Copyright to Veda Pettigrew

I took a sharp breath at the male specimen in front of me. My mate was no less than spectacular. Not just handsome, but powerful, dominant, fearsome. Every part of his titanic body commanded attention and respect.

As soon as our eyes met, he stopped walking, surprise on his face.

A wave of power threw everyone to their knees, I alone stood unaffected and he raised one brow with a smile playing on his lips.

"Well this is unexpected," I heard him mutter as a mammoth dark grey wolf came stalking forward. All the Starfish let out gasps and a feeling of fear filtered through our bonds.

But I felt no fear.

Silver bounced forward, Jeremy forgotten, tail wagging excitedly. She met him and immediately exposed her neck, submitting to him. He stepped forward, sniffing her fur. My breath bubbled in my chest until he gave it a large swipe with his tongue.

I almost felt tingles in my neck and dazed, lifted my hand to touch the skin there.

As soon as he accepted her, Silver started bouncing happily around him. She trotted in front of him and to my horror, started lifting her tail. The little flirt, that was further than I was willing to go.

"Silver no," I hissed desperately, "What are you doing?" She looked at me with a huff puffing out her cheeks, but turned, moving her back end away from his face. Phew.

"Come back here you minx," I tried to order her. Instead, she went to stand at his side and looked me in the eyes mischievously. I jerked my head back and frantically signalled with my eyes, indicating she should come to me, but my wicked little wolf had other ideas.

Without removing her eyes from mine, she lifted her head and licked under his chin, unable to reach higher. The dark grey wolf huffed in amusement and lowered his head, offering his ears which she immediately started licking passionately.

I face palmed and heard a deep chuckle. My face reddened in embarrassment.

"Silver," I whimpered in outrage. "Come here," I pleaded. Instead she howled happily and turned her back end to him again.

"NO!" I shouted in horror as that tail started lifting again. She looked me in the eye and continued, lifting it higher and higher.

I started hyperventilating in mortification. My face must look like I had run a hundred miles. It wasn't the pretty kind of blush that only affected the cheeks, my whole face was burning as the big grey wolf lowered its nose and gave a long, deep sniff.

More chuckling brought my wide-eyed gaze to the dominant male whose presence was overwhelming. Not just to me, waves of power were continually pulsing from him and I noticed that not only was everyone on their knees, but their heads were now on the ground, necks exposed dramatically.

I wondered that I had no such compulsion. I wasn't forced to my knees.

Silver looked in seventh heaven as she let his wolf examine her to his heart's content. She ignored all my hissed commands and desperate pleas. He was thorough, sniffing and licking her all over. I gulped when I saw her lie on her back, legs akimbo, pawing gently at his face as he nuzzled her neck.

"Silver, PLEASE?" I begged.

"She's just following her nature." His rich voice invaded my brain, making me jump. "Don't worry, I'm not expecting you to lick my ears mate." His voice was full of amusement.

Embarrassment mixed with joy that leapt in my heart. He recognised who I was to him, he had a real wolf. Any thought of running away vanished as I realised that this man was designed for me by Ori. She had made me for him too and I could not reject her plan.

No matter how scared I was of what my future would hold.

"I..I... I'm sorry, for..." I managed to stutter, indicating Silver with a flick of my chin.

He shook his head once, "I like her, she's cheeky but honest. Silver was it?"

I nodded dumbly.

"My wolf is Alarick." At his name, the wolf raised his great grey head from Silver's prone body and looked at me.

I gave him a shaky smile and bowed my head in respect, "Hello Alarick." He barked gently to Silver who bounced up and trotted with him. As he got closer I realised how huge he was, bigger than any wolf I'd ever seen.

He put his nose to my neck and sniffed. His hot breath tickled and I let out a nervous giggle. Hesitantly I raised my hand and when he gave me no sign to stop, ran my fingers though his thick fur.

He growled softly and pushed his head into my hand. I picked up my other hand and ran both though his fur repeatedly. My male was watching with satisfaction in his hooded eyes. When he caught my gaze, he nodded approvingly.

"Silver, go see him," I urged.

When Alarick turned to leave as well, I dug my fingers in, softly gripping his dark fur. "You can stay if you want," I murmured nervously.

He looked at me with shrewd eyes and I felt naked, like he was looking to the heart of me and saw everything. He stepped closer and placed his head on my shoulder, drawing me to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and realised that for the first time in weeks, I felt utterly safe.

I sagged into him and he held me up, gently rubbing his snout on my back and neck in a soothing manner.

