Copywrite to Veda Pettigrew

The afternoon found me in the kitchen listening to my music as I danced around, getting items together for dinner.

After our little dancing session my newly named Loyal Starfish had carried on doing the laundry while I went to my room and charged my iPod. I was beyond excited to have it back, but had to wait before I could to listen to anything because it was dead.

I spent the rest of the morning by the training field in the medical tent. Dr Spencer had been happy that I could talk now and we actually had a decent conversation. I was caught off guard by his loquaciousness, as during my punishment he ignored me completely.

But today he talked my ear off. Mainly about his children and what they were accomplishing, his son particularly. He was interested in science at school so Dr Spencer was hoping that he would follow in his footsteps.

When I asked whether his daughter showed an interest in the subject he shrugged, "She's more her mother's responsibility than mine."

I swear I physically felt brain cells popping in my head as I held in the twenty or so swear words desperately trying to worm their way out.

I ignored the unfairness and mentioned if she was, she could use it for nursing, which is all she's allowed to do because she's female (Grrr), but he just dismissed it as unimportant to him and started talking about his son's sporting achievements.

I took a few deep breaths and nodded politely when it was appropriate. The fact that we could actually have a conversation instead of me being ignored, made it more tolerable.

I didn't care right now though, right now I was in my happy place. The earphones blasted the music as loud as I dared and I had put on my peppiest playlist. It was amazing, thrilling and basically fan-flipping-tastic, to hear music again.

I looked at the ingredients I was allotted and decided to make a rich bolognese . The version of this meal we had already had was a boiled minced-meat and vegetable mix which tasted disgusting. Like every other meal.

I wondered if Grandfather had chosen this punishment with an ulterior motive. I remember him guzzling the food I made when he came to stay and I had been quite surprised at his gusto because quite frankly, my effort was poor.

All I really cared about at that time was being with Mumma. Cooking was the least of my worries, so I served some particularly odd meals. My favourite being the 'Everything in the Cupboard in a Pot' meal. Haha!

Now though, seeing the type of food he was used to, I'm not surprised any more. The food here is terrible, and that's being kind. I wonder if he was hoping I would inject some flavour into mealtimes, there was that gleam in his eye when he dictated my punishment.

As I started to chop up everything I would need ahead of time Silver disappeared. She hated the smell of onions. I had managed to get most of them done when I sensed that I was not the only one in the kitchen.

I looked over my shoulder and gulped when I saw Base-Beta Jeremy leaning against the door with a smirk. When our eyes met he reached up and slid the bolt home.

Silver stood up, shaking her fur out and raising her hackles. She didn't like this new development either. I took out my earphones and put my iPod on the side.

"What can I help you with Jeremy?" I tried to play it cool, patting Silver who was pushing against my leg, barely holding in a growl.

"How lovely it is to hear your speaking voice for the first time my beautiful Greta," he pushed off the door and stepped forward with a disturbing smile on his face. My skin crawled and I stepped back until my back hit the counter.

"I have to cook dinner Jeremy, I haven't got time for chatting." My voice shook as he took another step towards me. His smile widened but it was smug. I swallowed dryly.

"But Greta, this is the first opportunity I've had to hear your sweet voice." He continued stepping slowly towards me. "The only other time I heard you speaking was when you were screaming on the stage."

He shook his head with disappointment, "Tut, tut Greta. That was a disappointing way to be introduced don't you think?"

I shook my head. My knees trembled and I was glad for the shapeless smock, hiding them. "I'm not sorry I fought back," my voice was hoarse. Jeremy smiled condescendingly as he looked to my collar. He was within reaching distance now.

"I think it looks very attractive on you my dear," he smirked, reaching his hand towards it. I smacked his hand away and his smirk turned into a full-blown grin. He stepped forward again, his body so close that I could feel the heat emanating from his skin.

His hand came up and stroked the leather on the collar and I visibly shuddered, skin crawling where his finger touched my sensitive neck. I reached up to push it away but his hand caught my wrist and he waved his forefinger to and fro, telling me no.

He leaned down and I leant back over the counter, worrying that my baggy dress would be falling on the food I was chopping. I gripped the knife in my hand, ready to use it if I had to. Silver growled in agreement and raised her hackles even higher. She practically had a mohican now.

His dry lips touched my ear and I felt a thousand creepy-crawly bugs all over my skin. He murmured lowly, "It will look better when it has my name on it."

Horror flooded through me. He finally said the thing I had been dreading. He wanted to be mated to me.

"Eurgh, never," I shuddered and turned my head away. His hand tightened on my wrist as he twisted it behind my back. I held my other arm by my side, I was reluctant to stab another person, but I would if I had to.

His other hand came up to my head, grasped the hair and pulled it sharply, bringing my cheek against his mouth. I felt a wet slimy trail on my creeping skin and gagged.

"Did you just lick me?" I yelled. I tried to pull away but his grasp tightened in my hair. He gave me a warped grin and nodded.

Silver had had enough, she growled loudly and snapped at him. He stumbled back at her push of power, but didn't let go.

