Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 32

'Justin Stop' shouted Hazel again, her tone pleading, as she stepped carefully toward the two warriors, reaching down gently to her mate and pulling Justin's arms from Lucas' neck. 'Let him go baby' she whispered 'You are not a murderer, let him go' Justin dropped the crying form from his arms, staring in disbelief at the woman stood beside of him.

'Hazel?' he breathed his arms reaching for her instinctively.

'Yes its me' she smiled, stepping into his embrace, her arms circling his muscular form as she lay her head on his chest.

Breathing in her scent, Justin closed his eyes, feeling his grief and pain leave his body as his entire being was infused with her essence.

'I saw you die' he said pulling away from her, his eyes pained by the memory.

'That you did son' came the voice of Doctor Nat, 'For a whole 90 seconds my daughter was dead, her body refusing to breathe, I arrived just as you disappeared through the barrier, I grabbed her in my arms and ran with her back to our home, my wife and I worked on her until she came back to us, once she was breathing again we tended her wounds until she was healed then we hid her from the Committee worried they would use her to get to you and your pack'

Justin's eyes met the doctors as he held tightly to Hazel, refusing to let her go 'I am so sorry Doc' he whispered 'I promised to look after her and I failed' his guilt clouding his face as he stared into the older mans eyes.

Doctor Nat smiled 'Son, I still believe with all my being that you would do anything to protect my daughter, and it seems that she would do the same for you' he chuckled 'You cannot protect someone against their own stupidity' he growled, glowering in his daughters direction as she blushed looking at her feet.

'He was about to be hit by a knife' she replied quietly 'I couldn't live with the thought of him being hurt'

Doctor Nat just smiled at the pair, his understanding evident 'Don't worry angel' he growled 'your mother would have done something equally as stupid if it was me' he said as he rolled his eyes.

Bowing his head in respect to Doctor Nat, Justin carefully took his mates hand, leading her over to Aaron and Charity, 'Alpha, this is my mate Hazel' he breathed, his face illuminated as he held her close, 'Hazel this is my Alpha Aaron'

'A pleasure to finally meet the girl who turned my Beta's head' growled Aaron warmly as Hazel bowed her head shyly, looking up at him through her lashes.

Turning to Charity, Justin continued 'And you remember my Luna, Charity?'

Hazel smiled brightly, 'I am glad to see you well Luna' she said happily, Charity gathered the young girl into her embrace laughing and crying at the same time.

'I am so glad you are ok Hazel' she whispered 'please don't scare us like that again, Justin has been an absolute wreck' she confided as Justin looked at her with a horrified expression.

'Char! seriously! She's going to think i'm a right wimp or something' Justin complained as Aaron laughed beside him.

'I think its quite sweet actually' replied Hazel resting her head against him and looking up into his face lovingly.

Aaron cleared his throat, 'Jus, are you happy to accept Lucas' submission to you?' he asked tentatively.

Looking over toward the bloody and beaten warrior, Justin looked mildly surprised, as if he'd forgotten about the challenge. 'Yes I accept his submission' he replied, bowing his head to Aaron.

Aaron lifted his voice 'Doctor Nat?' he called to the old man 'I am assuming you are the pack doctor? would you be kind enough to take Lucas to your clinic and tend to his wounds, once he is healthy enough to be spoken too would you please let me know as I think my Luna would like to ask him some questions' he said as Charity nodded her agreement.

Doctor Nat, bowed his head respectfully 'of course Alpha' he replied, before beckoning to Nathan, who was still stood with the Silver Cross warriors, to help him lift the barely moving body and carry him to the clinic.

Nathan glanced at Aaron fearfully, silently requesting permission before scurrying over to the doctor when Aaron nodded his head at him, placing his arms under Lucas' armpits as the doctor lifted his legs and the pair carried the whimpering male through the Oakridge crowd and out of view.

Aaron turned to Charity and Justin, 'I think we need somewhere to settle whilst we wait for the doc to sort Lucas out' he said in a low voice.

'We might as well take over the Alpha house as the Committee have been evicted', replied Justin nonchalantly as the other warriors around them growled approval. Nodding his head, Aaron looked over at the Oarkridge clan that was still stood silently watching the strangers, nervousness hovering over them like a cold mist.

