Sold To The Alpha
Hated Ties That Bind Chapter 49

Alessia groaned as she tried to roll over, finding her way halted by a heavy weight thrown across her waist. Opening her eyes, the she wolf rubbed them blearily until the room came into focus. Frowning, she squinted against the sunlight that was streaming through the broken window, her brain trying to compute where she was. Looking downward she found a strong, hairy arm hugging her, peering over her shoulder she found that the arm was attached to Rowan who was gently snoring behind her. In front of her was Landen who had his back to her, using his own father's legs as a pillow. Gently lifting Rowan's hand, she placed it back on his side as she sat up slowly, laughter threatening to bubble up as her gaze fell on Riley who was hugging Rowan's feet tightly too him, making kissy faces as he smiled in his sleep, muttering under his breath to who she could only assume was his mate.

'Ahem' she said loudly, crossing her arms over her chest as four pairs of sleepy eyes opened and tried to focus on her.

Trying to sit up, Rowan kicked Riley in the face, the Luna grunting in pain as he scowled at the warrior who raised an eyebrow, 'dude, why are you hugging my feet?' he demanded, pulling them from the other man's arms.

'I wasn't! you shoved them in my face while I was sleeping' the older warrior replied bluntly as he scrambled out of the bed hurriedly.

Daniel stretched his arms above his head as he yawned loudly, 'son' he mumbled sleepily, 'I know we are close, but this is taking our father, son bond a bit far don't you think?' he asked as he waved to the younger Beta's body laying across his legs. Rubbing his eyes, Landen pushed himself off of his father, leaning back against the headboard as he grinned easily, 'don't even daddy-o, you know you love having me near' he rumbled in amusement.

Chuckling, Daniel stood up walking over to the door and opening it, peeking out before heaving a sigh of relief, 'storm is over' he called back to the others, shutting the door again and heading back to the bed where his companions were already pulling out their food to create a makeshift breakfast.

Alessia shifted around on the bed uncomfortably, pulling a face, 'what's up?' Rowan whispered in concern, 'is your ankle still bothering you?'

The she wolf shook her head, moving her ankle back and forth to show it had healed as they slept.

'SO what then?' the warrior asked, confused.

'I uh.. need to go' Alessia mumbled back as her cheeks flushed.

'We'll set off as soon as we have eaten short stuff, what's the hurry?' the ex-Rogue replied, his brow furrowing further.

'No, I mean I need to go' Alessia hissed, her blush deepening as the others turned to look at her, 'to the bathroom' she added covering her face.

'Oooooooh' the warrior said in realisation, 'well... there's a whole area out there for you to use' he offered as he waved his hand toward the door. Alessia gaped at the older werewolf in shock, 'I can't go out there' she hissed.

'Why not, you must have done before' Rowan replied perplexed.

'Yeah but then we were in a camp, you guys had scouted the area and it wasn't ankle deep in mud!' Alessia growled, 'I'm not like you lot, I can't stand up and do it!'

Landen started to laugh as Daniel desperately fought to keep a straight face.

Alessia huffed, 'it's OK for you four, you can lean on a tree or something, it's not so easy for a girl, and my ankle is still sore so my balance is stuffed.

Ignoring the two Beta's who were now wiping their eyes as tears of laughter ran down their faces, Riley walked over to the she wolf and helped her up off of the bed, 'change into your wolf and go' he suggested with a small smile. 'I'll come out too and check the area for danger while you go into the trees around us!

Smiling up at him gratefully, Alessia headed to the door, the men turning their backs as she stripped and shifted, her small black wolf yipping to let them know that she was shifted.

Walking over to the door, Riley opened it, stepping out and looking around as Alessia bolted out behind him and rushed into some nearby bushes, doing her business. Heading back, she rubbed her head against Riley's thigh in thanks before heading back into the cabin with the Luna on her heels.

Shutting the door, Riley joined the other warriors, backs to the young woman as she shifted back to her human form and dressed quickly.

Sitting back down on the bed, she took the sandwich that Rowan held out to her and proceeded to eat it.

Once they were all fed and watered, the group headed out into the open air, squinting against the morning sun as they picked their way through the mud back to the path. 'This is so gross' Landen groaned as he tried to wipe the thick mud from his boots in the long grass.

'This is mother nature at her finest son' Daniel called back to the Beta with a chuckle.

'Yeah? Well she needs to do some damn spring cleaning around here' his son grumbled back, scrunching his nose up in disgust.

Continuing their journey, Rowan remained by Alessia, keeping an eye on her as she walked along beside him, only wincing when her almost healed ankle gave the odd twinge.

Ahead they could see the smoke from a large collection of chimneys curling into the air, pointing ahead, Riley called back, 'I think this might be where we need to be', the group hurrying their steps at the thought of a real meal and possibly directions to where their future Alpha was being held captive.

Entering the town, behind other visitors, the warriors were soon lost among the sea of people that bustled around the busy streets, no-one giving the small group a second glance.

Stepping out in front of a wizened old man who was shuffling down the road, bent over with age and leaning heavily on his walking stick. Riley held out his hand to stop him, 'sir, could you help us?' he asked cordially.

'Eh?' the man replied, glaring up at the warrior, 'what? Speak up man, I won't have you young'uns holding me up just to mumble, learn respect boy! I fought in the war you know! Great wizards war of 1896, against Ogres that tried to encroach on human land. That was probably before even your father saw any kind of action, let alone you, ya hoodlum! Bet he was still knocking one out to the pin up girls in his grandpa's dirty magazines back in them days!

