Sold To The Alpha
Chapter 33

Lucian led Charity around the Red Moon pack house, she was flabbergasted by the extravagance of the mansion that they called home. Every border had their own room with an en-suite bathroom, once they found their mate, the couple would select a section of the grounds to stake off and build their home to raise their family. Each floor had their own tv rooms, complete with comfy sofas, snack machine, reading corner and games table, then on the ground floor was the main living room where the wolves and she-wolves would meet up together in the evening. Next to the living room was the large ornate dining room, furnished with long oak tables and grey upholstered fabric covered chairs. Each table was lit by three hanging crystal chandeliers placed in a line along the ceiling. To the left of the entrance was an ornate sideboard that held a professional espresso and Cappuccino machine, various juice dispensers and large jugs that Charity assumed would hold milk and water during meal times. A large lamp heated food warmer dominated the back wall, easily able to accommodate enough food to feed a large army.

They walked through a set of swinging doors next to the drinks table, which led through to a spacious kitchen that was fitted with three large American fridge freezers, Two range cookers, a variety of cooking and baking appliances and a large island in the middle of the room. A stern wolf dressed in Chef's whites was stood behind the island busily beating a thick mixture in a bowl before measuring portions out onto greaseproof paper lined trays.

Lucian cleared his throat loudly causing the wolf to jump, spilling batter down his clothes. Looking up at Lucian, he growled angrily, his eyes restricting as he glowered in their direction.

'Beta, you know I do not like visitors in my kitchen' the chef growled, a thick Italian accent evident in his speech.

'Antonio, this is Lady Charity, the Alpha's grand daughter' Lucian replied warningly as he pushed Charity gently forward toward the angry Italian stood before them.

Grabbing a tea towel off the table Antonio wiped off his clothes and hands before striding toward her with his hands outstretched.

'Signora' he said seductively, grasping her hand in both of his, 'it is a pleasure to meet you, welcome to my kitchen.' He waved his hand toward the room as he spoke as if introducing her to his home. Raising his eyebrow at her he continued, 'Usually I do not allow visitors whilst I am creating my masterpieces but for you, I shall make an exception' he purred, raising her hand to his lips and gently brushing them against her skin.

Lucian grabbed Charity's arm, pulling her hand from Antonio's grasp with a low growl, 'Lady Charity is only here for two weeks before she returns to her mate, the future Alpha of the Silver Cross pack' he said pointedly whilst placing himself between the pair. 'A shame' sighed Antonio as his eyes raked over Charity's skin causing her to blush 'Regardless, you are always welcome to visit me here, I'm usually working alone after the mealtime rushes' he said provocatively as Lucian quickly pulled Charity from the room. 'Apologies Lady Charity' groaned Lucian, dragging his fingers through his hair in frustration 'I hoped he would be less.. Antonio, due to who you are, it seems I was mistaken' he said apologetically.

Laughing lightly, Charity linked her arm through his, 'its Charity remember Mr Lucian' she replied playfully making him smile despite himself, 'and trust me, Antonio does not worry me in the slightest, I can handle myself' she confirmed.

As they walked arm in arm back through the foyer, toward the large front doors, two identical looking young red headed girls of about 14 years old, came crashing through the door giggling loudly. One with her hair tied back in pigtails, she pushed at her mirror image, who's hair fell in a long ponytail down her back, who squealed in frustration as her sister ran past her toward the stairs.

'Girls!' boomed out Lucian, bringing both young ladies to a skidding stop, 'What is going on?' he demanded sternly, though the twinkle in his eye told Charity that he had a soft spot for the two shuffling girls in front of them, both of whom were looking at their feet, red faced.

'Betty said I couldn't beat her in a race, she put this weeks allowance on it' finally conceded the young girl with pigtails when it was obvious the Beta was not going to stop glaring until he got an answer to his question.

Raising an eyebrow Lucian replied, 'and we felt the best place to have this race is through the pack house?' he intoned as both girls hung their heads guiltily.

'No Beta' they said in union

'So where should this bet be settled?' he asked trying to suppress the smile that was playing around his lips

'Outside on the track Beta' they chimed in union

'Then head off there now and have your race' Lucian said gruffly, 'and whoever wins gets double ice cream for dessert tonight, make sure you get someone independent to judge so there is no arguing over the outcome' he added chuckling. The two girls squealed excitedly before hugging Lucian in turn and running back out the door.

'You big softy' chided Charity with an elbow dig in his ribs

Chuckling softly Lucian replied, 'well it's hard to stay mad at your babies isn't it' causing Charity to drop her mouth into a small o shape.

'Those are your girls??' she asked amazed, 'you never told me you had a family' she accused glaring at him before her face broke into a large grin.

Laughing Lucian shrugged 'Well you haven't really been here long enough to tell you anything' he responded, 'As you can see Betty and Briony take after their mother in the hair department' he said fondly 'I also think they have their mothers sass but she disagrees saying their cheek and stubbornness comes from me'

Charity laughed, she could sense she would get on well with Lucian's mate, 'sounds like she doesn't take any of your bravado' she said playfully making him grin,

'That she does not' he agreed as he started to lead her out the front door and toward the grounds.

'So you have a track?' asked Charity, fixing on what he had said to his daughters, nodding Lucian pointed over to the right wherein the distance she could make out the two red heads lining up for their race while a small group of children watched from the sidelines. 'We also have a fencing area, weights area, an indoor boxing room and a swimming pool that is housed in its own building behind the pack house' Lucian said, 'The Alpha takes great pride in the strength of his warriors and insisted that we have as many ways to work out and tone our bodies as we can. he confided.

Smiling as she looked around her, Charity breathed in the fresh breeze that gently caressed her face coming from the trees that surrounded the pack house and its grounds.

'It really is beautiful here' she muttered as her eyes swept across the open grass, taking in the children playing, adults hurrying about their day and a small group of warriors who were combat training, far enough away from everyone to protect others from an accident, though a few of the young boys were sneaking closer to watch, trying desperately not to be noticed by the sparring men and women, and be sent away.

As they ambled slowly around the grounds, some of the children ran up to her and shyly handed her flowers picked from the borders around the pack house, the adults greeted her enthusiastically, inviting her into their homes, offering her beverages, cake and biscuits, all desperate to spend time with the Alpha's grand daughter. It was obvious that a lot of them remembered her mother and it soon became evident that her leaving had left a large hole in the pack as she had been greatly loved. The older members regaled their visitor with stories of her mother as they plied her with anything they could think of, Charity laughed until tears ran down her face at some of the escapades her mother had got up too whilst growing up.

Wiping her eyes for the millionth time that afternoon, Charity stood and bade farewell to the last family on their tour, promising to visit again before she went home, before stepping out into the impending darkness as Lucian escorted her back to the pack house and her room. As they reached her door she turned to him and said sadly 'She was really loved here wasn't she Lucian?'

'He met her gaze and replied, 'Yes Charity, she really was, our pack was never the same after she left, but now we have you and it's like a small spark of her has returned to us' he said warmly before bidding her good afternoon and nodding curtly to the solemn looking warrior who had followed them upstairs and positioned himself by her bedroom door.

Closing the door behind her, Charity rested her forehead against the cool wood closing her eyes, her emotions drained from the days' revelations.