Silver was flirting hopelessly with my tall mate who was watching her antics in amusement. He started running his hands along her back and her tongue lolled out, happily rubbing her side along his legs. As he reached her rump, she lifted it higher and wiggled, hoping to get a good scratch. He laughed and complied, massaging his fingers deep into her bouncing hind quarters. Her tail wagged crazily and I had to laugh too.

As I did, he looked up startled. A satisfied smile crept over his face and he started strolling towards me, calling Silver to stay by his side. She trotted along, looking up at him with adoration, as his eyes stayed locked on mine.

I gave him a tentative smile but a bout of coughing from behind had me tensing. I'd almost forgotten we weren't alone.

He looked past my shoulder, a look of irritation on his face. Casting a regretful look at me, he pulled back his heavy waves of power. This allowed the pack to lift their heads, though they were completely unaware of all that had happened between us.

He strolled to the stage, jumping up effortlessly.

"You may stand," his rumbling voice lifted the last of the command to bow and everyone looked at him with dazed, nervous faces.

He turned to Alpha and I tried to ignore the pang I felt in my chest when he didn't acknowledge me publicly. Alarick huffed in my ear and stood behind me, allowing me to lean on his haunches. Silver came to join us, standing directly underneath him at his command, her ears just brushing his chest.

"So, what is all this?" my mate probed Alpha with a demanding look, sweeping his hand past Jeremy and I.

"Alpha Alpha Griffin, you're early," Alpha floundered. "I was hoping to have this small pack issue settled before you came." He shot me a pointed look, commanding me to behave. Alarick growled unhappily at him, and he stumbled back, confusion on his face.

"No matter, I want to see how every Alpha runs his pack. Fill me in, leave nothing out."

"Greta has been stubbornly refusing to apologise to our Base-Beta for something she did a few weeks ago. I have just given her an ultimatum," Alpha said hurriedly at his superior's uncompromising demand.

"Oh?" Alpha Alpha raised his eyebrow, glancing at me. "What is she meant to be apologising for?"

"She made a false accusation."

My male narrowed his eyes at me and I desperately hoped that he wouldn't side with Alpha, though I didn't hold out much hope. It wasn't likely that he would take a woman's word over a man's.

"Greta," my name rolled off his tongue but his voice was cold. My heart sank. "What was your accusation?"

I opened my mouth to speak but Alpha interrupted, "Surely it doesn't matter? She told a lie that's what matters. She shoul....." He stopped abruptly with one slicing look from the stronger male and bared his neck hurriedly.

Alpha Alpha turned back to me with a raised brow, not repeating the question but just waiting.

I gulped nervously, this was the moment of truth. "Base-Beta Jeremy attacked me and tried to rape m..."

I had never seen someone move so fast. One minute he was in front of me, the next Jeremy was hanging in the air, holding desperately onto Alpha Alpha's clawed grip around his neck.

Everyone was frozen in shock as Alarick's growl roared through the air. They may not be able to see him, but his power could not be ignored. I felt him heaving in indignation behind me and gratefully sank back, his huge nose wrapped over my shoulder and drew me into his soft fur.

Nobody was moving and Jeremy was turning purple. I wouldn't say anything out loud, not wanting to undermine my male in public or announce our bond unintentionally. Though his actions might have done that already. But I had to do something.

"Alpha Alpha?" I said hesitantly. His shoulders tensed. "Is this really what you want to do? To kill him? In front of the pack?"

His back rippled as he roughly thumped Jeremy back to the stage, not yet releasing his neck. "We do not tolerate this kind of abuse Amos," he growled. "It is inconceivable to break the sanctity of mate-hood."

"W..w..well," Alpha stuttered, "That's what I was trying to rectify. I just gave Greta an ultimatum to apologise for her lie or be mated to him."

His fearsome growl rendered the air and many dropped to their knees again. "Why would that be a rectification if it was a lie as you stated?" he asked deathly calm.

Alpha looked taken aback, realising he'd made a mistake. My heart juddered, did he really know the truth all along?

"Well, it wasn't really a rectification exactly, more that during a discussion with Jeremy we decided to make her disobedience a matter between mates. He was willing to take her, despite her waywardness, and anyway, I believe she made advances first," Alpha scrambled quickly.

Though the last statement irritated me immensely, all I could focus on was how strange it was seeing him nervous. I have to admit I liked it.

"What have you done to procure this apology? And for how long?" Alpha Alpha's voice was dangerously low.

"She's been given an opportunity to apologise at the daily pack meeting for nearly three weeks. Every refusal has netted her three stripes with the willow, with two extra when she offers a sarcastic apology."

Alpha Alpha looked at me and raised his eyebrow, "Sarcastic apology? Do you have no control Amos?"

I felt my throat contract. Would he try and force me too?

