Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 25

After what felt like an eternity, the landscape started to become familiar, the long winding road edging round the cliff face as they made their way to the gates of the Silver Cross pack. Indicating right, the lead car turned into the large gateway, leading the trio up the driveway as various pack members that were in the grounds looked up curiously, some showing recognition of the Red Moon pack vehicles showing that they warriors had visited frequently while the Luna and Beta had been gone. As they came to a halt outside of the main gate, the smartly dressed form of Aaron exited the pack house obviously having been informed by the boundary guards that the cars were en route.

Merrick put the vehicle in park and opened his door, slipping out, he shut it behind him, keeping Charity and Justin hidden. Striding forward he held out his hand to Aaron as the Alpha gripped it tightly, a friendly smile on his face as he shook the warriors hand. 'What brings you to our door Merrick?' he asked, apprehension and a small tinge of hope written in his eyes which did not move from the Warriors face.

'I was told to come here' Merrick said cagily 'They insisted I visit you in person'

Worry flickered through Aaron's face 'Who told you to come?' he asked roughly, his eyes boring into the warrior making him look down to avoid the penetrating gaze.

'That would be me' replied Charity, stepping round the back of the 4x4 with Justin beside her having both slipped out the far side whilst Aaron was speaking, keeping their heads lowered so as not to draw attention from the few pack members in the grounds. Aaron's face went blank, rooted to the spot as he looked from his wife to his Beta, disbelief carved into his features, suddenly he pushed Merrick aside, crossing the space between them, he pulled Charity to him, crushing her to his body as he sobbed into her hair. 'Is it really you?' he asked shakily

'Yes its me' she whispered back, pulling away from him to look into his eyes, tears flowing from her own as she stared into his beautiful face, hungrily devouring his features with her gaze.

Crashing his lips to hers, Aaron kissed her as if his life depended on it, refusing to release her as he cradled her head between his hands. Finally pulling away, he released his wife just long enough to grab hold of his best friend, crushing him in a tight hug before stepping back, grabbing both their hands and dragging them toward the pack house, as a whisper went round the grounds, rising to a shout as it passed from pack member to pack member, 'Is that the Luna?', 'That is the Luna!' 'The Beta, our Beta is back, did you see?'.

As they made their way through the front doors, people emerged from the various rooms, rushing forward, surrounding Charity and Justin as they pack fought with each other to check their Luna and Beta had returned and show their happiness to the pair. 'Alright pack!' Aaron shouted above the din, his Alpha status radiating from him, causing the entire foyer to fall silent. 'Our Luna and Beta have returned to us' he said loudly, drawing a cheer from the crowd, 'but they have been through an ordeal and I ask you all to give them some time, to get back into the swing of things, i'm sure they will both greet all of you in the coming days but lets give them both a bit of breathing room.

Nods could be seen around the room as the members stepped back, making a corridor for Aaron, Charity and Justin so that they could make their way to the staircase and up to their rooms.

As they reached the fourth floor, Aaron led the way to his office, reaching for the door handle with one hand, his other firmly gripped to his wife's hand. Touching his friends arm gently, Justin said 'Would you mind if I just went to my room Alpha? I haven't slept well for a while and to be honest I could do with some time alone, a shower and a damn long sleep'

Aaron looked over his friend with concern before slowly nodding in agreement 'Go on Jus, but I will want to see you first thing tomorrow, ok?' he asked smiling, removing his hand from his office door and drawing Justin in for a one armed hug before stepping back to give him room to pass.

Justin grabbed his shoulder briefly, giving a sad smile 'sure thing mate' he said before giving Charity a brief hug and walking away toward his own room.

After they had watched him enter his room, Aaron opened the office door, pulling his wife inside before shutting it behind them, spinning her round so she was against the door as his lips sought hers desperately and his body pressed against her. Pushing him away lightly so she could breathe, Charity gazed into her husbands eyes, her fingers running through his hair 'Miss me?' she teased gently, her eyes crinkling at the corners as her smile lit up her face.

Grasping her face in his hands, Aaron stared intently at her 'more than you could ever know' he whispered 'it's been worse than anything I could have imagined, I knew you were alive, I could feel it but I couldn't save you! Oh goddess baby, i'm so sorry, I couldn't protect you' he growled, his anger at himself shining through.

Charity shook her head at him 'It's me that should be sorry' she said quietly 'Me and my stupid bull headedness put me in that damn situation in the first place, if I had just listened to you about the barrier...

'We never would have got Justin back' cut in Aaron kissing her gently, his arms dropping to her waist and slipping around her, pulling her into his embrace.

After a few moments Charity pulled away again, 'Where is Bella?' she asked, the desperation to see her daughter laced into her voice.

