Sold To The Alpha
The Cursed Luna Chapter 47

Charity sat back against the head board, her body starting to shake uncontrollably at the thought that someone she cared about was here. 'Do you have any idea's who it may be?' asked Aaron, his brow creased with anger and concern.

Darius shook his head, 'none Alpha, but I know that they must be within two miles of our location, which means somewhere on this pack's land. With how faint it was they are not close by, so definitely not inside the pack house, i'd guess somewhere in the grounds. I tried to call out to them but I don't know if I got through before the link was broken'.

Aaron nodded before looking at his wife, 'I think it would be best if the boys slept in here with us tonight, are you ok with that?' he asked softly.

Charity nodded immediately, relaxing at the thought of having her men close to her right now, the two warriors went back to their room, gathering up their blankets and pillows before returning to the Alpha's room and sorting themselves makeshift beds on the floor. Aaron quickly locked the door before returning to his wife, pulling her into his comforting embrace, the four each fell into an uneasy sleep, their ears alert for any sounds.

The four awoke early the next morning, Darius and Merrick made their way back to their own room so as not to draw attention to themselves, Charity grabbed a shower whilst Aaron sat in the bedroom, his eyes fixated on the door, his protectiveness toward his wife tangible.

As she stepped out of the bathroom, Charity pulled a brush through her damp hair before walking over to her husband, sitting next to him and resting her head on his shoulder. 'I think it would be a good idea to talk to some of the pack members' she said softly. 'Not alone' growled Aaron immediately making her smile as she pulled his hand into her small one.

'Not alone' she agreed, 'but maybe I can get some of the members to talk to me about what it is like here, see if they have any knowledge of a man or woman being held here?'

Aaron looked unhappy but nodded reluctantly, knowing that something like this would need Charity's soft touch rather than his Alpha demands, these members were obviously scared and having an Alpha demand answers woud probably go badly. 'Take Darius with you' he said finally, 'He has a bit more of a gentle touch than Merrick and I, just don't let anyone know that he is not a Silver Cross member, I have a feeling Jonas is being this careless because he doesn't realise he's from Red Moon, that is something we need to keep to ourselves. If this warrior whoever they are tries to reach out again I want that channel open to them' he said fervently.

A soft knock announced the return of the two warriors, standing up, the couple walked to the door, opening it and stepping outside to follow the pair down to the dining room.

Stepping into the room they immediately noticed that Jonas was there, the atmosphere was tense as the pack members ate silently, none looking toward the Alpha as he sat eating his meal unconcerned.

Taking their plates from the server, the four quickly grabbed some food before turning to find a seat, Jonas looked up and smiled widely, beckoning them over. Heading toward him, they took their seats, careful to sit Charity between Merrick and Aaron. Jonas grinned at the four, 'I hope your first night with us was comfortable Alpha' he said loudly.

Aaron smiled back, 'It was perfect thank you Alpha, that bed was possibly the most comfortable we have even slept in'.

Jonas laughed, 'nothing is too good for our guests, now do you have plans today? I was wondering if you would like a tour of our little community?' he asked.

Aaron nodded immediately, 'My beta and I would love to join you on a tour, my Luna has been feeling slightly unwell this morning, too much travelling, so I have a feeling she would prefer to remain behind' he replied as he turned to Charity with a raised eyebrow. Charity bowed slightly toward Jonas 'I apologise Alpha, I would love to see your grounds but as my husband says, the trip here has left me a little out of sorts, so I hope you would be ok with me taking a rain check today?' she asked, looking at the Alpha through her lashes, taking in the moment of disappointment that crossed his face before his usual jovial mask replaced it.

'Of course Luna, I hope you feel better after some rest, would you like me to arrange some company for you?' he asked

Darius bowed to the Alpha's in turn, 'I would be happy to stay with the Luna and keep her company whilst you tour the grounds, i'm sure the Luna wouldn't want to pull one of your pack members from their duties' he said with a respectful smile whilst Charity nodded next to him.

'Oh yes, I would hate to be an inconvenience Alpha Jonas, and i'm sure your members have better things to do than watch me sleep' she laughed lightly drawing a dark smile from the Alpha as he watched her lips move.

'As you wish Luna' he conceded, 'I will not hold your husband for long, we are not a big territory, I doubt it will take more than a few hours to show him around'

'Thank you Alpha, we truly appreciate your hospitality' replied Charity smoothly before she started to eat her food, acutely aware that Jonas was watching her intently as she ate.

