Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 33

'Shall we go then?' Abel asked hopefully, his eyes on Terri. Hesitating for a moment, the human finally nodded bringing a relieved smile to Abel's face. Holding out his hand to the young woman, he waited patiently as she paused, staring at his hand before slowly extending her own and allowing him to wrap his fingers around her palm. Walking outside, the group tried not to react to the pained cries that came from other homes, following the two vampires that strode with purpose toward the edge of the town.

'What about your friends?' Terri whispered quietly.

Abel looked down at her lovingly, 'they have already left my love, some of our brood are a little less finessed when it comes to their match. I can't blame them, some of our people have been waiting thirty years to replace their one true love.

Terri blushed at his words, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she dropped her gaze to her feet, allowing the strong, well dressed vampire to lead her away from her home.

As they stepped over the boundary and out into the wilderness, Terri shivered as a wind whipped past them pulling at her thin dress.

Looking down, Abel immediately released her hand before shrugging off his warm woollen jacket that he draped over her shoulders. 'Thank you' Terri murmured with a grateful smile.

Abel grinned, 'nothing is too much for you my love, I will give you every item I am wearing if you need it.'

Cian rolled his eyes at the vampire's words, 'you literally just found her and you are already under her thumb' he grumbled lowly.

Abel smiled, 'forgive my brother, he has not found his match yet so does not understand the overwhelming need to protect them' he winked.

Terri coughed, 'Cian is your brother? You don't look very alike' she said with a blush.

Abel laughed, 'half brothers' he corrected, 'our father took a chosen mate after my mother died and turned her, Cian is the result of their mating!

The human looked up curiously, 'you can take a chosen mate? So why are you looking for your match?' she asked.

Abel sighed, 'well firstly, the love between chosen mates is never as strong as the love between a match and also, unfortunately.. a chosen mate is no longer an option for our brood' he sighed. 'Why?' Terri asked, unable to stop herself.

Abel smiled down at her, 'I promise little one, I shall answer all your questions but first I really want to get you home, it is bitter out here tonight and I worry that your frail human body will contract one of those illnesses that you all seem so prone too! Terri giggled despite herself, 'you make us sound like we are riddled with germs' she replied in amusement.

The vampire chuckled, 'not you little one, to me, you are perfection' he said warmly.

They walked for over an hour before a slight shimmering caught Nathaniel's eye ahead of them, 'what is that?' he asked harshly.

Abel waved a hand dismissively, 'it's the barrier werewolf, please do not feel guarded, it is to hold us in not yourselves' he said quietly.

Stepping through nervously, they found themselves at the edge of a small village filled with lights that shone from homes that were dotted around.

Leading the way, Abel waved at a few of the residents who called out to him asking if Terri was the one, to which the vampire beamed happily and nodded.

The werewolves kept themselves on alert, watching the surrounding vampires who were eying them suspiciously but not making any attempt to stop them from proceeding.

Walking past the homes they finally found themselves in front of a large building that had the look of a plush hotel, turning to the group, Abel breathed in deeply, 'our leader lives here, please allow me to speak first as it is unorthodox to come back with anyone other than our match' he said slowly.

Nodding, Riley agreed for the group, 'we understand Abel, we will remain quiet until you or your leader ask us to speak' he replied.

Giving the Luna a thankful smile, Abel led the way up the few steps to the front door and pushed it open, leading Terri inside as everyone else filed in behind them, Cian bringing up the rear and shutting the door behind them.

Walking down a long corridor to the right, Abel nodded to staff members who greeted him until he reached a large set of solid mahogany double doors with gold handles.

Lifting his free hand, Abel rapped smartly onto the wood, before opening the door at the voice inside granting them entrance.

Entering the room, a vampire in his early fifties stood up, his face breaking into a relieved smile as his gaze fell upon Abel.

'Abel, you return' he called out as he hurried forward toward the young vampire and hugged him tightly before turning to Terri, his eyes widening, 'is this her?' he asked, his eyes lighting up with hope.

'Yes, great uncle, this is Terri, my match' Abel replied as he pushed Terri forward who reached out tentatively to shake the older man's hand.

'Such a beautiful girl, my great nephew is one lucky man' the vampire murmured as he raised Terri's hand to his lips and kissed it.

Stepping back, the Vampire ran his calculated gaze over the werewolves before returning his eyes to Abel expectantly, 'guests?' he asked curiously, 'this is unorthodox Abel.'

