Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 52

The four werewolves looked at each other in shock at Rowan's words, the warrior cleared his throat as he added, 'I um, I think you should all wait here, I should go to her alone! 'Oh hell no' Landen growled loudly, Alessia shaking her head immediately while the two older werewolves gave him incredulous looks.

'Look I know you don't like it' Rowan continued exasperatedly, 'but she wants me, once I'm there, she can let Nate go and he can come back to you, we don't need to put anyone else in danger.' Landen went to open his mouth when Riley cut across him, 'that is not happening Rowan' he replied, his tone firm.

Turning to the Luna, the warrior scowled, 'I know Nate is your son Riley and you want to save him, but you need to trust me, Ariana will let him go as soon as I enter the house.

Riley growled, his face hardening, 'you think I'm going to just let you walk to your death?' he demanded, 'this isn't just about getting Nate back, it's about us all going home safely!

Rowan met the Luna's stubborn gaze with his own, 'no' he argued back, 'it's about getting the future Alpha back to the pack with his mate, and if the cost of that is my death, then that is how it needs to be!

The older warrior bristled as he took a step toward the ex-Rogue who stood his ground, 'and what about Gabby?' he hissed, 'and Ethan? Am I just supposed to go home and tell them that you are not coming home? Am I supposed to watch my granddaughter be born never having the chance to meet her father? What about Isabella? Do you think she will be OK with her head warrior sacrificing himself without a fight?'

Rowan shook his head, his fists clenching at his sides, 'Isabella will be happy that her son was saved' he countered.

'Not at the cost of her son in law's life and her daughter's family' the Luna retorted, his voice rising.

Rowan's eyes widened, 'why are you even arguing this with me?' he demanded, 'you have wanted me gone since you met me, now's your chance!'

Riley grabbed hold of the warrior's shirt, lifting him slightly as his own Alpha blood began to pulse through his veins, 'I'm arguing with you because my stupid a*s son in law is trying to serve himself up as a lamb to the slaughter' he roared furiously. 'This i***t, who married my daughter, the one that somehow, don't ask me how, has managed to crawl under my skin and made me realise he isn't as much of a waste of space as I thought, wants to lay down and die, breaking the hearts of my entire family! Don't you understand? If you die, I still lose a son, and I'm not willing to step back and let that happen!

Riley's breathing was heavy as he pushed Rowan away from himself and spun on his heel, storming off a few paces away, leaving the group gaping after him. 'Riley..Rowan started hesitantly.

The Luna held up a hand over his shoulder silencing the warrior.

'Give him a minute Ro' Daniel muttered before heading over to his best friend and putting his arm around the man's shoulders.

Rowan stared at the pair silently before turning his gaze to Alessia who was watching him closely, 'he cares?' he croaked disbelievingly.

The she wolf rolled her eyes, 'of course he cares you i***t, we all do' she whispered back, 'and if you think any of us are standing here like lemons while you go and face Ariana alone, you have another thought coming' she hissed, annoyed.

Taking a deep breath, the warrior walked over to the two older men, raising his eyebrow at Daniel who nodded silently and stepped away. Placing his hands in his pockets, Rowan rocked back and forth uncomfortably. Riley continued to avoid his gaze, glaring through the trees as he ran his fingers through his hair.

'So you no longer think I'm an a*****e?' Rowan asked hesitantly.

Riley grunted, 'I think you are even more of an a*****e than I did before' he replied huffily.

Rowan laughed, relieved to see Riley's shoulders relax as he cracked a small smile. 'I'm just trying to do what is best for our pack you know' the warrior muttered.

The Luna turned his face finally toward his son in law, an eyebrow raised, 'what is best for our pack is to make sure that all its members come home' he replied sternly.

Rowan sighed, 'fine, we all go' he conceded.

Riley chuckled as he nodded, 'you didn't really have any choice in the matter, I'm still Luna' he pointed out with a smirk.

The ex-Rogue scowled as they turned back to face the others, 'you know it's weird, you calling me your son' he muttered, 'I'm technically older than you!

Riley grinned, 'yeah? Remind my daughter of that, I promise that won't make your relationship feel weird at all!

Rowan quickly shook his head, 'no need' he replied urgently, 'you can call me son, it's all good.'

The Luna put his arm around the warrior's shoulders as he grinned, 'good decision Rogue' he growled playfully, 'because I was going to do what I liked anyway! 'Ugh, still an arrogant d**k' Riley grumbled though a smile crept across his face.

Daniel laughed as they reached them, 'you're telling me, I swear he gets more arrogant and d**k like the older he gets, I have no idea how Bella puts up with him! Riley snorted, 'if anyone's mate deserves a medal, it's Vaya, putting up with your s**t every day!'

