A few dayster, all the guests had finally left the Silver Cross pack, James and Chloe were thest to leave, strapping their boys into the car, James turned to Aaron, ''Keep us informed about thispass'' he said ''I take it you will be taking Merrick on your journey?'' he asked, raising an eyebrow. Aaron nodded ''Yeah, he''s a good warrior, and a good Beta, Justin was right'' he added with a grin.


    James chuckled ''Yeah I know, I was a bit pissed when you stole him from me''


    Aaron raised his hands in surrender ''Hey don''t me me, it was all Avery''s doing'' he replied.


    James'' eyes sparkled as heughed before sobering down ''Listen mate'' he said quietly, so the two Luna''s wouldn''t hear as they said their tearful goodbyes, ''I''d like to send Darius with you, I know it will mean waiting an extra day to travel, but he and Merrick work well together, i''d just feel a bit happier if you had another strong warrior with you'' he admitted.


    Aaron nodded sagely ''I agree, I worry about Charity, she can hold her own but three of us watching her gives me less sleepless nights than two would, cheers mate, i''d be happy to have Darius tag along''


    James pped him on the shoulder before turning to pull Charity out of his wife''s arms so he could also hug her goodbye.


    ''Take care of my bestie and all my babies, you'' said Charity shakily, grinning up at the warrior through her tears.


    James pulled her in for a brotherly hug ''always Luna'' he growled softly before letting her go and stepping toward the car door.


    Charity waved as Chloe slipped into the passenger seat, ''call me when you get home so I know you arrived safely'' Charity called fretfully as Aaron put his arms around her protectively as they watched the silver SUV glide slowly down the driveway, hesitating at the gates momentarily before turning right and sliding from view.


    Walking back inside, Charity looked around the empty hallway sadly, Aaron grasped her hand and led her upstairs to the bedroom so they could begin to pack for the forting trip.


    The following morning saw Darius at the door at 6am, grinning warmly he shook Aaron''s hand before ncing round.


    ''So where''s sleeping beauty?'' he asked smugly


    ''He''s here a*****e'' came Merrick''s grumpy tone as the Beta walked down the stairs yawning.


    ''Who said I was talking about you princess?'' snubbed Darius, ''I meant that sexy she-wolf who somehow fell for your cheesy pick up lines''


    Merrick growled but settled for flipping him the bird as he walked over, ''I''d kick your a*s for looking at my girl but i''m too damn tired this morning'' came his crotchety response.


    ''Ahh it''s ok baby'' crooned Darius, grabbing his best mates chin and making a kissy face at him, ''I''ll take care of your delicate a*s this morning!''


    Merrick swatted Darius'' hand from his face bad temperedly, ''you are such a pain in my a*s, how did I end up with you as a best mate?'' he growled


    ''Just lucky angel face'' Darius retorted ''you know you love me, don''t try to deny it''


    Merrick rolled his eyes before turning to Aaron and Charity, ''Are we ready to go?'' he asked, ''What''s the heading?''


    Charity lifted up thepass that hung around her neck, holding it in front of her as the three men crowded around her, ''South East it is then'' said Darius jovially, ''Lets go princess, i''ll let you ride shot gun as you''re such a pretty little thing''.


    A few dayster, all the guests had finally left the Silver Cross pack, James and Chloe were thest to leave, strapping their boys into the car, James turned to Aaron, ''Keep us informed about thispass'' he said ''I take it you will be taking Merrick on your journey?'' he asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Merrick aimed a swift kick at him that he easily dodged, ''Alpha, can''t I just ride with you rather than this moron?'' he moaned, ring at the Red Moon Warrior who was not even trying to hide his delight at his best mate''s annoyance.


    Merrick aimed a swift kick at him that he easily dodged, ''Alpha, can''t I just ride with you rather than this moron?'' he moaned, ring at the Red Moon Warrior who was not even trying to hide his delight at his best mate''s annoyance. ''Sorry mate, you''re with Darius, someone''s gotta put up with his singing'' replied Aaronughing.


    Letting out a sigh Merrick led the way out of the pack house, ''I''m picking the music'' he grumbled as he threw his bag in the back of Darius'' Truck.


    ''Uhh'' Darius groaned covering his ears with his hands ''let me guess, The one hundred best love songs of the century?'' he asked smirking.


    ''I really hate you, you know that don''t you'' Merrick spat at him as he mbered into the passenger seat.


    Darius turned to the grinning Alpha and Luna, ''He doesn''t mean it, he gets grumpy when he doesn''t have his breakfast'' he said with a grin as Merrick started to yell at him from within the vehicle. ''We''ll lead Alpha? any change in direction just mind link the princess and he can let me know'' he said before slipping into the drivers seat and mming the door, the engine roaring to life a few momentster.


