Four

Saturday came around too quickly.

By then Chloe was feeling a lot better although the healer had not been around to check on her again which Chloe hoped meant that the Alpha had forgotten all about their arrangement and she was off the hook. However those hopes were dashed thoroughly when the girls came back from their mandatory workout. 

Chloe had been allowed to attend this time even if she didn't care much for the routines she was forced to do to make sure her body had the right amount of muscle without looking bulky. Being allowed outside for longer than a few minutes had felt good and even the freezing cold biting at her cheeks until they were a soft pink colour hadn't dampened her mood. They were werewolves after all. Being outside was in their nature even if they weren't able to shift because they were low ranking. 

The sight of the large black box with white ribbon made Chloe's blood run cold. She didn't need to approach it and read the small card with it to know who it was from and yet she forced her feet to move towards her bed, bringing her closer and closer to the box. Her heart fluttered in her chest like moths trapped in a jar, a cold sweat seeming to replace the hot sticky one from exercise. Nestled under the white ribbon was a simple white card, her name neatly printed on the front. 

Swallowing against the lump in her throat, Chloe picked up the card with trembling fingers, unfolding the smooth material slowly and allowing her Nordic blue eyes to scan the contents. 

Chloe,

Someone will pick you up for dinner at my residence at 10pm. I hope you like the dress and do me the honour of wearing it this evening. 

Nathaniel

Inside the box, under layers of delicate white tissue paper sat a black dress made of velvet. Chloe didn't want to hold it and yet her fingers curled around it and lifted the material up, allowing the dress to unfold to its full length. Chloe guessed it would settle about mid-thigh on her and yet she was also aware that it was probably the most modest dress she was allowed to wear. Still, she knew it would expose plenty of her flesh with its Bardot neckline that plunged ever so slightly in the middle to slow off a little cleavage. The front of the dress was also ruched giving the appearance of dark waves lapping across water in the night. It was simple but sexy and Chloe shuddered at the thought of being alone with the much older male in this dress.

"That's a beautiful dress Chloe." One of the other girls commented. 

"The Alpha sent it to me." Chloe answered quietly. 

She didn't miss the flash of shock in the girl's eyes nor the look of fear and pity before she turned away. Chloe wasn't the first girl Nathaniel had taken a shine to. Some had seen it as an opportunity to get out of the bleak existence they were forced into while others, much like Chloe, didn't want the attention. Either way, it never seemed to end well for the girl. No one knew for certain what happened to them but one day they never came back. Maybe Nathaniel grew bored of them or perhaps they had fulfilled their role and Nathaniel couldn't have them telling people what was going on. 

Either way, Chloe knew she was in trouble but there was nothing she could do about it. 

Time seemed to speed up much to Chloe's distress. She suddenly was envious of the other girls as they readied themselves to go over to the club for the night. Sure, it was demeaning what they were forced to do but at least Chloe would have been with the other girls. There was safety in numbers after all. 

Reluctantly Chloe got herself ready, showering and styling her hair before applying a small amount of makeup, feeling oddly naked without the usual glitter and false eyelashes that all the girls were used to wearing. By the time her escort arrived, Chloe had managed to settle her nerves enough to walk without trembling and yet she wished more than anything that she was at the club with the other girls rather than being led to what felt like her execution. 

The warmth of the Alpha residence was almost stifling when Chloe stepped inside and she was hit with the scent of cleaning products and roast chicken. Everything within the space was very new looking and very expensive making Chloe wonder just how much money the pack made from the club or if perhaps they were involved in more than making orphaned girls dance and strip. She didn’t have time to dwell on that train of thought though as Alpha Nathaniel appeared at the top of the grand staircase, his hands in the pockets of his grey slacks and his eyes trained on Chloe like she was a prime piece of steak being dangled in front of a starved man. 

“Chloe,” His voice boomed throughout the atrium of the foyer. “I’m so glad you could make it.” 

Chloe could only watch as the Alpha male descended the stairs slowly, each movement like a predator stalking its prey. In fact, that was exactly what was happening here. Chloe was the prey and Nathaniel intended to devour her greedily. There was nowhere to run. Even if Chloe’s legs weren’t frozen to the spot in fear, she had no doubt that Nathaniel would catch her immediately and no doubt make a game out of it like a cat with a mouse. So, she remained transfixed to the spot by her Alpha’s hungry gaze 

“You look ravishing.” Nathaniel murmured when he came to stop in front of the small she-wolf, his large hands running up over her naked arms. “I knew this dress would suit you perfectly.” 

