Sold to the Alpha

MATE!

Aaron stood in the doorway holding on to the handle, staring at the vision in front of him, the smell of sandalwood and lilies filled his nostrils, 'MATE!' his wolf cried, and he felt the pull of the bond dragging him toward her like a magnet. 'no' he thought, 'no no no! I don't want a mate! It can't be her! she's an unwanted weak human thrown away by her own family!'  His wolf growled angrily at his thoughts. 'you speak that way about our mate? this goddess before us? you sully her with these thoughts?' he growled 

Fighting for control, Aaron dragged his eyes from Charity and continued 'umm, Alpha wants you to take the new girl to his office before dinner time, I'd hurry, you know he doesn't like to be kept waiting.' and then turned on his heel and left without a backward glance.

Charity felt as if her world had just crashed around her at his leaving, what was wrong with her? she didn't even know him and it felt like her best friend had just died!  

She was pulled from her thoughts by Chloe's hands pulling her off the bed, 'come on!' she said nervously, 'we have to get to the Alpha's quarters for your meeting, Aaron is right, he doesn't take kindly to being made to wait!'.

'Aaron' Charity thought as she hurriedly followed Chloe through countless corridors and up numerous stairs, as much as she tried to concentrate on the chatter coming from Chloe, she couldn't seem to get the tall rugged man who had entered their room moments earlier, out of her mind.

                                                                    ******************

Skidding to a stop outside a large wooden door on the 5th floor, Chloe took a moment to smooth her hair and dress, before taking a deep breath and knocking smartly upon the polished wood.

'Enter' came a deep authoritative voice from within, Chloe grabbed the handle and ushered Charity inside ahead of her.  'Alpha,' she stuttered bowing her head in respect, 'I have brought the new pack member, Charity to you as requested.'

Alpha Alistair glanced up, smiled at the young girl briefly, you could tell he was quite fond of her, 'Thank you, Chloe, would you wait outside until I have finished my conversation with Charity and then you can show her to the dining room for dinner.'

Chloe bowed her head again before backing out of the room and closing the door with a small click.  Charity's heart was thumping in her chest, this was the man who owned her, had paid for her life, what did he want with her other than as a wife for his son?

Alistair looked at the tall quiet girl stood before him, studying her with his piercing blue eyes, finally, he cleared his throat and motioned for Charity to sit in one of the 2 chairs in front of his grand ornate desk.  'I hope you are pleased with your current living conditions Lady Charity' he said in a low voice that resembled a growl.  'Ye - yes' stuttered Charity, not lifting her gaze from her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap. 'Chloe is really friendly and - and the . . the bed is very comfortable' she blurted out lifting her gaze to meet the Alphas eyes before dropping them again.

Alistair looked at her intently, reading the fear that was radiating from her, 'A damn sight more comfortable than where you came from I will bet' he growled, more to himself than to her.  Charity snapped her head up in shock, that he had any notion of her background, she couldn't imagine her aunt had been forthcoming with her treatment.  The Alpha, continued to gaze at Charity with his piercing gaze, that seemed to also hold a hint of . . she almost thought, sympathy, but that couldn't be right, the Silver Cross Pack were notorious for their ruthlessness, the Alpha would not have sympathy for some human that was unwanted surely.

'Child' Alistair rumbled, 'I have brought you here not just because I wanted too . . ' Charity looked up at him again, scared but also intrigued as to his reasoning behind buying her, unconsciously she edged forward on her chair.

Sighing deeply Alistair continued, 'I had heard about a strong young lady who was being treated badly by her family, among a pack, family is sacred,' he slammed his hand on the table at the last words, causing Charity to jump and cower back into her chair, Alistair's eyes softened as he saw her reaction, 'do not be scared child, it is not with you I have anger,' he said smiling at her until he saw her body relax a bit.  'Now I had a choice to make' he continued, 'one, ignore the information that had reached me, which is not possible, as I said, family is sacred.  Two, visit the family of said child and teach them, in my own way, the sanctity of family', the look in Alistair's eyes left no doubt to Charity how that lesson would be taught. 'this was also not ideal, Human / Wolf relations are already strained, to have a pack visit a human settlement in . . . anger . . . . could cause more problems than it solved.  So I was left with option three, make the family an offer they couldn't refuse for the young lady and bring her here. I was also intrigued by you Charity, there is something about you, that I cannot put my finger on, but I am sure you are meant to be here with us'

Charity's mouth had fallen open, she gulped and swallowed, trying to hold back the tears that had suddenly sprung to her eyes, before she could say anything though a smart authoritative knock emanated from the door.  Charity saw the Alpha roll his eyes before calling out 'Enter son.'

Charity found her mouth falling open for a second time as non-other than the ruggedly handsome frame of Aaron, the man who had come to her room earlier, entered the office, shutting the door smartly behind him with his foot.

'Charity' intoned Alistair, 'this is my son Aaron, your betrothed'.  Charity just gazed at Aaron, unable to believe that this was the man she was supposed to marry.  Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest she was surprised the Werewolves couldn't hear it, her skin was tingling from the electricity that seemed to radiate from him toward her.  

Without looking at her, Aaron gruffly said 'we've met' before throwing himself into the remaining empty chair in front of his father's desk.  Confused, Charity continued to stare at Aaron, who didn't seem at all interested in her and was obviously unhappy with this arrangement.

'I - I' she stuttered, unsure of what she was going to say but Alistair cut her off.  'Aaron!' he roared, making the young man flinch and Charity squeeze herself into the back of her chair trying to get away from the sudden powerful explosion that was the Alpha in front of her. 'Look at Charity, we treat people with respect here, greet her now!'

Aaron's face darkened slightly before he stood from his chair, faced Charity, and extended his hand toward her, 'It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Charity' he intoned.  Charity stood from the chair and took his hand, 'It is a pleasure to meet . . ' she started to reply before a gasp escaped her lips from an Electric current that ran up her arm and infused her body from his touch.  Unable to stop herself she raised her gaze to his and was surprised to see a raw hunger there as his eyes locked on to hers.

They stood like that for what felt like an eternity before Aaron wrenched his eyes away from her and crossed his arms over his chest, resuming his sullen angry stance.  Looking toward the Alpha, Charity was sure that she saw a glint of victory in the older man's eyes, but as soon as it was there, it disappeared again.

'Aaron, you and Charity will need to spend time together to get to know each other' he growled at his son.  As Aaron started to protest, Alistair held up his hand to silence him, 'Son, Charity knows nothing of our ways, our values . . or the dangers she could face should she try to leave the territory unguarded' he finished, the last sentence seemed to have an affect on Aaron as anger flashed through his eyes and a growl escaped his lips.  'Fine, I'll show her around' he replied grudgingly before storming toward the door.  With his hand on the handle, he stiffened before turning and bowing his head to his father.  'Alpha' he said before curtly walking out.

Alistair sighed heavily before calling out 'Chloe?', the head of the young chatterbox appeared round the door immediately, 'yes Alpha?' she breathed, Alistair smiled again and said 'take Charity and get her some food, make sure she eats plenty!' he added as he gave Charity another piercing gaze.

Chloe bowed her head, 'Yes Alpha' she said before starting to usher Charity out of the door.  Charity stopped just before the thresh hold and turned to Alistair who looked at her with surprise, pulling herself up to her full height she bowed her head and quietly said, 'Alpha, I thank you for what you have done for me.'  then she allowed Chloe to continue to usher her from the room and close the door behind them.