Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 36

'Nate' Alessia called out, a slight waver in her voice, 'what's wrong?'

Nathaniel ignored her, his eyes darkening as he stormed toward them, fists clenched by his sides.

'Nate?' Alessia tried again, slightly louder, panic starting to creep into her tone as her feet moved to intercept him.

Before she could move more than a step, the Alpha was beside them, his fist raised as he punched the Vampire in the jaw, snapping his head back.

Fabian released Alessia's hand and turned to face the furious werewolf, his own eyes turning red as he sneered down at Nathaniel's face. 'What's wrong wolf?' he demanded harshly.

'Keep your hands off of her' Nathaniel spit angrily, as he stepped closer and grabbed the Vampire by the shirt.

Fabian's eyes flashed, his own hands balling into fists, 'why? Is she yours wolf? Who are you to little wolf here?'

'I'm her.. 'Nathaniel started before for he faltered slightly, 'friend' he finally finished weakly.

'Her friend' Fabian repeated, a slow grin spreading across his face, 'well Alessia's "friend" you can back down the little guard dog routine, I wasn't hurting her!

'Nate' Alessia broke in, stepping between the two and pushing the Alpha away from the Vampire, forcing him to release his hold. Placing her hands on to his chest, she growled angrily, 'what do you think you are doing? Fabian wasn't hurting me! What has got into you!'

Nathaniel looked into Alessia's eyes for a moment as shock and then horror rippled across his face, 'I.. I was protecting you' he whispered.

'From what? Unless you think this man has rabies that he can pass to me through my hand, what the hell did I need protecting from?' Alessia demanded, her temper rising.

'He was being too intimate' the Alpha growled back, his gaze flickering to Fabian's then back to Alessia's.

'So? Despite the fact he was introducing himself to me and there was nothing going on, my mate rejected me remember? So if I want to have my hand kissed by a Vampire, I damn well will!' she raged before turning back to Fabian. Calming her temper, she smiled up at the Vampire and said 'it was lovely to meet you Fabian, I hope I bump into you again!'

Fabian's grin scrawled across his face again, 'oh I'll make sure you do little wolf' he replied cheekily before raising a challenging eyebrow at Nathaniel and turning on his heel, walking away.

Turning around herself, Alessia began to storm toward the corridor that Nathanial had appeared out of, making it to the archway just as the Alpha's voice called out to her.

'Lessi?' Nathaniel muttered worriedly.

Stopping, Alessia breathed a loud sigh before calling back over her shoulder, 'what Nate?'

'I really was protecting you' he mumbled uncertainly, 'we don't know these creatures, dad said to be on guard.

Alessia spun around to glare at the Alpha, who shrunk back slightly, 'Luna Riley said to be alert Nate, not to punch our hosts in the face for daring to introduce themselves' she bit back. 'I am a big girl, I do not need you or Rowan treating me like a porcelain doll all the time. I may not be a warrior, but I was taught to defend myself, stop treating me like a little pup' she growled.

'Alessia.. I' Nathaniel started before the she wolf held up her hand, cutting him off.

'No Nate, leave it' she grumbled, 'you have a mate to replace, remember? So put your efforts into that and stop treating me like I can't survive without you all!'

Not waiting for his reply, she spun around on her heel and marched up the corridor, following Nate's fading scent until she found their rooms.

Pushing open the door, she stepped inside, shutting it behind her firmly and pulling the lock across.

Kicking off her shoes, the she wolf sprawled across the double bed, burying her face into one of the pillows as she muffled her scream of exasperation. Stupid overprotective werewolves and their macho need to exert their dominance, she thought in annoyance.

A light tap on her door, drew her attention, sitting up, Alessia gathered her knees to her chest as she stared at the door.

'Alessia?' came Nathaniel's voice through the wood, 'please open the door' he called.

The she wolf remained silent; her shoulders tensed.

'Look I'm sorry' the werewolf sighed sadly from the corridor, 'I was an a*****e, I didn't mean to do that.

Alessia remained silent, staring at the door until she heard his footsteps walk away and the soft opening and closing of the bedroom door next door.

Letting out a sigh, she checked the watch on her wrist, groaning as the face illuminated to show it was 4am.

Stripping off her clothes, she pulled out a pair of shorts and a top to sleep in before crawling under the blankets and shutting her eyes.

What felt like moments later, her sleep was interrupted by a loud banging on her door.

'Go away!' she growled in annoyance, not bothering to open her eyes.

'Come on Lessi, it's time for breakfast' came Rowan's voice from outside before he started to hammer his fist rhythmically on the wooden surface between them.

Swearing under her breath, the she wolf dragged herself from the warmth of her bed, swinging her legs over the side and shuffling toward the door. Eyes still mostly shut, she pulled the door open and leaned on the edge as she stared bleary eyed up at the warrior who was looking down at her in amusement.

'You look like s**t' he said jovially as he rested his shoulder against the door frame.

