Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 45

The next morning, the four members scrambled into their cars and made their way to the local diner, grabbing some waffles and a cup of coffee each before setting out on the road again, following the compass as it led them ever on wards toward the distant park and its surrounding forests. As the rugged landscape swept past the window, the knot that had formed in Charity's stomach became tighter and tighter, fear gripping her as the worry that their quest was futile and no answer would lie at the end of their path. As if sensing his mate's worries, Aaron placed his hand on hers, giving it a quick reassuring squeeze, 'We'll replace a way' he murmured, his eyes never leaving the road. Charity gave a small nod, checking the compass again that had started to inch slowly toward the left as if zeroing in on a target.

Using the infrequent turnings that were offered, the two vehicles continued on wards following the swinging needle as best they could. After miles of road, and what felt like a thousand direction changes, the group found themselves on a dirt track, heavily camouflaged by thick trees, pulling over to the side of the road, Darius stepped out of the lead vehicle warily, making his way back to Aaron's jeep.

Rolling down the window, Aaron looked at Darius expectantly, noting his nervous demeanor as his eyes darted from left to right, taking in the dark spots between the dense forest.

'I have a bad feeling Alpha' Darius admitted, his eyes never leaving the surrounding blackness.

Aaron nodded, 'I had the same feeling, I don't think our presence here has gone unnoticed'

'What shall we do? backtrack and replace somewhere to stay or move on toward where ever we are heading?' asked Darius

Drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, Aaron furrowed his brown, torn between keeping his mate safe and getting closer to a possible answer. 'How far back was a town?' he asked

'About thirty miles Alpha' Darius replied, 'there was a sign on the right'

Aaron sighed 'we back track' he decided, his eyes viewing the small bit of darkening sky 'we haven't eaten since this morning and i'd rather we were well rested and fed before we take on whatever is at the end of this road'

Darius nodded before turning back to his 4×4 and slipping behind the wheel, gunning the engine as he swung round to head back the way they had just come from, Aaron repeating his action.

Silently following the road back toward the sign Darius had seen earlier, they were soon rejoining the unkempt single lane road and turning off toward a small town, pulling off next to a small house that had 'guest house' written in chipped paint on a sign hammered into the grass in the front garden.

Merrick jumped out of the vehicle, hurrying inside, coming out moments later to beckon the others inside. Parking up in front of the house, the trio followed Merrick inside who handed Aaron one of the keys that he held in his hand. A young girl who was sat behind a small table smiled at the visitors in welcome.

'Good evening y'all' she greeted, her fresh face friendly as she gave them a wave. 'Dinner finished like half hour ago, but i'll bring you up some sandwiches and stuff if y'all would like that?'

Charity nodded back smiling, 'that would be fabulous.. umm..' she faltered. 'Destiny' the girl prompted happily.

'Destiny, that is a lovely name' Charity said returning the girls friendly smile with her own.

Destiny waved her hand dismissively, 'My Ma lost babies before me, when I stuck she said I was destined to be here' she laughed, 'The name kinda stuck, anyway, Breakfast is at 7am till 8am' she continued 'We do a full fry up, plus your usual toast, Jam and cereal' 'That sounds perfect, thank you Destiny' replied Charity before giving the young girl a quick wave and following the men upstairs to their rooms.

Darius and Merrick had a room on the left of the corridor, Aaron and Charity directly opposite on the right, opening the door she was pleasantly surprised to replace a clean, simple room with a double bed freshly made with light floral linen, small chest of drawers, tea and coffee making facilities and a small tv. The door leading off to the side revealed a small bathroom with a shower that was calling her name.

As Aaron closed the door behind them, Charity turned on the shower, coming out again to replace clean clothes before shutting herself in the bathroom, groaning as the hot water hit her knotted skin, releasing the tension from being in the car all day. Grabbing one of the small bottles that had been left on the shelf and tipping it into her hand, she massaged her scalp happily, feeling the grime of the last two days being removed.

Once finished, her hair clean and towel dried, she exited the bathroom in her pyjamas smiling at her husband as he rose from the bed to have his own shower, kissing her lightly as he passed her. Laying on the bed, she smiled to herself as she heard Aaron's baritone voice singing softly to himself as he washed, concentrating on the words, she was sure it was an Elvis Presley song which made her laugh quietly, despite being in his twenties, Aaron had a vast taste in musical styles.

Stepping out with a towel wrapped around his muscular waist, Aaron's eyes widened as he saw his wife chuckling, 'what is so funny?' he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

'Nothing my love' she replied smiling as she pulled the covers down underneath her, slipping her legs between the crisp clean sheets and covering herself back up.

