Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 24

Keeping a firm grasp on Justin's hand, she pulled him urgently, guiding the heart broken Beta down the faint track, pushing her way through until she found the main path and set off swiftly downwards toward the village below. As they stumbled downwards and spilled out of the mountain base, two strong arms encircled Charity's body, pinning her arms to her sides as they lifted her from the ground, forcing her to let go of Justin's hand. As she started to kick out with her feet and attempted to scream a warm rough hand was placed over her mouth cutting off any sound. Looking around wildly she saw the thrashing form of Justin a few feet away, face down on the ground as four men restrained him, their faces covered by the shadows cast from the nearby woods.

'Calm down little lady' came a soft voice in her ear 'we wont hurt you, we just want answers'

Charity's eyes widened before she shook her head violently, managing to remove her oppressors hand from her mouth momentarily.

'Merrick?' she gasped just as the stranger went to replace his hand.

Suddenly she was dropped back to the floor and spun round to face her captor, Merrick's face swimming into view. 'Luna?' he gasped in shock, 'Who's that?' he asked pointing at the struggling form on the floor.

'It's Justin' Charity replied weakly, before her knees gave way and she fell forward sobbing, being caught in Merrick's strong arms as he swept her up bridal style, ordering his men to release Justin and bring him with them, before setting off into the woods, carrying the weeping frame of the Luna.

They traveled for many hours away from the mountain range before the warmth of a camp fire bathed over their bodies, walking round to the left past the eyes of the warriors grouped round the flames, Merrick walked through the flaps of a small tent that had been pitched and placed Charity carefully on one of the two camp beds before turning and helping the exhausted Beta into the sister bed covering him up with a blanket.

Turning back to Charity, Merrick took as seat on the edge of the cot, grabbing another blanket and tucking it tightly around her shivering torso, making sure she was comfortable before questioning her.

'How did you get away Luna?' he asked quietly, his eyes showing the worry that had obviously been eating at him for the months that the two Silver Cross members had been missing.

Taking a deep breath, Charity quietly recounted what had happened to them over the last 6 or so months that they had been captive. Merrick growled when he heard of Justin's treatment, his eyes darkening with anger only to be replaced by sympathy when he learned of the fate of Justin's mate.

Looking over to the still form of the Beta, Merrick reached over and placed a sympathetic hand on Justin's shoulder. 'My condolences Beta' he growled, his eyes downcast, 'I promise you, I will do all in my power to help you avenge your mate'

Justin turned his face to Merrick, his eyes dead within their sockets. He lifted his hand from underneath the cover and raised it, giving Merrick's hand that was still holding his shoulder a light squeeze, 'Thank you Merrick' he said simply.

Looking between the two, Merrick stood up 'You both need to get a couple of hours sleep, we will return you to the Silver Cross Pack tomorrow morning, we have cars located in the nearby town. I will appoint guards around this tent and I shall personally stand guard by the opening, we have spies throughout the woods and around the base of the mountain plus various rudimentary intruder alarms have been set up around this camp. No-one will get near to us without detection, you are safe Luna/ Beta' he bowed his head slightly and left the tent, shouting out to the other warriors as he went.

Once alone Charity looked over to her friend, 'Jus?' she called softly, unsure if he would even answer her after she had forced him to leave his mate's corpse.

'Yeah Char' Justin replied quietly, his tone monotonous, no hint of the previous fun loving Beta could be heard in his voice.

'I'm sorry Jus' Charity whispered, tears starting to slide down your face 'I made you leave her, i'm so sorry, please don't hate me'

Justin rolled over to face her, his eyes softening as they grazed across her face 'I'm not mad at you Char' he said in a low voice, 'You were right, if I had got us recaptured, if I had stayed, her death would have been for nothing, I would have robbed her of her only chance to show me that she truly loved me'

Charity sobbed silently into her pillow, the previous months and the loss of such a lovely young girl finally catching up with her and breaking down the walls that she had built around herself to survive. Justin reached out his hand across the short space between them, grasping her hand in his. Looking over at him, Charity saw her tears mirrored on his face as they both quietly grieved for his mate.

Sleep quickly engulfed them both and they slumbered together both still holding tightly to the other as if, even in sleep, they were terrified they would be lost if they broke the contact between them.

