Woooowwww......

I stood in front of the mirror in my new room at the pack house. Anya had just finished styling my hair into a french chignon. She gave me a black smoky eye with cat like eye liner, can I just say that this girl has the steadiest hand ever. The make up was perfection, she outlined my lips with red liner and gave me a sultry scarlet lip.

My scarlett dress was fish tail with a corset back and sweetheart neckline. I was putting my silver court shoes on when there was a knock at the door.

'Are we dressed yet'? Anya said. She sounded like a 5 year old playing dress up but I have to admit I was enjoying giving her this much control if it made her this happy. I've never worn make up before. My mother passed long before I had an opportunity to talk about those things and since my father hated me.....

I chocked. My eyes started glossing over and I had to take a deep breath to calm myself. I was angry. I made a promise never to think of my pack or my father again but I couldn't help the lump in my throat at the very thought of all those father/daughter things we never had a chance to do. All because of that Rogue. I closed my eyes and felt my chest tighten when I felt a calming hand wrap around my wrist and turn me to face them.

'Vi, I don't know what you have been through in your life to warrant such alienation from the rest of your pack. But I want you to know that I accept you, my mate accepts you and my pack will accept you tonight. Our traditions here are quite different from your pack in that we cherish women no matter what. You're safe here and I want you to know that even though I am a Luna, I will always be a friend or a sister to you if you'll let me.'

I took a deep breath into my lungs and my chest shaked much to the chagrin of my wolf who wasn't happy showing such weakness in front of another Luna. But I pushed down her feelings and looked Anya dead in the eye 'I've had a friend whom I thought was my sister before, but in the end our friendship meant nothing to her, not when it meant she could take my mate from me'.

Anya gasped in shock. She was rooted to the spot and started to shake. I thought instantly that I must have upset her and went to comfort her but she grabbed hold of my arms tightly with anger 'this woman dared to call you her friend, but stole your true mate behind your back?!!! Anya shouted as her eyes turned black, she was about to shift she was that angry and she was arguing with her wolf who both wanted to protect me. She was in disbelief and until I had vocalised the hurt, I myself had yet to fully comprehend the true extent of my best friends betrayal.

I nodded. Absolutely speechless.

She started to calm down and her eye colour returned to normal. She exhaled and looked down to the floor, contemplating her next words she took my hand in hers and looked at me with so much pity it almost broke me.

Shaking her head slowly she said 'VI, this girl was no friend to you. She sounds like a viper who revelled in your pain, watching you being treated like dirt from one day to the next but never once defending you or standing her ground. She received praise from others the whole time she appeared as your friend and to take another's Mate from them while they are still living... its unspeakable. I want you to know Violet that I have never had a sister before, but if I had, I would have wished for someone like you. Your kind and thoughtful and I can see how much pain you have been in and it makes me want to hug you more'. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a bear hug. I hugged her back and smiled.

'Thanks Anya.. I think I needed to hear that'.

She smiled and looked like she wanted to say more until Alpha Liam knocked on the door.

'Hey, are you ladies ready'? He called out in his deep Alpha tone. Considering we have taken almost 2 hours to get ready, I'm not surprised he is kinda pissy.

Anya grinned at me as we both walked out of the room.

I stayed quiet and followed behind them. Her words resonated with me as I followed them both to the pack barn where they held all pack related ceremonies. I had to start fresh and let everything go, the hurt, the pain, the rejection. I had to start fresh.

As we walked on the uneven gravel over to the barn my silver stiletto caught on a stone and I swear my life flashed before eyes before a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me in, saving me from complete humiliation on the first night of my introduction to the pack. I let out a sigh of relief and looked up at my saviour.

'Listen cinders, you're supposed to loose your heels at midnight, not at 7:30pm'!

Just like that I was snapped out of my melancholy by the most annoyingly suggestive voice I've ever heard in my life. I rolled my eyes so hard I thought I would never get them back from the back of my head. I went to step out of his arms but Alec pulled me even closer, almost brushing up against me.

'Do you mind'? I said sternly.

'Isn't a lady supposed to thank the guy who saved her life and not tell him off'?

'Depends' I said teasingly with a glimmer in my eye. I could get used to teasing this playwolf, it was far too easy. I crossed my arms to put some distance between us. However, he wasn't taking the hint.

He learned forward, lowered his voice and put his lips against my ear and said 'depends on what'?