The younger Vampire nodded as he ran a hand through his short black hair, 'yes, apologies great uncle, the werewolves were protecting my match and I invited them here to see that we do not harm the people who come here' he replied with a wince. Bristling slightly, the older Vampire retorted, 'we do not harm others Abel, why would they think such a thing?'

Terri suddenly spoke, her body shaking as she said, 'I'm sorry sir, this is my fault, we didn't know what was happening to our friends...we thought you were eating us' she said quietly.

The older vampire paused momentarily before a hearty laugh burst from his lips. Clutching his stomach, he roared loudly until a young woman in her early thirties hurried in and tutted at him, 'Cassius!' she scolded, 'what are you doing, calm down this instant!' Wiping his eyes, the older vampire took heaving breaths until his laughter subsided, 'I am sorry my love, I couldn't help it' he replied with a soft smile at the blonde haired woman who immediately smiled back as she placed her hand on his arm. Turning to the group, the woman beamed as she stepped forward to hug Abel tightly and then Terri as she rambled loudly about him replaceing his match.

'I apologise for my husband' she added with a wave of her hand at Cassius, 'he's been around so long, he seems to have forgotten his manners' she growled with a stern look at the old man who shuffled uncomfortably. 'My name is Idris, I am Cassius's match, it is a pleasure to have you here in our home, especially you, young lady' she added happily as she looked over at Terri, her gaze lingering on the young woman slightly longer than necessary.

'Come, lets go to the kitchen and get some food, the fear of being selected seems to always make our new members hungry' she said with a wink as she beckoned to the group to follow her. Walking out of the door she had just entered; Idris led the group down a dimly lit hallway that had bare wooden floorboards covered by a luxurious carpet runner.

Near the end, she pushed open a large swinging door that gave way to a spacious kitchen that was full of expensive appliances.

Ushering the group toward the table, the woman smiled brightly as she told them to sit down before bustling around the kitchen eagerly, grabbing pans and trays.

The door opened after them to reveal a young man and two women who were flanked by a Vampire each, the three humans looking around nervously before spotting Terri.

One of the young woman squeaked shrilly as she ran over to the blonde, throwing her arms around Terri's neck and hugging her tightly, 'you got taken too Terri?' she whispered in fright.

Terri nodded as she patted the girl's arm comfortingly before pulling her into the chair next to her, a tall red headed male Vampire taking the seat next to her and reaching for her hand possessively.

'Yes, I got selected too Phillipa' she replied softly as she looked around the table, noting that the other two couples had joined them silently.

'Everyone, this is my friend Phillipa' she introduced to her companions, 'Phillipa, this is Riley, Daniel, Nathaniel, Landen, Rowan and Alessia. They are... um... werewolves' she finished lamely as the three human's stiffened.

The red head next to Phillipa growled, 'why are you here wolves, we have no quarrel with your kind!

Abel lifted his hand to the other, 'Calm thyself Sage' he ordered firmly, 'they are here as my guests and Uncle Cassius is already aware and sanctioned their visit' he warned.

Sage growled deep in his throat, as he eyed the werewolves suspiciously, Rowan growling back challengingly as he made to stand. Nathaniel caught the warrior's wrist quickly, holding him down as Sage leaned forward slightly to meet Rowan's gaze until he felt a sharp smack on his head. 'Ouch! Idris! What was that for?' he whined as he rubbed the top of his head vigorously.

'That was for disrespecting our guests' young man' Idris snapped back as she waved the large metal ladle that she had used to hit him with, menacingly at him. 'I may be a human young man, but you will show respect at my table, do you understand?' she demanded.

Dropping his gaze, Sage nodded dully, 'yes ma-am' he mumbled, chastised.

'Good, now why don't our last two newbies introduce themselves?' Idris added with an encouraging smile toward the young man and woman who were still sat silently.

Clearing his throat, the young black haired man said, 'I am Ren'

The young sandy haired woman hesitantly raised her hand in a small wave as she added, 'Tempest.'

The Vampiress sat next to Ren smiled, showing off her fangs, 'Cyan' she said in her sultry voice as she flipped her deep purple hair over her shoulder before running a red painted fingernail down Ren's cheek intimately.

'Stone' was all that Tempest's match said, his dark brooding eyes sweeping the table, studying each new member before alighting back on the sandy haired woman next to him.

Soon, Idris was dolling out warm bowls of homemade soup before placing a few plates of buttered crusty bread in the centre for everyone to help themselves too.

Taking a seat at the head of the table, she waved for everyone to dig in before picking up her own spoon.

Taking a spoonful, Alessia groaned loudly as she closed her eyes, 'this is so good Idris' she said appreciatively, 'I haven't had soup this good in many years!