Hours later they were awoken by a soft shaking that was due to Merrick's strong frame that loomed over them. Shielding her eyes from the rays that were streaming through the opening to the tent Charity looked around confused for a moment until the night before forced its way back into her mind.

'What time is it?' she asked as she looked over quickly at Justin, releasing a breath she hadn't realised she was holding when she saw him still in the cot, rubbing his eyes tiredly before raising himself into a sitting position.

'Its just after sun rise' answered Merrick 'About 6 am Luna'

Sitting up, Charity stretched out the kinks that had formed in her body before looking up at Merrick,

'Merrick' she said with a slight smile 'I think I would like to return to my family, would you please take us home?'

A broad grin spread across the warriors face as he gave a slight bow 'It would be my honour Luna' he said sincerely before stepping out of the tent to inform his group that they would be setting off momentarily.

'Are you going to link the Alpha?' asked Justin, staring at her.

'No' Charity replied simply 'I think a little surprise will do our pack the world of good' she smiled 'plus if he knows we are out, you know he will be shifting and running here with no thought that we are 3 days run from the pack house' she added with a small laugh. The corner of Justin's mouth twitched slightly before the cold empty look returned to his face, 'He wouldn't be running here for me Luna' he said sadly.

Moving over to his cot, Charity put her arms around Justin's neck pulling him into her embrace 'Yes he would Jus and you know it, you are his best friend, he loves you' she said solemnly 'and so do l' she said sadly to him, planting a friendly kiss to his temple as he breathed heavily, trying to hold back his grief.

They sat like that for a while until Merrick stuck his head through the flaps, motioning to them that the group were ready to leave. Slowly removing himself from Charity's grasp, Justin stood up before extending his hand out to Charity, helping her to her feet and leading her outside where the other warriors were stood waiting, the fire extinguished and all traces of their camp removed. Two warriors stepped forward and deftly packed up the tent and its contents before returning to their spots and awaiting orders from Merrick who seemed to be in charge of them.

Looking over to Charity, Merrick said 'I think its best if we all walk in pairs, watch each others backs, Luna, you and the Beta should be in the middle of us all and I will have a pair on either side of you as well to protect from any attack that may be tried as we extract you to our vehicles. We have about a two hour hike ahead of us so I hope you are both up to it, if you struggle, tell me,, ok?' he raised his eyebrow to the pair who nodded silently before taking their places in the line, Justin still gripping Charity's hand tightly. As Charity looked at him questioningly he replied 'I will not fail you again Luna' then he set his sights ahead, his eyes occasionally darting around them as they started to make their way forward.

Two hours later the group reached the edge of the small town, no attempts had been made to recapture the pair, which surprised them all greatly and made them slightly nervous though no-one uttered their thoughts. Hurrying over to a small diner, they circled round to replace three large 4x4's parked in the car park, opening the doors quickly, the men piled into the vehicles, Merrick helping Charity and Justin into the back of a large grey Subaru before slamming the door and jumping in the front seat. Starting the engine, he signaled the car on his right to lead the way, following behind them with the third vehicle bringing up the rear of the convoy.

As they pulled out onto the highway, their tyres beginning to eat up the miles as they sped toward the Silver Cross territory, the tension that filled the car began to ease. Lulled by the movement of the car, Charity fell into a fitful sleep, filled with Aaron smiling at her and Isabella running through a field, her laughter filling the air as Charity tried to catch her. The scene changed to a snow covered landscape, Isabella was gone and in front of her was the bloodied body of Hazel, her eyes open as she whispered 'you let me die'. Forced from her nightmare, Charity jerked her head up, replaceing that she had fallen against Justin's shoulder as she slept. He looked at her, concern evident in his expression. 'Bad dream?' he asked, his eyes clouding.

Shaking her head, Charity forced a smile 'No, it was nothing, don't worry'

Merrick looked at them through the rear view mirror 'Luna, we are an hour from the pack house' he said quickly.

Nodding her understanding, she sat back against the head rest, watching the scenery zip by through the tinted back window as the winters afternoon sun bathed the landscape, desperate for her first glimpse of her home that would tell her that she was truly about to be reunited with her husband, daughter and pack.