Sold To The Alpha
Blood L**t Chapter 26

The Werewolves and Viktor prepared to leave the comforts of the castle straight away, not wanting to waste a moment of the borrowed time that Vallance had been given.

Taylor, who had rejoined the group as soon as Vallance had been brought back to the castle, was left to provide extra protection for Halle, Jason and Vallance whilst everyone else packed up their gear and made to leave. 'Watch over them Tay' Justin said quietly, 'I wouldn't put it past that witch to try something as soon as we are away from the grounds.

Taylor nodded sternly, 'I'll guard everyone here with my life Alpha' he replied.

Hugging Halle tightly, Justin whispered, 'take care sweetie, you are in charge here, make sure Jason ears and sleeps please, I know what it's like to lose your mate, don't let him shut himself away!

Halle nodded, a small lump in her throat, 'be careful daddy' she muttered back so only he would hear her.

Smiling at her calling him daddy, Justin knew she was feeling scared, 'I'll be fine pumpkin' he said grinning broadly, 'no-ones stopping this wolf from getting back to mum, I know her temper, she would hunt me down in the afterlife just to give me a piece of her mind.' he chuckled pretending to shiver at the thought which caused Halle to giggle.

Waving the group off, Halle stood inside the gates as they slowly swung closed behind the warriors, watching as they disappeared within the trees before turning around and heading back inside the castle, the door shutting behind her with a clang of finality. Marching through the trees, Viktor led the way, easily finding the path back to the werewolves vehicles. Clambering inside, Justin, Leo and Viktor took the lead, the other warriors following behind as they followed the map toward where Viktor said Agnes' house should be.

Having always flown, Viktor couldn't give exact directions via road, but knew whereabouts she was located and left the navigation to Leo who deftly maneuvered through the various roads toward their destination.

After a few hours of steady driving, Daniel sent a mind link that Vaya was feeling a bit unwell and asked if they could stop at the next town to get some bottled water and maybe some food, indicating off the highway, Leo drove steadily into a small sleepy town slowing to a halt in the town square as the other vehicles pulled up next to him.

Stepping out, Vaya gulped in some air, her face a slight shade of green as she bend forward, her hands on her knees, Daniel rubbing her back with a slight worried expression on his face.

'I'm fine!' Vaya mumbled as she straightened up, her face returning to its normal complexion, 'I think I was just getting too hot in the car and I haven't really eaten much these last couple of days'

Daniel nodded, keeping his eyes on his mate until she gave him the finger, causing him to chuckle and call out, 'she's fine!'

Deciding they may as well get some food as they were there, the group set off into the town, slowly checking the area for a cafe or tavern. As they walked further into the area, Daniel started to look around curiously, his eyes widening slightly before he let out a loud whoop as he sets off at speed through the streets, ignoring the angry yells from Vaya to come back as she runs after him, leaving a stream of threats and curse words in her wake.

The rest of the group hurried after the pair and rounded a corner to find Daniel hammering excitedly on a large front door, the door finally swung open to reveal a sweet woman who was heavily pregnant, she looked at Daniel, as she registers his face she screams loudly and pulls him into a tight hug.

'What are you doing here?' she squeaks as she crushes him to her bump, Vaya growled threateningly behind them causing the pair to look over at her furious expression.

Stepping back hurriedly, Daniel grabs Vaya by the arm and drags her over, 'This is my mate Vaya, Vaya this is Clarissa!' he rushed out excitedly.

Recognition of the name flickers over Vaya's face, 'you're Clarissa?' she asked suddenly beaming, 'the Clarissa? The actual Clarissa?'

Clarissa laughed, 'I have no idea what those boys have been telling you about me, but yes, I'm the Clarissa who almost got drained by a vampire before your mate here helped save me.' she replied affectionately.

'You're pregnant' Daniel said holding the woman's hands in his own and surveying her, 'who's the lucky guy?' he teased.

'That would be me lad' Sebastian's voice came from behind Clarissa as she stood aside to let him through, pulling the collector into a hug, Daniel was suddenly roughly pushed aside by Vaya who dragged the older man into her arms.

'I knew it! I told you Clarissa was your mate' she squealed happily.

'we don't have mates' Sebastian muttered blushing as Clarissa raised an eyebrow,

'Oh so I'm not your mate?' she huffed as the colour drained from the collectors face.

'You are my world angel, you know that!' he spluttered as Clarissa stared to giggle,

'Gotcha' she sang before ushering everyone inside and through to the dining room, making her way into the kitchen as Sebastian caught up with the Oak Ridge warriors about what had been happening.

