Chapter 3 | High Standards

Penelope

I sat uncomfortably and stared at my feet while I waited for Mr. Black. It was uncomfortable listening to the woman cry out, sometimes in ecstasy and sometimes in pain. The dirty things the men said to them were disturbing and I swear, the sound of balls slapping against skin is forever engrained in my head.

It took a while before Mr. Black walked back in and when he did, his eyes roamed over me as he called my name, “Ms. Fox.”

I walk to him, and he takes my arm and leads me out of the room and brings me into an office room where another well-dressed man sits. The man had sandy brown hair that looked disheveled like he had run his hand through it a thousand times, his dark eyes looked tired, and he didn't even really look at me. Instead, he glances towards Mr. Black and Mr. Black huffs and says, “Penelope, this is Beta Stevens. He proposed an interesting idea and is going to take care of you from here on out.”

My eyebrows furrowed, and Beta Stevens stands up and nods his head as he says, “Ms. Fox, it’s a pleasure.”

Mr. Black rolls his eyes and states, “If he doesn’t like her, then I want her back.”

Beta Stevens rolls his eyes at Mr. Black and says, “I’m a man of my word, Xavier. Cool it. I think the Alpha will like her and it might help him get back out there.”

Mr. Black states, “I need to get back to my girls. I hope you’re right, Beta.”

He leaves, and Beta Stevens looks me up and down and asks bluntly, “Is your flower still intact?”

“Excuse me?” I cough out and he chuckles and says, “Your virginity. Are you still a virgin?”

My cheeks heat up from his question, but I nod slowly, “Yes, Beta Stevens.”

“Good, I’m glad I could get to you before he could fully corrupt you. Let’s get you changed and head back to the pack.”

“Beta Stevens?” I call his name and he looks at me, “Yes?”

“What pack is this? I was with Mr. Black and the Moon Stone Pack, but now I’m with you…”

“You’re still with the Moon Stone Pack, Ms. Fox. Mr. Black is our Gamma.” He explains and then offers me a welcoming smile. He seems a lot different from Xavier Black.

I nod in understanding, and he says, “Come on.”

I follow him out the door and he brings me back to the room where I had been changed into this outfit. The difference is, this time, no one catered to us. It’s as if we didn’t exist.

Beta Stevens walked over and picked out a baby pink dress and he looks towards me and says, “Pink would be a good color for you, yes?”

I nod, “Yes sir, I’ve been told pink is a good color for my skin tone.”

He passes me the dress and states, “Put it on. I’ll find you some shoes.”

I nod and do as he said. I feel uncomfortable getting naked with a room full of people, but it is what it is. I’m just glad to be away from the room with Mr. Black.

I slip on the dress, and he comes back to me and hands me a pair of black ballet shoes and says, “This will be just fine. Let’s get going. The Alpha hates when we take too long at these events.”

I follow him out to a car, and he opens the door for me to sit in the passenger seat and he gets in the driver’s seat. As we drive, he glances over at me and says, “Take off that collar.”

I don’t hesitate to do as he instructed, and he tells me, “You’re different from the girls we saw during the auction today. In all my years of attending this auction, no one has caught my eye the way you did. You are a gift for our Alpha. If you can’t keep the Alpha’s interest, then you will be given back to Mr. Black. But our Alpha is a refined and respectable man. He would be angry if you had a collar on like a mutt.”

“How am I supposed to keep-” He cuts me off before I can finish my question, “It’s not my business how you keep his interest. You have roughly a month, Ms. Fox. Your fate is in your hands.”

I gulp as I sit back in my seat as he continues to drive. As we drive, he tells me, “Our Alpha is named Donovan Stone. Our pack is very well known, and he has a certain standard he must keep. He will not be near a woman who looks… loose, so you must do your best to keep your standards high.”

I nod as I say, “Understood, thank you, Beta Stevens.”

We soon pull up towards the pack house. I’ve never seen one before, but it seems simple. It looks like it’s two stories and from the front view, it doesn’t look too big.

Beta Stevens steps out of the vehicle and walks around to open my door. He tells me, “Ms. Fox, welcome to the Moon Stone Pack.”

He holds out his arm for me to take and we walk into the pack house. It’s much bigger and nicer looking on the inside. I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrows in surprise at the place.

Before we can walk anywhere else, a man walks in and looks startled at our appearance. Beta Stevens smiles as he takes a step forward and says, “Alpha Stone, this is Ms. Penelope Fox. She was at the auction today.”

Alpha Stone looks at his Beta and pays no mind to me as he asks, “How many people were purchased today?”

“Gamma Black purchased 4 women, I purchased Ms. Fox here, and we purchased around 10 men that would be good warriors.”

Alpha Stone nods and says, “We’ll initiate them all into the pack tonight. I’m surprised you bought a girl, Beta. That’s unlike you. What would your mate have to say about it?”

Beta Stevens chuckles as he says, “I don’t think she would mind, sir. I didn’t buy her for myself. Ms. Fox is here for you.”

Alpha Stone’s eyes flicker to me before looking back at his Beta and asking, “Why?”

“I just thought-” Alpha Stone raises his hand and shakes his head before saying, “It doesn’t matter. Ms. Fox you are welcome to follow me. I’m sure I can find some… use for you.”

I bow my head, “Yes, Alpha.”

His head cocks to the side as he says, “She shows respect. Most of the girls there don’t.”

Beta Stevens chuckles, “She’s different from the others, Alpha. I’m sure she will please you well.”

Alpha Stone nods and says, “Find a place for her belongings. Come, Ms. Fox.”

Alpha Stone turns his back and starts to walk away, but I feel frozen in my stop. Beta Stevens nudges me and mouths, “Go!”

I nod as I scurry off to follow the Alpha. But there’s a pit in my stomach at the thought of what he might do to me in private or if I won’t be good enough for him how I’ll end up back with Mr. Black.

One thing is for sure though, I’d rather die than be with Mr. Black again. I must make this work with the Alpha. Otherwise, I’m not sure what will become of me.