Making their way through the vige, the group noticed that the residents they passed were giving them fearful looks, the women holding their children tightly to their bodies as they marched through.


    After many twists and turns they stepped out from behind a small house to see arge building a top a small flight of stairs, surrounded by iron fences, and fronted by tworge ornate gates that stood open with a guard on either side. ''Is this it?'' Aaron asked Charity in a low voice ''I have no idea'' replied Charity, ''they blind folded me the one time I came here, I only saw the inside of the room where they sat''


    Stepping forward, Nathan made to lead the way through the gated entrance when one of the warriors barred his way.


    ''Where do ya think you are going?'' drawled the short, overweight man that reeked of stale sweat.


    ''We are going to see the Committee'' replied Charity walking forward and standing beside Nathan, eyeing the dirty guard with disdain ''You will step aside Connor'' she added with a dangerous glint in her eye.


    ''Or what wench?'' Connor snarled back moving to grab her wrist in his grubby hand ''I see you still need to be taught some manners'' he growled, licking his lips as his eyes dragged across her body.


    A hand suddenly shot out from behind Charity, grasping Connor around his neck, lifting the dirty squat man from the floor, the fist clenched tightly as a loud snapping sound filled the air. Aaron threw the lifeless body to the side before turning to the other warrior, ''Do you have an issue with my Mate or our wish to enter?'' he inquired icily. The other guard, a tall skinny man in his early twenties, shook his head vehemently, ncing quickly at his dead partner before hastily stepping back out of the way and bowing them through.


    ''Lead on'' demanded Aaron, ring at Nathan who emitted a small squeak of terror before hurrying through the gates and up the marble stairs toward therge oak doors.


    Reaching the top, Nathan lifted the heavy round brass door knocker, before dropping it back down against the brass te attached to the door, causing a loud echoing boom to resound through the building.


    Merrick and Darius positioned themselves either side of the door, as it opened both men pushed their weight against it, forcing it wide open, the force sending the guard behind it flying across the hallway. Stepping inside, Merrick grabbed the guard, dragging him to his feet as Charity, Aaron and Justin entered the building.


    ''Where is the Committee?'' asked Charity quietly, her eyes on the dark haired warrior that stared wide eyed back at her.


    ''Answer the Luna'' Merrick ordered, tightening his grasp on the guards pinned arms, causing him to wince in pain as he quickly nodded with his head toward the far door.


    Turning on her heel, Charity marched over to the door, throwing it open before allowing her pack to enter before her, hiding among their ranks.


    A group of five portly older men were sat round a semi circr table, tesden with food in front of each as they sat talking, upon the door bursting open, they looked up in shock at the intruders.


    ''What is the meaning of this'' demanded the grey haired man that was seated in the middle, his eyes thinning to slits in his anger. ''You will leave at once, where are the guards!'' he demanded.


    Darius stepped around the table behind the gentlemen until he stood directly behind the grey haired individual, he carefully ced his hands on the mans shoulders and began to squeeze. The old man wriggled and wed at Darius'' hands, whimpering as the pain increased.


    Charity stepped forward, ''I am Charity, Luna of the Silver Cross Pack'' she announced, her voice carrying across the room ''I''m sure you remember me gentlemen'' she said her eyes meeting those of each man sat at the table all of whomes eyes widened in fear at her appearance.


    ''This is my husband Aaron, Alpha of the Silver Cross Pack'' she continued as Aaron stepped up to her side, ''He was anxious to meet the people who refused to release me for all those months'' she smiled as Aaron growled menacingly beside her, his hands balled into fists at his sides.


    The Grey haired man looked up at Darius before slowly looking back at the pair, the colour draining from his face. ''Luna'' he gasped ''If we had known you..."


    ''You were well aware of who I was'' Charity interrupted ''That is why you kept me but didn''t allow anyone to touch me, you hoped to use me as a bargaining chip against my own pack if they figured out how to breech your barrier'' she snapped. The grey haired man looked around the group wildly before asking ''What is it you want Luna, why have you returned to our territory?'' he tried to sound authoritative but could not disguise the slight quiver of fear thatced his words.


    Charity stepped forwards as one of the Red Moon pack members ced a chair in front of the Committee members which she seated her self in, getting herselffortable before meeting his gaze. ''I am here for two things, only one of which you need to concern yourself about'' she said casually, ''I am here to take control of the Oakridge pack, this pack will be under the control of the Silver Cross pack, the five of you will no longer hold any position of power, we will select someone to act as Alpha of your pack, that individual will decide if you are allowed to remain as members, whether you will be cast from the pack or if you will die'' she said simply, her tone not wavering.


    ''You have no authority here'' exploded one of the other men, jumping to his feet and mming his hand onto the desk ''We do not recognize Alpha''s in our territory''. Immediately Justin strode forward, grabbing the older man by the waist, he lifted him above his head, throwing him effortlessly against the far wall where he fell in a crumbled heap unmoving.


