3: Inventory

                Nathan gave his Alpha a nod, watching him walk up the stairs and out of sight. Pulling me from the cargo space, he held me cradled in his arms, like he was carrying a sleeping child. Leaning against him offered some warmth against the cold, and it felt less exposed than being ass up over a shoulder. It also let me see where we were going as we walked. What they called a pack house looked more like a Tudor mansion mixed with an old gothic church.

                Blake closed up the hatch, following close behind as Nathan carried me inside. “Warn the boys all to behave; it’s already been a long enough night.” He paused just before stepping through the double door entryway at the top of the stairs, “If you still want a chance to improve your position, be ready to speak up when the time comes.”

                “Of course, Beta,” with a nod, Blake jogged off ahead of us to do as he was told.

                Nathan moved inside, weaving through a series of rooms and halls until we got to an office. It was a large, mostly empty room. The walls were lined with built-in bookshelves while a large desk dominated the space in front of the only window in the room, a single chair sat behind it. He set me down in the center of the room on my feet, waiting until I was steady before stepping away. “Stand still and behave so this can go quickly,” he grumbled in a harsh whisper, “I promise you it’s in your best interest not to provoke him anymore tonight.” I couldn’t imagine what he thought I could accomplish right now. I was sure that if I tried to breathe too deeply, I would throw myself off balance and fall face first onto the floor. He crossed the room and leaned against the desk, folding his arms over his chest watching me.

                The same 6 brutes that had wrestled me to floor of my parents’ living room were the first to file into the room. Close on their heels were a few others I hadn’t seen yet, and of course Blake. Nathan would nod his head, directing them to stand around the room. There had to be 15 or so of them, if I counted his nods right, of them. They formed a semi-circle around me, standing close to the walls and talking in hushed tones amongst themselves.  

                Even with my back to the door, I knew when he entered the room. Everyone had stopped talking and snapped up at attention. Everyone except Nathan, he held his position, leaning on the desk, arms still folded. “Looks like everyone’s ready to begin,” Alpha Dmitri’s voice had a cheerful chirp to it.

                He began by walking around me like a predator circling his prey. I could feel his eyes rake over me as he moved. Even as helpless as I felt I refused to let him see the fear I felt creeping up from the pit of my stomach, so I stared him down each time he passed in front of me. “The Lykos family finally fulfilled the agreement they made with my parents when they petitioned us for sanctuary.” He grinned at me as paused in his circling, “This is their rather spirited daughter, Alexandra.” He studied my face as he spoke, looking for some hint of rebellion or recognition maybe. “Do you all agree to be witnesses to her induction to the pack as Vicaria?”

                As a chorus of voices they answered together, “Yes, Alpha.”

                I didn’t know if he found what he was searching my face for, but he folded his arms behind his back and began his trek around me again. His deep voice filled the room as he continued, “Do you all agree to protect her as you would any other pack member? To give your life for hers as you would for your Alpha and Luna?”

                “Yes, Alpha,” they agreed again without pause.

                “Now a few of the more interesting formalities,” I could hear the smirk on his lips as he spoke. Stepping in close to me, he lifted the massive tangle of red curls that covered my neck and shoulders. He examined the skin so closely that I could feel the warmth of his breath. “There doesn’t appear to be a mate’s mark in any of the usual places, who’d like to confirm this for me?” He took a small step back, still holding my hair up and looked around the room. With his free hand he gestured at someone behind me to come and take a look as well.

                I glared at the new face came into view as he circled around me. He hadn’t looked nearly as closely as his Alpha had. He didn’t take more than a few seconds before he answered, “I concur, Alpha, she indeed is unmarked.” Dmitri gave him a nod and he moved quickly to find his place along the wall again.

                Keeping my hair balled up in his fist, he gave another look around the room, “Dose anyone else wish to take a look?” Everyone must’ve shaken their head no, because he looked both amused and disappointed.

                He stepped out of my line of sight and with a jerk he yanked my hair back; forcing me off balance so my body fell against his. “I’ve been assured that she’s been kept a virgin,” instantly my face felt hot as he announced it.

                With another tug, my head was pulled aside, allowing him full and intimate access to my neck. Nuzzling his face into the space where my shoulder and neck met, he inhaled deeply, scenting me. The movement sent a strange tingle over my skin and down my spine. I could feel the smile tugging up the corners of his lips as he took in another breath, “Like fresh rain on a full moon,” he whispered against my neck so quietly I wasn’t sure I heard him right. “Who would like to confirm her scent is hers and hers alone?”

                “I will,” Nathan huffed, pushing off the desk. He stalked forward, the hint of a frown on his lips. Dmitri held my hair firm giving access while keeping my back pressed against his own chest. Stepping into me, the Beta nuzzled my neck inhaling deep. For a moment I thought I heard him purr and felt his body go rigid, but he stepped away from me so fast I couldn’t be sure. “I confirm that her scent is unique to her and that there doesn’t seem to be any other scent fading. Before any of you louts think about challenging my word, I’ll remind you that our Luna is waiting as are your mates.”

                Many of them exchanged glances, but no one spoke up against him. No one except his Alpha, “Do you always have to be such a buzz kill Nate,” Dmitri complained with a chuckle, but released my hair and stepped away. I wobbled, just barely able to stay upright. Nathan returned to his perch and shrugged.

                He began to circle around me again, talking more to himself than to anyone in the room, “She isn’t a shifter, naturally. And I can’t keep her at my side all the time, so she’s going to need a personal guard. They’ll have to be moved into the main house here with their mate.” He stopped pacing and looked at his Beta, “Do you have any suggestions, or do we ask for volunteers?”

                I recognized Blake’s voice as he spoke out, “I’ll volunteer.”

                “You understand that this will be a very demanding position? You’ll have to put your duty to her before all else, including your mate, regardless of her condition. You’ll be expected to accompany her whenever she is not in my immediate care. You’ll be taking responsibility for her well being and security, so if anything should happen…”

                “I understand, Alpha,” he stepped next to me, “I’d still like to volunteer.”

                Dmitri gave his Beta a quick glance but only received a small shrug for an answer. “Excellent then, Delta, as of tonight you shall be in her service.” He joined Nathan, leaning against the desk as well. “You and your mate can make arrangements to relocate tomorrow.”

                “She’s been living with the humans along our borders, so we’ll have to make sure she’s educated properly.” Nathan pointed out. “We don’t even know if she knows basic history and lore, or if she understands pack hierarchy.”

                “Sophie can see to that, it’ll give her something to keep busy with for a while.” His lips twitched back up into a smirk when he realized I was glaring at them, “She should be able to grasp the concept easily since she had such high grades, even if it was an inferior education, she clearly excelled above the rest.”

                “Does anyone else have any complaints or concerns about the newest addition to our pack?” There were a few snickers and mumbled comments about some candy, but the glare Nathan shot around the room seemed to shut them all up rather quickly. “Then I suppose we are done here for tonight,” he smiled clapping his hands once, “Blake, see that my new pet is properly settled in her new home, while we finish up today’s business. The rest of you are free to go for the rest of the night.” Dismissed, they all began funneling out of the room. Blake stood beside me watching them all go.

                “Shall we go tell our Luna the good news,” Dmitri clapped Nathan on the shoulder, “She’s been excited all week about having someone new to play with.” Nathan just grumbled in response, making Dmitri chuckle. He gave me a wide grin as he watched Blake lifted me up and over his shoulder again, waving as we left the two of them behind.