Heart Broken, Bartered, But Loved

Chapter 6

Alexandra’s POV-

When we left the packhouse, a few members heard me cursing as Eric dragged me and I struggled against him. Many wondered why, but said nothing. On the way home, I was making it obvious that I was furious that if anyone got in my path, I was going to punch them. We didn’t see many people on the way home. Eric made sure to keep hold of my arm and dragged me home, even when I tried to yank my arm free from him. I had to make it look good. When we finally got back to our home, I dropped the act, and headed straight to my room, with Eric trailing behind me. He hated having to put the act on and the fact that the Alpha was going to force him to betray his own sister. He hated this whole situation.

“Did you have to act like that,” Eric asked.

“Well, I have to make them think that I don’t want to leave here, even though I want to leave, I just don’t like leaving you behind,” I replied.

“I know, well let’s get your suitcase packed, and maybe we can box up some of your other stuff. They gave us thirty minutes. We have twenty-five minutes left, so we need to get cracking with getting everything packed. I think I have a few boxes flat-packed on top of my wardrobe, so I will go grab them quickly, pack your clothes in the suitcase,” Eric said.

I nodded, “I will do that.”

I went into my room and laid my suitcase down on my bed, and opened it. I placed some clothes on the bottom of the suitcase, before pulling the bag out from under the bed and shoving it in the suitcase, and then buried it with the rest of my clothes. I didn’t fold my clothes neatly, I just tossed them into the suitcase and stuffed them in whenever I could. Eric came in just as I covered the bag with clothes, carrying a few folded boxes. Eric built one of the boxes up, and taped it, so it stayed open. He went for my shoes, which I didn’t have many of. I had a couple of pairs of heels, a pair of ankle boots, a pair of slippers, and a pair of trainers. The trainers are on my feet. I did have a pair of slip-on canvas shoes, but they got destroyed when I shifted earlier.

“Do you want me to pack all of your shoes and bags in this box,” he asked.

I didn’t have many bags. I had a few handbags of various sizes, a clutch bag, and a backpack. That was it. I wasn’t a major girly girl. I nodded, while I continued packing my clothes. Once I finished, I zipped up my suitcase and stood it on the floor. I could feel my eyes welling with tears. This is the place I grew up. It is where my friends are, where my brother is, where my mother is buried. I was going to be leaving all of that behind, and going to a brand-new pack, with an Alpha who is my mate. I have never been off my packlands. It was hard knowing I would have to run away to get the information Eric and I gathered to the Lycan Council. But now, I must leave permanently. I will never come back here. Even though I hated it here, I still had some good things, good memories here, which I will be leaving behind. That was what was upsetting me. Eric noticed after he finished packing my shoes and bags into the box, and came over to me and embraced me.

He opened a mindlink to me, and whispered, “Lexi, I know you have reasons not to leave, but you have reasons to leave. Those reasons to leave far out weigh the ones to stay. You are going to be sold to vampires if you stay here. Leaving is for your safety. Plus, we have all that proof that needs to get into the right hands. Your mate can make sure that happens. He runs the largest and most favored pack. The Lycan Council loves his pack. Then there is the fact that Alpha Nicholas Carter is your mate, which makes you his Luna. Think of the good you can do, and not to mention the fact that you will finally be able to live a life in comfort and freedom, you will be able to do everything you ever wanted. I am sure he will let you in when you tell him. Then there is the mate bond. Now you have met, it will only grow stronger, and make it harder for you to hide it. You could find love with him and happiness, not to mention, you could have a family of your own, be the mother you never had. Plus, me staying here means I can contact you with anything else I find. Talk to Nicholas about getting a phone. You have my private number, don’t you, the one dad doesn’t even know that I have?”

I nodded, everything he said was right, but that still didn’t stop me feeling a little sad and scared for him, and afraid of what this Alpha would expect of me. All I could do was hope that I was impressing Nicholas.

“I have your number. When I get a phone, I will text you straight away so you have my number,” I replied in the mindlink.

“Good, now what do you want to go in the second box,” he asked, outside the mindlink.

“I think my toiletries and make-up could probably go in there, as well as my jewelry box,” I suggested.

“That is a good idea, have you packed your clothes,” he inquired.

I nodded, “Yes, so, chuck us a box, and I will pack my books and hobby things.”

