Chapter 5 | Different

Penelope

The day is awkward and uncomfortable.

Alpha Stone hasn't paid too much attention to me since earlier when I made my first attempt at seducing him. My cheeks still redden in embarrassment over the whole situation.

When the Alpha was done with his workday, he led me to a bedroom that he said would be mine. I thanked him before I walked in there and took a deep breath.

The day has been exhausting and unnerving.

I lie down on the bed and take a deep breath, enjoying the moment I finally get to have to myself. But I don’t even have time to exhale before there’s a knock on my door. I try not to groan as I force myself off the bed and drag my feet to the door and open it. I jump back, startled, as I see Mr. Black leaning against the door frame with a small smirk on his lips.

I didn't realize Mr. Black would be back so soon and I'm surprised I never heard him or the other girls come to the pack house.

He walks into my room like he owned it as he said, “Well, well, Ms. Penelope. Look at you, moving on up!”

I gulp as I watch him move around the room. He turns towards me and says, “Beta Stevens did tell you that if you can’t keep the Alpha’s attention, you’ll come back to me, right?”

I nod nervously, “Yes, he told me.”

He walks close to me and leans down, rubbing his nose along my face and his lips graze my ear as he says, “The Alpha never stays interested in women long. Trust me, P, you’ll be back in my grasp in no time.”

His hand reaches down and he grabs my butt, causing me to gasp as he groans. He continues, “Once you’re back with me, we’ll get straight to your training. I can't wait to feel your warm mouth wrapped around my-”

I feel frozen, unable to push him away, unable to speak and suddenly, Beta Stevens' voice fills the air as he says, “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Xavier?”

Mr. Black turns away from me and looks over his shoulder at Beta Stevens as he states, “I just wanted to remind her who she truly belongs to. We both know that this plan you have with her and the Alpha won’t last long.”

Beta Stevens breathes out and says, “Leave her alone, Xavier. She doesn’t need you getting in her head.”

Mr. Black rolls his eyes as he backs away from me with his hands raised. He walks past Beta Stevens and once he’s out of sight, Beta Stevens looks at me and asks, “Did he harm you?”

I shake my head no and say, “No, sir.”

“He didn’t touch you inappropriately or make you do some… acts?” The Beta forced the last word out and I can see the concern he has for me in his eyes. But I'm not quite sure why he cares so much about me.

“He grabbed my butt, but that was it, Beta.” I respond simply with no emotion. The acts that Xavier did made me feel numb.

Beta Stevens nods as he processes what I said and then he tells me, “We need to go. Alpha wants to initiate all the new people tonight.”

I close the door to my room, and he looks back at me and says, “Once you are initiated into the pack, you will be able to mind link. If Xavier ever does anything inappropriate to you while you’re still entertaining the Alpha, then I want you to link me and let me know. I will put a stop to it.”

I smile softly as we walk and I tell him, “I truly appreciate the effort, Beta Stevens. But I don’t have a wolf yet. Doesn’t that mean I won’t be able to link with you?”

His body seems stiff as he realizes that I’m right. He huffs as we walk into the living room where everyone else is gathered. There are 10 men that are supposed to be the new warriors, the 4 women that I was with earlier, and then the Alpha, Beta, and the Gamma. There was also one woman that I didn’t recognize, but based on the way that Beta Stevens flocked to her and looks at her like she’s the only woman in the room, I would bet that she is his mate.

My eyes can’t help but flicker to the women I had been around earlier. They’re all dressed in simple dresses now, but they all still have their collar. I can’t help but touch my neck as I remember that I no longer have a collar.

Images flash in my head of the things they had to do. I wonder if any of them have bruises from the harshness of those men. My heart hurts for them and I wish there was some way that I could rescue them from this fate.

Somehow, some way, I’m different from them. I wonder if this is all just because I’m a virgin, but for some reason I feel like the meaning is deeper than that.

Alpha Stone looks around the room at each of us and he says, “This night happens only once a year where those that have been purchased from the auction are openly welcomed into our pack. You all have roles and duties to fill, and you have been purchased because we expect that you will do as you’re supposed to in order to strengthen our pack. You will each cut the palm of your hand and I will cut mine. When we shake our hands, you will pledge your allegiance to me, Alpha Donovan Stone, and your loyalty to the Moon Stone Pack. Should you ever cross this pack, you will be banished or worse, do I make myself clear?”

Everyone choruses, “Yes, Alpha!”

He murmurs in a low tone, “Good.”

I stand still. I’m the last in the line. He goes through the men first and I notice for some people, getting the pack link established is painful. I wonder if it will hurt for me or not. I don’t have a wolf, so there’s a chance that it won’t bother me as much as the others.

Some of the women look over at me. I feel bad for some of them. Now that I have a moment to focus on them, I can see bruises on some and others just look plain exhausted.

Alpha Stone said we all have a purpose here to make the pack stronger. How does being Gamma Black’s sex slaves make the pack stronger?

When Alpha Stone stands in front of me, I feel somewhat comforted by his presence. I don’t know why, but he doesn’t make me feel fearful like Gamma Black or Beta Stevens do. I feel flustered by Alpha Stone’s presence, but I assume that’s just because he’s a gorgeous man. What woman wouldn’t feel flustered around him?

He hands me the dagger, and I cut into my hand and then shake his. I can’t help but notice the lightest tingles and that my heart rate seems to speed up. His presence has more of an effect on me than I realized.

I look in his eyes as I say, “I, Penelope Fox, pledge myself and my loyalty to the Moon Stone Pack and to Alpha Donovan Stone.”

The corner of his mouth twitches up, before he corrects himself to having a straight face as he says, “I accept you, Penelope Fox, as a member of the Moon Stone Pack.”

I feel the slightest bit of pressure in my mind and I know that’s the pack link getting established. He lets go of my hand and says to everyone, “Welcome to the Moon Stone Pack. You may all go to the homes or rooms that have been provided to you and get some rest. Beta Stevens or Gamma Black will let you know what duties are expected of you in the morning.”

Everyone moves to leave and as I turn my back, I hear one of the girls say, “That lucky bitch. What do I have to do to be in her shoes?”

Another one replies with a scoff, “She’ll be back with us in no time. Then maybe one of us will get a chance to show the Alpha what fun a real woman could be.”

There’s a pit in my stomach as I head back to my room. At first, I'm overcome with fear that I might not be able to accomplish my goal.

I look at my reflection and remember who I am. I won't give up so easily. Jealousy rages through my veins at the thought of other girls touching Alpha Stone.

I will not allow for another girl to try for the Alpha's affections. The Alpha will be mine and I'm willing to do anything it takes to guarantee that.