"Feisty, like your mother. I can't wait to see how it translates in the bedroom when we're mated," his eyes heated up and he pushed his lips against mine, yanking my hair back to force his tongue in my mouth.

I gagged again and bit his tongue hard. Silver moved the hand holding the knife forward and I pushed it against his stomach.

"You little b..." his whole body jerked back. I breathed a sigh of relief at having space between us. He looked at the knife incredulously, "You won't use that," he sneered and Silver growled viciously enough that he took another step back.

"I will not be your mate Jeremy." I said with fervour though my voice was shaking. "Why would I want sloppy seconds that my mother rejected?"

He snarled at me but I continued spitefully, "Why would I want a pathetic Base-Beta who hasn't even been promoted to Beta even though he's five years into his peak fitness levels. Why is that Jeremy? Too weak?" I mocked.

It was a step too far, he roared loudly and punched me, ignoring the knife I was waving around.

"Do I feel weak to you?" he snarled as he punched me again, the knife clattered to the floor as he grasped my arm and squeezed it viciously.

"Yes." I yelped as he slammed me against the counter, "You're beating a woman with your fists, just because of words she spoke. That's pitiful." I coughed as he grabbed my upper arms and smashed me against the counter again.

Silver pushed herself behind me to protect my spine and fell whimpering to the ground at the force of the blow. We may be stronger than the women, but we were no physical match to a fully grown male Beta who trained every day. I wanted to go to her and comfort her but I had to sort myself out first.

I sent her my love and she weakly licked me.

Jeremy forced his lips against mine and I twisted and turned my head to get away, but he just pressed me so far backwards I had no hope of escape. Tears of distress trickled down my cheeks, I couldn't stop him.

I had believed I was safe from this, but apparently I was wrong.

"You will learn to obey me and please my every whim when you're my mate," his voice was husky, pleasure danced in his eyes.

"Never," I argued, struggling to get free.

He pushed his groin against me and I realised how much he was enjoying the tussle. "If I bed you, you will have to mate me to avoid the shame."

"I would rather live with the shame," I retorted. "You would suffer from it more than I."

"Oh no, sweet Greta," he ground his hips against me, setting off a new wave of revulsion as I felt him getting more excited. "I'll put all the blame on you, you'll be the whore that tempted me like a siren." His mouth twisted in a perverted grin. "After all, everybody already knows how disruptive and rebellious you are."

His arm wrapped around me like a vine and all his body rubbed against mine. "I'll just take you here and now and tell everyone you were just trying to get out of your punishment."

Panic set in and I thrashed around, desperate to free myself. I thought I caught a glimpse of someone out the window and called out to them. But when I looked again, there was no one there. I screamed as I felt his hands on the skin of my hip, he had managed to lift the bottom of my dress up.

"No, get off me. GET OFF ME." I shouted at the top of my voice, hoping that someone would hear. He laughed cruelly as his hand ran up my inner thigh.

"Oh this will be sweet indeed," he whispered in my ear, "I wonder if you will be as good as your mother?"

I froze.

Time froze.

She never told me that. He had raped her?

He had raped her!

Stories of her romantic and daring escape seemed tainted now as I realised what had made her suddenly decide she had to leave. As it sank in, my lunch decided that it had had enough of being in my stomach and I abruptly vomited all over him.

But it helped. He jumped back as chunks of food splattered against him. He shouted an expletive and he jerked out the way. Finally free of him I ran to the door and unbolted it as quickly as I could.

I ran unsteadily to my Grandfather's office and flew through the door without knocking. He wasn't there. Where was he?

I quickly shut the door behind me and curled up under the desk. Hiding.

The door creaked open and I stuffed my hands in my mouth as heavy footsteps made their way across the room. I begged and prayed that it would be my grandfather and not Jeremy, as they came closer and closer.

Breathing unexpectedly became a really hard thing to do as I waited to see which feet arrived before me.

"Greta?" my Grandfather's stern voice came. I breathed once again. "What are you doing under my desk?"

I crawled out and stood before him as he took in my tear-streaked and bruised face, torn dress, and knotty hair. I think I also smelled of sick.

"Base-Beta Jeremy attacked me," I whispered. His face looked like thunder.

"When did this happen?" he barked.

"Just now in the kitchen, he told me he was going to force me to... you know ... so that I would have to be his mate." My lip trembled, I was barely holding myself together.

Grandfathers eyebrows drew down, "Did he succeed?"

I shook my head, numbly wondering why he would ask that. What I wanted was reassurance and comfort.

"This is a serious accusation, are you sure you didn't lead him on in any way?"

"No," I protested vehemently. "I find him repulsive. I have since I came. There's no way I led him on." Tears started clogging my throat when I saw doubt in his expression, "Grandfather. He hurt me," I pleaded with him to believe me. "I don't look like this because I did it to myself. Look." I rolled up my sleeves and showed him my arms that were covered in red stripes and finger marks.

"I see. Well, you are presenting some compelling evidence. I will question Jeremy and make a ruling after that. Go and clean yourself up and get back to making dinner. I will ensure he does not bother you."

I stood there in astonishment. Was that really all he was going to say?

