Listen to me 101

In Chapter 101 of “Listen to me 101,” the school buzzes with excitement as students discuss Scarlet’s birthday party, marking a significant event in their social hierarchy. Scarlet, having transitioned from a Beta to an Alpha female, has become the center of attention, particularly among the male students who wish to win her affection. However, Benedict, the protagonist, finds himself on the outskirts of this social whirlwind, feeling excluded as he was not invited to the celebration. Despite the festive atmosphere, it becomes clear that Scarlet has not found a mate, an outcome she seems to accept without distress.

As Benedict navigates the school the day after the party, he observes the fatigue of those who attended, hinting at the party’s impact on their spirits. His attention is drawn to Sloane, a girl he has never considered in a romantic light before, who is wearing a striking necklace that ignites feelings of jealousy within him. This unexpected emotional turmoil is compounded by the realization that Sloane’s necklace might have been gifted by someone from Alpha Waylon’s pack, raising questions about her affections and the competition for her attention among the male students.

Benedict’s internal struggle intensifies as he attempts to engage Sloane in conversation, battling feelings of jealousy and confusion. He reflects on how different Sloane is from other girls, which adds to his frustration as he tries to understand his growing feelings for her. His emotions reach a boiling point when he confronts his sister Bethany about the necklace, revealing his agitation and desperation for answers. Bethany’s teasing only exacerbates his turmoil, forcing him to confront the depth of his feelings for Sloane.

Finally, a pivotal moment occurs when Bethany reveals that Sloane and Scarlet share matching necklaces, symbolizing their bond as best friends. This revelation shifts Benedict’s perspective, alleviating his jealousy and anger. He realizes that his feelings for Sloane are rooted in a deeper connection, one that transcends mere attraction. The chapter concludes with Benedict coming to terms with his emotions, recognizing the significance of Sloane’s friendship with Scarlet and what it means for his own budding feelings.

**TITLE: Listen to me 101**

**CONTENT: Chapter 101**

**Benedict**

As the sun rose on a typical Monday morning, the air in the school was thick with excitement and chatter. Whispers floated through the hallways, all revolving around one central theme: Scarlet’s birthday party. She was no ordinary girl; having transitioned from a Beta to an Alpha female, she had captured the attention and admiration of many. The male students, in particular, were abuzz with hopes of being chosen as her mate, each one vying for a place in her heart.

I, however, found myself on the periphery of this social whirlwind. Scarlet’s inner circle had never included me, and as such, I was not among the fortunate ones invited to her celebration. From the snippets of conversation I gathered, it seemed that despite the festivities, she had not found her mate. Curiously, she didn’t seem to be bothered by it, suggesting that perhaps she had anticipated this outcome all along.

The aftermath of the party was evident as I walked through the school; many of the attendees wore the telltale signs of a night spent in revelry. Fatigue hung over them like a heavy fog, their eyes drooping and their energy depleted. I learned that the party had been rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday in an effort to ensure that “everyone” could attend. Knowing how close Scarlet and Sloane were, and recalling that both had been in Alpha Waylon’s pack on Friday night, I couldn’t help but deduce that Sloane was likely the “everyone” Scarlet had wanted to accommodate.

“What’s she wearing?” Marrok’s voice cut through my thoughts, low and almost menacing, as if he were on the verge of a growl. His usual disinterest in school matters—save for anything involving Ellis, Sloane, Slade, or Bethany—prompted me to look up and see what had captured his attention.

Sloane, typically understated in her fashion choices, was wearing a necklace that stood out starkly against her simple attire. It seemed to glow with significance, a beacon drawing my eyes and igniting a flare of jealousy I had never experienced before. I felt a primal urge to stop Marrok from storming over to her, to sniff the jewelry and determine if the scent of its giver still lingered.

Who could possibly be gifting Sloane such a piece? More importantly, who was it that had earned her attention enough for her to wear their jewelry?

My thoughts raced as I contemplated the possibilities. Given that it was Scarlet’s birthday, she couldn’t have been the one to give Sloane the necklace. But if not her, then who? I mentally sifted through the list of unmated males who had attended the party over the weekend.

“Maybe it was someone from Alpha Waylon’s pack,” Marrok suggested, his tone darkening.

