Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 7

Lucian and six of his best warriors were running in formation through the dense woods, knapsacks containing their clothing were tied to their waists to keep them off the ground. They had been running flat out for over two hours and he could see that his comrades were starting to flag though none of them would ever admit it, each would run themselves into unconsciousness if their Beta wished to keep moving. 'Lads' Lucian called through their mind link 'Keep your eyes peeled for a suitable camping ground, its getting dark and I don't want us fatigued in this unknown territory in case rogues are nearby and decide to try their luck'

'Yes Beta' came the relieved replies and five minutes later Merrick, a deep brown wolf with eyes of ebony, howled to get their attention and veered right toward a small lake which was surrounded by entwined trees that would provide protection from the elements and keep them away from the curious gaze of anyone who happened to wander by.

Shifting into his human form, Lucian pulled on his clothes as most of his comrades followed his lead. Two of the warriors set off into the woods returning with firewood whilst Merrick and Leo, a new recruit to the warriors, having just turned 21 remained in their wolf forms and disappeared among the trees before returning with various rabbits and birds that they had hunted for the group.

Sitting round the fire as the meat cooked in the embers, they made idle chit chat among themselves, laughing comfortably.

'So Merrick' said Darius, a dark haired man in his late 40's who sported a deep scar to his cheek from an attack by a silver knife wielding opponent in a bar fight many years ago, 'I hear that pretty brunette she wolf has finally got her claws into you' 'Not a chance mate' replied Merrick with a slow drawl, 'No she wolf is gonna tie this wolf down, I got too many pretty ladies to flirt with'

'You don't want a mate?' asked Leo surprised, at 21 he was desperate to find his other half and had avidly searched the pack waiting for his wolf to call out.

'Nah mate' laughed Merrick 'I'm a warrior, I don't need a girl sat at home worried about me, I like being free'

'Don't let the she warriors hear you speak like that Merrick' laughed Darius, 'You really want your a*s handed to you by Sherry because you still live in the 1950's? I kinda hoped she would be your mate, i'd find it hilarious to see you sat at home worrying whilst she went out to kick the asses of other packs warriors'

Merrick glowered as the rest of the men laughed, having already had his a*s kicked by Sherry on a previous occasion after one of his misogynistic comments, he was careful not to say anything within her hearing as he had been ripped to shreds by his comrades for weeks over it. 'I told you, she cheated!' he snarled 'Her watch caught the sun and blinded me'

'yeah yeah Merrick' agreed Darius as they laughed harder 'we believe you mate, and we don't think for one second that you hide every time she walks past in case she challenges you again'

Seeing an argument brewing Lucian cut in 'Alright lads, we need to get some shut eye as we have another days march ahead of us and I want to get moving at first light. I'll take first watch and then wake Darius in 2 hrs, we'll each take a 2 hr stint until day break ok?' 'Yes Beta' replied the group immediately before settling themselves down on the hard ground to sleep. The air was soon filled with the sounds of their quiet snores, Lucian sat with his back against a tree staring out over the water, his ears trained for any sounds until it was time for him to wake Darius and take his place amongst the sleeping men.

The night passed uneventfully and they were soon stripped, shifted and on their way again, pounding through the undergrowth toward the distant mountains, stopping periodically for rest and food before setting off again, never wavering from the mountains in front of them.

It took three days for the seven wolves to reach the base of the mountains, shifting into their human forms they stood at the edge of the trees looking down upon a small human village that was nestled into the mountain side before steeling themselves and making their way down the slope and into the settlement in search of information about the Oakridge Clan.

As they stepped foot inside the village, they noticed the few people outside shrank away from them in fear, it felt like they had not had good interactions before with obvious warriors.

Slowly an old wizened man, with white hair and a beard that fell to his waist walked over to them, stopping cautiously out of arms reach.

та үл таних хүмүүсийг юу хүсч байна вэ?' He said in a questioning tone.

Lucian looked to his comrades, each of whom shrugged in confusion, none understanding his words.

'We mean no hard sir' Lucian said slowly 'DO you speak English?'

The elderly gentleman stood looking at the group for a few moments before calling out loudly to a house behind him. A small boy of about 8 years old trotted out and came to stand by the old man staring unashamedly at the new arrivals to his home. Merrick glowered as the rest of the men laughed, having already had his a*s kicked by Sherry on a previous occasion after one of his misogynistic comments, he was careful not to say anything within her hearing as he had been ripped to shreds by his comrades for weeks over it. 'I told you, she cheated!' he snarled 'Her watch caught the sun and blinded me'

The old man spoke to the younger rapidly whilst gesticulating toward Lucian and his men as the young boy nodded at his words. Turning to Lucian he said in a thick accent 'My name is Xano, My grand father ask what you want from us'

Lucian bowed his head to the man before replying 'Please tell your grand father that we are not here to cause issues for him, my men and I are seeking information about a lost clan that is said to reside in the mountains' Xano spoke rapidly to his grandfather who kept darting looks of first confusion and then fear at his grand son's words. Rapidly replying he pushed the little boy closer to Lucian as if anxious for his words to be relayed. Shuffling his feet slightly Xano looked at the floor, obviously uncomfortable with what he had to say, 'Grand father says we know of no such clan and to please leave our village, we do not want trouble.'

Lucian dropped slowly to his knee in front of the young boy, causing him to raise his head to meet the warriors gaze, 'Xano, we promise you and your village that no harm will come to you from any information you give us, we do not seek this clan with animosity, they are just another stop for us in seeking the answer to a ancient question that has a hold over our own tribe. We hope that they may be able to give us guidance and have no intention of telling them how we came to find them'

Xano hopped from foot to foot, mentally trying to decide if he could trust this strange man and his friends, suddenly he turned to his grand father and started to talk rapidly, the elderly man started to shout back, gesticulating to the mountains and then to the warriors. Xano stamped his foot angrily, shaking his head as he continued to argue until the elderly gentleman threw his hands in the air in surrender, muttered under his breath and then pointed to a house up the dirt street before walking back toward his house. Xano smiled triumphantly, turning to the group and beckoning them to follow him. 'Grand father says he will give you an audience tomorrow' he said happily as he led the way to a white house with roses growing up and around the front door. 'This is Nanny Anna's house, she has rooms you can stay in tonight, I will introduce you to her' he said as he mounted the steps and knocked on the door before stepping back to wait.