Listen to me 143

Sloane

Being one–on–one with Benedict is one thing. Walking into his packhouse on his arm, on the night of his Alpha ceremony, is something totally different.

He wants us here, Sloane. Own it,‘ Aisling says, pushing forward and giving me strength as the entire packhouse falls silent

when we enter.

“Good afternoon, everyone. I’m sure you all know me, but this gorgeous woman beside me is my girlfriend, Alpha Sloane Hartwell. The ceremony will begin in…” he looks at his watch, “one hour. Until then, please enjoy this pre–ceremony cocktail party that my mother has arranged,” he says, nodding at his mother who is standing across the room looking like she just ate something sour and smelled something foul.

I thought that Benedict was going to leave me there and begin making the rounds to welcome his friends and allies, which he does, but he doesn’t release me. Instead, he brings me along with him, introducing me to the people in the room.

Aisling stays forward, watching everyone along with me. I keep track of who is who, making note of Alphas in our immediate vicinity or around Grandpa Waylon’s pack. I say hello and make small talk while feeling the eyes of the Alpha and Beta females on me, assessing me, wondering how I landed Benedict Winslow, V.

As we move from the second group of people to the third, Benedict’s mother intercepts us.

“Benedict,” she says, barely sparing me a glance. “I’m sure Alpha Sloane doesn’t want you dragging her around the room. Why don’t I take her to the bar and get her a drink while you say hello to our allies.”

Benedict looks at me. “Would you like a drink, Sloane?”

“Uh, sure,” I say, not wanting to be around his mother, but not wanting to make a scene either.

“Perfect. Sloane likes red wine, Mom. Can you have one of the servers bring her a glass. I’ll take one too,” he says, then steers us away, leaving his mother gaping.

“I don’t think that’s what she meant, Benedict,” I whisper.

“I know exactly what she meant,” he says, then expertly begins a conversation with another ally.

When I hear a hush spread through the room, I turn to see my family entering.

“Sloane!” Aria says, rushing over to me the moment she sees me.

“Hey sweetie. Don’t you look beautiful,” I say, hugging her to me.

“Who is he?” she asks, looking at Benedict.

“Have you never met Alpha Benedict?” I ask her.

“No, I’m usually in bed when all the fun begins. But mom and dad said Theo and I could come tonight.”

Benedict extends his hand to her. “Alpha Aria, I am Alpha Benedict Winslow, V. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance,” he says formally.

Aria puts her hand in his the way my aunt and uncle have taught her to do. “Alpha Benedict, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance as well.”

Benedict surprises me by leaning over and kissing the top of my sister’s hand with all the charm of a prince wanting to enchant a princess in some fairytale. I watch my sister’s cheeks turn pink and the color extends all the way to her ears.

“Welcome to my Alpha ceremony,” he says, releasing her hand.

sister, who is never shy, leans against me as if she’s about to hide behind me.

“Such a charmer,” I whisper.

Benedict grins as he looks over at my family. “Shall we go say hello?”

I take Aria’s hand and we walk through the middle of the cocktail party as everyone watches us.

“Alpha Roman, Lama Samara, Alpha Slade, Alpha Theo, Beta Scarlet, Beta Daniel, welcome to my Alpha ceremony. I’m very glad you could all make it,” he says formally.

“Did you swallow your tongue when you saw Sloane tonight?” Scarlet asks him.

“I was rendered speechless,” he says, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me against him.

Uncle Roman raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything.

“You look lovely Sloane. And Benedict, did you intentionally match your suit to Sloane’s dress?” Aunt Samara asks.

I frown, looking at his tuxedo. I hadn’t even noticed that his tie and lapels match the color of my dress.

“Yes, I did, Luna Samara.”

“How did you …” I stop, glaring at Scarlet.

She just shrugs and gives me a smug smile.

“Excuse me, Benedict. Alpha Roman, Luna Samara, I apologize for interrupting, but I need to speak to my son before the ceremony,” Benedict’s father says.

“Of course. We’ll see you outside, Alpha Benedict,” Uncle Roman says.

“Sloane,” he says, giving me a look to tell me he expects me to meet him at the stage. Then he leans in and kisses me quickly before following his father outside.