Drying himself off, Aaron dragged out some pyjama bottoms, putting them on just as there was a light knock at the door, striding over he pulled the door open to reveal Destiny a plastic tray in her hands holding a selection of sandwiches, some small cakes and two glasses of juice. Handing it over to the Alpha, she smiled politely before bidding them goodnight.

Pushing the door too, Aaron returned to the bed, placing it between them as they devoured the contents, unaware of how hungry they were before the food hit their lips.

Placing the empty tray on the floor, Aaron brushed the stray crumbs from the duvet cover before climbing in next to his wife, pulling her to him as he lay his head on the pillow, his eyes already closing as the fatigue of a day's driving caught up with him. Pulling his hand to her lips, Charity kissed his skin softly before drifting off into her own dream, feeling safe within the strong hold of her husbands arms.

As the morning broke, Charity awoke to her husbands side vacant, panicking momentarily she relaxed as the sound of the toilet flushing reached her. Opening the door, Aaron noticed his wife's slightly worried expression. 'You ok?' he asked concerned

Nodding Charity smiled, 'I just woke up and you were gone' she admitted, feeling a bit foolish.

Aaron laughed, 'Baby, there is no way on this earth that I would be going anywhere without you' he said gruffly, sitting on the bed and pulling her into his arms, kissing her longingly.

Charity snuggled into his protective embrace, unsure why she had suddenly felt nervous at his absence, breathing in his scent to help calm her still racing heart. Finally pulling away, she smiled up at her mate, 'we better get ready or we'll miss breakfast, and you know how much you love your breakfast' she teased.

Aaron growled, 'I am an Alpha baby, I need to keep my energy up to protect my love from dangers' he said puffing out his chest as Charity laughed at him.

Grinning, he pulled on some clean clothes, his eyes watching his wife as she did the same causing her to blush and scold him playfully. Taking her hand, Aaron led his wife from the bedroom, and down to the small dining room where Darius and Merrick were already sat, each with a large cup of coffee in front of them. Taking their seats, they waited a few moments until Destiny skipped up, each ordering a fried breakfast and coffee for the Alpha and Luna. Running off, she returned momentarily with their drinks before heading back to the kitchen to collect their breakfasts from the chef.

Ten minutes later, the four were happily demolishing the large plates of food in front of them, Charity smiled to herself as she saw that the boys breakfasts were decidedly bigger than hers, it seems Destiny was well versed in feeding hungry warriors. Stepping over to see if they needed anything else, Destiny spotted her comparing the breakfasts, grinning she whispered, 'I'm the only daughter in a family of seven kids, my brothers work on the local farms, i've seen how much they can put away, your boys looked like they could do similar' she said with a wink as Charity giggled.

Not long after, four clean plates decorated the small table, thanking Destiny, they returned to their rooms, doing their ablutions before packing up and leaving the guest house, returning to their vehicles and setting off back toward the dirt track, determined to reach the end and replace whatever the compass was leading them too.

Driving through the entwined trees, the three men were on high alert, the feeling of being watched increasing as they carefully made their way toward their destination. An hour after setting off, Darius rolled to stop in front of a large wrought iron gate, a small speaker box to the side. Leaning out of his window, Darius has a short conversation with whoever was on the other end before the gates slowly swung open and they crept their way up a long winding gravel driveway, the trees gradually giving way to reveal a large victorian mansion that was surrounded by armed guards.

Rolling to a stop, Darius, Merrick and Aaron exited the car, after Aaron insisted Charity stay inside, making their way up to the front door it opened slowly to reveal a large warrior, obviously another werewolf by the scent, he strode forward, his hand outstretched to Aaron, recognizing him as an Alpha. A low conversation continued between them that Charity couldn't hear, the strangers eyes darting to her occasionally as he spoke. Aaron then turned and beckoned to his wife to join them. Slipping out of the passenger seat, Charity walked tentatively over to the group, stopping next to her husband who placed a protective arm around her, 'Charity this is Alpha Jonas' Aaron said, 'Alpha this is my wife and mate, Charity' he said to the other wolf. Jonas extended his hand to Charity, who took it reluctantly, raising her hand to his mouth he brushed her skin with his lips, 'A pleasure Luna' she growled, the slight hint of an accent evident as his eyes raked over her causing her three warriors to stiffen. Removing her hand from his, Charity smiled warily at him as he motioned for them to enter his home, looking toward her husband, Charity stepped forward, leading the way into the building, careful to keep a tight hold on her husbands hand as she crossed the threshold.