He looked at my shocked face and softened slightly, "I'm sorry you're hurt Greta, but if don't make dinner we will all be hungry tonight. Your punishment still stands. If you still need some comfort afterwards, go to your Grandmother. That is what a Luna is for."

Yeah right, Silver retorted. I brushed my hand over her soft fur, glad she was with me. She nuzzled me lovingly.

I put my head down and walked slowly to the door, the thought that I might run into Jeremy again was terrifying. I heard my Grandfather switch on the house intercom and request Jeremy's presence in his office. I sped up and ran to the stairs.

After scrubbing every inch of my skin and hair in a burning hot shower, I tiptoed through the house and made my way to the kitchen, carefully looking around every corner and using all of Silver's hearing and smelling abilities.

I got there without incident and once in the kitchen I bolted the door, locking myself in. I shakily made my way to the counter. I saw my iPod lying on the kitchen counter and fresh tears sprung up. I took a deep breath and wrapped up the cord, I couldn't risk blocking out my senses again.

Silver whined apologetically.

It's not your fault Wolfie, I reassured her, using her childhood nickname. But I felt her guilt despite my words. Onions make us sneeze, I knew this but I still put my earphones in. We thought we were safe. It's not our fault. I hugged her tight to me, relishing the warmth of her fur. I love you Silver, thank you for protecting me.

She rubbed her cheek to mine and had another nibble at the collar. It had become habit now, but never got us anywhere.

I looked at the time and realised we needed to hurry. We had been set back by nearly an hour and judging by my grandfather's insensitivity, I doubted I would get much leeway. Silver stood and shook out her fur, ready to give me speed and accuracy.

With her help, I managed to have the dinner nearly on time. I was pleased with how it turned out, despite the shortcuts I had to make.

As I put the homemade garlic bread in the oven there was a bang on the door. My heart nearly burst out of my chest, I used Silver's smelling ability and realised it was my clan of Loyal Starfish. The racing pulse slowed a little as I walked, knock-kneed to the door.

I took a deep breath and unbolted it.

The door swung open and I saw Bee on the other side with a big grin on her face that dropped as soon as she saw my bruises. The rest of the Starfish bustled her through the door and one by one their faces all did the same.

"What happened?" Joan breathed.

"Base-Beta Jeremy," I whispered back.

"No!" Sophie eyebrows shot up as her mouth fell open.

Hurriedly, I explained what had happened and felt lightness in my chest when they displayed real sympathy, unlike my grandfather. They were angry and indignant on my behalf and it relieved some of the pressure in my chest.

"We'd better get on," I sniffled at the end of my story. "I don't want us to be in any trouble if dinner's too late."

They agreed and started running about, taking the things to the dining room and setting the table. I looked at the dinner, there was nothing to do for a moment. I would go and see my Grandfather to find out if Jeremy was going to be punished.

I tiptoed to the door and lifted my hand to knock when I heard a rumble of male voices. Silver added her ears to mine and whined when we heard Jeremy. It didn't sound contentious inside, and my heart sunk in realisation that he was going to get away with it.

I turned to leave just as the door opened.

"Ahh, Greta," his slimy voice slithered over my skin. "You can go in now, I've explained what really happened."

I turned to see a smug look of victory on his face. "Tut, tut, naughty girl for telling stories," he said smarmily, "You should thank me for persuading Alpha that I have dealt with the situation appropriately." He smirked and lifted his hand, and stroked my bruise with a lingering finger.

My heart spluttered and I pushed his hand away. "Don't touch me," I hissed and pushed by, marching into Grandfather's office where it was safe.

I shut the door and looked to the desk. My Grandfather was looking at me with disappointment. Anger bubbled in my chest.

"I heard the real truth Greta," he said with a hard voice. "I heard how you disrespected Base-Beta Jeremy and he had to discipline you."

"No," I exclaimed, "That's not what happened..."

"So you didn't call your Base-Beta weak?" He arched his eyebrow haughtily, "You didn't call him pathetic?"

So that was his angle, "Well, yes, but I did that because..."

"There is no excuse, he was within his rights to discipline you," his voice whiplashed. "You are lucky you just got a few bruises instead of the whip."

"But he already had..."

"Be quiet, I don't want to hear it. You have admitted your guilt. How dare you invent such a disgusting malicious accusation against an upstanding member of your pack?" he demanded harshly. "You have brought shame on yourself."

I guess I had it completely wrong. I believed this would never happen, that at the very least the man would share the blame. But in this pack, the men always win.

I just shook my head over and over before blurting out, "He raped Mumma."

That made him pause and look at me with a calculating eye, "Well then she should have stayed and mated him, now she's just guilty of even more shame."

I felt hot tears stabbing my eyes, I had to get out of here. I had to leave this pack.

"I need to go and finish dinner," I stumbled towards the door.

"You need to find Base-Beta Jeremy and apologise for your lies, and thank him for saving you from the whipping post."

I turned my head to him and saw no compassion there at all. "I will not do that, I didn't lie." I stated boldly, the very thought of it made me nauseous.

"If you do not, then you will be punished," he stated without compunction.

I just looked at him long and hard, "Very well Alpha."

He smiled with satisfaction.

"I am prepared to be punished."