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3: Inventory
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Nathan 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.
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Rite of Submission 5: Testing the Water
The sharp tap-tap-tap of a finger knocking on a door jolted me out of my blank gaze into the dark. My heart immediately started racing, as a new fear settled in my gut. The tapping came again, with the sound of footsteps coming close. Pushing myself up, I struggled to remember how to sit the way Blake had shown me. On my knees, sit back on my feet… braid back, was it palms up or down on my thighs? There was a muffled conversation just outside the doors to the main hall. I couldn’t make out what was being said. I could hear the soft lilt of a woman laughing and then Blake’s acceptance of his dismissal when the doors opened. “Goodnight, Alpha,” then the closing of doors. I could hear heavy steps as someone walked confidently through all of the dark rooms. He passed before me, disappearing into one of the closed doors I hadn’t been through yet, an adjoining bathroom. Finally, a light flipped on. The sudden brightness blinded me for a moment, so that I had to squint to see
Rite of Submission 6: Luna
“You couldn’t hold your wolf in check for one damn night,” a woman’s voice shouted in the bathroom doorway. He had left me under the running water at least half an hour ago. “Dimi, you promised to give her time to settle in,” she called, turning the water off and wrapping a plush robe around my shoulders. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch,” he grumbled from the bedroom, “I only tested the waters a little bit.” He filled the doorway, towel still wrapped around his hips, “I sent for Candice, didn’t I? Speaking of, I’d like that gone before she gets here so that I can at least try to enjoy my distraction.” Removing the collar from my neck, she frowned up at me; I stood at least 6 inches taller than her. Her long hair was pulled back into a high pony tail, like a waterfall of dark chocolate waves. She had the same ice blue eyes as him, the same gold tan, same full lips. Where he was built of solid muscle, she was made up of soft curves and lean muscle. “
Rite of Submission 7: Terms of Service
An ornate red garment box was delivered to her rooms and waiting for us on her couch when we woke up. Sophie had warned me last night to expect something like this. Inside the box was a long white, gauzy nightgown with long slits up each side of the skirt, a deep neckline and bare back. I was going to be naked without being naked in it as it barely covered anything. There were also white silk ropes to bind me with and an accompanying gag. She promised me that I’d never be bound as long as I was in her rooms, but he wouldn’t hesitate to move me to his rooms if I “misbehaved” in any way. Even as Luna she could only do so much. Today she was planning to play the little sister card to negotiate what she called a gentleman’s agreement with him. It wouldn’t be anything formal like the contract that promised me to him, but she was confident that he’d hold up any deal they made. My job was to just sit there like a decoration. I helped her drag the large tufted
Rite of Submission 8: Silence is Golden
He led the way through his suite all the way back into his bedroom. He eyed me warily as I immediately made my way to the velvet cushion in the corner and sat in my new formal resting position. Sophie had been right about everything that happened during their short negotiations this morning, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to continue following her instructions. As long as I was sitting quietly, he was likely to forget that I was there and burry himself in his work. Sniffing his shirt he made a face and chuckled, “Sophie’s always right.” He pulled the t-shirt off over his head, tossing it on the bed. “Can you be a good girl like she claims,” he arched an eyebrow, “Or do I have to get you all wet again.” I gave him a small shrug but kept a mask of indifference on my face. “Then at least make yourself useful and let them know to change out all of the bedding,” he disappeared into the bathroom, partially closing the door. After a minute or two, there was a
Rite of Submission 9: Blurring the Line
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Rite of Submission 10: Girls Will Be Girls
As the sun started to stream into the room through the windows, I found myself nestled snuggly into his side with my leg draped over his and my head resting on his chest. I must have gotten cold while I slept. That was the only reasonable explanation because even now he put off heat like a campfire. The last thing I needed was for him to wake up and find me pressed against him. It was possible I’d wake him if I tried to unwrap myself, but I had to risk it. Holding my breath, I faked a slow stretched and rolled away from him onto my other side. Pretending to still be asleep I tried to lay still and keep my breaths even, waiting to see if I woke him. He seemed to still be sleeping. A series of knocks came through the different rooms until the culprit made their way to the bedroom door. “Alpha,” I groaned inwardly at the sound of Nathan’s voice, “Are you up yet?” He knocked louder, waiting for an answer. Next to me, he grow
Rite of Submission 11: The Monster
The morning began with shouting and slamming doors. Breakfast had been brought in and set up without waking us, but Dmitri made sure we got up when he came in. Without giving us time to wipe the sleep from our eyes, the fight between the two siblings began. He was furious that we weren’t up already, but that was nothing compared to his rage about Sophie taking me to raid their mother’s closet. “It’s not like anyone was using them or coming to claim them! Maybe you should have let the poor girl pack a bag before dragging her back here like a fucking caveman!” “You crossed the wrong line this time Sophia!” he roared, “I think I’ve lost my appetite this morning!” Grabbing my wrist, he stormed out of her rooms, dragging me behind him, and ignoring her protests. He released his grip on me when we made it to his bedroom; all the doors between us and Sophia had been slammed shut. I stood there like a child ready to be scolded while he paced a
