Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 57

Ariana's stared unseeingly out toward the horizon of the Moon Goddess' domain, 'are you ready my child?' came Selene's voice. Pulling herself back to the woman behind her, the sorceress hesitated, 'what would happen if I didn't go back?' she asked slowly.

If the Moon Goddess was surprised, she didn't show it, 'you would move on to the Afterlife' she replied.

'Are my parents there?' The young witch pushed carefully.

'They are' Selene replied quietly.

'What about the shield around the vampire clan, what happens to them if I move on?' the sorceress asked.

'My child, the shield is already down, your mind is what created it and now it is here in the in between, it can no longer maintain the protective spell, the vampires are free' the Moon Goddess replied softly. Nodding, Ariana sighed, 'You said that I am tethered because of my strength as a sorceress, but that isn't the only reason is it?' she said questioningly, 'I'm tethered because I tried to save Alessia. Selene nodded with a small smile, 'you are correct, a selfless act can create a way back to the mortal world.'

'Then what of her, she gave her life to save Rowan, surely she should also have the chance to return?' the witch argued, 'can she go back?'

The Moon Goddess frowned slightly, 'technically, if she had a thread, yes she could return, but the force of your spell sliced through her ties to the mortal world, she has no anchor to follow back!

Ariana shifted from foot to foot, emotions crossing her face before she whispered, 'could I give my life to another? That strand? Could I pass it on so someone else could go back?'

Selene looked mildly surprised, 'well it's possible' she agreed, 'but no-one has ever asked to do it before.'

The sorceress continued with her thoughts, almost talking to herself as she asked, 'what of Nathaniel could he have a second chance mate? He is a good man, he should not be alone!

Selene laughed lightly, 'I always reward my most worthy children with a second chance of love if they need one' she said with a smile.

Ariana nodded, thinking deeply, 'Selene?' she finally said, meeting the woman's gaze, 'I would like to give my thread to Alessia, please send her back!

Selene smiled brightly, 'are you sure Ariana?'

The sorceress nodded determinedly, 'she's a nice girl' she mumbled, 'I killed her and she forgave me without a second thought, even though I didn't deserve it. Her only worry was for my mate and I to be happy, she's too good to be taken from our world. I have hurt so many people in my life, including me and I'm tired Selene, I'm so tired, of hurting, of hating and... I want to be with my family' she said as she wiped a tear from her eye.

'That she wolf deserves a second chance at life a lot more than I do' she continued determinedly, 'and.. I think she's in love with my mate' she added with a sad smile, 'not because of a bond that you gave them, but because she connected with who he is as a person. She loves him in a way that I don't think I will ever be able too, and I want that for him, I want him to have someone who will give him everything he would ever want in a partner'

Holding the Moon Goddess' gaze, Ariana's features became stern, 'send her back and make her Nathaniel's second chance mate' she said with finality. 'She will love him completely, give him children and make him so happy, he needs her!

Taking Ariana's hands in her own, Selene squeezed them softly as she smiled warmly, 'I am so proud of you Ariana' she whispered fondly.

'Of me? Why?' the sorceress stammered.

'Because you put your mate before yourself, that is an act of true love, and Nathaniel will always know that you chose his happiness over your own life. I will fulfil your request sorceress and then I will send you home to the witches realm where your mother and father are waiting for you!

Smiling brightly, Ariana straightened up, a sudden weight lifted from her shoulders as she turned to the she wolf still sat by the swing brushing her hands over the daisies.

'Alessia!' the young witch called out, drawing the she wolf's attention as she looked up in confusion.

Waving wildly, the sorceress giggled as Alessia waved back awkwardly, 'take care of our werewolf for me' the sorceress called out, 'tell him that I loved him but I want him to live a good life without guilt with you!

Before Alessia could absorb what the witch had said to her, the world faded to black, her last memory being Ariana mouthing 'thank you' to her, a peaceful smile on her face.

Groaning lightly, Alessia tried to move her hand to her face but her arms did not seem to want to co-operate with her, refusing to move. In the distance she could hear a small voice talking to her, calling her.

'What were you thinking Lessi? Why did you do it? You should have let me die! The words were broken as sobs wracked the speaker, she could feel the drops of wetness on her face from the tears of whoever was with her.

She realised that her body was pressed against something hard, a familiar scent invading her nostrils telling her that it was Rowan.

Slight tingles were running through her hand that was being gripped tightly, confused, she prised open her eyes to see Rowan's face bowed over hers, eyes shut as he cried. Moving her eyes to the side she found the comforting form of Nathanial beside her, the Alpha gripping her hand with one of his, the other covering his eyes.

'I'm so sorry Lessi' he mumbled brokenly, 'Please forgive me, I love you, I wish I had told you before, I should have told you before, I'm such an idiot.

Pulling her hand from his, Alessia gently brushed the dark hair from his temple, smiling weakly, Nathaniel sitting up in shock as she murmured, 'well its about damn time, I love you too!'

His gaze connecting to Alessa's the Alpha's eyes widened in shock as he stuttered, 'mate?'

The tingles flowing through the she wolf's fingers intensified as she stroked his cheek lovingly, 'but.. how?' Nathaniel whispered, worriedly.

Alessia flicked her gaze to behind the Alpha, her face falling, 'Ariana' she said quietly, 'she gave up her second chance at life for me, she wanted me to come back' she mumbled, her gaze trailing back to the warrior, 'she told me to take care of you! Nathaniel gulped as he looked behind him at the body of his first mate that was still being cared for by his Beta, 'she sent you to me? Why?' he croaked.

Alessia smiled tentatively, 'maybe she knew that we were in love' she replied softly.

Taking the she wolf gently from Rowan who inched back to give them space, Nathaniel pulled her tightly into his arms, Alessia slipping her arms around his neck as she buried her head into the crook of his neck.

'It's everything I thought it would be and so much more' Nathanial whispered in awe as he pulled back slightly to look into her eyes.

'What is?' Alessia asked softly.

'The feeling' the warrior replied happily, 'the feeling of being whole with the person you love more than life, who keeps you breathing, I never want to lose this feeling' he whispered.

Alessia reached up with her face, brushing her fingers through his hair as she pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss, 'you won't' she replied quietly, 'I will always be with you, my mate.'