While I packed the final box with the books that I owned, and all of my hobby items, I loved to paint, so I had a good chunk of painting items to pack. I shoved a trinket box and some picture frames into the box I was packing. Eric went to pack the other box, and then went to my ensuite bathroom and began packing all my items there. He returned a few minutes later, packed my jewelry box, and said, “Dad is about to arrive with Raven, and the Alpha and Betas of Blood Moon. A car is pulling up too, to take you, Alpha Nicholas, and his two Betas home.”

“I am not going. Why do you all want to get rid of me? I know Dad hates me but you. I can’t believe you will force me to leave like this,” I raised my voice at him, so they would hear me downstairs, but I winked at Eric.

He knew I was faking every word that I had said. He knew he would have to play his part, so he growled, “And, if I go against the Alpha, I will be killed. Worst case, the best case, I get a beating. You wouldn’t like that, would you?”

“Of course not, but you could have tried to stand up for me more. You are meant to be my big brother. Mum made you promise to always take care of me,” I snapped back.

“Yeah, well Mum isn’t here anymore is she, and I tried my best. I mean look at how you turned out,” he hissed.

“Oh, f**k off,” I yelled.

I grabbed my suitcase and stormed from the room. Dad had just got to the top of the stairs when I exited my room. He was probably coming to make us hurry up. I always knew he was eager to get rid of me, because I look a lot like my mother. I had seen that in the pictures that Eric had saved for him and me. I growled at him, “What the hell do you want, come to throw me out of the door faster?”

“Watch yourself, girl,” he hissed.

“One day, I will come back here Dad, and you are at the top of my hit list. Remember that. Always watch your back,” I whispered.

I walked off and headed for the door with my suitcase behind me. I could hear him scoffing behind me, as I walked away. Bumping the suitcase down the stairs, creating the most infuriating noise ever. Raven was gritting his teeth, which made me smirk inwardly. He hated noises like that, which is exactly why I did it. I wanted to piss him off for what he had done to Kayley and her family. We had proof in the documents Eric and I had gathered. Eric and Dad were behind me carrying the boxes that Eric had helped me pack. Dad had one, and Eric had the other two. I saw my reflection in the mirror, as I got to the front door. I looked pissed, and my eyes were red from crying. I had packed some of the things that belonged to my mother, which Eric had saved for me, after our dad tried to destroy everything. I glared at Raven, as he approached me, he said, “Now, you will be a good little w***e for him, won’t you? Or, I will make sure your brother and father get a beating.”

I laughed, opening the door, I left through it, “Feel free to beat my scumbag of a father all you like. Touch my brother and you will regret it.”

“Is that a threat,” he growled.

“A friendly reminder,” I retorted.

I walked outside. Dad and Eric put the boxes in the car, and I started trying to walk off with my suitcase behind me. It sounds bad, but I wasn’t deliberately trying to walk off, I was trying to make it look like I was going to try to make a break for it. But Raven grabbed my arm in a vice-like grip, stopping me from trying to run off. He growled at me, “You know women of our pack our property to the men. Your father owns you, and he f****d up, so he has to give you up. You are being given to Alpha Carter in exchange for peace. You will go and be a good little breeder.”

“I hate you, you're a dickhead of an Alpha,” I yelled.

Tristan just arrived at my house with James, just at that moment. Tristan shouted, “What is going on here?”

“They are selling me for peace, because my dad is a stupid i***t and doesn’t know where the pack boundaries are,” I yelled back, hoping that all the other pack members would hear, and that they would be disgusted at this.

“Why the hell aren’t you doing anything to help her, James? I thought you said you loved her,” Tristan shoved James, growling at him.

James did nothing. During Tristan’s shouting, Dad had taken my suitcase from Raven, who had yanked it from my grasp, and put it in the trunk of the car. Raven dragged me to the car, and I struggled to get free. Tristan grabbed my free arm and tried to pull me back, growling at the Alpha. Raven grabbed Tristan by the scruff on the neck, and yelled, “You will obey your Alpha. This is how it must be for us to maintain peace.”

He tossed Tristan on the ground, as Raven ordered his son to restrain Tristan. Raven threw me at my father, who I deliberately headbutted, but made it look like it was because I was thrown into him by Raven. Dad pushed me forward, though I tried to push back, and stop him from handing me over. He shoved me forward into Nicholas’ arms. I knew the entire situation with Tristan would raise questions for Nicholas. He gripped my chin, and smirked, “You will be a fine little breeder for me.”

