Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 40

Terri skipped along beside the vampire, smiling brightly as she looked around at the crisp morning sky excitedly, 'where are we going Abel?' she asked impatiently.

Chuckling, Abel shook his head, 'patience my love, it is a surprise, we will be there in just a few moments' he replied fondly.

'I don't like surprises' the human huffed, her face clouding slightly.

'I don't believe you little one, you love surprises' the vampire murmured.

Terri's pout broke into another wide smile, 'it's true, I adore surprises, my dad used to have to leave my birthday presents at our neighbours as I'd get so over excited, I'd throw up knowing that they were in the house, and I couldn't see them' she confided with an embarrassed giggle.

Abel looked down at the young woman beside him, his heart fluttering as he took in her Inquisitive expression, studying her face as she looked around herself in awe.

'You have goats?' Terri squealed as she changed direction and headed to the small enclosure.

'Yes little one, we have goats, cows, chickens and pigs' the vampire replied as he fell into step beside her, chuckling as she bounced excitedly, rushing up to them and reaching through the fence to stroke their soft noses. 'They are so cute' the young girl sighed, 'I always loved the farm, dad would take Steven and I when we were little if he had a day off!'

'If you decide to stay here, you can come and help care for them if you wish' Abel murmured softly.

Turning her big innocent eyes up to him, Terri's gaze lit up happily, 'really? No-one would mind?' she asked hopefully.

'Of course not, you can do whatever you want my love, if spending time with the goats makes you smile then I would move one into our home just for you' he grinned.

Terri laughed, 'I think just coming to see them in their pen would suffice' she replied.

'I love your laugh' Abel whispered joyfully, 'I want to hear it every day!

Slipping her hand into his, the young woman shook her head in amusement, 'I sound like a dying hyena, that's what my brother used to tell me' she disagreed with a smile.

'Your brother was just jealous of your dulcet tones my love' Abel replied confidently, 'I could listen to you laugh for the rest of my life, in fact I humbly request that this is the last sound I hear when I leave this earth! Flushing at his words, Terri cleared her throat, 'so where is this amazing surprise?' she asked.

Smiling brightly, Abel pulled her back toward the path and between the houses coming to a stop just outside of a powder blue painted cottage that had a small white picket fence encasing a well-manicured lawn. Pushing open the small wooden gate, Abel strode up the gravel path to knock on the door, stepping back as they waited.

Slowly the door swung open to reveal a tall blonde haired man that was looking over his shoulder as he laughed at something someone inside had said to him.

Swivelling his gaze to the visitors, his eyes lit up as he noticed Abel before moving to Terri who froze in place, staring at him.

'Steven?' she whimpered whilst the muscular man gazed at her as if he was looking at a ghost.

'Terri?' he muttered uncertainly, his eyes roaming her face, 'you are here?'

Terri nodded, her eyes beginning to burn as tears pricked the back of her eyelids.

'What are you doing here? Were you matched?' Steven asked as he reached out and pulled the young woman into the house.

Terri nodded, 'I am matched to Abel' she replied with a smile.

Steven's face broke out into a broad grin as he looked over at the vampire who was shuffling his feet nervously. 'Abel! You lucky bastard' he roared as he clapped him on the shoulder, 'I hope you didn't scare her' he added in mock severity. 'No, no, he didn't!' Terri interjected quickly, 'he was very respectful, he asked me to accompany him'

Steven laughed, 'better than my claiming' he grinned, though a cloud of sadness passed over his features, 'how... how is dad?' he finally asked after a moments heavy silence.

Terri's throat closed as the tears that she had held at bay finally slipped down her face, 'he didn't make it Steven, I'm so sorry' she whispered.

Steven's face crumpled as Abel slipped his arms around the young woman, pulling her into his side in a comforting embrace.

Her brother slumped against the sofa that he was stood next too, tears falling freely, 'I knew there was a chance, but I always hoped.. 'he whispered.

'Babe? What's wrong?' came a deep masculine voice as a tall black haired vampire entered the room from the bedroom, rushing over to Steven and pulling him into a tight hug. 'My dad. Steven muttered, 'he.. he didn't make it.'

