Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 17

The morning broke with a light drizzle falling between the leaves of the overshadowing trees above their heads, the warriors already up and packed set off quietly back toward the mountain range, keeping alert for signs of an ambush or being followed. Skirting the village they started up the narrow track, Aaron and Marcus taking the lead, whilst Charity had been handed over to Lucian who stood guard to her right, his eyes constantly darting over the undergrowth for signs of trouble.

The two Alphas slowly made their way upwards, their senses tuned for the scent of Lilies as each checked their side of the path for a hint of a trail. For two hours the small team crept their way upwards, each time an Alpha picked up a possible trail it led to a dead end.

'This sorceress wasn't taking any chances of the wrong people replaceing this damn pack was she' grunted Merrick grouchily as they yet again doubled back through the thick undergrowth from another dead end trail.

Congregating on the main path, standing single file due to the narrowness, Aaron resolutely marched forward, his head down, his nostrils scouring the breeze for that tell tale Lily scent, further up both Alpha's suddenly stopped, causing the group to stumble into each other from the abruptness of the halt.

'I have the scent' said Aaron pointing through the brush to the left

'I have the scent' replied Marcus looking confused as he pointed right down a barely visible track that circled around the mountain and out of view.

'So which do we take?' asked Merrick, exasperation evident in his voice.

As the group looked between themselves Charity put forward 'I think we should split into two groups, each follow a trail, if we make sure the Red Pack members are split between the groups we can mind link if we replace anything and the other group can double back and catch up'

The two Alphas looked unhappy with the idea, looking round the men, Charity placed her hands on her hips 'well does anyone else have another idea that doesn't include us walking for miles in possibly the wrong direction?' she asked glaring around at them all. Shaking their heads reluctantly, the warriors looked to the Alphas for instructions.

'Right, well, I think Aaron and Charity should follow Aaron's trail, along with Lucian, Leo and Merrick' began Marcus turning to his grand daughter 'I want you to have decent back up understand?' he asked, though it was more of a command than a request. Charity nodded immediately knowing that arguing would get her nowhere anyway.

'The rest of you follow me to the right' Marcus continued, turning to Lucian he added 'I want a mind link update every 30 minutes, if we don't hear from you or you get no response from us the other team backtracks and searches the other route' The two Alphas nodded to each other before Marcus pulled Charity into his arms 'Stay safe little one' he muttered before placing a soft kiss on her forehead and turning to follow the track, his warriors falling into line behind him.

Aaron squared his shoulders and set off left, forcing his way through the overgrown plants and bushes, following the illusive scent. Lucian followed behind, then Charity, Leo and finally Merrick. The small group stumbled over small loose stones, scratching their skin on the hidden thorns within the encroaching bushes which tore unyielding at their clothes.

'The scent is getting stronger' muttered Aaron after they had been walking for about half an hour, Lucian nodded and checking his watch mind linked through to his Alpha letting him know they were ok and their scent seemed to be increasing. His eyes clearing, Lucian replied 'Marcus and the boys are also fine, he said his scent is also not giving out so they will continue on their trail in case there are two entrances. Conner squatted down beside her, tracing his dirty fingers over her delicate skin, 'So perfect' he growled softly 'I look forward to owning you little wench' Charity slapped his hand away from her 'Don't touch me you filthy beast' she snarled angrily.

Anger flashed across Conner's face before being replaced with amusement, 'I am going to enjoy breaking you little wench' he purred 'we will have so much fun together I promise' before backing out of the cell and turning the lock with a loud echoing click. As their footsteps faded away, Charity tried to mind link Aaron, calling out to him over their bond but it was as if he had ceased to exist, pressing her back against the cold stone wall that separated her cell from the next she groaned inwardly to herself. Why had she walked forward when Aaron had said there was a barrier, she should have known it was a bad idea but nope, yet again she'd plowed ahead not thinking.

'You are truly an i***t girl' Charity chastised herself out loud

'Hello?' came a raspy dry male voice from the cell to her left 'Is somebody here?'

'Hello?' replied Charity, crawling over to the bars of her cell, trying to see round the corner of the stone wall.

'Luna?' the voice said suddenly worried

Taken aback slightly Charity rallied herself before calling back 'Justin?'

'Oh my god' groaned Justin 'What are you doing here, how did they capture you? are the others dead?' he rambled, panic filling his voice.

'The others are fine Jus' replied Charity sadly 'I was stupid, they said there was a barrier, I couldn't feel it and stepped through it, the Wolf men were on the other side waiting for me'

'Oh Char, i'm so sorry' whispered Justin, his pain evident through his words 'If I hadn't have been so careless they wouldn't have caught me and then you! I failed you my Luna' he said, his voice breaking.

'No you didn't Jus' Charity replied, reaching her hand through the bars and round the wall, her fingers questing for his. As she felt his fingers grasp hers she added 'At least we found you now, we are going to get out of this together, you are going to help us escape, do you hear me?'

Justin sighed in the next cell, 'I can't leave Char' he said despondently

'Why not?!' demanded Charity shocked

'My mate is here' he replied simply 'and they wont let her go, I have to try and save her, I won't leave her here with these animals'

Charity's breath caught in her throat, Justin's mate was a Oakridge member? why was he still in a cell then, why hadn't she claimed him for her own. Justin's fingers released Charity's, retracting back into his own cell. 'You need to rest Char, they will be coming to take you to the Committee soon, I wont be able to stop them, they will decide what will happen to you' he said defeated.

Charity sank back into her cell, her head in turmoil, unable to comprehend what had happened to her fun loving, prankster friend in such a short space of time that he already seemed to have given up hope. Pulling her knees to her chest, Charity rocked gently back and forth sending silent pleas to her husband to figure out a way to get through the barrier and come to help her and Justin escape.