Idris smiled happily, 'thank you sweetie' she replied with a faint blush, 'I was taught this recipe by someone very close to me, it was one of his favourites' she said with a small sad smile.

Terri nodded, 'It reminds me of home' she said quietly, 'my dad loved this soup, he'd only make it for special occasions or if we were sick' she chuckled, 'sometimes my brother and I would pretend to be sick just so he would make it for us' she added. Idris looked up at the young woman in interest, 'you have a brother? Oh he must be so upset to lose you' she said sadly.

Terri shrugged, 'he was taken years ago' she said sadly, 'but now I know you don't eat us, maybe he is here?' she suddenly added, hope sparking in her eyes.

Idris laughed, 'we definitely do not eat humans, so yes, your brother should be here, what is his name? I'll get my son to look for him' she said helpfully. 'Oh, are you sure? I don't mind asking around myself' Terri replied, her face lighting up, 'well if that's OK' she murmured as she looked at Abel worriedly.

The Vampire patted her hand, 'you can do whatever you want little one, as I said, your every desire will be fulfilled if I can possibly make it so'

Idris smiled, 'always the romantic Abel, I am so glad that your match is such a lovely young lady' she mused.

'What is a match?' Phillipa hissed desperately from Terri's side, pulling her attention.

'Sage!' Idris immediately admonished, her face turning stern, 'have you not explained to Phillipa why she is here? What of you two?' she added turning her glare on the vampiress and vampire who both raised their shoulders in a shrug. Letting out a deep sigh, Idris straightened her shoulders before addressing the table, 'You four are the matches of these four vampires' she said softly.

'Umm I prefer the term vampiress Idris' came Cyan's amused voice.

Rolling her eyes, Idris continued, 'and vampiress' she said as Cyan gave a nod of acknowledgement, 'this means that you are their fated partner, their only love!

Phillipa shrieked as she looked around the table, 'what does that mean?' she asked, her voice getting higher and higher as she started to panic.

Giving the young girl a calming look, Idris replied, 'it means that these vampire's and vampiress will treat you like the most important person to ever walk the earth and you will live here with us from now on.'

Terri stiffened, 'you promised..' she whispered to Abel, as she looked up at him with betrayal.

Patting her hand, Abel looked up at Idris, 'I have agreed with Terri that she will not be forced to remain here Aunt Idris, if she chooses not to stay' he said clearly.

Idris blinked as she stared at the young Vampire speechless for a moment, 'Abel, why would you promise that? You know the cost of a human returning' she hissed worriedly.

Abel nodded, 'I do Auntie, but I trust in my match to choose me willingly when she sees what I can offer her, I do not wish to mark her forcefully' he added darkly.

'What does he mean mark you? What is marking? Oh God, why are we here' Phillipa whispered as she began to fidget with her hair distractedly. Sage raising a hand and running it down her back soothingly as she looked over at him in surprise, to be met with a loving look.

Idris' face look conflicted for a moment before she slowly pulled her shirt from her neck to reveal four puncture wounds in her neck that had long healed.

'They bit you? They drank your blood?' Phillipa shouted as she started to try and rise from the table, looking for an exit. Sage grabbed her around the waist, pulling her into his lap easily and holding her there, smiling in amusement as she tried to struggle from his grip, screaming in panic.

'I did not have my blood drank Phillipa' Idris called over the young girl's screams of terror, drawing everyone's attention back to her. Releasing her shirt, Idris said, 'that is my mark from my match, it binds me to him for eternity. It also gives me a prolonged life and slows my aging so that I will live as long as my match does!

Tempest finally spoke up, as she looked between the now silent Phillipa and Idris, 'so our match will mark us and we can never leave?' she repeated softly.

Idris nodded, 'yes, I'm afraid so sweetie but please believe me when I say it is a good life here, you will be treated like queens and a king. I have been here twenty three years and I can honestly say that it has been a wonderful life so far!' Terri gasped, 'twenty three years? How old are you? You look in your early thirties!' she spluttered in shock.

Laughing, Idris replied, 'I am fifty six years old, this is what the mark does, it slows your body's aging to a crawl, my match, Cassius is already over six hundred years old, which is still very young in Vampire age' she winked.

Phillipa turned to Sage who was now twisting her hair around his finger in fascination as she sat in his lap, 'how old are you?' she demanded.

Sage shrugged, 'I'm still a youngling' he replied easily, 'I celebrated my two hundred and fifteenth birthday at the last full moon.'