Chapter 5

Ellen and I had been in such deep conversation neither of us noticed another person approaching us until she spoke.

“Wow, Ellen. I didn’t think you would still insist on pitying this loser now you shifted.”

I looked up not bothering to mask my hatred at Sam, towering over me. She had a smirk playing on her thin brightly colored lips, her eyes amused.

Ellen rolled her eyes before scoffing “Sam, we are never going to be friends you know that right?”

Sam looked at Ellen shocked as if she had believed they were friends. I suppose I could understand why Sam insisted on trying to be her friend, they were both blondes, both considered the most attractive of our class and both had a bit of a bitchy attitude.

“So you’re okay with being seen with a loser?” She glanced at me, that smug smile returning.

“Or did you not hear? She ran off cowering this morning all because Xander finally woke up and realized he can do better.”

I felt my cheeks flush as my heart hurt again, she was right.

“Excuse me?” Ellen huffed, I glanced to see her eyes darkening with rage. “HE can do better? I don’t think so. He was lucky to even have Laura’s attention for as long as he did.” Sam frowned unhappily that she was standing up for me.

“The attention of a freak?” She laughed, “Laura’s parents were nobodies, mine were an Alpha and Luna.” Sam looked at me triumphantly, “Xander needs to be with someone like me, besides. I. AM. HIS. MATE.”

Ellen stood up her hands shaking, a tremble of fear ran through me as I knew these were signs her wolf form was trying to break free.

“First off, she is not a freak,” she said imitating Sam’s voice “she is a hidden gem in a pool of rocks like yourself.” Sam glared at her, “Secondly, at least her parents FOUGHT for their pack, for their daughter. What did yours do again? Oh, that’s right, they surrendered.” Sam’s face turned to rage as her body started shaking too, I started to scoot my butt backward reading myself to run. I was useless in a fight against their wolves.

“Thirdly, I hope you ARE his mate. You both are spineless, bullies, up-yourselves and you wear too much make-up.” Sam growled jumping towards Ellen braced herself for impact, I closed my eyes waiting to hear the scuffle when a deep oddly attractive voice growled.

“That’s enough.” I opened my eyes to see the stranger in all his glory holding Sam with one hand off the ground and Ellen in the other. Ellen was focused on Sam her eyes still dark and a weird smug smile on her face.

“You’re lucky Sam, I would have kicked your ass.” I tried to stifle a giggle as the stranger shook Ellen.

“Stop acting like children.” He dropped both of them, Sam turned to the man and bowed her head seeming to be embarrassed for some reason.

“My apologies Alpha. I felt insulted.” I looked at the man confused for a moment before it dawned on me, Ellen realizing at the same time. He was Alpha Victor. Both Ellen and I dropped our heads mumbling our own apologies.

“Dismissed pups.” His tone was aggressive, almost hurtful as he drew out pups like an insult.

I felt my cheeks flare in anger as I glared at him shocked that my own body was defining my brain. I screamed to myself to stop as I opened my mouth “you’re a pup too.” Stupid! I screamed in my head as I saw his already almost black eyes darken as a growl escapes his lips.

I felt my heart flutter at his growl, scared? No, almost like… An excited flutter? Sam and Ellen looked at me like I had lost it as Victor stormed towards me. I knew that I was toast, no one EVER spoke back to an Alpha, even if they were only a year older.

“What did you say, pup?” His eyes even though angry seemed to sparkle, momentarily making me want to stare into them forever. I licked my lips nervously as he bent down closer to me. For some reason, I was hyper-aware of just how close his face was from mine, how delicious he smelled.

“I said, what did you say… Pup?” I could feel his anger rolling off his body, my own body was trembling but again weirdly not in fear. I knew it should be. He was an Alpha after all, but he did not scare me.

“I called you a pup, pup.” I couldn’t stop the words leaving my lips and smirked when he growled again, a strange tingling sensation coming over my body. I watched almost in slow motion as his hand grabbed me around the collar of my shirt lifting me off the ground, Sam had run for the hills and Ellen stared at me confused, awestruck, and concerned. I glanced at Victor his eyes now fully black as his wolf's fangs protruded from his mouth. I closed my eyes expecting death for my insolence, no one talked back to an Alpha. When I was suddenly let go and hit the ground hard. I winced and looked over to see Domini‘s brown, shaggy wolf standing between me and Victor. He let out a warning growl before Victor held up his hands. I watched still shocked and weirded out by everything as Domini changed back into a human. His naked, firm ass right in front of my face. I heard Ellen gasp as I turned bright red looking anywhere but directly at him not wanting to be scared for life.

“Alpha, what is the meaning of this? You are a guest here and as I TOLD you, you need to follow OUR rules on OUR lands.” Domini huffed out his voice full of agitation. “We also agreed you would not interfere until she was informed…” He quickly stopped glancing at me with that strange look again before returning his gaze to Victor. Victor looked super pissed glancing between me and Domini, I gulping knowing he really wanted me punished for talking back.

Why did that thought not sound all that bad? I mean if he was to do the punishing… I felt my cheeks go red again trying to force my mind to stop thinking such thoughts, forcing it to focus on Xander.

“Leave, before you cause any more trouble. Alpha Clide will hear of this and he won’t be very happy either.”

Victor growled but did not speak, mealy turning and walking away. Domini sighed before turning to look me over.

“Did he hurt you? I swear to the Goddess…” I pushed him away, not wanting to catch a glimpse of his privates. He looked at me hurt as I tried to explain “uh, can you… like, put on some clothes?”

He glanced down surprised to see himself naked before going bright red himself, looking over his shoulder I followed his line of sight to see Ellen grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, yeah I saw EEVVEERRYYTTHHIINNGG” she winked as Domini, flustered ran into the woods to grab some of the spare clothes we stored there. I gave Ellen a look as she giggled.

“What, he’s not my adoptive brother” she wiggled her eyebrows “and boy, was he…” I shuddered covering my ears.

“Nuh, I don’t want to hear it!” Ellen giggled more at my discomfort as she came over to check on me herself.

“Did he hurt you?” She asked, eyes swirling again with awe. I shook my head thinking back to how almost pleasant it had felt being held like that.

“I can’t believe you!” she slapped my arm hard “where did those balls come from? Talking back to an Alpha?” She again looked at me with awe.

“I, don’t know.” Was all I could say shifting uncomfortably at her delighted expression?

“That was incredibly idiotic.” Domini chimed in returning thankfully fully clothed.

“I know.” I said sadly, glancing at his face trying to see how disappointed he would be.

“And awesome” he finished with a grin before tussling my hair, “don’t tell anyone that I’m proud of you for doing that though okay?” I cracked a smile my heart singing with joy, yes Xander wasn’t speaking to me but I still had my best friend and brother.

“How did she talk back to him though?” Ellen asked with wonder as Domini frowned.

“That’s actually a very good question, I mean I can defy other Alpha’s as a Beta but the only other person that can normally defy an Alpha is…” he looked up at me horrified but not continuing his line of thinking.

“It’s late, we need to get some sleep. Ellen, I expect you to take the first watch tomorrow morning. Laura, you have been asked to take on some duties within the packhouse.”

Ellen groaned knowing she would only be getting a few hours’ sleep tonight and looked at him shocked.

“Housework? By who’s demand?” He smiled smugly at me.

“I’m proud of you as a brother, but as a Beta, I need to punish your behavior. Cleaning duty for you tomorrow.”