Aaron smiled warmly at the mention of his little girl 'She is with Miss Sarah, they have spent the morning on a treasure hunt in the woods, Grandma will be picking her up right about now and bringing her back here'

Charity walked over to one of the chairs by Aaron's desk, taking a seat she sat wringing her hands together with nerves. Aaron crossed the room to her, kneeling down in front of her he pulled her to him, holding her tightly as her anxious breath kissed his ear while they waited.

The door suddenly opened and the blonde haired three and a half year old ran into the room, a pine cone held in one hand she squealed 'Daddy!' rushing over to him as he stood up and swept her into his arms, covering her face with kisses as she giggled loudly before holding up her pine cone for her father to see 'I got a pine cone from our hunt' she said proudly

'Well that is a mighty fine pine cone princess' replied Aaron fondly as Mary walked in the door her eyes down as she massaged a stitch in her side.

'Child, your poor grandma is not as young as she used to be! she cannot be running up four flights of stairs after you!' she chided as she placed Isabella's back pack on the ground and finally looked up at her son with a smile. Her eyes suddenly dropped to the chair next to him as she realised someone was in the room with her son. It took a few moments for it to register who was sat in the chair before her hands flew to her mouth, stitch forgotten she ran across the room, pulling Charity from the chair as she enveloped her in a bear hug. 'Oh my goddess, you are here? how are you here? where is Justin?' rounding on her son angrily without letting Charity go, she demanded 'How long has she been here? and you don't mind link me? you go and get her and tell me nothing? my daughter is rescued and you don't even tell me! does your father know?'

Stepping back from the angry Luna, Aaron shifted his daughter on to his right arm, raising his left in surrender. 'Mum calm down!' he said 'I had no idea that Charity got away, Merrick brought her and Justin back to us like half an hour ago! No dad doesn't know and excuse me for wanting a few minutes alone with my wife who has been missing for months before I announce to the entire pack she is home! Maybe I didn't want to share for just a few moments' he growled exasperated.

Mary's eyes clouded for a moment, as she mind linked her husband, as her eyes cleared she released her hold on Charity and used her hand to swat her son on the arm that didn't hold her grand daughter as he tried to fend her off, in the end holding Isabella out like a shield in front of him yelling 'Princess! protect daddy from angry grandma!' knowing his mother wouldn't risk hurting her even in play, whilst the three year old laughed loudly and held her hands out to shield her daddy.

Charity cleared her throat lightly, drawing Aaron's attention to her, tipping her head slightly to the side she raised her eyebrows at him, he gaze trailing on her daughters face. Aaron immediately put Isabella down, taking her hand as he walked her toward her mother.

'Princess, do you remember who this is?' he asked the little girl softly, 'This is Mama, she has come back home to us'

Isabella turned her blue eyes that were so much like her fathers, toward Charity, holding on to her fathers hand tightly.

Charity dropped to her knees keeping eye contact with the little girl, 'Hi Bella' she whispered, her voice wavering as her hands yearned to reach out and envelop her daughter in her arms.

Isabella turned her head and hid in her fathers jeans, her mop of golden curls falling like a cloak, obscuring her face from view. Aaron bent down, placing his arms around his daughter comfortingly as she snuggled herself into the crook of his neck, 'it's ok princess' he said quietly 'it really is Mama'

The little girl peeked out from her fathers embrace, shyly taking in Charity before lifting her head and taking a step toward her mother. Charity slowly raised her arms toward her child, her gaze never leaving her baby's face. As Isabella stepped closer, Charity whispered 'Oh Bella Boo, i've missed you so much' as a tear ran down her face.

Isabella stopped at her words, her eyes widening before she threw herself into her mothers arms yelling 'Mama!' snuggling herself into Charity's chest as the young woman cried openly, rocking her daughter gently as she smoothed her hair with her hand. The little girl breathed in heavily, as a smile spread across her face, 'It is you' she said happily 'You has Mama's smell' she stated as Charity laughed through her tears.

'Well I hope so' she whispered, placing butterfly kisses all over her daughters sweet face as the child clung to her shirt as if she was afraid to let go and have her mother leave again.

The office door burst open and the heaving form of Alistair filled the doorway, glaring round the room, his eyes alighted on Charity and Isabella still sat on the floor. 'Thank the goddess' he muttered as he strode across the room, dropping next to his daughter in law, enveloping her and his grand daughter in his arms.

'Grandpa! you squish me' complained Isabella loudly, making everyone laugh as Alistair let them go.

'Sorry princess' he chuckled, planting a kiss on her cheek 'I just really missed you and your mama so I needed to give you a big squishy hug' he said sincerely.

'Ok' replied Isabella smiling 'you can hug us but not so tight' she ordered as Alistair roared with laughter and gathered them both to him again.