I raised my hand up and slapped him in the face. God, I hope that didn’t hurt him. I wanted to kiss his cheek to apologize. I wasn’t afraid of Raven, so I wasn’t going to be afraid of this Alpha. I had to show them that. Nicholas chuckled, “You are a feisty one, aren’t you? Going to love having fun with you.”

“She has always been feisty, just like her mother. Good luck taming her,” Dad chuckled.

I growled, spun on my heels, c*****g my arm back, my fist clenched. I threw my fist forward, punching my own father in the nose. It made a loud cracking pop sound that singled that it broke. Blood gushed from his nose. I moved to throw another punch at him, hitting him in the jaw, knocking some of his teeth out. Truly, how f*****g dare he talk about my mother like that? He killed her, and he deserves to hang for killing her, and for all the other crimes he has committed over the years.

“Now, you will have something to remember me by, a crackhead look forever. The perfect look for a scumbag like you,” I spat on him.

“Get in the car, Alpha Nicholas. I want all of your people off my land, and this little b***h. Take her and go,” Raven growled.

Nicholas growled, his head snapping towards Raven, “Careful, Raven. You keep making enemies, and you will have no friends left to support you. I will do as you say, for now. But remember this peace only lasts as long as you and your people stay off my land. This beauty is just a nice little prize for me.”

“I have plenty of friends,” Raven chuckled.

“I highly doubt that,” I deadpanned.

Nicholas gripped my arm, and pulled me to the car. I struggled some, and he said, “Stop struggling and get in the car, or you will be forced in and that will end up with you getting hurt.”

I growled, “Bastard,” as I made it appear, that I was unwillingly getting into that car. I took one last look at my brother, who opened a mindlink to me, and whispered, “See you soon, sis, I love you. Make sure he treats you right. Tell me if he doesn’t and I will come kick his arse.”

“I will, Brother, I love you too. See you soon. I will text you as soon as I get a phone,” I replied, in the mindlink.

I glared at my dad; I stuck my middle finger up to him. He deserved it. The beating I did give him. Though he deserved a hell of a lot worse. After Nicholas, Travis, and Eddie got into the car, with whoever this human driver was, the driver started the car and drove off. Once, my brother was out of sight. I slouched down in the seat. Nicholas gripped my hand, it felt nice to feel the sparks from his touch shoot up my arm. He whispered, “We need to talk.”

“Not yet, when we cross into your land. My dad will follow us to the boundary,” I whispered back, in a calm tone.

He nodded, and fell silent again. The journey by car was going to take a long while. We had to stop so that the human driver, Eddie, and Travis, could take it in turns. It would have been quicker to run to his land, but with all of my stuff, that was not going to happen, so we had to travel by car this time. I do wonder how the hell a human driver got involved in a situation like this. Maybe he was related to someone in Blood Moon. After all, one of their Betas is mated to a human, so there could be more humans involved in the pack then I have ever seen or heard of. I was eager to be able to talk to Nicholas, he had been rubbing a circle on my hand, constantly. It was so sweet. I think he might actually be worried about me. I knew he would have questions, and I was going to be more than happy to answer them all. I wanted to get to know him too, so I had many of my own. I could feel the bond between us growing a little bit stronger. I heard that it normally takes days for a bond to grow between mates, but our bond is already growing stronger. I guess it was because he is an Alpha. I knew their mate bonds were a lot different to regular werewolf mate bonds. So, I guess that would be why mine was growing stronger like this.

I let out a small gasp as the bond between myself and Blue Moon began to shake, which could only mean I was crossing pack boundaries. It was something I had never felt before. I heard it would happen, but it was my first time experiencing it. I guess these guys are used to it, and aren’t bothered by it much anymore. I did hear that it only happens once, when you first cross boundary lines, something I have never done, because I was rarely allowed out. My eyes drifted around the car, and I noticed everyone staring at me, especially the werewolves in the car. I guess it was because I gasped, werewolf hearing with have picked it up, better than the only human in the car. Tingles wondered all over my body, from every place Nicholas’ gaze landed on. I cleared my throat, and sat up straight, readjusting my clothing and hair. Now, it was time for us to have a conversation about everything.