The Luna blanched as his friends sniggered behind him, 'uh.. sorry?' he shouted back nervously.

'Sorry? What ya sorry for?' the old man growled, 'sorry ya disturbed me? Sorry ya harassed an old veteran who was just out doing his shopping? Disrespectful little shite ya are, ain't ya.

'Please, we just want to ask for directions' Riley shouted desperately as he held his hands up toward the man, trying to calm him down.

'Directions?' the elderly man snorted, 'what do I look like? The damn white pages? Don't ya all have one of those newfangled thingamabob's that go on that there tittynet and tell you where s**t is?'

Stepping forward, Alessia eased herself between the two men, smiling warmly at the old gentleman who's milky eyes flickered to hers as he straightened up slightly.

'Well now, ain't you a pretty young thing, what you doing with a waste of air like that muscle clad baboon behind ya?' the man asked fondly.

Widening her smile, Alessia tipped her head slightly to the side, brushing back her hair from her face as she met the old man's gaze with her own wide innocent eyes. 'I'm so sorry that we bothered you sir' she said huskily, 'my friends are trying to help me, my boyfriend has gone missing and I'm so worried about him, I think he's run off with another woman' he added, her lip trembling slightly.

The old man's gaze softened as he reached out and patted her hand affectionately, 'now now, sweetheart, don't you go wrecking that pretty face with tears. If your fella is stepping out on you, well he don't deserve your sadness does he' he grumbled. 'Though why you'd think any guy would look elsewhere when he has you I don't know' he added with a toothless grin.

Sniffing, Alessia gave him a watery smile, nodding slightly as she hiccoughed, 'I hope you are right, but either way, I really need to find him, I'm so worried' she whispered.

'Don't you worry little missy, you tell old Bobby who you is looking for and he'll see if he can direct you the way you need to go' the gentleman replied.

Smiling brightly, the she wolf clasped her hands together, bouncing on her heels as she gave a small squeal of delight, 'really? You'll help me Bobby?' she asked hopefully.

'Of course I will sweetheart, Bobby will send you on the right path, you just ask' he replied firmly.

Nodding, Alessia took a deep breath, her face excited, 'we are looking for a young woman, her name is Ariana? Do you know who she is?'

Bobby frowned, 'Ariana?.. Ariana..' he mumbled, rolling the word off his tongue as he contemplated, 'she live around here?' he asked skeptically.

Alessia nodded immediately, 'we were told that this was where we could find her, that she owns a house somewhere near here?'

'It may be a house away from the village, isolated from other dwellings' Riley interjected.

Bobby scowled at the Luna, 'did I ask for more info boy?' he grumbled, 'manners cost nothing ya know, so don't be interfering in ma conversation with the young filly here, I'll smack ya with my cane if ya keep it up, that'll put some better behaviour in ya wouldn't it.' Turning back to Alessia, Bobby softened again, a small smile playing around his lips, 'I don't know any Ariana sweetheart' he started, as the groups faces fell in disappointment, but I do know of an old house outside town. The owners died along with their kid thirty odd years ago, someone broke in and slaughtered them all. Didn't leave a trace, no sign of how they got in, but in they did get, and then they just ripped them apart like meat. It was awful, no-one goes up there and it's been abandoned since the council came and cleaned up the mess.

Alessia looked over her shoulder at the men who were staring at the old man, mouths open.

'Ya'll catch flies standing there gawping at me, shut ya pie holes' Bobby grouched, each of the warriors snapping their jaws shut instantly.

'Bobby, could you tell us how to reach that house?' Alessia asked softly.

Frowning, Bobby shook his head, 'why would you want to go up there sweetheart, that's no place for a nice girl like you, certainly not with these young whipper snappers' he added with a scowl, 'they all look like they'd take advantage of a sweet young thing like you, don't be trusting them when they way they value your virtue, they're liars! Filthy stinkin liars!

Smothering her smirk, Alessia nodded solemnly, 'I'll keep my eye on them I promise' she replied, leaning forward so she could whisper, 'I carry a knife, if they try and sneak up on me they are gonna get a surprise!

Bobby grinned as he nodded in agreement, 'good girl, you keep yourself for someone who deserves you, not these vagrants with their big muscles and lustful looks. If I was fifty years younger I'd make sure to teach them how to treat a lady' he said as he glowered at Riley suspiciously.

'Please Bobby, could you direct me to the house, I'd just like to check that my boyfriend isn't there, if he's hiding for some reason that might just be what he would look for' the she wolf begged.

Sighing, Bobby rubbed his free hand across his forehead as he thought, 'go through the town, right to the other end, and out into the forest. Once you get there, be careful, its easy to lose your way in there, all those damn trees look the same. It'll take you about half a day to hike through but if you keep going due south you should hit the house in the very centre' he mumbled.

Smiling brightly, Alessia grabbed the old man's hand, holding it in her own for a few seconds as she said, 'thank you Bobby, I really appreciate your help!

Blinking under the she wolf's radiant smile, the old man smiled back as he lifted his stick from the ground and awkwardly patted her hand comfortingly, 'my pleasure sweetheart' he rumbled, 'no you take care, and remember, if any of these assholes try anything, a quick swift knee to the crown jewels will give you time to run.

Laughing, Alessia nodded 'I will Bobby, thank you for you help' before releasing his hand and leading the way into the town, the four warriors walking silently behind her.