    Aaron and Charity slipped into their Jeep, Aaron starting the vehicle as Darius started to make his way down the driveway, slotting in behind the truck as it turned onto the main road and set off following the direction from thepass.


    As they watched the scenery zip past the windows, Charity kept checking thepass to make sure their direction stayed true. The cliff top road petered out, joining on to a highway that sped past towns and viges, the sun climbing up the clear blue sky as the needle remained unwavering.


    Eating up the miles, the outside world turned from green fields to a more ruggedndscape, the ground on each side of the road sparse of foliage as they left themunity area''s behind, the route bing less aesthetically pleasing. Looking down, Charity noticed the needle beginning to move toward the right, mind linking Merrick she passed on the information, Aaron following the truck as it took the next avable right hand turn that took them from the smooth ck asphalt to a singlene route that became less and less well kept as they drove onwards.


    As the sun began to dip its way behind the tree''s, casting gloomy shadows around them, Darius, pulled off the road, following the signs down a winding track for a small vige. Pulling up outside a run down motel that contained a flickering sign in the window that illuminated the words ''rooms to rent''. Jumping from the vehicle, Merrick headed inside, reappearing momentster with two room keys and a grubby map in his hands.


    Climbing back into the vehicle, he proceeded to direct Darius around the side of the office building and halfway down a row of metal doors before indicating for him to park, Aaron rolling to a stop on their left.


    Stepping out of their vehicles, Merrick handed Aaron one of the keys, ''It''s not the Ritz i''m afraid Alpha, but it''s somewhere to rest our heads for the night, the clerk gave me a map of the vige to find somewhere to eat, or she said that they have a pizza ce down the road that delivers, she wrote the number down for me!


    Aaron nodded, ''lets get settled first and then figure out what to do'' he said as he grabbed the bags from his jeep with one hand, his wife''s hand with the other and made his way toward their room, holding tightly to Charity as she nervously looked around them, having an ufortable feeling that they were being watched.


    Releasing her hand, Aaron fitted the key into the lock, opening the door and walking inside, checking around before calling Charity to follow him. Walking in, Charity quietly shut the door, before walking over to the double bed and sinking down onto the edge. Aaron dropped the bags on the rickety writers desk that was pushed against one of the walls, underneath a dusty mirror, running his fingers through his hair as he joined his wife on the bed, pulling her toward him, cing a gentle kiss on her forehead as she whimpered into his chest.


    ''Not quite what I would want to give you my love'' he said gruffly


    Charity raised her head smiling, ''as long as you are with me, it doesn''t matter if we are in a five star hotel or a damp draughty cave'' she smiled brushing her lips against his. Strengthening the pressure, Aaron''s arms encircled his mate''s waist, pulling her into hisp as his tongue ran along her bottom lip, asking for entrance.


    A loud knock on the door, pulled them from their passion, jumping up from her husband''sp, Charity walked over to the door, opening as Aaron groaned about the interruption. Merrick and Darius piled into the room arguing loudly.


    ''I swear, if you don''t sort it out, you are sleeping in the car'' Merrick growled


    ''I''m a wolf! i''m not always going to be fragrant girlfriend'' Darius retorted, earning himself an elbow to the ribs, which caused him to double over as Merrick ced his arm around his neck, sping him in a headlock as he brought a fist round of his own straight into Merrick''s gut.


    ''Enough you two'' Charity said forcefully, ''what is going on''


    Standing up as Merrick released him, Darius straightened his clothes before addressing the Luna, ''Your Beta has an issue with certain aspects of my scent'' he replied innocently.


    Merrick grumbled loudly, ''scent? it has nothing to do with your scent and all to do with the fact you had double helpings of 5 bean chili yesterday and I have to share a room with you! no wonder Elizabeth was happy to see the back of your sorry a*s'' Aaron fell back on the bedughing as Darius feigned hurt, ''My mate loves my scent, i''ll thank you not to cast about the notion she doesn''t''


    Merrick snorted, ''I reckon she''s lost her sense of smell, I can''t believe she puts up with that, how does she not die from suffocation?''


    Trying not to giggle, Charity pressed her lips together grimly, ''boys, we need to sort out some food and get some sleep'' she warned, a smile escaping her at their chagrined faces.


    ''Lets order some pizza''s and sides, eat here and get some shut eye, we want to be back on the road at sun up tomorrow'' Aaron interjected as the warriors nodded, Merrick pulling out his phone, punching in the number that the clerk had scrawled on the top of the map.