Vaya followed Clarissa into the kitchen to help make some tea leaving the men to talk.

Once inside, Clarissa busied herself making a large pot of tea as Vaya buttered some bread, rummaging in the fridge, Clarissa pulled out some sandwich meats placing them on the counter and taking off the plastic wrap. As she uncovered some salami, Vaya suddenly turned green, bolting over to the sink where she tried to retch but as her stomach was empty nothing came up.

As she stood there gasping, she felt Clarissa's hand rubbing comforting circles on her back, 'you OK?' she asked gently.

Splashing some cold water on to her face, Vaya nodded, 'I'm so sorry, that smell just turned my stomach! I don't know why, I've been a bit off for a few days' she muttered embarrassed.

Leading her back to the counter, Clarissa sat her down on a stool as she quickly swiped the salami off the table and shoved it back into the fridge.

'A few days you say?' Clarissa asked raising an eyebrow and giving a knowing look.

'Umm yeah.. 'Vaya replied uncertainly, trying to think, 'maybe five or six?'

Clarissa smirked, 'This may be a bit personal Vaya seeing as we have just met, but... when were you last in heat?'

Vaya stared at the woman for a minute before her brain started to work, 'uhh, just under two months ago, why?' she asked.

'I think it might be time to tell Daniel that he's going to be a father' Clarissa replied smiling.

Vaya opened her mouth, then shut it again, her eyes wide as saucers as the pregnant woman's words sank in, 'n .. n .. nooo, that can't be right' Vaya muttered as she started to panic.

Hurrying over, Clarissa started to rub the young girl's shoulders, muttering calming words as Vaya freaked out.

'I can't be Clarissa, I'm not ready! I'm only twenty, I can't be a mum' Vaya gasped, her body trembling like crazy, 'are you sure?' she asked, begging the older woman with her eyes to tell her she was joking. Clarissa held Vaya tightly, 'hey, I'm a big old pregnant blimp, I know morning sickness when I see it, and that sure looked like morning sickness to me, but we can double check' she said softly.

Nodding numbly, Vaya got off the chair and followed Clarissa out of the kitchen, Clarissa waving happily to everyone as she steered Vaya through the dining room and into the hall, 'just showing Vaya to the little girls room' she said at Daniel's concerned look. Making their way into Clarissa's bedroom, the older woman pushed Vaya into her adjoining bathroom and started to rummage in the medicine cabinet above the sink before pulling out an unused pregnancy test. Handing it over, Clarissa smiled, 'when we were finding out about our little bean here, Sebastian got so over excited he bought one of every type of test they had in the store, so I have a few spare ones after convincing him that the six he made me take were enough.

A small giggle escaped Vaya's lips despite her panicked expression, as Clarissa made to leave, Vaya called out, 'uhh, would you mind staying with me?' she asked, her voice pleading

Nodding immediately, Clarissa sat on the edge of the bath averting her gaze as Vaya did her business, placing the cap back on the test stick and placing it on the sink as she washed her hands.

Sitting down next to Clarissa, Vaya grasped her hand in her own as they waited, 'thank you for staying with me' she whispered.

Clarissa smiled over at her, 'any time, I take it this was not planned?'

Rolling her eyes, Vaya shook her head, 'nope, damn you Daniel!' she growled.

'Are you ready for the answer?' Clarissa asked

Vaya shook her head vehemently, 'I don't know what I'll do, part of me is thinking I would love nothing more than to complete a family with my mate, the other much bigger part is screaming at me that I can barely look after myself, how the hell can I look after a tiny person who can't do anything' she fretted as she kept glancing at her wrist watch, watching the second hand tick slowly around the watch face.

As the two minutes ticked to an end, Vaya sat motionless staring at the stick still balanced on the sink across from them, 'do you want to go and see?' Clarissa asked quietly.

Vaya shook her head, 'I don't think I can do it' she whispered, her gaze glued to the blue and white test.

Standing up slowly, Clarissa stepped over to the sink and picked up the test, staring at the screen before making her way back and sitting down next to the young girl who was looking at her terrified.

Placing her arm around Vaya's shoulders, Clarissa pulled her into a soft hug, as she placed the test into her hand, whispering 'congratulations!'

Gazing down at the stick that was clasped in her shaking hand, Vaya gulped loudly as she took in the word on the test that was staring back at her, 'pregnant'.