Damn it. That opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. There were plenty of eligible bachelors in Alpha Waylon’s pack, each one potentially vying for Sloane’s affections.

“Alpha, is everything alright?” a girl I had just been conversing with asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. I didn’t bother to meet her gaze.

“Yeah, why?” I replied, trying to keep my irritation in check.

“Uh, your aura just got really strong. Did I offend you?” she inquired, her eyes wide with concern.

“What?” I glanced down, suddenly aware of the space forming around me, as if people were instinctively retreating from the intensity radiating off me.

“Sorry,” I muttered, reining in my aura. “I need to go.”

“Sure, Alpha. I’ll see you on Saturday,” she replied, her voice fading as I walked toward the spot where Sloane had just been standing. But to my dismay, she had vanished.

Fortunately, I had multiple classes with her, and since we were both in a fierce competition for Valedictorian, I had a legitimate excuse to strike up a conversation.

What in the Moon Goddess’ realm was happening to me? I had never needed a reason to talk to a girl before. In the past, girls had always flocked to me, eager to engage in conversation.

“Sloane’s different,” Marrok commented, his tone making me pause.

“What does that mean?” I shot back, demanding clarity.

“She just is,” he grumbled, clearly unwilling to elaborate further.

“Thanks for that insightful comment,” I muttered as we entered our first class.

Taking my seat behind Sloane, I leaned forward, determined to break the ice.

“Hey, Sloane. How was your weekend?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“It was good, Benedict. How was yours?” she replied, her voice warm yet guarded.

“Good. I know you mentioned having plans. Everything go well?” The moment the words left my lips, I couldn’t help but wonder if her “plans” had involved a date. I had never seen anyone show interest in Sloane before; if it had been a date, it would most likely have been with someone from Alpha Waylon’s pack.

“Yep,” she answered, her tone nonchalant, giving me nothing to work with.

“New necklace?” I inquired, battling the low growl that threatened to escape my throat.

A smile broke across Sloane’s face, soft and beautiful, rivaling the most breathtaking smiles I had ever witnessed. She reached up, her fingers brushing the pendant gently.

“Yeah, it is,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, softer than I had ever heard.

If I thought I understood jealousy before, I was sorely mistaken. It surged through me, hot and suffocating, an all-consuming fire that left me reeling.

Sloane turned to me, a frown creasing her brow. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” I growled, leaning back in my seat, trying to regain my composure.

No, I was not fine. I was so far from okay that concentrating in class felt like an impossible task.

“Dude, what is going on with you? Everyone is talking about your off-the-charts aura today,” Ellis said, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity as we reached lunchtime.

“I’m fine,” I snapped, my voice laced with enough heat to make Ellis raise his hands in surrender and back off.

By the time the final bell rang, I felt like a tightly wound spring, ready to snap. I wasn’t even sure I could manage the drive home without losing my mind.

“Bene, what is going on with you? Oh my goddess, your aura is so suffocating that I can barely breathe,” Bethany exclaimed as she approached our car.

“Have you heard anything?” I asked, urgency creeping into my voice.

“About what? Bene, what the hell is wrong with you?” she pressed, her eyes narrowing in concern.

“About the damn necklace that Sloane Hartwell is wearing! Did you hear who gave it to her?” I snarled, frustration bubbling over.

She blinked at me, then erupted into laughter. I shot her a glare, but that only made her laugh harder, until she was doubled over, nearly laying across the trunk of the car.

“Bethany, I swear to the goddess, if you were a man, any man, I would seriously consider punching you right now,” I growled, my patience wearing thin.

She stood up, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, still chuckling. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m your sister, and I know you would never hurt me.”

I glared at her, momentarily contemplating how hard I could hit her without causing permanent damage.

“Wow! You’ve got it bad,” she teased, her expression shifting to one of playful concern.

“What are you talking about?” I snapped, irritation creeping into my tone.

“Benedict, look at me. Are you really this twisted up about Sloane Hartwell?”

I didn’t respond; instead, I growled low in my throat. The edges of my vision had darkened to a deeper shade of red as the day wore on. Marrok had started pacing hours ago, his agitation echoing in my mind, making my head throb with the intensity of his fury.