"I'd like to see you try," Alpha challenged in a respectful tone, "I don't believe she'd even listen to you." Alpha Alpha looked at me curiously, assessing my wide eyes and pale face. I begged him silently to take my side.

"Very well," he nodded decisively. Alpha looked triumphant. I started hyperventilating, this wasn't good. "Greta, apologise to Jeremy the same way you have been doing this month."

I looked at him in shock and saw a small smile playing around his mouth. I flashed him a thankful smile and his brow twitched slightly. I affected him too.

He released Jeremy and stood to the side.

"What do you.." Alpha started, but at seeing Alpha Alpha's jaw clenching he bit his tongue.

Alpha Alpha nodded me to continue.

I looked to Jeremy who definitely looked less smug now. His throat was purple and he was still struggling to breath. "Base-Beta Jeremy, I would like to apologise that whenever I look at you I wish I was able to punch you in the face."

I glanced at Alpha Alpha who was stroking his chin with a gleam in his eye. He turned, "See Amos, she obeyed me."

"But, but... you didn't ask her to make a real apology. I bet she wouldn't if you asked her," Alpha expostulated.

"The difference between a good alpha and a bad one, is knowing what to demand," my male smirked.

"A good alpha demands what is right."

Did he have a death wish?

"A good alpha demands the truth," a dangerously soft tone contradicted. "Greta, tell me the truth."

Jeremy blanched and protected his throat with his hand. I laughed internally, like that would do any good. I looked to Alpha Alpha nervously. His face was like stone as he rolled his hand for me to speak.

"Jeremy came into the kitchen and attacked me," I whispered. I saw every muscle bulge as his whole body tensed in anger, but he didn't move. "I tried fighting him off but I couldn't, he told me he was going to... take me... to force me to be his mate. I fought back and told him he was a worthless, weak man. He did... stuff," I reddened, glancing at the pack, not wanting to divulge every detail. "But he only stopped when I vomited on him after he told me he raped my mother."

In a flash, Jeremy's feet were dangling again.

"You need proof..." Alpha stuttered. "You have no right to punish an innocent man."

Jeremy dropped to the floor again as Alpha Alpha spun his head round, "Like you have been doing to Greta?" Joy bubbled inside of me. My mate believed me. Just me. Even without evidence.

"She lied..."

"Where is your proof of that?"

"Jeremy explained what happened, he was only disciplining her because she spoke out of turn. She admitted as much to me after the event, and again to you just now," Alpha cried.

I glanced to the pack, they were frozen in place, unable to tear their eyes away from the action on stage.

"I will examine Jeremy's mind, if it turns out he is guilty, you will be disciplined Amos. An Alpha should be able to have a situation like this well under control."

I looked at my ex-grandfather and saw his face pale dramatically. I was swamped with emotion. He knew. He knew I was telling the truth all along.

Alpha Alpha turned and suddenly Jeremy fell to his knees clutching his head. Groans of pain echoed in the air. Alpha Alpha's face grow more furious as he watched the truth. His hands clenched by his side. I heard angry growling from Alarick as he too watched the horror that had unfolded in the kitchen. He dragged me into him even harder, as though protecting me from what he saw.

"Guilty," my mate roared as Jeremy slumped to the floor. Excitement flooded through me, I was exonerated.

Alpha looked at me viciously, "You should test Greta's mind too."

"I have no need for that, I read his intentions and know the truth," Alpha Alpha growled.

"But you might see something in Greta's mind that proved she led him on."

I shook my head, my own grandfather just wanted to see me suffer.

"I must do this to show the pack the real truth." I looked to my mate, I was going to suffer at his hands. "I don't want to, but my next actions will need to be beyond reproach." I looked at him, what was he planning?

I nodded shakily to show him I understood, "I don't want you to do this, but I understand. If it clears my name I can't complain."

Suddenly I felt a tickling sensation in my mind. It sent pleasant shivers down my spine making me visibly ripple and break out in goosebumps. It was much like the feeling you get when someone softly runs their fingers over your skin, but in my brain.

I shuddered embarrassingly, my body wriggling at the tingling sensation.

"I must say, I've never had that response," he teased with a twitch at the corner of his mouth. I looked at him wide-eyed as another ripple overtook my body, and noticed relief in his gaze.

He truly hadn't wanted to hurt me.

"You're right. I would never want to do that." His dark gaze held truth. The tingling sensation stopped as he withdrew from my mind.

"Her mind confirms her story," he asserted.

"But, she didn't seem to suffer. Did you really read her mind?" Alpha asked, looking at me with annoyance.