Just as Daniel went to retort, Alessia cleared her throat loudly, 'ahem!' she called, 'as much as we are all loving the bromance that is going on with you guys, we still have an Alpha to save.'

The three males looked up at her sheepishly as she stood there, hands on hips, glaring at them.

'Sorry little sis, we are ready' Rowan replied with a grin.

Grumbling under her breath, Alessia linked arms with Landen, pulling him toward their destination.

'Hey!' Rowan called after her in annoyance, 'what about me? Suddenly Landen is your bestie?'

Alessia held up her middle finger so that the others could see it over her shoulder, 'Landen is the only one not acting like a lovesick pup, I'm gonna put my life in his hands until you three are over your love fest' she retorted.

Landen turned and grinned back at the shocked trio, 'looks like I'm the strongest out of all of us in Lessi's eyes' he teased, 'don't feel bad guys, everyone knows you lose your edge when you get older.. even those of us who didn't age for twenty five years' he added with a wink at Rowan. 'Yeah, I this old man still managed to kick your a*s' the warrior muttered under his breath.

'And these two old timers could still put you on your a*s if they wanted too' Daniel added much louder, making his son chuckle.

'OK old man 'he replied, 'don't get too worked up, remember your blood pressure' the young Beta replied cheekily.

'How did I end up with such a smart mouthed little s**t as a son?' Daniel grumbled.

Riley clapped him on the back, 'easy mate, he got Vaya's attitude and your assholism, he was bound to be the way he is' he replied cheerfully.

'Will you three hurry up?' Alessia shouted, 'we'll have all died of old age before we reach the house at the speed you are walking! No need to give Ariana a helping hand in our demise.'

Hurrying their steps, the trio caught up to the she wolf and Beta quickly, everyone falling silent as they moved toward the centre of the forest.

Nothing barred their way, the forest silent around them apart from the swishing of the leaves in the gentle breeze.

As the sun began to climb into the sky, they finally reached the house, stopping just shy of the tree line, the five travellers stared at the two story building. Vines grew up the sides, their tendrils drilling into the brickwork, weaving around the windows that were dark to the outside world.

A small pebbled path led up to the front door from the trees to their right, each side lined with flower beds that presumably had overflowed with vibrantly coloured flowers but now stood empty accept for the few weeds that had sprouted there. Large bay windows stood prominently from the ground floor, giving a brief insight into the grandeur the property must have had when it was cared for.

Rowan took a deep breath as he turned to the others, 'I should go first' he said determinedly.

'Rowan.. Riley began to warn him with a growl.

Holding up his hand, Rowan shook his head, 'I agreed to you all coming Riles, now let me do my job' he replied softly, 'I'm the head warrior, I am honour bound to protect my Luna and Beta, both current and future' he added with a nod to Landen. 'If this was anyone else, I would go first to check for danger, don't try to take this from me.'

Hesitating slightly, the Luna slowly nodded, 'we are going to be right behind you' he grumbled but stood aside so that the warrior could lead the way.

Stepping out into the open, Rowan ran his gaze over the area and the soulless windows in front of him, searching for any sign of movement but there was none.

Hurrying toward the house, he could feel the others behind him as soon as they realised there was no threat evident. Reaching the building, he pressed himself against the painted brick walls, edging along to the front door and reaching out for the handle. Slowly, he gripped the iron mechanism and pushed it down, slightly surprised when the handle moved without resistance. Pushing the door open, he turned back to the others, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

The four wolves each shrugged, also unsure of why nothing was attacking them, Daniel indicating to Rowan to move on, also pointing his fingers to his eyes and then ahead in a silent order to remain vigilant.

Nodding, Rowan Moved in front of the door, stepping through and sweeping over the internal hallway, the others inching around the frame waiting for the warrior's acknowledgement that they could enter.

Suddenly fire sprung up behind the warrior who spun around in shock, his eyes connecting with Riley's who shouted out in horror as he threw himself through the doorway toward his son in law just as the door slammed shut behind him, sealing the Luna and the warrior inside the house away from the others.

Desperate yet muted hammering could be heard behind him as Riley scrambled to his feet and tried to open the door that wouldn't budge. Prising at the join between the door and its frame in futile, the Luna finally gave up, shouting through the wood to the others. 'We're trapped, the door won't open, you need to replace another way in' he yelled, hoping they could hear him.

Turning back to Rowan, his eyes widened to see the flames slowly licking their way toward the warrior, cutting off his attempts to escape as it perversely tried to encircle him.

'Hang on, I'll replace something to help' Riley shouted desperately as Rowan nodded, not taking his eyes off the flames that were flickering in excitement as they reached around him hungrily.