Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 26

Laying in bed later that night, Charity curled up in her husband's arms as he held her tightly, sh had spent the afternoon filling her mate and her in law's in on everything that had happened. Mary had needed to be physically restrained by her husband when she learned about Hazel, desperate to go and comfort the young Beta, her heart breaking for the man who she classed as just as much a son of hers as Aaron was as the two boys had been best friends since they could talk.

As she snuggled further into her husbands embrace their door quietly opened and the small inquisitive face of their daughter peeked round the edge before sidling into the room staring at her feet as she shuffled self consciously. 'Whats wrong Bella Boo?' asked Charity smiling as she wriggled out of her husbands embrace toward the edge of their bed.

Looking up at her mother, Isabella whispered 'Can I sleep with you?' a hopeful look on her face.

Smiling Charity pulled the covers back, reaching her arms out to her daughter who ran over happily, climbing onto the mattress, over her mothers body before squeezing in between her parents happily, her arms sliding round Charity's waist as she nestled into her 'Ummm what about daddy?' Aaron protested 'I can't cuddle mama if you are in the middle princess' he pouted.

arms.

'Is ok daddy, you can hug me instead' replied Isabella kindly as she tightened her grip around her mother, a small yawn crinkling up her face.

'My wife comes back after a million years and I get pushed out by a toddler' grumbled Aaron, unable to hide his smile as he gazed at his wife holding the little girl who was trying and failing to fight the tiredness that was taking her over now she was snuggled into her mothers warmth.

Charity giggled quietly 'Don't worry Alpha, i'm sure your princess will happily sleep in her own bed tomorrow night and you can have me all to yourself then' she whispered with a wink.

'I'm going to hold you to that Mrs Cross' Aaron murmured leaning over to plant a soft kiss on his wife's lips, 'I expect LOTS of attention tomorrow just so you know' he grinned as he threw his arm over his family and settled down to sleep, feeling the rising chest of his already sleeping daughter underneath his skin.

Over a week had passed since the return of Charity and Justin, the pack had returned to normal with the dedicated research group putting all their efforts into replaceing any information about a strong sorceress through out history.

Apart from a few meal times, Justin had kept mostly to his room, always replying that he was tired and still recovering from his abuse at the Oakridge territory, not even answering the knocks of his concerned father after Jared's initial visit after replaceing out that Justin had been found.

As Justin lay on his bed, his eyes gazing unseeing at the ceiling a sharp knock echoed from his door. Rolling over, he ignored the noise hoping who ever was on the other side would leave thinking he was asleep.

The knock came again, more insistent. groaning he pulled the pillow over his head calling out 'i'm sleeping!'

'Dude if you don't open this door I swear Charity will storm down here and kick it down, she has given me one chance to get you to open up' came Aaron's voice from the other side.

Grumbling to himself, he rolled off the bed and walked over to the door, turning the key before making his way back to the bed and throwing himself down onto it.

Aaron walked in, shutting the door behind him, 'Tell Char I am fine' mumbled Justin staring at the window.

Taking a seat on the bed, Aaron looked at his Beta, 'Mate, you are many things, but not one of them is fine' he said bluntly.

'Honestly dude, i'm ok, i'm just tired' replied Justin trying to keep his tone light.

'Oh so you are not hiding in your room, grieving for your mate then?' inquired Aaron with feigned surprise 'I thought from what Charity said, that you were madly in love with her, obviously not if you can forget her so quickly' Justin sat up glaring at his friend 'I did love her' he growled 'what would you know about it, your mate is still here!' he yelled, his eyes flashing.

'whatever dude' Aaron shot back 'you keep telling yourself that, but maybe she was just cannon fodder to help you escape'

Justin sat looking at Aaron in shock, fury filling his face as his eyes turned black at his best friends words, howling loudly he threw himself at his Alpha, his fists swinging as the pair fell to the floor rolling around whilst Justin threw punch after punch and Aaron easily defended himself against the angry Beta. After 10 minutes of trying to inflict some sort of pain onto his friend Justin finally collapsed in exhaustion, tears started to fall in rivers as his grief over took him and he howled on the floor, his body shaking as he cried in pain.

Aaron wriggled round, dragging his best friend into his arms, holding him tightly as Justin finally released the grief he had been holding on to since they escaped. No words were spoken as the Beta sobbed himself into silence, the pair just sitting on the floor sharing Justin's grief.

