Of Doms & Subs

Who's a Good Girl?

"What were you thinking?" To an outsider, my voice would be deceptively soft. Ian and Gordon, as did the rest of the pack, knew better. The two males knelt with heads bowed and necks bared. My wolf wanted to rend that soft flesh. They were dirty and still battered from when they were separated with more force than was strictly necessary, but was entirely appropriate. "I've known newly Changed wolves with better self-control than what you displayed today. If you had hit Moira instead, she could have lost full use of that arm." They winced as my voice sharpened and cracked across them like a whip.

"Because of your stupidity, Ellie is undergoing her first intentional shift locked in the safe room after everything I've done to disprove the half-truths that crazy Lone fed her." I leaned in close and whispered, "If she chooses to leave because of your idiocy, I'll take it very personally." Their already white faces blanched even further before I straightened.

"You will beg Ellie for forgiveness. You are her slaves for the next week. You are not to look her in the eye. I don't want to see her lift anything heavier than a glass of water. If she asks you to jump, one asks how high and the other holds the hoop. You will wash, dry, iron, fold her laundry, and shine her shoes. You have one week to arrange for repairs to the barbecue. For the rest of the weekend, the two of you are on cooking and dish duties. The pack cars, Ellie's Jeep, and my car could all use detailing. Oh, and I expect the house and grounds to be spotless by the end of the weekend." They'd be so busy they wouldn't have the time nor the energy to lose their heads again. By working their tails off, especially for a submissive who was not yet a member, everyone would be reminded that this was a warning for anyone else who might do the same.

"If the rest of you find yourselves at the mercy of your instincts, you will take it elsewhere and handle it in the usual fashion. If not, then you are a liability and will be dealt with accordingly." I glared expectantly at the two boys, who were old enough to know better. They quickly muttered, "Yes, Alpha" before scrambling to their feet and scattering for one of the many tasks given. I desperately wanted to give chase and slaughter them for injuring what was mine.

I gave a brief nod to Tom, who acknowledged with a bow from the neck before herding everyone inside. Once they were all gone, I stared at the broken bricks and patio stained with Ellie's blood until Ian and Gordon approached hesitantly with a hose, soap, and stiff bristled brushes. I snarled at them as I strode back towards the house.

Alan was sitting in the armchair outside the safe room. A man with an impossibly large sword faced a dragon on the cover of the paperback he was reading. Only the delusional would fight something like that with a melee weapon. The alleged "hero" would be barbecue before he got close enough to swing that tool of overcompensation.

"Hey." He set down the book and sat up from his slouch. "Passed out still, but she'll be fine as long as she doesn't hurt it again any time soon."

"Thanks. Go on up. I'll sit with her." I scrubbed a hand through my hair and touched my pocket to ensure that my phone was there. Nervous habits that I'd never quite managed to shed.

"Sure thing." Alan looked like he would offer to stay until he saw my expression. "Too bad they couldn't spare the brain cells if you knocked their heads together."

I smiled despite my murderous mood. That was the magic of a submissive, although I never felt calm around Ellie. Frustrated, annoyed, fiercely protective, half-crazed, yes. At peace, no. Then again, she had yet to feel entirely safe or comfortable since her Change.

"Alan." He paused on the stairs. "Have Ian and Gordon bring down meat and water."

"Aye, aye." He'd been spending far too much time with Mickayla.

I settled into the chair and picked up the dog-eared novel he left behind. The main character had barely finished his wholesome backstory when Tweedledee and Tweedledumb placed their offerings in the safe room before locking it back up. Ian set a cup of coffee, two cream, on the small table beside me before slinking away. They stank of fear. Good.

The handsome, virile Chosen One had just met the feisty ingénue, who was naturally a princess in hiding, when Ellie woke up.

Blood. Meat. Standing hurt, but hunger pulled me forward. I devoured the cool flesh. Tastes better hot. Still squirming. I licked my muzzle clean and searched for an escape. A box that smelled of Pack. Alan. Mickayla. Angus. Mine.

"Ellie." My ears swiveled toward the door. Alpha. I answered with a yip. "Stop pacing or you'll hurt yourself."

He was out there. I wanted out. I scratched at the door. "Ellie, calm down." He was closer. I could smell him. He smelled so good. Like home. I threw my good shoulder into the door to show what I wanted. Sharp twinges ran down my sides in protest.

"Stop," the Alpha ordered sharply. I whined and pawed at the door again. Light flooded in when it opened. He crouched to look me in the eye. I stared for a second before shoving my head into his chest to inhale his scent. Mine.

"You are beautiful," he whispered and buried his fingers in my ruff, quickly finding all the itchy and good spots that soon had my tongue lolling out of my mouth in sheer bliss. "Who knew you'd be more biddable as a wolf?" He laughed when I gave a cursory growl, my thumping tail giving me away.

"Well, you did eat all your dinner. Are you going to be a good girl?" He chuckled when I pulled away from his wonderful hands to glare at his nose in disdain. "Remember, no eating the humans." He stood and I bumped his leg with a hip in agreement. My stomach was full anyway.

My Alpha patiently slowed so I could limp up the stairs, leaning on him as needed. The pack was playing a card game in the living room. I pressed my unhurt side against him when they fell silent to stare at me. Someone gave a long whistle that sent my ears back. My Alpha glowered at the offender.

"Hey gorgeous," Mickayla called out. "Come sit by me." I glanced up at him. He nudged me towards her with a knee. "We should put your name on your collar as 'Comet'." She drew a line down her nose.

"Or Pepper," someone suggested.

"She's silvery grey with a teardrop of black on her nose and some on her rump like someone dumped pepper all over," Tom explained to the witch, who laughed.

The pack smelled different. More scents. Couldn't sit still. It was like I'd never met them before. They laughed, ignored, nudged, or petted me as I circled to sniff everyone in turn. Even the human mates. Mickayla and Alan taught me that belly rubs are wondrous things. When I carefully rolled to my feet again, I looked for my Alpha.

The witch was touching him. Her hand was on his arm. He was mine. A snarl lifted my upper lip and my legs tensed under me. A hand grabbed my ruff firmly. So tight I couldn't turn to snap at it.

"Stop it," Mickayla hissed. "Unless you want to go back in time out?" I lowered my head and rolled my eyes up to her in contrition. She held my gaze until I looked away, then released me. The witch was no longer touching my Alpha. I yawned, but didn't fully relax until the witch and her mate left.