One

The pale glow of the moon cast a haunting blue light across the snow as Chloe shivered against the bitter wind. She had no doubt the winter landscape would be a beautiful sight if it weren't for the fact she had been out in the freezing cold for hours. The tense silence around her was broken by the chatter of her own teeth and the rhythmic crunch of boots in the snow as the guards prowled around her and the fourteen other girls currently stood in the snow in nothing more than their underwear. 

Casting her blue eyes up to the moon, Chloe silently prayed this round of punishment would be over soon. She wasn't even entirely sure what had warranted them being pulled from their beds in the basement of the club, forced to strip and made to stand in the freezing cold outside of the Alpha's residence in the dead of night. The frigid air that bit painfully at her fingers and nose made the depressing confines of their basement prison (nicknamed the den by the girls) seem wonderfully warm and cosy and Chloe closed her eyes, imagining herself tucked under the layers of blankets and clothes she buddled onto her cot to help keep her warm. 

This wasn't the first time they had been subjected to cruel and unusual punishments at the whim of their Alpha. If anything, this was probably the least humiliating or dangerous. Being a werewolf certainly gave them the advantage of warmer body temperatures and better endurance. If she was human, Chloe was certain she'd have died from hyperthermia by now. However, that didn’t mean her skin didn’t break out in goosebumps every time the icy breeze hit her head on or her toes stinging and then numbing as they were buried under layers of snow. She felt every bit of it and no doubt would feel the chilblains when she was allowed back inside.

The young she-wolf was snapped out of her daydreams when the flood lights came on, bathing the snow covered grounds and fifteen shivering female bodies in vanilla light, exposing their bare bodies to the scrutiny of the males around them.

"Turn around to address your Alpha!" One of the guards snarled as others pushed the she-wolves to make them face the Alpha's residence just as the Alpha himself stepped out the double doors of his home like some self-righteous god. 

Chloe glanced towards the man standing at the top of the steps, his blue eyes hard like steel as he surveyed the scene before him. He looked young for his age but the faint lines around his eyes spoke of his time as Alpha. His dark hair was only lightly peppered with grey hairs at his temples and he stood tall, showing off his muscled physique just like a young male would. His sharp features certainly made him handsome but there was nothing about the Alpha's temperament that was alluring. All one had to do was look into those ice blue eyes to see the cruel and sadistic monster that lurked underneath the well put together façade. 

"Ladies," The Alpha finally spoke, addressing the terrified creatures before him with a voice that seemed jovial but held a deadly understone like a knife in its sheath. "Someone has been abusing my trust and stealing extra food from the kitchen late at night."

Silence fell as the Alpha allowed for a pregnant pause for dramatic effect. He loved being dramatic, he loved making a show of everything, especially his dominance over everyone in his pack. 

So that’s what this was all about? Food? 

It wasn’t like they struggled for substance or anything really. One just had to look at the Nordic inspired stone and wood mansion the Alpha had recently built for himself (with pack funds, obviously) and the well manicured gardens. The packhouse and Alpha residence were packed to the brim with food, the latest electronics and technology and had been decorated to perfection to show off just how wealthy the pack was or rather, how wealthy the Alpha and his family were. However it was all a lie; a well constructed illusion presented to the rest of the world to hide the reality that most suffered here in the pack, especially the orphaned females. 

The sixteen young women shivering under the burning gaze of their leader were prisoners. Not the kind you find in Wyoming's Womens’ Center where for some, the prospect of freedom is actually a possibility. These young women were prisoners of their Alpha and all the males that inhabited the packlands. They were dolls, dressed to appeal to any testosterone-pumped werewolf and forced to perform nightly at the pleasure of anyone who was willing to pay the Alpha for their services. Chloe was only grateful they weren’t forced into sex-work although, that threat loomed over them every day. If you pissed the Alpha off one too many times then it was off to the ranch for you and there was no coming back.

Everything about the girls’ lives were monitored as well. The Alpha had worked out quickly that a certain aesthetic drew in those with fatter bank balances and that meant everything from how much the girls exercised, ate and even their styles were controlled to the finest detail. If any of them broke those rules by not putting their all into exercise or by eating too much, then they were punished. Usually it was the ‘guilty party’ who would suffer whatever penalty that the Alpha deemed appropriate for the crime but when no obvious culprit presented themselves, then they all suffered. 

“Now, I’m going to give the guilty party a chance to come forward and admit to their transgression and take their punishment.” The Alpha announced, taking the steps slowly, as if out for a casual stroll. “The sooner you step forward, the more understanding I will be.” 

The frigid silence pressed down on the slender shoulders of the girls as they all waited for someone to break. 

Chloe had made it a rule never to step out of line. She did everything exactly as she was told to in hopes that someday it would pay off and she would be released from this nightmare. For four years she had performed like a poodle at the circus and never once complained or rebelled. However that didn’t mean that she managed to get by unscathed. None of them had so at times it had seemed pointless to be a good girl and keep her head down. But it meant that she would never be threatened with being sent to the ranch and that was all Chloe could hope for at this stage. 

