Sold To The Alpha
Chapter 40

Aaron barely left Charity's side after the announcement of her pregnancy, bringing her breakfast in bed so she could avoid the smells from the kitchen, holding her hair from her face as she revisited it afterwards, roaring at anyone who dared make a sound outside their room if she was resting. Finally in desperation, she reminded him that he needed to collate a team of trusted members to help research her family's curse.

Aaron looked unsure about leaving her alone 'what if you need me? what if you are sick?' he asked worriedly.

'I'll be fine' Charity replied sternly 'if I need you I have this very nice phone you gave me' she said as she waved it at him 'and if I'm sick, I am perfectly capable of holding my own hair back, if you are that worried about sick covered hair I can put it up in a ponytail, now go!' she ordered. Seeing he was about to start arguing again she crossed her arms sternly 'don't you want us to get some rest?' she asked innocently.

At the mention of the baby Aaron immediately crumbled, 'of course, yes, I'll go and see dad and start sorting out the team, you stay here and have a sleep and I'll wake you up later with some dinner, we can eat together' he said, though his face had a slightly dejected look. Smiling, Charity pulled him toward her for a kiss before laying down on the bed and reaching for the blanket they kept hanging over the bottom of the bed. Beating her to it, Aaron grabbed the blanket and threw it over her, carefully kissing her stomach before pulling it up over her chest and tucking it all around her so she felt like a sardine.

Checking his watch, Aaron looked at Charity 'it's 5 pm' he said anxiously, 'i'll be back by 7 pm with some dinner for us, ok? if you need me, just ring me, no matter what it is' he added, shuffling from foot to foot nervously before tucking her in again, Wriggling to release her arms from the skin tight blanket round her, she reached her arms up and encircled Aaron's neck, brushing her lips against his, 'We will be fine' she whispered 'we are on the top floor of a pack house filled with warriors, should I get so much as the hiccups I will ring you' she promised with a smirk.

Looking slightly chagrined but also mollified, Aaron stepped away from the bed and walked toward the door, turning the door handle he looked back at his mate 'I love you both so much, you know that right?' he asked, searching her eyes with his own. Smiling broadly, Charity replied 'we know, you tell us every single day, but we love you too' then she settled herself back onto the pillows and shut her eyes as Aaron quietly shut the bedroom door behind him.

Snuggling down under the warm blanket, she wished that Aaron was beside her holding her, he had been driving her insane, refusing to leave her side but now he was gone she felt incomplete without him.

Waking suddenly to a darkened room, Charity realised that she had been asleep for a while, the quiet click of the bedroom door drew her attention, about to call out for Aaron, the absence of his scent caused her to pause, whomever had just entered the room was not her mate.

Silently, she pulled her arms from under the covers, placing one over her eyes and used the other to gently feel around beside her for the switch to the lamp that adorned her bedside table. As her fingers found the ridge of the light switch she waited a few seconds for the intruders eyes to acclimatize to the darkness before snapping her eyes tight shut and flicking the switch.

The immediate grunt of pain that came from the unknown visitor told Charity that her plan had worked, spreading her fingers slightly to still block most of the light from her own eyes, she surveyed the scene in front of her. A tall hooded figure stood to the side of the bed, their gloved left hand shielding their eyes whilst their right hand held a long sharp kitchen knife.

Panic ripped through Charity's body as she processed the cold steel weapon, giving the intruder no time to react, she threw the blanket from her body and launched herself at their torso, knocking them off balance. Scrambling to her feet, Charity clambered over the trespasser, reaching for the door. As her fingers closed on the handle she felt fingers grip her ankle before her foot was yanked from underneath her and she crashed to the ground.

Rolling over to her back, Charity started to kick out with her legs trying to ward off her attacker as they climbed up her body, trying to pin her arms down with their knees, catching Charity's waist under their thighs, the intruder raised the knife and forced it down into Charity's skin. Charity screamed out in pain as the six-inch blade of the knife sliced through her chest deep enough to hit one of her ribs, watching in slow motion, she saw the knife leave her body, her blood dripping from its edge before being plunged in again and again. Wriggling with all her strength, she used her arms to shield herself from the onslaught, then Charity used a move Justin had taught her, grabbing the assailant's left arm with her right hand she pulled, forcing them off balance and sending them both rolling across the floor. They landed with Charity underneath, she quickly raised her knees and used her legs to push her attacker away, sending the knife flying from their hand as they landed against the bed.

Trying to ignore the pain and fatigue that was washing over her, Charity scrambled to her feet, launching herself again at the unknown trespasser in her room. At the last second, her assailant brought round her foot catching Charity in the side of her ribs, sending her sprawling across the floor. Spotting the knife nearby, Charity desperately scrambled for the blade, as her hand closed on the handle the weight of her attacker landed on her back and fists were raining down as a barrage of punches connected with her body and head.

Darkness and oblivion beckoned Charity like a warm hug wanting to envelop her senses, as the blackness closed in around her eyes, she heard faintly in her head 'help me mama', using the last of her strength, Charity forced her eyes open and concentrated on her wolf. She howled loudly as her bones broke and reshaped, her face elongated and pure white fur sprouted from her body.

Throwing the attacker from her back, Charity spun around growling as they immediately shifted into a light brown wolf with red flecks in their fur. Launching herself at them, Charity's teeth closed upon their leg, snapping the bone like a twig, the assailant howled in pain before slashing their claws at her chest, cutting 4 ribbons through her torso and causing her to let go as she screamed in pain. Using Charity's distraction to their advantage, the invading wolf lunged toward her throat, trying to sink their teeth into her soft flesh.

Dodging backwards, Charity spun to the side, digging her claws into their side as she fell to the floor, keeping her hold, Charity continued to roll, only releasing when the other wolf was flying over her body, slamming into the chest of drawers by the bathroom door, reducing it to splinters.

The intruder stumbled to their feet, shaking their head before launching themselves again in Charity's direction. Charity pounced forward at the same time and they crashed mid-air, landing in a heap on the floor, snarling and biting at each other, each trying to obtain the upper hand. Blood flowed across the floor as both wolves sustained injuries, the trespasser rolled onto their back trying and bring their feet up to push Charity away, inadvertently exposing their neck, Charity seized her opportunity. Sinking her teeth into the soft flesh under her attacker's jaw, Charity applied pressure. With a loud crack, the other wolf's neck snapped, surprise filled their eyes before the light faded and they dropped dead upon the ground. The wolf disappeared to be replaced by a petite female body whose face was covered by long thick red hair.

Crawling away from the dead body, Charity shifted back into her human form and desperately called out 'Aaron' through their mind link before the blood that was flowing from her wounds drew the colour from her face, her breathing shallowed and she fell unconscious at the foot of the bed.