demanded loudly. 'News flash a*s hole, she isn't yours' Landen growled back.

The first vampire's comrade became inpatient and lunged at Landen who met him quickly, the pair crashing together and rolling around the small hallway, fangs and claws slashing at each other frantically.

Riley quickly pulled the door open, grabbing the fighting vampire and dragging him into the living room as Daniel grabbed the second one by the collar, pulling him over the threshold.

Scurrying around the four, Alessia quickly picked up the door and pushed it back into place, grabbing a table that decorated the space and placing it up against the door to hold it in place.

Back in the living room, Terri was cowering in a corner as the taller of the vampires watched her hungrily from his place on the floor where Landen and Riley were holding him in place. His friend was also being subdued by Daniel and Rowan who were not being careful about refraining from hurting the vampire in their hold.

'My little one' the vampire called out to Terri beseechingly, 'please, I don't have much time before I have to return, I need you.'

Terri shook her head in terror, 'why me' she muttered more to herself, her eyes fixated on the man in front of her, 'why did it have to be me?'

The vampire struggled against the Alpha and Beta's hold as he continued to plead with the woman, not even seeming to realise that he was surrounded by werewolves.

'Please, my love, I will do anything for you' he whispered desperately.

'Then leave me alone' Terri whispered in fear.

The vampire's eyes went wide, 'I ... can't' he replied brokenly, 'I can do anything but that.'

'You will not be taking Terri anywhere Vamp' Daniel growled as he dug his nails into his captive's shoulder painfully.

'Terri' the vampire breathed, his face lighting up, 'what a beautiful name, I knew your name would be as beautiful as you' he said wistfully.

Rowan frowned as he glanced over at Riley who met his gaze equally perplexed, 'what do you want with Terri?' he finally asked gruffly.

Dragging his gaze from Terri's face, the vampire looked up at the warrior in surprise as if only just remembering that they were there, 'I want to take her home' he replied, 'to marry me.'

Terri's eyes widened as she stared at the man in front of her, 'what?' she asked faintly.

The vampire returned his gaze to the human, his face softening as he smiled at her, 'match' he breathed.

Rowan straightened up, his hands loosening on the vampire's shoulder, 'did you just say match?' he demanded loudly, 'Terri is your match?'

The vampire nodded solemnly, 'of course, that is why we are here, we can only sense our match when the clock in the centre of the village strike twelve at the same time. We know that our matches are in one of the villages around us, but we get only get the chance to replace them right now. We have thirty minutes to sense and claim them before the window closes' he said sadly before brightening, 'I have been looking for you for so many years my love, but I was always in the wrong town, This year though, the Gods of bloodlust looked favourably on me and I was selected to be allowed a chance here to search and I finally found you' he breathed excitedly.

'But you eat us' Terri whimpered in fear as a look of disgust swiped across the vampire's face.

'Please my love! Do not speak of something so disgusting, lips as pretty as yours should never speak such stomach turning words' he replied pulling a face, his friend also shuddering at her words.

Shuffling forward a few inches, Terri watched the man cautiously, 'you don't eat us?' she asked tentatively.

'Oh God no' the vampire replied, 'I cannot imagine anything more vile, I am a vegan my love, I don't eat flesh!'

Behind him Landen snorted, drawing the vampire's reproachful gaze, 'a vegan vampire? You expect us to believe us, you need blood to survive' he snorted.

Raising an eyebrow, the vampire replied, 'there is synthesised blood now werewolf, we do not need to kill living creatures to live!

Terri's eyes flicked to the group, her fear back, 'you are werewolves?' she squeaked, scooting back to the wall hurriedly.

Alessia hurried over to the girl, kneeling down but being careful not to touch the fear-stricken female, 'we are werewolves Terri, but I promise that we are no more dangerous to you now than we were an hour ago' she soothed.

'You aren't real though, werewolves and vampires are not real, they are stories!' Terri whispered desperately.

Alessia smiled softly, 'we are real Terri, but I swear, we are no danger to you or your town, we would never hurt you!

Nodding slowly, Terri allowed the she wolf to reach out and place a hand on her knee.

'My love, I am begging you, I have very little time, please, come with me' the vampire broke in, his whole body crumpling in despair as his eyes pleaded. 'You can bring your friends with you, and I... I promise, if you don't want to stay I will let you go' he added in defeat.

'Abel!' the vampire next to him hissed, 'this is your one chance, you can't promise her that.'

Abel shook his head, his eyes never leaving Terri's, 'it is OK Cian, if my love will agree to at least come with us and see the life that she could have, I will give her the choice to leave me' he replied softly.

Glancing over at the small clock on the mantlepiece, Cian growled before dropping his gaze in defeat, 'we need to hurry, we have to leave in ten minutes' he warned.

Nodding, Abel raised his eyebrows questioningly at the human who slowly moved toward him again, 'do you promise to let me go if I want to leave?' she asked quietly.

Abel nodded immediately, 'I will make a blood oath to you if you want me too' he replied.

Looking up at the werewolves, the human female shrugged in confusion.

Rowan cleared his throat, 'a blood oath is unbreakable for a vampire, if Abel makes one with you and tries to break it he will die' he said simply.

Her mouth falling open, Terri shook her head, 'no it's OK, I don't need a blood oath' she said quickly, 'I will come with you, if my friends can also come and you agree to let us all leave when we ask! Abel nodded immediately, 'I swear my love, your decisions will always be respected and obeyed' he replied candidly.

Slowly straightening up, the werewolves released their hold on the two vampires who straightened up with a wince, rolling their muscles to try and remove the cramps that had started to form. 'Shall we go then?' Abel asked hopefully as he looked at Terri ..