Stepping forward Charity addressed them, her eyes kindly as she looked across the pale faces in front of her. 'Oakridge Clan' she said softly, her voice carrying easily across the silence 'We have removed your Committee from power and taken possession of your pack, no longer are you in servitude to this clan, you will work in jobs that you choose to do, that works toward the betterment and strength of your people. Women will no longer be auctioned off to the highest bidder and any woman who has been sold previously and wishes to terminate her alliance to her male, you can come to us and we will protect you while you leave their home. Any attempt by a male to stop their female leaving will receive fierce retribution' she added simply, though the fire in her eyes informed all that she was not to be tested.

'An Alpha will be selected who will retain ownership of the Alpha's pack house' she continued 'Your new Alpha will train those who wish to be strong warriors, male or female, he will protect you, he will be the first to enter any attack you may face, and he will be the last to retreat'

Staring around at the shocked faces, some worried, some slightly hopeful, Charity smiled, 'I know this is scary for you, those who have only known the Committees way of doing things may fear the unknown, unsure if this new way of living will be better than what you already had. Rest assured that no Wolf or She Wolf will be forced to stay, should you choose to leave and replace another pack we will help you as much as we can, if you choose to stay and accept the chosen Alpha as your leader, then I can promise you, that this man and his mate, your Luna will do everything in their power to give you a life of protection and care in return for your respect and loyalty'

Silence followed her words before a young girl tentatively stepped forward, raising her hand nervously, nodding encouragingly at the young girl, Charity beckoned to her smiling.

'Empress' murmured the girl, looking at her feet 'You say this Alpha will treat us well? how do you know' she asked worriedly.

Charity walked over to the girl, and gently took her hand 'What is your name?' she asked softly.

Raising her eyes to the Luna's face, the young girl whispered back 'Carmen, i'm eighteen'

Charity gave her hand a small squeeze 'I know that your new Alpha will treat you well because the person I pick to take care of my people, and you all are my people are you not? you all know of me?' she asked as she raised her voice to be heard by all. 'Yes Empress' came the reply, as all the watching clan members bowed toward her.

'I will not allow my people to be treated poorly, not by their own members nor by outsiders' Charity intoned ve hemently 'When I choose an Alpha to lead you, he will have proven to me that he is Loyal, caring, protective and fair. He will be the kind of Wolf who puts the welfare of his people and his mate above his own life. In return my people will show him respect, loyalty and love, you will be a family. Your Alpha will be a fearsome leader who's mere mention will cause other packs to think twice about causing trouble, your Luna will be the glue that holds you all together. You will also be allianced with my own pack, the Silver Cross pack and our sister pack the Red Moon pack, should trouble invade your territory, we will come to support you'

Carmen stood gazing at Charity as she spoke, soaking up her words, as Charity finished her speech, the young girl suddenly threw her arms around the Luna, giving her a tight hug before jumping back in horror, muttering her apologies as she dropped to her knees placing her head on the floor at Charity's feet.

Charity stooped down, placing her hand under the young girls arm, drawing her up to her feet again carefully.

'I'm so sorry Empress' she whispered horrified 'I did not mean to touch you, please I beg you forgive my indiscretion' she implored

Charity pulled her into her arms, hugging the shaking girl tightly, 'Never apologize for showing your emotions to me Carmen' she replied smiling 'I appreciate your hug and hope that means that you wish to remain here under my choice of Alpha?' she asked The young girl stepped back smiling shyly as she nodded her head, 'Empress, I would be proud to join your Alpha's pack' she said with conviction.

Looking round the Oakridge faces she saw many other men and women nodding their heads whilst a chorus of voices each spoke out, 'I will join your pack Empress'.

One of Lucas' guards, a tall, muscular man in his forties, who was still tied up with his comrades spoke out 'I do not agree to your changes, nor will you be taking my wife, I paid dearly for her and she will remain with me' he spat angrily.

Aaron stepped toward him growling angrily but was halted by Charity's hand, held up toward him, silently asking him to let her handle the situation.

'Who are you warrior?' she asked coolly

'Graham' he answered, sneering at her angrily.