“Damn girl, as if you didn’t already have his scent all over you, now he’s kissing you in front of everyone?” Scarlet asks.

“He introduced me as his girlfriend when we walked in together,” I say.

“You walked in together?” Uncle Roman asks.

“He insisted on picking me up at Grandpa Waylon’s,” I say. I’m saved from answering any more embarrassing questions when my grandparents walk in.

We walk over to say hello to them and the rest of the time before Benedict’s ceremony flies by. Before I know it, Luna Beatrice is clapping her hands and telling everyone to walk outside for the ceremony.

When I start to walk away from my family, Scarlet grabs my arm/ “Where are you going?”

“Benedict wants me on stage with him tonight.”

She raises an eyebrow but releases my arm. “That’s fucking ballsy.”

“It’s a mistake. I’m not eighteen. He’s staking a claim that may amount to nothing.”

“Or it may amount to everything. You’ve changed since you’ve started spending time with him, Sloane. You’re more confident about yourself now. It’s a good change, a positive one. If he wants to show everyone here that he’s with you, let

10:14 Thu, Feb 5

him. It doesn’t hurt anything,” she says.

Exp: possibly my heart if things don’t work out the way he thinks they will.

Scarlet hugs me quickly then turns to join my family. I walk on the outskirts of the group, making my way to the stage.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Lama Beatrice’s sharp, cutting voice whispers from beside me, her sharp nails biting into my arm as she grabs me.

“Benedict asked me to be on stage with him.”

“Benedict is a pussy–whipped fool. I don’t know what kind of magic you have in that pussy of yours, but you will never be Luna of this pack,” she snarls quietly.

“You’re right. I won’t. But even if I was, that’s not your choice. It’s his. And he wants me on that stage,” I say, standing my ground. Benedict has been very clear about wanting me up there and I’m not going to let him down. It’s his night. If he wants me standing beside him, that’s where I’ll be.

“You need to learn your place,” she snaps.

I lean in, getting in her face. “Apparently, so do you,” I snarl back.

“Sloane! Where is Sloane?” Benedict calls out.

“I’m right here, Benedict,” I say, not looking away from Luna Beatrice.

“Sloane …” he stops, growling. “Mother, let her pass. Now!”

Beatrice’s eyes go wide and she forces a smile on her face that is so fake it looks hideous.

“Of course. Go, Sloane. Benedict wants you up there with him,” she says in a singsong voice, as if she isn’t the reason I’m not already up there.

I turn and make my way to the edge of the stage. Benedict comes over and extends his hand. When I step up on the stage, he leans in.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course. Let’s go make you an Alpha,” I say, smiling at him.

He searches my face, then takes my hand and leads me to the center of the stage where his father is standing. He looks surprised, but unlike his mate, he doesn’t have the sour look on his face that Benedict chose to have me up on stage with

him.

I stand beside Benedict as he says the words that I’ll be saying next week to become Alpha of my pack. He swears his loyalty to his pack, to honor, love, and protect them.

Then, his father faces the pack. “I, Benedict Winslow, IV, do hereby renounce myself as Alpha of this pack. I give to you your new Alpha, Alpha Benedict Winslow, V. Long live the Alpha!”

“Long live the Alpha!” the pack cheers.

Benedict’s father drinks Benedict’s blood, then swears his loyalty to his son. I feel the shift in power. I feel Benedict’s strength increase as he takes over as Alpha of his pack. And when he turns to me, I see his love for me shining in his eyes.

I smile at him, so proud of the man and Alpha that he is. Then, he slides his hand into my hair and pulls me in for a kiss in front of the entire pack. It is so unexpected that I can only cling to him while I drown in the dominant, possessive, and powerful kiss that is even more passionate than the ones we shared last night.

When he pulls away from me, his eyes meet mine. “I’ll be getting more of that later tonight” he growls.

ly if you behave, Alpha,” I say.

52 16 vanelie

I never behave, Sloane. You should know that by now,” he says, grinning.

He kisses me quickly again before releasing me. I stand behind him as one by one, his pack members step forward and accept him as their Alpha. When the last person has sworn their loyalty to him, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against his side.

“Let’s party!”

AD

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.