Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 27

Rowan walked glumly behind the others, his shoulders sagging, Alessia fell back to walk beside him, the warrior giving her a small smile as he continued to stare at his feet. 'You really get on well with their son' the she wolf said tentatively.

Rowan nodded, 'it gets harder and harder each time I leave him, when he was a baby, he would be all smiles, wouldn't realise I was going home. Then when he was a toddler, we had a bit of a pouty lip but you could soon get him smiling again. Now, when he full on cries, it's like having my heart ripped out' he admitted miserably. 'You have a son, don't you? How do you cope with him when you leave?' the she wolf asked.

The warrior shrugged, 'he's only two' he replied, 'so we are still at the pouty stage, plus he knows that I will always be back within a few weeks. Tino doesn't see me for months at a time and when he does, its just for a few days, especially now that Vaughn and Olivia don't bring him to Silver Cross.

Alessia peeked up at Rowan interested, 'Vaughn mentioned something about his son having to be kept at home, what was that about?' she asked.

The warrior's face suddenly brightened as he chuckled in his deep mesmerising voice, 'Vaughn was, shall we say.. a bit of a handful as a child? Valentino definitely follows in his footsteps. Jason and Vallance had to stop taking Vaughn places because he kept setting things on fire!

Alessia choked as she started to laugh, 'say what?' she spluttered in amusement.

Rowan nodded fondly, 'yep, he really really likes fire' he said cryptically, 'which is a good thing because Olivia can get a bit heated at times' he added as he shoulders shook in amusement. The she wolf nodded slowly, 'she said she has a bit of a temper..' she muttered.

'You can say that again, I am very careful how far I push her, I do not want to be on the receiving end of her temper again' the ex-Rogue grinned.

'Soooo Valentino likes to set fire to things too?' Alessia asked curiously.

Rowan gave a wry smile, 'umm kind of' he agreed, 'but just in a completely different way to his parents!

'what? Vaughn likes to burn down packs, Valentino likes to burn down castles?' Alessia laughed.

Rowan chuckled, 'more like Rowan liked how the flames moved and would start them with matches, Valentino likes to control fire and can set things on fire with his mind' he shrugged. The she wolf came to an abrupt halt as she turned to the werewolf incredulously, 'say that again Rowan, Tino can do what now?'

Rowan sighed, 'Valentino developed powers from his mother and father, Olivia can create fire with her hands, Vaughn protects Olivia, it's hard to explain, but his presence keeps her calm and helps her control her powers. Valentino can not only create fire with his hands, but can also look at something and will it to burst into flames. He can manipulate the flames to behave as he wants them too, shape their form or control where they go. As you can imagine, when he loses control, as young children do at times, the results can be devastating. Vaughn and Liv try to keep him away from other people's homes, at least at the castle, it's stone, he might damage furniture but he can't burn the structure.. well not yet anyway, we don't know how strong he will become! Rowan closed his eyes as he sighed deeply, 'I don't know why I'm telling you this Lessi, we try not to broadcast Vaughn, Olivia or Valentino's powers in case people try to use them!

Alessia placed a hand on Rowan's arm, drawing his attention, 'Olivia is my friend, I would never put them in danger, I will tell no-one what you just said' she whispered softly.

Rowan met her eyes and nodded, 'I believe you' he said sincerely, 'there's something about you Lessi, I can't figure out what, but I trust you, and I don't trust easily!

Alessia smiled brightly, 'that feels like a compliment' she teased as she bumped his shoulder with her own.

'It is' Rowan laughed, 'I literally trust half a dozen people and most of them are in this group with us!

From in front of them, Nathaniel was taking repeated peeks over his shoulder, watching the ex-Rogue and the she wolf talking and laughing, his fists clenching by his sides. 'You OK man?' Landen asked from beside him.

Snapping back to the Beta, Nathaniel forced a smile, 'yep, just getting agitated about what's to come!

Landen nodded as he reached over and patted the warrior's shoulder, 'we are going to find her Nate, I told you that I felt different about this trip, our Luna is coming home with us!

Nodding, the Alpha concentrated on the path ahead, trying to force himself not to try and eavesdrop on Rowan and Alessia's conversation. He knew that Rowan would never look at any she wolf but his sister, but did Alessia know that? Patting Landen on the shoulder, Nathaniel dropped back to the duo who looked up at him, Alessia's eyes swimming with tears as she tried to calm her bubbles of laughter.