When his sobs settled into silent heaves, Aaron held his friend closely to him 'I know you loved her Jus' he whispered 'You have always loved with everything you have, but I had to get you to face your loss. I'm sorry mate, I never meant a word of what I said' Aaron's voice was pained with regret.

Sitting up, Justin grabbed a tissue, blowing his nose as he looked at Aaron 'I know you didn't' he said sadly 'I didn't want to let it go, I thought if I did then I would have to accept she's really gone, like I was ready to move on, she was taken from me before I even had a chance to know her' he gulped, the tears threatening to start to fall again.

Aaron threw his arm around his mate's shoulders giving him a supportive squeeze 'Grieving isn't moving on mate its accepting you loved someone enough that you feel their absence, and you don't have to go through it alone' he said softly 'If this was the other way around, if it was me, what would you do?' he asked

Justin gave a small laugh 'probably kick your door in to force you to let me help you' he admitted

'So stop trying to push me away dude, its my job as your best mate to go through this with you' Aaron admonished gently 'and I swear, if you do not come out and let Charity comfort you, you are going to have one pissed off Luna on your hands and as much as I love you Bro, I am NOT getting in the way of that s**t storm' he declared vehemently as Justin chuckled.

'OK, OK, I get it, no more hiding' he agreed

'Good now wash your face and get a move on, there is a very annoyed three year old in my office who wants to know why Uncle "Yustin" doesn't want to be her friend any more' he growled.

Scrambling to his feet, Justin wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, pulling Aaron into a tight hug before releasing him and walking into the bathroom to splash water on his face. As he stepped out again he squared his shoulders 'C'mon then' he sighed 'Lets go see the pissed off Luna and the annoyed Izzy Wizz before I have the pair of them descending on me'

'A wise choice my man' laughed Aaron opening his bedroom door and leading the way out.

Walking up to the Alpha's office, they talked quietly staying away from the subject of Hazel, Aaron sensing that Justin had suffered enough tears for one day. Opening the door to his office, Aaron walked in followed by his Beta.

'Uncle Yustin!' yelled a little voice as a whirlwind of yellow curls hurtled themselves across the room, two tiny arms wrapping themselves around his legs as he grinned down at the excited face, stooping down to scoop her up in his arms. 'Hey Izzy Wizz' he whispered, planting a kiss in the little girls hair as she giggled loudly and pulled him into a tight hug.

'Where you been?' she asked pouting at him 'Did me upset you?' a look of worry crossing her face.

'Of course not baby girl' Justin replied 'Uncle Jus was just feeling a bit sad but he's ok now, and feeling so much better now he's had a big cuddle from his favourite girl' he said grinning down into the brilliant blue eyes that gazed up at him. 'My missed you Uncle Yustin' she muttered as she snuggled into his embrace

'I missed you too my little Izzy Wizz' Justin replied softly as he walked to one of the chairs by the desk, taking a seat and sitting the youngster on his lap, his strong arms holding her close.

'How you feeling Jus?' Charity asked quietly, standing up from the sofa by the fireplace and walking over to their Beta, giving him a quick hug before sitting down in the seat opposite him.

Giving a deep sigh, Justin shook his head 'I can't lie Char, it hurts' he confided 'but my best mate just gave me an arse kicking and made me realise that I don't have to deal with this s**t alone' 'No you don't' Charity growled 'We are here to do this with you Jus, we always will be, you are not alone!

'I know Char' he replied, his face tight as he fought off the tears 'and i'm sorry I shut you out, I just didn't want to deal with how much it hurt' he admitted.

Charity reached over, resting her hand on his knee affectionately, a low growl echoed around the room suddenly causing everyone to look over at Aaron, who's eyes had turned black as he stared at his wife's hand.

'Oh my goddess' exploded Charity 'are you kidding right now? your best mate is mourning his love and you are getting jealous? seriously!' she ranted as Justin started to laugh, unable to help himself as his best friend blushed red and looked at the floor muttering about instincts and not meaning it.

'Its ok dude' Justin said with a small smile 'I always knew Char liked me more than you anyway'. He then proceeded to hide behind Isabella whilst Aaron tried to slap him without hitting his own daughter in the process.

Laughing Charity scolded 'you both need to stop using my poor daughter as a human shield when you wind people up' she said before lifting Isabella from Justin's lap and walking out, leaving the two friends to talk between them.