'Gee thanks Ro, you really know how to make a girl feel special' Alessia growled back as she stepped away from the door and grabbed her bag, walking into the closet to get dressed.

Shutting the door behind him, Rowan pulled the bed sheets straight before settling himself on the edge to wait.

Dragging on a pair of ripped jeans and a red knitted sweater that hung off one of her shoulders.

Pulling on her boots, Alessia stepped out of the closet with her hairbrush in hand as the warrior looked up. Whistling loudly, Rowan said, 'looking good little sis, who are you trying to impress?' as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

'Please, I am trying to impress no-one, and kindly do not whistle at me you neanderthal' she added with a roll of her eyes.

The ex-Rogue chuckled, 'hey, that's not very nice, where is your respect for your elders pup?'

'Same place as your respect for females Rogue' the she wolf retorted as she stuck her tongue out childishly.

Rowan placed his hand over his heart, his face showing mock hurt, 'you cut me deep Lessi, real deep' he sighed.

Ignoring him, Alessia pulled the brush through her hair before throwing it on the bed and reaching out a hand to the warrior, 'come on old man' she teased, 'let this young pup escort you to breakfast.. make sure you don't forget where you are going and get lost' she added with a giggle.

'Cheeky bugger' the warrior grumbled but grabbed her hand and pushed himself up off of the bed.

'You love me old man, don't even try to pretend you don't' Alessia snorted pulling on his hand toward the door.

Stepping out of the door, they walked straight into Nathaniel and Landen, the former was stood in front of the she wolf's door, arm raised ready to knock.

'Oh, we were just coming to get you' the Alpha mumbled as his face flushed.

'You didn't need too, Rowan had already come to make sure I woke up in time' Alessia replied coolly as she walked out of her room, holding tightly to the warrior's hand.

Looking past Nathaniel, Alessia focused on the Beta, 'where do we need to go for breakfast? Back to the kitchen?' she asked.

Landen shook his head, 'no, the Vampire leader has invited us all to eat with the household' he replied.

Nodding, the she wolf indicated for the two men to lead the way, walking behind them with Rowan by her side.

Moving down the corridor, they soon caught up with Riley and Daniel who had already set off in search of the dining room. As they walked, they passed many members of the brood who all bowed to them as they murmured greetings.

'How do we know where we are going?' Alessia whispered to Rowan nervously.

Rowan squeezed her hand reassuringly, 'while some of us were still unconscious, other members of our party were already awake and got directions from Cian when he came to check on us' he teased in a low voice.

Finally, the group entered a large room with exposed beams and a high ceiling that held intrinsic chandeliers.

At the head of one of the tables sat Cassius and Idris, to Idris' right was Terri who was talking quietly to her mother, her expression enthusiastic. Next to her sat Abel who was watching the human woman intently, his gaze soft as he listened to the two women talk. Looking up, Cassius beckoned to the group, calling them over, Riley sat down on the Vampire's left, then Daniel, Nathaniel, Landen, Rowan and finally Alessia. The leaders fell into light conversation as men and women hurried up with plates of food that were placed in front of the hungry werewolves.

Picking up her knife and fork, Alessia tuned out the others as she began to devour the steak and eggs she had been given.

'I like a woman who knows how to eat' came a sultry voice from beside her, snapping her gaze to her left, Alessia began to choke on her mouthful as Fabian's mischievous smirk came into view.

'Are you OK Lessi?' Rowan asked worriedly as he banged her on the back.

'Fine, I'm fine' the she wolf choked weakly as she grabbed her glass of water and gulped some down hurriedly.

Wiping the tears that were now streaming down her face, Alessia took some deep breaths before returning her gaze to the Vampire who was still watching her with interest.

'Well, not only do I make you speechless wolfie, it seems I can cause you to forget how to swallow' the vampire whispered, causing Alessia to flush red.

'You shocked me again, I told you to clear your throat or cough before sneaking up on me' the she wolf mumbled back in embarrassment.

Leaning closer, Fabian's hot breath fanned her neck as he breathed, 'but that wouldn't be any fun though, would it wolfie, I happen to like seeing you flustered.

'Alessia?' came Nathaniel's voice, cutting through the tension between the pair. Turning her gaze to the Alpha, she furrowed her brow at the anger that was radiating off of the warrior. 'It's time to go back to our rooms' Nathaniel gritted out as he pushed back his chair forcefully and stood, arms crossed waiting for her to join him.

'I'm not finished' Alessia protested as she indicated her barely touched food.

'I can guide the little wolfie back to her room Alpha' Fabian added with a wink to the young warrior.

Growling lowly, Nathaniel looked between the two for a moment before storming away from the table furiously, Landen standing up and following moments later after a hurried apology to the vampire leader.

'So little wolf, tell me about yourself' Fabian murmured, resting his elbows on the table and gazing at her intently with his deep brown eyes.