“Bene, look at me,” Bethany insisted, her voice softening. She stepped closer, taking my face in her hands, forcing me to meet her gaze.

Instead of complying, I growled again, the sound low and warning.

But rather than retreating like everyone else had today, her wolf, Audra, surged forward, snarling at Marrok. “Do not growl at ME, brother!”

That caught my attention, and I turned to look at my sister, whose face was etched with worry.

“I didn’t realize you were so upset about this. Usually, you see what others don’t, Bene,” Bethany said gently, her tone coaxing.

“See what, Bethany?” I asked, attempting to moderate my tone, though irritation still simmered beneath the surface.

“Have you not seen Scarlet today?” she asked, her voice deliberate and slow, as if she were leading me to a revelation.

“Yeah, I saw her. So what?” I replied, forcing myself to keep my temper in check.

“Benedict! Did you look at the necklace around her neck?”

Frowning, I shook my head. “No.”

She turned, scanning the schoolyard. “There. Do you see?”

I followed her gaze across the parking lot to the steps of the school, where Scarlet was engaged in conversation with several others. There, around her neck, hung a necklace strikingly similar to Sloane’s, with only the stones at the bottom of the crooked design differing.

Confusion washed over me, and I looked back at Bethany.

“I noticed her necklace this morning too and asked Slade about it. Sloane had them made for her and Scarlet. It symbolizes their bond as best friends. Slade mentioned that Scarlet cried when Sloane gave it to her and made her promise to wear it forever.”

In an instant, all my anger and jealousy drained away, as though someone had pulled the plug on a bathtub filled with water. I took the first real breath I felt I had taken since laying eyes on that necklace adorning Sloane’s neck.

“Benedict…” Bethany whispered, sensing the shift in my demeanor.

“Don’t say anything to anyone, Bethany. Please,” I implored, my voice low and serious.

She raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in her expression. “As if I would ever betray you like that. But you know what this probably means, don’t you?”

I glanced over at where Sloane and Slade were getting into their uncle’s car, realization dawning on me.

Yeah, I was pretty sure I understood exactly what this meant.

As the tumult of emotions swirled within me, clarity began to emerge from the chaos. The jealousy that had threatened to consume me faded into a distant memory, replaced by a profound sense of relief. Sloane’s necklace, a symbol of her deep bond with Scarlet, illuminated the truth I had overlooked in my blind fixation on competition and desire. It wasn’t about the pursuit of her affection but rather the strength of friendship that connected them. In that moment, I realized that my feelings for Sloane were more than mere attraction; they were rooted in admiration for her loyalty and the warmth she radiated. With that understanding came a newfound respect for her choices and the relationships she valued.

As I stood in the schoolyard, watching Sloane drive away, I felt a shift within myself. No longer was I just the Alpha consumed by the need to assert dominance; I was a brother, a friend, and perhaps, in time, something more. The weight of jealousy had lifted, allowing me to breathe freely for the first time that day. I understood now that the path forward would not be one of rivalry but of genuine connection, where I could support Sloane in her journey while nurturing my own feelings. The uncertainty that had clouded my mind began to clear, and with it came a sense of hope—a hope that perhaps, in time, our bond could grow into something beautiful, built on trust and understanding rather than competition.

In the next chapter, readers can expect a deep dive into the complex emotions swirling around Benedict as he grapples with his newfound feelings for Sloane. With the revelation about the matching necklaces, the tension between jealousy and understanding will reach a boiling point. Benedict’s internal struggle will intensify as he confronts the reality of Sloane’s close bond with Scarlet and the implications it has on their budding connection. Will he be able to navigate the murky waters of friendship and romance, or will his insecurities drive a wedge between them?

Moreover, the dynamics within the school will shift as Benedict’s aura continues to draw attention, leading to unexpected confrontations and alliances. As rumors swirl and relationships are tested, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown. Will Benedict find the courage to express his feelings before it’s too late, or will he allow fear and jealousy to dictate his actions? With Marrok’s growing agitation and the ever-watchful eyes of their peers, the stakes have never been higher. Readers should brace themselves for a whirlwind of emotions and revelations that will leave them on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what fate has in store for Benedict and Sloane.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.