'Hey Alpha' she teased, 'what brings you to the rejects section?'

Rowan laughed louder as he retorted, 'speak for yourself she wolf, I'm special forces, there isn't anything reject about me!

Alessia scoffed as she shoved the warriors arm playfully, 'please, ex-Rogue? You are the embodiment of reject.

'Hey Rowan? You mind if I talk to Alessia for a bit?' Nathaniel asked hesitantly.

Rowan shrugged, 'sure mate' he replied as he gave the she wolf a nudge on the shoulder before speeding up to catch up with Landen.

'You and Rowan are getting on well' Nathaniel muttered nonchalantly.

Alessia nodded as she smiled, 'yeah, he's a lot of fun' she replied eagerly.

'Yeah.. yeah he is' the Alpha replied, 'but... he's not.. you know.. available' he added.

The she wolf looked over at the warrior in confusion, 'in what sense? Not available to talk too? Not available to have a laugh with? Not available to be friends with?' she asked, her tone hardening. 'No.. uhh.. I mean.. well he's mated' Nathaniel ended reluctantly.

Alessia stopped walking, her face incredulous as she glared at the Alpha angrily, 'what is that supposed to mean?' she demanded.

'Nothing!' the warrior stuttered as he stopped beside her, 'it's just.. you know, you've both been quite close..

'And?' the green Vine member asked, her temper rising rapidly, 'was there suddenly a law passed in the werewolf world that says a woman can not be friends with a mated male? We always have to want to mount them?' Poking Nathaniel in the chest, Alessia advanced on him as he started to back up, 'let me tell you something Alpha' she growled, emphasising his title, 'I am not looking for a mate, let alone wanting to break up a happy couple with one and a half children! If this is the impression that you have developed about me then you are obviously a terrible reader of people. Oh and just so you know, reading people is pretty damn important in an Alpha role!

The warrior held his hands up in front of him, trying to hold off the fuming woman in front of him as she glowered up at him, 'I didn't mean it like that, I don't think' he started weakly.

'That's right, you don't think' Alessia snarled challengingly, 'did it ever occur to you that maybe I miss my brother? My only living relative and that maybe, just maybe, Rowan fills that void in my soul just a little bit? His dry sense of humour and carefully guarded soft side is just like Alex and being around him feels like my brother is a step closer than he is.

Eyes filling with tears, Alessia threw Nathaniel's hand from her arm as he tried to reach out to comfort her, 'just leave me alone' she muttered brokenly, 'and don't worry, I'll make sure not to walk or talk with Rowan again, I'd hate for anyone to think I was trying to make a move on a mated werewolf' she spat before storming off, passing Landen and Rowan who had stopped to look back at the pair.

Staring after the she wolf, Nathaniel took a deep breath as he started to walk again, catching up with Rowan and Landen who both raised and eyebrow at him.

'What was that about man?' Rowan asked, 'she's never been anything but appropriate with me, why would you say that to her?'

The Alpha shrugged his shoulders stubbornly, 'I'm just looking out for my sister' he replied stiffly, 'Gabby doesn't need this type of drama when she's pregnant!

The ex-Rogue went to retort before he closed his mouth, scrutinising his brother in law for a moment. Finally speaking, his voice came out low and controlled, 'Nathaniel, you know that I would never even look at another she wolf. You also know that Gabby knows that and would have no problem with me talking to or walking with Alessia, what is going on with you?' he asked in concern.

Nathaniel shook his head, 'nothing, there is nothing wrong with me, maybe I'm just tired but I swear I thought I saw interest in the way she looked at you' he grumbled.

Staring at the Alpha for a second, the warrior finally shrugged and sped up, so that he was walking between Alessia and the future Alpha and Beta, the she wolf not looking back as she stomped her way behind Riley and Daniel who had decided not to interfere in the younger generations argument.

A few hours later, Riley finally called them to a halt, the group setting up for the night. Ignoring the others, Alessia sorted out a circle of stones for a campfire before settling herself on one edge, her back to the men.

'Alessia?' Nathaniel called out as he walked toward her.

Holding her hand out, the she wolf kept her face turned away, 'just leave me alone Alpha' she replied, her voice monotonous.

'I said to call me Nate' he teased, cracking a weak smile.

Turning to face him, Alessia's face was blank, 'that's a name that is used by your friends Alpha' she replied before turning back to the woods, tuning him out.