“Thank you, Alpha.” Chloe whispered, dipping her vision to the ground demurely only for her chin to be tilted upwards by one of the male’s fingers so she was staring into his steel blue eyes. 

“Please, call me Nathaniel for this evening.” He replied and smiled, not bothering to hide his lust. “Come, dinner is ready. I hope you like chicken.” 

They moved silently through the house towards what appeared to be a living room with a small dining table set up by the french windows overlooking the plains and fields that surrounded the pack. However, with it being night, it simply looked like there was a void beyond the windows; an emptiness that stretched and spread in all directions as if they were the only people in existence. The room itself was equally stylish with a large L-shaped grey couch and thick cream coloured curtains framing the windows. Two candles flickered timidly on the small dining table while the rest of the space was bathed in a unpleasant amber glow that made Chloe’s eyes hurt and everything seem dull or dirty. 

Nathaniel appeared to act every bit the gentleman as he pulled Chloe’s chair out for her; however, the lingering stares and touches made Chloe’s skin crawl and she prayed this evening would be over quickly. Perhaps Nathaniel wasn’t after anything more than company and yet, the glow in his eyes whenever his wolf tried to take control told the petite blonde otherwise. 

She remained quiet as Nathaniel poured them both a glass of wine, being generous with the amount of alcohol. He even went as far as dishing up the food making sure there wasn't too much or too little on Chloe's own plate as if he had memorised the strict portion measurements forced onto her. 

"How old are you now, Chloe?" The Alpha asked as he settled back in his seat. 

"Eighteen, my Alph-- I mean Nathaniel." Chloe replied softly. 

"Ah so an adult." Nathaniel chuckled. "I remember being that age. So few cares in the world and so much excitement. You feel invincible at that age." 

Chloe could hardly agree less. She felt as trapped as the day she had been brought to this awful place. If anything, she was now in more danger given that she was a mature and unmated she-wolf. 

"Here's to, being young and yet old enough to enjoy life." Nathaniel announced as he raised his glass of wine. 

Raising her glass, Chloe blushed as the soft clink of crystal on crystal filled the stifling air. She never thought about drinking alcohol because technically she was underage but also because she doubted it would be allowed. It carried too many side effects even for werewolves. Right now though, she was grateful for the large glass of wine in her hand and unashamedly gulped down two mouthfuls greedily, letting the wine burn in her stomach. Surprisingly, Nathaniel seemed pleased by this and quietly refilled the young woman’s glass. 

The dinner itself was excruciating. The food was well made but it tasted like ash in Chloe’s mouth as she sat quietly opposite the Alpha, not saying anything. It didn’t bother Nathaniel at all who was all too happy to fill the silence talking about himself and things that Chloe didn’t understand nor cared for. She felt herself becoming drunk as well. With no talk to break up the sips of wine and with Nathaniel constantly topping up her glass, Chloe felt fuzzy headed by the time someone came to clear away the plates leaving Nathaniel and Chloe alone with nothing but their wine and a near empty bottle of wine.

“Did you enjoy dinner?” Nathaniel asked as he filled their glasses again, his eyes glinting as he watched Chloe lift her full glass and brought it to her lips.

Her usually fair cheeks were now flush with colour making her freckles stand out all the more and the unusual blue of her eyes was glazed and unfocused. Her movements were slow and it was obvious that she was drunk. 

“I did.” Chloe spoke softly, her tongue heavy in her mouth as she watched Nathaniel. “Thank you, sir.” 

Nathaniel grinned. “I’m glad you like it.” He stood slowly, his eyes never leaving The petite blonde. “Come, let’s sit somewhere more comfortable.” 

Chloe took the hand offered to her knowing she couldn’t decline. Even in this intoxicated state, she hoped that Nathaniel would just lead her to the couch to talk until it was time for her to return to the den. However, the moment she stood and she felt a wave of dizziness roll over her and instinctively clutched to the Alpha’s arm to steady herself. She was definitely drunk and she could barely focus as Nathaniel guided her away from the dining table and towards the stairs. 

“Where are we going?” Chloe slurred. 

“I’m taking you to bed.” Nathaniel’s voice was sickly-sweet. “You have had a little too much to drink.” 

Because you got me drunk Chloe wanted to say but her mouth wouldn't work and she stumbled, reliant on the older male to guide her and even hold her up. 

“Don’t worry, Chloe,” Nathaniel’s voice was suddenly very close to her ear as they entered a room. “I’ll take care of you.” 

Then the door shut behind them, trapping Chloe in the bedroom with her Alpha.