Clearing their plates, the visitors rose from the table, 'I will meet you in to foyer in half an hour Aaron?' called Jonas as they made a movement toward the door.

'Perfect' replied Aaron cordially, Merrick and I will meet you there, we'll just get freshened up and make sure the Luna is comfortable' before taking his wife's elbow and leading her out of the room. Making their way upstairs Aaron whispered, 'give us twenty minutes at least to make our way out into the grounds before you leave the pack house and try to speak to the pack members'.

Darius and Charity nodded silently as they entered the bedroom, Charity laying down on the bed and Darius taking a seat at the desk, waiting for the Alpha and Beta to leave again. Kissing his wife gently, Aaron muttered, 'keep safe baby, I can't lose you again ok?' Charity gave him a small smile in return, 'don't worry, I have Darius, he will keep me safe' she replied quietly.

'That I will Alpha' remarked Darius, 'My Luna will murder me on sight, then resurrect me and murder me again if anything happens to the Luna on my watch'.

Charity gave a small giggle at his stricken face, it was obvious that he was devoted to his own Alpha and Luna so in turn was devoted to Charity as well, the thought of failing his Luna was not something he would allow himself to do.

Aaron and Merrick headed out the door to meet Jonas, Darius and Charity watched the clock for the next twenty minutes before making their way downstairs, Darius going first in case the Alpha was still in the building.

Crossing quickly to the front door, they stepped out into the sunlight making their way across the driveway toward the distant pack members who were going about their days. Walking quietly the pair came up to an older woman, her greying hair tied up in a tight bun as she busily washed clothes in a wooden bucket, her hands red from the heat of the water as she scrubbed them clean on an old washer board.

Squatting down next to the woman, Charity cleared her throat to announce their presence, the older woman startled, fear etched on her face when her gaze focused on them. Stuttering, she began to back away, scooting herself backwards with her hands whilst shaking her head at them.

'Please don't be afraid' Charity said in a strained voice, 'we mean you no harm, we are guests of Alpha Jonas, he said I could talk to the pack members about why we are here'

The older woman stopped moving though she continued to eye them suspiciously, Charity sat herself down on the ground by the woman's bucket, Darius standing behind her, his eyes watching the surrounding area. 'I'm Charity' she said to the frightened woman, 'what is your name?' The woman stared at her for a few minutes, silently appraising her before uttering, 'Valerie'

Charity smiled encouragingly, 'well its lovely to meet you Valerie, would you mind talking to me for a moment? I don't want to disturb you from your chores'

Valerie nodded haltingly as if still unsure if she should be talking to these strangers, her eyes darting around the woods, seeming to be checking for something before she scooted back toward the bucket, sitting across from Charity as she waited for her questions. 'Thank you Valerie' Charity said graciously 'Now, I am looking for someone, a sorceress, have you ever heard mention of a sorceress in these parts?' she asked airily as if the woman's answer was o no real consequence.

Valerie shook her head, 'We have no sorceresses here Ma-am' she replied quietly, 'it is just our pack and the Alpha Jonas'.

Charity was surprised, 'what about your Luna?' she asked

The old woman gazed around her scared before leaning forward and saying in a low tone, 'we don't have a Luna Ma-am, Alpha Jonas wouldn't take one after.. ' she halted abruptly.

'After what Valerie?' Charity prompted quietly

'After his Love was stolen from him Ma-am' Valerie blurted out before slapping her hand over her mouth and scrambling to her feet, 'I need to go Ma-am, i'm sorry' she said quickly before hurrying away toward a hut set within the trees, shutting the door smartly behind her.

Charity looked up at Darius, her confusion mirrored in his face as she rose to her feet, 'Jonas' Luna was stolen?' Darius asked in a low tone, 'by whom?'

Charity shrugged as they continued their way around the grounds, entering the woods so that they could remain hidden from prying eyes by the foliage. As they walked quietly through the fallen leaves that littered the grass under their feet, Darius kept his eye out for any trouble, staying close beside Charity at all times.

Suddenly Darius came to abrupt stop, his head on one side as he listened intently, his eyes glazed over as he mind linked someone, his eyes clearing he grabbed Charity by the arm, dragging her further into the woods as his head swiveled from side to side avidly. After five minutes when they were deep within the trees Darius stopped and turned toward Charity, his face worried.

'Luna' he whispered desperately, 'I could hear that mind link again, I think I know who it is! and if i'm right, we are in a whole heap of trouble here'