“It was me.”

All eyes turned to the owner of the voice including Chloe’s, a soft gasp leaving her when she saw it was her best friend, Katie. The brunette stepped forward, her breath escaping in juddering puffs of steam as she bowed her head in submission to the Alpha and his men. 

Chloe wanted to speak up, her viridian blue eyes wide with fright as the Alpha prowled towards Katie’s quivering form. Her dark skin was a mixture of blue and purple from the freezing cold and her whole body trembled either in fear or from the arctic temperatures. Despite the looming danger, she remained still though, like a little rabbit and Chloe desperately wanted to pull her back and protect her but knew the dangers. 

Don’t do anything, Chloe. Katie’s voice whispered through the mindlink. Just let me take this punishment.

“Katie?” The Alpha finally spoke, almost sounding hurt. “Why am I not surprised that you would be behind this?” 

“I’m sorry, my Alpha.” Katie managed past chattering teeth. “It was only an apple.” 

“Only an Apple?” The Alpha scoffed, raising his voice to address the rest of the girls as well as the brunette before him. “Do I not feed you enough? Do I not make sure you are clean and have clothing? Do I not make sure you are tended to when sick or hurt? All I ask for in return is your obedience and loyalty. Instead you steal from me like filthy rogues!” 

As quick as a snake pouncing on its prey, the Alpha’s arm shot out, thick fingers curling into Katie’s hair and yanking, making her cry out in pain and fright. 

“How many times must I punish you before you get it through your thick skull that I make the rules, Katie?” He seethed in her face, eyes blacker than the night. “Perhaps I need to do something to really get your attention.” 

Chloe's heart stopped when the Alpha's dangerous eyes landed on her. 

"Chloe, step forward please." 

"No! Please!" Katie cried, bucking like a stray dog on a catch pole, fingers grasping at the male's coat in desperation. "My Alpha, please! This was my mistake! Please don't touch her!" 

"I'm afraid it's too late for that, Katie." The Alpha replied calmly. "Chloe, step forward please. We don't have all day." 

Katie continued to beg the Alpha to spare Chloe but each syllable fell on deaf ears. The Alpha had made his decision and it was Chloe that would suffer. Chloe had no choice but to step forward, shoulders trembling as the giant male approached her, dwarfing her 5ft 7" form. Her heart had found the ability to start again and now pounded in her chest until her lungs ached. Her frightened eyes flicked to her friend who was held back by two guards, her cold body twisting against their rough grasp and face red from screaming before the Alpha's form blocked her view. 

"Come," The Alpha squeezed the small blonde's shoulder, the heat of his hand like a hot iron against her frozen skin. "You know what to do." 

"Yes, my Alpha." Chloe whispered, watery eyes turning to the steps and pulling her frozen feet out of the snow. 

Her muscles felt like stale gum as she moved causing her to stumble. Of course the Alpha was right there to steady her like a caring father figure except there was nothing kind or fatherly about what was going to happen. By the time she had made it up the steps, one of the guards was already waiting with a length of rope by one of the decorative pillars that bordered the giant doors to the Alpha's residence. Chloe's stomach muscles quivered as she tried to avoid sobbing, forcing herself to put on a brave face as she stepped towards the pillar. 

The stone was freezing against Chloe's chest and stomach as the guard pulled her arms around the girth of the pillar so she was hugging it like a lost lover before tying her wrists tightly together so the rope bit into the delicate skin whilst keeping her body flush against the column. 

"Whatever you do, don't hold your breath between hits." The guard whispered to her hurriedly before disappearing off to the side.

"Once again I am forced to remind you all of the consequences of stealing from me." The Alpha's voice rang out into the wintery night. "An innocent party must now suffer for your greed." 

Katie's screams had not relented, the sounds ricocheting off the walls and emptiness between the house and line of trees like bullets. Some of the girls had started to cry, their whimpers and sobs quiet but audible, mixing with Katie's anguish and ringing in Chloe's ears. 

"How many do we think, boys?" The Alpha teased. "Ten?"

"Fifteen!" 

"Nah, twenty!" One of the guards called out, earning a few cheers of agreement from his comrades. 

"Twenty?" The leader let out a whistle of air in approval, moving to another guard who stood on the sidelines with a black cane at the ready. "Twenty it is." 

Chloe felt her blood freeze at the decision, her heart now racing as she tried to gulp in air. At some point her cheeks had become wet with tears, her round cheeks pale as the colour drained from her face and her knees turned to jelly. 

Twenty. 

"Count for me." The Alpha's hushed growl startled the small blonde, her eyes turning to the male, shuddering at the sadistic glint in his eyes. "Wouldn't want to see you get less than what is expected." 

Chloe's tongue felt heavy in her mouth, her mind blank as the Alpha stepped out of view. A few seconds later, the silence was broken by the sound of the cane cutting through the icy air before searing pain cut across Chloe's back like lightning making her cry out into the savage night.