I grinned....I made my voice all breathy and whispered 'on whether your even a gentleman in the first place'.

Feeling happy with myself beyond measure I almost skipped my way to the barn. If I was in wolf form my tail would be swaying too at our little victory. He laughed a deep chesty laugh and ran to catch up with me. He ran past me and opened the door, so by the time I made it to the entrance he was leaning nonchalantly against it.

'After you my lady'. Alec said with a glimmer in his eye. The game was on and I knew it. He knew it.

As soon as I walked into the room about 150 wolf heads turned at the same time. I straightened my shoulders and walked in the direct of the front of the barn where Anya and Liam were greeting pack members when I suddenly heard a low growl behind me. Turning around I saw Alec posturing and facing down half of the males in the room who had unknowingly started to advance towards me to get a sniff. He had a scowl on his face and was moving just in front of me, almost protecting me from them. I found this amusing and stepped in front of him just for the fun of it.

'Hi Gentlemen, my names Violet, it's nice to meet you'. I raised my hand and waved.

I saw Brad and Mark with wide grins on their faces out of the corner of my eye and after a couple of seconds of silence the crowd started to laugh and make fun of Liam. I felt my heart beat back to a normal rhythm and greeted Brad and Mark again before making my way up to Anya at the front. It didn't escape my notice that Brad's eyes lingered on my curves. Especially when Alec made a special effort to direct another growl just for Brad.

What's wrong with me? I'm never normally this forthright and I actively went out of my way to crack a joke to a room full of men on my own and to top it all off I also teased the beta of this pack to the point I'm pretty sure he thinks he's taking me home some time soon. What has gotten into me? I'm supposed to lay low, live a normal life and not bring anymore drama into it.

I cannot let myself be bullied again! I straightened my shoulders and walked through the crowd. As I did so, I heard a few gasps and turned to see a few men eyeing me up and down. My wolf growled in my head and didn't like another male showing me any attention unless it was our mate. Alec was ok though, she liked Alec. Alec was like Garlic bread, you needed a starter before the main course that's all. I scoffed at her way of thinking, I shook my head for good measure and to calm down and finally stood next to Anya. I was prickly tonight and I didn't know why, my wolf was getting more and more dominant since being on this packs territory and considering I had no where else to go I couldn't afford any slip ups.

I spent the next hour greeting everyone and telling them that I was single and had no pack or family to my name. A few elder females started to introduce me to their un mated sons and I knew this was a good time to scarper. I started getting tired around 9pm and moved away to find some scraps of food left from the buffet.

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I rolled my eyes and internally laughed at the mental image she sent to me. Wild boar and deer. Ewww.... definitely not what I want in human form. I giggled and started putting some chicken on a napkin when I felt someone grab my ass. My back went straight and Layla bristled in my mind. Who dared to touch us without our consent? I was beyond livid and rage was coming off of me in waves, so much so that a few pack members turned around to watch the spectacle when they felt my anger radiate.

The voice of the man grabbing me said 'oh yes, you'll do nicely'

In a flash I turned around to face him with a speed i didn't know I had. I grabbed a hold of his forearm and twisted it sharply behind his back and bringing him to his knees. I heard a crack of bone but at this point I didn't give a fuck. Whatever ambient music that was playing and any conversation worth having had died and the entire pack was now watching this piece of shit on his knees begging for me to release his arm. I looked up and saw the horrified faces of some of my new pack members, a few bared their knecks to me in submission which woke me from my rage and I decided then and there that i had well and truly fucked things up. I let the sleaze ball fall to the floor.

'Don't put your hands on any woman like that again' I spat.

In an instant Alpha Liam commanded the whimpering mut to go to his office for a dress down while Alec offered to escort me back to the pack house. Anya gave me a look of concern amongst the crowd of gathering onlookers and I just smiled trying to reassure her. I swore I would never allow another wolf to put his hands on me again without my consent and I meant it. I'll never be a victim again!

She was proud of me standing up for myself but I wasnt so sure now that my anger dissipated on the walk back to the pack house. Alec didn't say anything as we strolled along in silence but he would cast me a few slide glances every now and then to check to see if I was ok. I was disappointed that I let myself look bad in front of my new pack tonight and I was worried about the repercussions of that tomorrow . I bet everyone thought I had that coming wearing a dress like this. Because that's what happens right? I was raped in the woods because I left my house without my fathers approval and now I was wearing a nice dress and nearly had the same thing happen twice. Why do I never learn? Im supposed to stay invisible.

