Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 41

Pushing her nail into the metal, Mary let out a small gasp as the end of her nail entered a slit within the casing, completely invisible to the eye. Pulling gently, the four adults lent forward as Mary swung the emerald forward to reveal a small compass, the only problem being that the needle did not point north, it was spinning slowly round and round within Mary's grasp.

Alistair took the necklace from his wife's grasp, his brow furrowed as he watched the needle spin, 'Well i've never seen a compass not point north' he said finally, passing it on to Aaron as Charity stood behind him, both of them even more confused by the mysterious hidden locket. 'Maybe only Charity can make it stop?' ventured Mary as Aaron silently held it out to her, taking it slowly in her hand, Charity held her breath, all eyes waiting for the needle to stop moving, when it continued to spin disappointment filled the room. 'Well there has to be some reason for the compass and some way to stop it spinning' said Alistair gruffly as he rose from the chair reaching his hand out too his wife to help her stand, before they hugged their children and grandchild and left for their home in the grounds.

Turning to Aaron who was bouncing the giggling three year old on his knee, Charity closed the compass again, putting it back in its box with a deep sigh.

'We'll figure it out babe' Aaron said softly as Isabella yawned loudly, rubbing her eyes making the couple smile, 'but first, there is a young lady who needs her bed' he declared as he stood up with his daughter in his arms, striding to the door to take her to her room, Charity following behind.

Over the next few weeks, all the leaders had tried in vain to work out the mysterious compass, Merrick, who had been sworn in as the new Beta a few days before, sat in Aaron's office across from the Alpha and Luna, glowering at the gold trinket that held the life of his new Luna to ransom as the last rays of the days sunlight shone through the window.

'Whoever this damned Sorceress is, she likes to make things difficult' he growled angrily, his frown immediately melting away as there was a knock on the door before it was pushed softly open and revealed Avery holding a tea tray. Jumping from his seat, he removed the tray from her hands, planting a kiss on her cheek as she blushed and self consciously brushed her hair over her shoulder revealing the healed mark on her neck.

Smiling Charity replied 'There has to be a reason for this necklace, Oakridge guarded it for centuries, we just need to figure out the key, but as we are definitely not getting any further with it tonight, why don't you go spend some time with Avery? She looks like she could use some company'

Merrick gave Avery a goofy grin, it was evident he was head over heels in love with her and she felt the same way, grabbing her hand tightly in his, Merrick bowed to Aaron and Charity before leading his mate out of the room and shutting the door behind him. 'Maybe we should turn in too?' asked Aaron, running his fingers up his wife's leg as she perched on his desk, 'maybe watch a movie, try and take our minds off this for a while?'

Charity agreed wearily, she tried to hide it but the lack of answers was taking its toll on her, Isabella's fourth birthday was mere days away and they were no closer to replaceing a cure to the curse that threatened to steal her from her family.

As they sat together on their bed, listening to the gentle snores that were floating through the open door from their daughters room, a movie playing unnoticed through the tv, Charity pulled the wooden box in front of her, opening the lid and lifting out the heavy necklace, watching as the pendent swung from her fingers before gripping the edge and prizing it open to reveal the spinning needle. She took to trying different ways to get the needle to stop, 'Pendant, where is the sorceress?' she asked, though the needle continued to spin.

Holding it in front of her she slowly moved her hand side to side to see if it affected the compass in any way, to no avail, after half an hour a sleepy voice called out 'Daddy? come get me', Aaron smiled, planting a kiss on his wife's cheek before hopping off the bed as Charity threw the piece of jewellery onto their bed sheets in temper, a low growl leaving her as she glared at the necklace that should be her answer but was just another enigma.

Returning back to the room, Aaron held his daughter tightly in his arms, laughing as she happily told him about her dream,... and Uncle Justin was a lollipop man, he had lots of lollipops but he wouldn't give me one' she pouted annoyed.

Placing her on the bed next to her mother, Aaron ruffled her hair fondly 'If your Uncle Justin had lollipops, you know he would always share them with you' he said with a grin before plonking himself down on the bed and pulling Charity into a hug whilst Isabella scrambled around on the covers talking to her cuddly rabbit that she had brought in with her.

'You ok babe?' he asked quietly, looking over her face and frowning at the worried crease that captivated her face.

Charity sighed 'Yes, I'm fine, I just feel like the answer to our problems is right here and I can't quite reach it' she mumbled crossly.

'Look Mummy! i'm a princess!' called Isabella

'That's nice sweetie' replied Charity absentmindedly, not looking up as she dwelled on the compass problem,

'Mummy, you are not looking! look at my princess necklace! its magic!' Isabella demanded, dragging her mothers mind back to her daughter.

Sitting in front of them, Isabella was wearing the Emerald necklace around her neck smiling brightly. 'Look mummy, its magic!' she chirped as she held the big locket in her hand.

'That's right sweetie, it spins like a top' relied Charity wearily

'Yeah' Isabella grinned 'and when I put it on, it stops' she giggled.

Charity and Aaron stared at their daughter for a minute shocked before both lunged toward their daughter, looking at her hands where the needle was motionless, pointing toward the horizon out of their bedroom window.

'Bella Boo' said Charity carefully, 'Could mummy have a go wearing the necklace?' she asked

'Course mummy, you can be a princess too' Isabella replied, slipping the necklace over her head and handing it over.

Charity stared at the needle that had begun to spin again before she slowly pulled the chain over her head, dropping the pendant to her chest she watched as the needle slowed before stopping pointing in the same direction as it had on Isabella, as she lifted it to her eyes she gasped as the needle didn't falter. Taking it off, she handed it to Aaron 'You try it' she said in a strangled voice.

Silently Aaron lifted the chain over his head, they both stared at his chest at the needle that continued to spin round and round against his skin.

'It only works for you two' Aaron said awed

'Isabella is the next white wolf' Charity whispered, 'that's why it also works for her, Aaron!' she suddenly gasped 'We have a direction for the Sorceress'. Her emotions crashing in on her, Charity began to sob uncontrollably as Aaron threw his arms around her, pulling her close, muttering softly into her hair as he held her.

'As soon as Bella's birthday is done, we are following that compass' he growled firmly, his arms tightening around his mate as she cried in relief within his embrace.