I Am Looking Respectfully Novels & Stories

Sage "Shoulders back, chin up – but not too much, you don't want to seem arrogant." Iris circles me like a general inspecting troops. "Yes, like that. Now the greeting." I attempt a formal bow, trying to remember all the rules she's drilled into me since dawn. "My Lord Alpha—" "Too deep for an Alpha who isn't Alaric," she corrects. "That level of bow suggests submission to direct authority. For visiting Alphas, you want to show respect without—"

“Hello sir, Hello ma'am, it's really nice to meet you. Please don't be bothered. Consider me only as Carolina’s friend and a colleague.” They relaxed a bit and smiled at me… I stayed there for a while, have some snacks with them before I decided to leave, because the look they're giving me, it's still a bit different. No, not of any judgement or anything, in fact, they were humble and respectful, but a pure kind of respect that was hardly seen these days, specifically for me. Besides, it wasn’t only me, Dravara could feel it as well, although she said nothing much, only enjoyed the respect she was given.

"I will respect you when you respect me as a person, not just as a bride." There was a moment of silence as Alpha Damian studied me, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “You are the kind of woman I need .”

He was watching me with open disbelief, as if he couldn’t quite accept what his eyes were telling him. I pushed down the instinctive response to lower my eyes, to show submission. Instead, I met his gaze directly and shrugged with a casualness I absolutely did not feel. “I guess you’re not as respected as you think you are, Alpha Primus,” I said, putting just enough emphasis on his title to make it sound almost mocking. “If your own subjects can summon me here without your approval or knowledge.”

I responded, my voice laced with respect and kindness. She cast a thoughtful gaze upon me, and then softly inquired, "May this humble pack member hold your hands?" Her words held a self-deprecating tone, but I immediately interjected, refusing to accept such belittlement. "No, do not speak of yourself in such a manner. You are not a lowly woman. You are an elder, deserving of utmost respect at all times," I insisted, gently clasping her weathered hands in mine.

I began, "But if there will be reverence and respect owed, it will be for my deeds, and nothing less. I will not demand it where I have not earned it." They stared at me for a long moment, then Mathilde looked up at Elyanna, giving her a short, but seemingly meaningful nod. One by one, the others did the same, ending with Josefine. "I see it," she said, turning to Mathilde, "Not her beast, but in her, herself." Sofie was studying me with a thoughtful looking frown on her face, but gave another nod. "Yes," she said simply, "There is so much of her there."

"Why? It makes you look respected." "Like now?" "Of course," she said putting one hand in her chest. "My respect for you has just grown." "I disagree. I look respectable without it." "No," she said firmly. "You'd look like a criminal." I huffed. "I don't even know what that means." She took a step back and gave me a once-over. "This is just the perfect look." "What about you?"

“That’s all I can ask for.” I felt… respected.

“I am sure you heard me, Evelyn.” I kissed my teeth and turned to him. “What?” I barked. He shut his eyes for a split second, rubbing slowly at his forehead. “Will it kill you to talk to me respectfully?” I scoffed, eyeing him. “I only give respect to whoever deserves it.”

“Clear, respectful, but unwavering.” Still, I hesitated before pressing send. “Do you think they’ll see it as arrogance?” “Maybe,” he admitted. “But it’s not arrogance to draw a line. It’s self-respect.” I looked at the message one last time, then clicked send. The soft whoosh of the email leaving my outbox felt final. Later, over dinner, Julian studied me carefully. “Do you regret turning it down?”