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If you've enjoyed following Selene's jouney so far, I wold like to invite you to continue with her as she explores what it means to be an incarnation of the moon goddess in "Rite of Power" I am posting it as it's own story and until it passes through the application stage, the only way to add it to your library is through the mobile and PC website for Goodnovel. I have already posted the first 3 chapters and will be contining to post 3 chapters a week, one each on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The only reason there is more beyond Rite of Submission is because of all of you. (and my beta readers who practically screamed at me that there had to be more). I hope to see all your wonderful comments and notes there. If you haven't noticed yet, I do actually look through and read your comments, even the ones correcting my grammar. And that brings me to a very special thank you to the unofficial editors: Cjallen24, George Calloni, Mylo, Noelle Mounce, SpaceKonijn and the MVP: Sacha De N
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Rite of Submission 69: Fight Like a Girl
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Rite of Submission 67: Mine
I found myself breathless, with my face smashed into the mattress. Struggling, I sucked in a breath to cope with the burn that radiated across my stinging buttocks, as his hand connected to shove my whole body forward; sliding me off of his expended member. The sudden emptiness made me acutely aware of the dull ache throbbing between my legs. My legs felt like limp noodles, not responding to my attempts to stand or at least roll over onto my side. “Haven’t you had your fill yet?” he practically snarled. My endeavors to assure him it was only me now died as muffles into the bed. The sound slap on my ass ripped a sharp cry from my throat. ‘It’s me! It’s me! It’s
Rite of Submission 66: Dark & Twisted Delights
I feel asleep with a sense of serenity I’d never felt before. Waking now and stretching my arms, I can’t help but worry if I’d dreamt it. Blue eyes, not black pools when he said he loved me. I jerked upright when my hand found only empty space beside me. ‘Dmitri?’ I tried to picture his face as I reached my thoughts out to him. Relief settled over me like a warm blanket, ‘Welcome back to the land of the living, Princess.’ I could feel his relief as well, ‘You looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to disturb you. I’ll wrap things up here and be up in a few minutes.’ I settled back into the pillows, feeling like I could float up to the ceiling at any moment. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so content,” his adoration washed over me, with a tinge of jealousy. My cheeks hurt from smiling so big, “You love me,” butterflies swirled in my stomach as he looked down at me. He frowned, “Have I really made you question that?”
Rite of Submission 65: Broken
To much time had passed and he was still just staring at me with a blank expression as I knelt there holding his hand in mine. One of us needed to say something eventually. I had a limited number of options before me, and I’d need time to prepare either way he decided. A knock on the main doors derailed my train of thought. His face was still blank, “I’ll go see who that is, and what they want,” I whispered, setting his hand on his thigh. Still nothing from him, sighing, I climbed off the floor and made my way to the sitting room. I opened the door to a very cheerful Sophia, “It sounded really quiet, so I thought I wouldn’t be interrupting,” she gave me a wink with a cheeky grin, “I planned for us all to have brunch instead of breakfast since the morning after a full moon tends to run a little later than normal, aaaaannnnnnd…” she wiggled her eyebrows at me suggestively. “Oh, um…” I quickly pulled her inside and shut the door behind he
Rite of Submission 64: Pay the Piper
The sun peeked over the edge of the horizon just before we started making our way back down to the clearing. Nathan and Dmitri had been quiet the last few hours. I assumed it was because they were having a conversation the rest of us weren’t meant to hear. I didn’t know if I could listen in, or even if I should try. It wouldn’t be fair of me to keep my own secrets but intrude on theirs. ‘Anyone want to race down?’ Blake found new enthusiasm as the sky changed to a bluish-pink. ‘I’m game,’ Lalita challenged, his cheerful attitude seemed to perk her up as well. They set off down the hillside, followed by a handful of enforcers and most of the females. The
Rite of Submission 63: Wolves in the Woods
I let myself fall slightly behind; then kept the pace to maintain the gap. Dmitri, Blake and the female wolves kept pace with me as the rest of the enforcers ran together ahead of us, Nathan at the head of their charge. It was a long way to the rocky shelf that they ran up the hillside too every run. Dmitri had pointed it out on a map for me the night before, and I was just enjoying the feeling of wind in my fur and dirt beneath my paws as we ran. ‘You’re toying with him,’ Dmitri accused. ‘Only a little bit,’ I teased and picked up my pace for a moment to close the gap a few feet. ‘He’s going to be very grumpy for days,’ He teased back. ‘I warned him, you warned him,’ I mocked. ‘6, Princess,’ he warned, but I could feel his amusement. We continued through the trees, racing up the slope, closing the gap a little more every so often. When our group was a few feet behind the enforcers, Na
