Chapter Ten

Maya's POV:

I stare at the letter long after I finish reading. My hands are trembling.

A wolf.

My eyes move back to that line again.

I am a wolf.

A shaky breath escapes me.

"No," I whisper into an empty room. "That isn't possible."

People don't just turn into animals. This isn't some fantasy novel. This is not another one of those ridiculous stories people tell to scare children into behaving. There has to be another explanation.

This is a psychological tactic. Yes. That must be it.

Rich and powerful men love their symbolism. Words such as PREDATOR, ALPHA, and WOLF are all just another way to establish dominance. This is just another attempt to make me feel small.

My fingers tighten around the paper.

He is just a man, Maya. I think to myself.

A dangerous man, violent. And capable of buying another person like a prized cow.

But still just a man.

He has to be. Because if he isn't a man, and if he really is what he claims to be, then what chance do I have?

My stomach churns violently.

His eyes. There was an unnatural stillness when he watched me on that stage.

Why does it seem like the entire room bends around his presence? Fear moves through a hardened man when he just looks at him.

My throat suddenly feels dry. I sip the tea that I subconsciously moved to the desk while reading. It feels slightly cold. I drink it anyway.

For some reason, I, too, am drawn to you, Ulric.

I feel safe, wrapped in your arms. I feel warm when in your presence. I feel sad when you leave. What is it about you, Alpha? I think, while staring blankly into the castle outside my window.

I see a man, with silver in his hair, he almost looks like Ulric, staring at me through a window in the castle. He turns and walks away.

I sigh, and look down at the rest of the document.

Rules and Regulations for Maya Reynolds.

I breathe deeply and begin to read.

Maya,

These rules exist for three reasons:

1) Your safety.

2) My control,

3)The stability of the bond, I believe, exists between us.

You are not expected to understand them immediately. You are expected to follow them.

Rule #1: You will not fear me without reason. Fear born from ignorance can be corrected. Fear born from experience will be respected.

You may question me.

You may distrust me.

You may even hate me.

But you will learn the difference between the monster the world has shown you and the one standing in front of you.

I do not destroy what I claim.

Rule #2: Your well-being is not negotiable.

You will eat when food is provided.

You will sleep when exhaustion claims you.

You will accept medical attention when necessary.

Neglecting yourself is not independence; it is damage.

And I do not allow what is mine to be damaged.

Rule #3: Honesty is required. Obedience is learned.

You are not expected to obey me immediately. You are expected to be truthful.

If you are afraid, you will say it.

If you are angry, you will say it.

If you feel unsafe, you will say it.

Silence creates mistakes, and mistakes create consequences.

Rule #4: You will not run.

Not because I would enjoy stopping you, but because there are things beyond my territory that would not return you alive.

You currently stand under my protection, even if you do not yet understand what that means or want my protection.

Rule #5: You will show basic respect.

You may challenge me in private. You will not defy me publicly.

You may disagree with me.

You will not undermine my authority in front of my pack.

Strength must be seen.

Control must be maintained.

This protects you as much as it protects me.

Rule #6: You will address me properly.

In public, you will call me Alpha.

In private, you may call me Ulric when permission is given.

Rule #7: Idleness is the enemy of healing.

You will not be left to sit and drown in your thoughts.

You will be given tasks suited to your abilities. You will be encouraged to learn the rhythms of this place. You will find ways to make yourself useful.

Contribution creates belonging.

And belonging creates stability.

You are not here to simply exist, Maya. You are here to become strong enough to stand without fear.

Until then, you will not waste your days in uselessness.

Rule #8: Your body is your own.

No one touches you without your consent.

This includes members of my pack.

This includes my enemies.

This includes me.

Control without consent is brutality.

I am many things.

Brutal without reason is not one of them.

Rule #9: Defiance has consequences.

You are allowed to test boundaries; it is in your nature.

But understand this clearly:

Disobedience born from fear will be handled with patience.

Disobedience born from recklessness will be corrected.

Disobedience that endangers you will not be tolerated.

Discipline exists to prevent loss.

Not to cause pain.

Rule #10: You are under my protection. That is not temporary.

Whether you accept it or not.

Whether you understand it or not.

Whether you want it or not.

Some bonds are not chosen.

Some are recognized.

Final Statement

You are not required to trust me.

You are not required to accept me.

You are not required to feel anything for me.

But you are required to survive long enough to make those choices freely.

Until then, you remain under my protection.

- Alpha Ulric Wolfhart