'Graham' he answered, sneering at her angrily.

'Who is the wife of Graham?' she called out 'Please step forward ma-am'

No-one moved for a few moments before a scared looking 26 year old girl stepped forward, her malnourished body shaking as she kept her eyes too the floor, her long red hair falling over her lowered face, covering the eyes that refused to make contact with anyone.

Charity quietly walked over to her, taking her trembling hand and drawing her close, concern written across her face as the young girl winced in pain. 'What is your name ma-am?' she asked quietly. 'Felicity' the young girl whispered, barely audible to the people around her.

'Say nothing to her b***h! do you hear me!' yelled Graham angrily, thrashing in his bonds to try and loosen them.

Charity pulled up the girls sleeve gently revealing burn marks 'Did he do this to you?' she asked calmly as her eyes narrowed in anger. Glancing over at her husband, Felicity quickly dropped her head again saying nothing. Leaning close to her, Charity murmured in her ear 'If he has hurt you, you need to tell me so I can help you, on my word as the Empress, I will not let him harm you again, did he do this to you?'

Felicity looked up into Charity's kind eyes, her own filling with tears as she moved her head slightly in a small nod.

Graham let out a deafening roar as he threw himself down on the ground trying to force his body to his wife, screaming obscenities as she cowered behind Charity, her eyes wide with fear.

Charity stood in front of the frightened girl, her Luna aura radiating from her body 'Stand that man up' she ordered loudly. Merrick and Darius strode over to him and dragged him to his feet. Marching over to him Charity said 'Graham of the Oak ridge Clan, as Empress and rightful leader of this pack by the Sorceress herself, I hear by revoke your membership to this Clan, you are banished from this territory. If you try to cause injury to any member of this pack or are seen within their land again you will be killed on sight, do you understand?' she growled.

Graham stared at Charity glowering angrily 'I'll go, but my property i coming with me' he snapped, turning his head toward Felicity, 'b***h! get over here, we're leaving'

Aaron stepped up to his wife, and grabbed the warrior by the throat, squeezing gently causing Grahams face to tinge purple as the air struggled to make its way to his lungs, 'My Luna has told you to leave' he said lightly, his fingers tightening 'You will not be taking anyone with you, Felicity is a member of this pack and is protected by everyone here, you are a Rogue who is being given a chance to leave before one of my men takes your life'. Carelessly dropping his hand, he stood and watched as Graham gasped for air, before turning to Merrick and Darius who still held him up and said 'Toss him out of the barrier, make sure you give him a good shove so he can make his way quickly down the mountain and out of this territory'

The two Red Moon warriors bowed before dragging the suddenly silent Graham away, Charity turned to the other tied up warriors who were all watching her warily, 'Would any of you like to join Graham on the other side of the barrier?' she asked softly. The other men shook their heads emphatically, each muttering 'No Empress we will serve our Alpha'.

Nodding happily, she turned back to the crowd, 'Carmen' she called, watching as the young girl ran over to her eagerly 'Please would you take Felicity to Doctor Nat and tell him that the Luna has asked that he check her over and treat any wounds she may have?' Carmen nodded immediately before making her way back to Felicity, giving her a friendly smile as she carefully put her arm around the now weeping woman, slowly leading her away from the square and toward the clinic.

Looking at the remaining members Charity cleared her throat again 'Firstly, I feel that we need to change the name of this territory' she said smiling 'You are not a clan, you are a pack, a Werewolf pack, so you shall be known as the Oak Ridge Pack from now on. Secondly, my husband and men will be making use of the Alpha's Pack house until an Alpha has been sworn in, would anyone be amenable to helping prepare the property for occupancy?' she asked hopefully.

A dozen hands raised into the air before nine women and three men stepped forward offering their assistance. 'Thank you, we appreciate it' smiled Charity happily 'Everyone else, return to your homes, discuss what has happened today, as tomorrow we will open the doors to the pack house and welcome you all in to tell us what you want to do, be it bakers, seamstresses, gardeners or warriors, you have the choice to be what you want so take tonight to think about what that something is.' she said before motioning to the twelve helpers to lead the way to the pack house.