'Dont blame yourself Violet, that creeps been assaulting she wolves in this pack for years. Alec was only waiting for a chance to catch him in the act. He will make him a rogue this time for sure. I'm not gonna lie though, I didn't know you had combat training, I think it took us all by surprise, especially as the only she wolf with fighting ability here is Anya and has always been the Luna'.

He looked at me with a new found respect and Layla purred. She liked it when others complimented us. And especially Alec. #garlicbread

I let out a sarcastic laugh 'I don't have combat training, I watched my old packs guards being trained by our Beta and I just practiced a few things that's all'

Alec whistled and said 'well, it must have been some beta to give defensive training like that to just guards, usually we learn offensive attacks only'.

'He was my father'. I stated. My voice I purposefully made void of emotion and said 'sometimes I used to think he would know when I was watching and as he knew I was being bullied he wanted me to learn how to defend myself so he let me watch. At least, that's what I used to think'.

Alec stopped walking and looked at me. He didn't say anything but just nodded.

'I know you put your scent on me tonight when you stopped me from falling and I know you have an interest in me.'

Alecs' eyes widened and i think he blushed but the lights from the house meant i couldn't see him properly in the porch light. We reached the door and i turned to look at him face on. He was walking with his head down contemplating what I had just said and didn't notice until it was too late that i had stopped walking. He bumped into me and looked up in shock.

I smiled a knowing smile.

'My wolf likes you, but I'm not ready for a commitment. I've come here to train and to get away from my pack, please don't make trouble for me with the other wolves. If you start trouble they might want to take it out on me'.

A few seconds went by where Alec just stared at me until his joker side burst out laughing. When he finally stopped he looked at me seriously before saying 'Violet, after that show of dominance tonight every wolf in this pack knows your an Alpha female. No guy is gonna approach you without your consent again. And if your worried about me causing problems for you then you don't have to worry, I'm the Beta of this pack and it's my job to make sure all our females are safe and after tonight, that includes you too. I'm not going anywhere for quite a while, so I'll wait until you are ready Violet'.

My jaw went slack as he turned on his heels and walked towards the barn again without looking back. That cocky little shit! He thinks it's a done deal.

I laughed with mirth and made my way into the living room talking to myself.

'Men'! Who do they think they are.

I walked past the fire place and caught a reflection in the mirror hanging over it. I stopped still and looked straight back at my one true mate.

Dimitri.

That's twice in one day. He spoke to me this morning and now I'm seeing him in my mirror. What the actual fuck!

He doesn't want me when I'm in the pack and now I'm out he can't leave me alone? What the hell is this?

'Don't even think about giving yourself to him Violet, you're mine'! DImitri said

'HOW DARE YOU! Leave me alone'! I shouted

'Vi, are you okay'? Anya said.

I whirled around and saw Anya staring at me with concern. I turned back to point at Dimitri in the mirror but he was gone. It was replaced with my own reflection again. This guy is making me look crazy!

God I'm cursed! I exhaled and said 'it's just been a long night that's all and I'm tired'.

'I understand, dont worry. You need to get your beauty sleep because Liam is going to train you starting from tomorrow. He said he can't have an unruly or untrained Alpha Female in his pack. He wants you to learn to control your emotions more'.

I was still coming to terms with everyone throwing that word around 'Alpha Female'. I'm not an Alpha Female I was just pissed that's all and took things a little too far, but I'm in no position to argue or complain. Beggars can't be choosers and I need a pack.

'Okay that's fine'. I said pouting.

She looked a little hurt and said 'Vi, did you not trust me enough to tell me you were a Luna too, that you were an Alpha female like me'?

'No Anya, my mate is an Alpha or was and that doesnt automatically make me an Alpha female, besides I would have known by now if I was and I just didn't think it meant anything anymore'.

She smiled and said 'it means a lot, even without an Alpha you're strong Vi. Liam had never felt a female who could command that much power before and neither have I. It was quite scary and everyone in the room wanted to submit, even Liam. This is really dangerous Vi if you don't learn how to control your alpha commands' she whispered. Afraid others would hear the conversation.

GREAT!!! I'm a freak. What a great introduction into the pack!