Sold To The Alpha
Chapter 37

Before they knew it, two weeks had passed, and Charity was standing on the gravel driveway engulfed in a bear hug from her grand father as Chloe and James loaded their bags into the car and Lucian stood by the drivers door, polishing an invisible speck from the glass. Pulling away tearfully, Charity gazed up at Marcus, trying to etch his face into her memory.

'Don't look at me like that baby girl' muttered Marcus as he brushed her tears from her face with his thumbs.

'Like what' asked Charity as her bottom lipped trembled,

'Like you will never see me again' replied Marcus smiling sadly 'I will visit you as often as I can, you and Aaron are always welcome here, this is not goodbye I promise'

Charity hugged him again, holding him as tightly as she could, sobbing at having to leave the only blood relative she had. Tipping her head up, Marcus looked into his grand daughter's tear filled eyes, his own glistening from the tears he was holding inside. Trying to take her mind off their impending departure, he playfully said 'I hear from various sources that you may have 'borrowed without asking' a couple of my oldest books from the very back of my library?'

Charity giggled despite herself 'I found a couple of books that reference white wolves' she admitted 'but I ran out of time to research them properly so I may have accidentally packed them with my things, I promise to look after them and return them in perfect condition. Are you mad at me?' she asked

Marcus laughed quietly 'No baby girl, I would never be mad at you, everything here is your legacy, if you want to take the entire library back to Silver Cross I would pack it up for you' he said gruffly. Chloe and James walked up beside Charity and Marcus 'It's time to go' James said 'Or Lucian won't get back before darkness falls'

Marcus turned toward Chloe who held her hand out daintily 'Thank you for allowing me to visit Alpha Marcus' she said quietly 'And thank you for everything you have done to help James and I' she added shyly.

Stepping around her hand, Marcus pulled her into a hug 'No standing on ceremony here Little Chloe' he growled 'You are my Gamma's mate and my grand daughter's best friend, you are as much a part of my family as they are, and should your sister return with you, well she will be another grand daughter added to my family too'

He then clapped James on the shoulder before pulling him into a manly hug and stepped back so that the girls could clamber into the back of the car whilst James joined Lucian in the front. As he closed the car door, Marcus held his hand up to wave as Lucian pulled away from the entrance and made his way slowly down the path toward the main gate.

Turning in her seat, Charity saw Marcus stood in the middle of driveway, she kept her eyes on him until they exited the grounds and he was swallowed by the trees.

Turning back, Charity's resolve broke and sobs wracked her body as Chloe held her tightly, softly muttering in her ear. After a few minutes, Charity choked back her tears and wiped her eyes with the handkerchief that James handed her from his pocket. Trying to focus on happier things, her mind wandered to Aaron and how he would be waiting for her return, seeing the smile ghosting her face, Chloe immediately started to talk about Silver Cross and Aaron, cajoling charity into a conversation, soon everyone in the car was laughing and joking as they ate up the miles taking them back to the Silver Cross pack.

At exactly five minutes to two, Lucian pulled the sleek silver car into the entrance of the Silver Cross pack house and guided the vehicle toward the front door. Pulling to a stop, Charity opened the door and stepped out, as she turned to help Chloe after her a dark blur caught her peripheral vision barreling from the foyer of the house before she was spun on the spot and lifted off her feet by two powerful arms and her lips were crushed in a heart-stopping kiss.

Pulling away breathlessly as she was placed back on the floor, Charity looked up into the eyes of Aaron, 'Well hello to you too' she teased softly, snaking her arms around his neck and pulling him down for another kiss.

'I missed you so much' Aaron breathed as he continued to kiss her lips and then down her neck like a man starved.

A loud 'Ahem' behind them, finally made Aaron relent but he still refused to let her go, looking over her shoulder, she saw Chloe, James and Lucian stood by the car, bags in hand, all with looks of amusement on their faces.

'Welcome home Charity and Chloe' boomed the deep voice of Alistair who had appeared through the front door with Mary close behind. Aaron's mother squealed and pushed her son roughly aside so that she could engulf Charity in her own tight hug. 'Welcome Red Moon Beta and Gamma also' continued Alistair with an exasperated look at his wife and her blatant disregard for visitor protocol.

Lucian and James bowed respectfully toward the Alpha before each extending their hand in turn toward him. Gripping Lucian's hand, Alistair said 'Thank you for keeping our Charity safe Lucian' to which Lucian replied, 'The honour was mine Alpha'. Turning to James, Alistair appraised him as he shook his hand, 'Marcus telephoned me and explained the situation, we welcome you to our pack Gamma James, for as long as you wish to remain with us. A room has been prepared for yourself and your mate to occupy. Chloe's parents have been informed that you have returned with her but no other information has been passed on as my wife and I felt that you and Chloe would prefer to speak to them directly without interference from either pack's leaders' he said gruffly. James nodded solemnly 'Thank you for your hospitality Alpha, I am at your service should you require, Chloe and I appreciate your candour with regards to her family situation which we hope to resolve amicably for both Chloe's family, your pack and Red Moon Pack' he replied.

Mary removed herself from Charity 'would you like refreshments Lucian, before your trip home?' she inquired.

Lucian shook his head 'Thank you Luna but I need to get back to the Red Moon pack, I do not like to leave my Alpha without back up for too long' he said respectfully.

Nodding with understanding, Mary replied 'Well I thank you for returning my girls to me Lucian and I bid you a safe journey, if you will excuse me I need to show your brother and Chloe to their room' and taking her husband by the hand, she turned to the couple and beckoned them to follow her into the pack house.

Left alone outside, Aaron turned to Lucian and after a deep breath, uttered 'Thank you for taking such good care of my Luna'. Slightly taken aback, Lucian smiled and bowed his head slightly 'It was a pleasure future Alpha' he said 'It was lovely to get to know our Alpha's grand daughter' turning to Charity, Lucian held his hand out to her 'I shall miss you Lady Charity' he said with a wink.

Laughing, Charity pushed his hand aside and pulled him into a tight hug 'I'll miss you too Mr Lucian. A low growl emanated from Aaron and Lucian immediately stepped away from Charity who looked toward her mate and rolled her eyes. 'Really??' she scolded 'He's like my uncle, plus he's married to a very beautiful mate, and they have children!' as Lucian chuckled beside her.

'It's an Alpha thing' he whispered, 'They are all very protective of their mates even if they know the other male is no threat' he then stepped toward the car and opened the door. Giving a farewell wave he called 'take care of my hot-headed brother' before he slipped into the driver's seat and started the car, setting off down the driveway toward the road.