The vampire's face fell as he tightened his grip, 'oh babe, I'm so sorry, we always held on to the thought he was OK' he replied softly as the man turned into his chest and let out a sob.

Terri and Abel stood silently as Steven regained his composure, pulling himself out of the vampire's arms and straightening up, wiping his eyes with an embarrassed smile.

Turning to the guests he let out a small laugh, 'sorry guys, my sister turns up and I'm here crying like a child instead of being so unbelievably happy' he said wistfully.

The vampire's head shot up at his words, 'wait? Sister? This is her? Really?' he shouted, his whole demeanour changing as he turned to Terri and pulled her into a tight hug, 'Little sis! I am soooo excited to finally meet you!' he shouted exuberantly, 'well' he added sheepishly, 'we kind of already met, sort of, well not really, not in real life but I've heard a lot about you! Man, this is not what I wanted to say when I met my sister in law for the first time!

Terri's eyes widened as she looked between her brother and the good looking vampire, 'you are my brother's match?' she asked.

The vampire nodded happily, 'Thane at your service' he said as he stuck out his hand.

Terri looked down at his outstretched hand then back at his warm, excited expression, 'you were there.. when my dad died..' she started slowly.

Thane dropped his hand, his expression falling slightly, 'yes' he whispered sadly, 'I was there, I came for Steven. I knocked on the door but your dad wouldn't open up and allow me to talk to him, Spike, the vampire who came with me, kicked your front door in, I tried to hold him back but he wouldn't listen.

He went to grab Steven and I lost it, no-one touches my match, no-one risks hurting him and I...I punched Spike in the face.' Thane coughed reluctantly before continuing, 'Spike started to fight with me and Steven' he gave a small smile toward the human who blushed, 'he jumped on Spike's back, trying to get him off of me, I like to think he unknowingly felt the bond. He got Spike off of me, but I was running out of time, I had to grab your brother and run, explain when we got home. Your dad grabbed Steven's foot, trying to stop me taking him, I screamed at him to let go, I had minutes to get us out of the town, but he wouldn't. Next thing I know, Spike was on top of him, and blood was everywhere, I tried to turn back but your dad shook his head at me, begging me with his eyes to run with his son.

I'm sorry Terri, I ran, I was a coward, I should have stayed and taken Spike down, but I chose to take my match from the danger. As we left the town, it faded behind us, I couldn't come back to help him. He always hoped that your dad made it through, but it seems we were wrong. Thane looked so guilty as he spoke, his eyes roaming over to Steven who looked back at him with love as he stepped back toward him.

'You saved me, it could have been dad and me that night, dad wanted you to save me, and you did' he said fondly.

'What happened to Spike?' Terri asked in confusion.

Abel answered this time, 'we don't know, we have no idea what happens to any vampire who does not get out before the time limit, was he not there when you came out of the house?'

Terri shook her head, 'it was just dad laying in the garden, blood was everywhere' she mumbled, her eyes glassy as she relived the day in her mind.

The group stood sombrely for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts until Steven cleared his throat, 'I suggest we all sit down; I'll get some juice for us all.' Ushering Abel and Terri to the sofa, he headed through an alcove into a small but well equipped kitchen and started to pull out some glasses before taking a jug of juice from the refrigerator and filling each one.

Carrying them through, he handed one to each of them before grabbing his own and perching on the arm of the chair that Thane had sat in, the vampire immediately putting his arm around his match and pulling him closer.

'So Terri, there's something I have to tell you.. 'Steven started nervously as he took a sip of his drink, 'it's about mum..

'she's here' Terri replied with a smile, 'it's OK Steve, I already met her, she's matched to the leader, that's unexpected.

Steven chuckled as he nodded, 'yep, I must say that replaceing my mother was part of the welcoming committee took me by surprise, but it's been great to reconnect with her.

Terri nodded, 'it really is' she agreed happily, 'I know it broke dad's heart when she was taken, but I hope that he can see her now and knows that she is happy here!'

Steven smiled, 'she never stopped loving him you know, dad? But the match bond? It's like a rubber band, you can't run away from it once it's formed, it just pulls you back to your soul mate!

Terri smiled softly as she looked over at Abel who was watching her intently, 'I'm realising that' she replied.