"YOU DARE QUESTION ME?" Alpha Alpha exploded. Everyone except me hit the floor again. Alpha was lying flat on his face, such was the weight of anger upon him.

"You forget your place Amos." His wide chest was rising and falling rapidly as he tried to contain his anger. Grumbling roars emanated from his belly.

"I'm sorry," Alpha sputtered, trying to expose his neck desperately.

After a harrowing minute, waiting for the waves of fury to die down, the pressure eased and heads raised. I noticed a few speculating looks headed towards me and tried to ignore them.

"I will be thoroughly investigating this pack Amos. I am beyond displeased with what I have witnessed thus far... If I notice you throwing any more looks in Greta's direction I will take action you will not enjoy, am I clear?" he interrupted himself sharply.

Alpha's eyes froze mid-movement. He had obviously been trying to glare at me again as if this was all my fault. Which in his eyes, it probably was.

"Stone Mountain," Alpha Alpha turned to the watching pack, "Now her innocence has been ascertained, I will allow you to be the first to congratulate me on my new mate. Greta Thorne is now mine." I was caught between happiness and dismay at his statement. I liked that he acknowledged me publicly as his mate, but I still hated being treated like a possession.

Silence pervaded like a weight until suddenly the Starfish all stood and started whooping and clapping. Soon, all the pack joined in and stood in celebration.

Alpha Alpha crooked his finger at me and I obeyed without thought, going to his side. He spun his finger and I turned round. I felt his fingers at the padlock and there was a screeching metallic sound as he ripped it apart. Then he turned me back to face him as he reached behind, and soon the buckle was undone.

As the collar dropped to the floor, joining the padlock, I tilted my head back and took a deep breath, eyes closed. The air felt so much fresher without the awful contraption round my neck. I tasted the sweetness as I filled my lungs deeply. Who knew when I would get this privilege again?

I opened my eyes when I felt a finger tracing down my cheek. The dominant male in front of me was watching me with a soft gaze. "I like seeing you like this, do you hate the collar that much?"

I nodded vehemently, "I would do anything to be rid of it permanently."

"Anything huh?" he said speculatively, a gleam in his eye. I wondered what he was thinking.

He turned to the crowd and bellowed, "I claim this female as my own. She is under my care and will be answerable to me alone. As your future Luna Luna, she is above you all. Any perceived bad behaviour will be reported to me and I will deal with it personally."

I sighed, I guess it was too much to hope he was different.

Yet the words felt warmer, more caring than Alpha's. The tone in his voice was almost caressing even though I was being treated like an object to be possessed. However I almost forgot that at his next statement.

"She will wear no collar but you will all recognise her as mine. No-one is exempt and ignorance will not be accepted as an alibi of misconduct towards her."

I stared up at him in amazement and he glanced down at me. "Your face changed completely when it came off," his warm eyes twinkled, "It was lighter. I wish to see you like that every day. I will come up with a suitable alternative, consider it a mating gift."

I grinned at him, "Thank you, I can't tell you how much it means to me. I ... I ...," I took another deep breath of the now even sweeter air and touched the skin that had lived beneath my collar with awe, "... just, thank you."

His lip twitched and he turned back to the waiting pack.

"Her rules as given by your Alpha are here-fore erased. None still stand. Her obedience will be only to me. Her new rules are these..."

My shoulders drooped, it was like being stuck in a revolving door. Good, bad, good, bad. Silver nudged me and I felt her comforting love. She reminded me of the joy I felt just moments ago when he believed me without proof. Something I had longed for in a mate, to be on my side, and it actually happened.

She was telling me to give him a chance, he may not be perfect, but nobody was. He was still better than any other man I knew. This was all part of Ori's plan, I had to trust it would turn out okay. I turned my ear back to him.

"One, she is answerable only to me. Two, she is allowed anywhere on the territory she wishes to go, but must be accompanied by either myself or one of her Protectors," Huh? "Three, her clothes will no longer bear insignia of your alpha but mine instead. Four, no-one is to touch her without my direct permission, not male or female."

My heart hurt as I looked to my pack. They were sorrowful too.

His voice softened a fraction, he caught a lock of hair between his thumb and forefinger and rubbed it gently. "Five, she will not cut her hair." I glanced at him in surprise. He was looking at what he held with wonder.

"Six, she will show respect to all males. These are the only rules that will stand for now, I retain the right to add to them later." He turned to Alpha, "You will return her possessions, she does not need to be cut off from her old life anymore."

Any argument that Alpha might have made was stopped by the powerful anger that was still directed his way. He nodded dumbly.

Alpha Alpha turned to a shrunken Jeremy, cowering on his knees. A merciless grin spread over his face.

"And now to deal with you..."