    ''Would anyone else like to voice their disagreement to these new rules?'' asked Charity, gazing at each of the remaining four who stared open mouthed at the still body of theirrade.


    Charity cleared her throat drawing their attention back to her, ''Firstly'' she said evenly ''the women of this pack are no longer being auctioned'' ring around at the men.


    A second member of the Committee, his face turning purple growled at her words ''Women are the property of our n, we shall do with them as we see fit, I don''t know who the hell you think you are but yourmands mean s**t here'' he hissed. One of the Red Moon warriors sauntered over to him as themittee members eyes widened, watching his approach, the colour draining from his face as his mouth opened and closed but no words came out. Raising his hands in surrender he was no match for the trained Red Moon Warrior, who extended his ws and swiped them across the old man''s throat before returning back to his original ce, leaving his victimying on the floor, the light disappearing from his eyes as the blood pooled around him. ''As this seems to be a bone of contention with you gentlemen I will exin, I am the White Wolf'' said Charity, sparing no nce at the second dead Committee member, ''Would anyone else like to oppose our rules? please speak now as my friends here do not take kindly to people interrupting me!


    The three remaining men gaped at her disbelievingly, ''You can''t be'' finally whispered the youngest of themittee members ''She is just a myth!''


    ''She is Sir'' suddenly injected Nathan suddenly, ''I saw her shift'' he said before sending a terrified look toward Aaron in fear that he would be killed for speaking out.


    Ignoring the looks on the Committee''s faces Charity continued, ''Women will marry whomever they wish, be it their mate or otherwise, no man, woman or child will be treated in any way other than with respect nor forced into servitude by those that are meant to lead and protect them'' her eyes shed with anger as she spoke. ''This house, which I assume due to it being the biggest, was once an Alpha residence, it will be returned to that status, the new Alpha and his Luna will reside here, you gentlemen, will remove yourselves with immediate effect, where you live is not my problem but you will not turf out another family from their home do I make myself clear?''


    The three men nodded slowly, still not daring to speak. The three men nodded slowly, still not daring to speak.


    Charity nodded herself as she rose from her chair, ''Gentlemen, I bid you good day, a few of our warriors will remain here to make sure that your exit from this property is swift and is carried out without the removal of anything that may be deemed property of the previous Alpha''. Raising her head high, Charity turned and walked back to her pack who parted before her, bowing as she walked past with Aaron at her side. As he left, Aaron signaled to four of the party to remain behind, Darius finally released the grey haired man with onest painful squeeze before following the Alpha and Luna from the room.


    Making their way outside and back down the steps, Aaron pulled Justin toward him, ''Are you ready mate?'' he asked casting a nce at his Beta, he didn''t bother to check if Justin had changed his mind about the fight, knowing the warrior needed to avenge his mate to finally start to let her go.


    Justin nodded resolutely, ''It won''t be a long fight'' he growled more to himself that anyone, ''that dog is going to regret the day he even thought of trying to keep what was mine away from me, he is going to share my pain today! The look on his face was masked, only his eyes filled with fury betrayed his feelings.


    Aaron patted his shoulder, ''do what you need to do Jus, but when you walk out of that ring you need to leave the anger behind you'' he said quietly


    Justin nodded once, his eyes staring unblinking in front of them and toward the town''s square that wasing into view.


    Stepping though the crowd and into the centre of the ring, Aaron gazed around at the Oakridge n''s members standing in a semi circle around the edge, raising his voice, Aaron called out ''Where is Lucas?''


    A few moments passed before Lucas stepped out from one of the buildings, his chest bare and jeans covering his lower half. He walked nervously into the ring, stopping just out of reach of the Alpha. Justin stepped out from the Silver Cross and Red Moon warriors who spread out on the other side of the circle enclosing the ring around the opponents.


    Walking up to Aaron''s side, Justin stripped off his own shirt, throwing it toward Charity who caught it deftly, hugging it to her body as she waited with her pack members. Aaron looked to the two men, ''what are the terms of the fight?'' he inquired. ''Submission'' Lucas said immediately, desperation written on his face.


    ''Death'' uttered Justin, his eyes never leaving Lucas'' face as the Oakridge crowd muttered among themselves, their agitation tangible.


    Aaron looked at Lucas coldly before saying ''our Beta has requested to death, as the challenger his wishes must be respected'', taking a few steps toward his wife and the edge of the ring he intoned ''warriors, take your positions, the challenge will begin on my word'' Lucas took on a defensive stance, his eyes flickering over Justin''s stature looking for a hint of movement, Justin walked to stand between the centre of the ring and his pack members, eyeing Lucas with unbridled rage, his fists already balled as he waited for his Alpha''smand.


    Looking between the two men, Aaron shouted, ''Ready?... Warriors begin!''