Listen to me 145

Sleane

I enjoyed Benedict’s Alpha party much more once I was outside with Scarlet, Daniel, and Bethany. I was surprised when Alpha Stephanie joined us. I was even more surprised that I liked her. She fit in with our group very well.

“I remember you from school. I was a year ahead of you,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember you,” I say. I’m surprised that I don’t remember her.

She smiles. “I didn’t bully you. But I didn’t interfere either. Shame on me. I should have. But honestly, I enjoyed watching you knock out those pompous assholes with one punch,” she says.

“She’s fucking incredible, isn’t she?” Scarlet says, handing me another drink. I pass her the one that I’m holding that I haven’t touched, and she begins drinking it as if we’re just passing drinks around. Daniel looks at her and shakes his head.

“I think you’re biased,” I say.

“I don’t know. My brother seems to think you’re pretty incredible too,” Bethany says.

“Yeah. If you don’t mind me asking, how did that happen?” Stephanie asks.

“Honestly, I have no idea. Well, other than what he said at graduation that he was competing with me and I didn’t know it. Honestly, I thought he was just trying to set me up so he could embarrass me publicly …”

“Oh no. Bene would never do that,” Bethany says. “He’s a great guy.”

“I know that now. I didn’t know it then,” I say.

“Yeah, BWFive is growing on me,” Scarlet says.

“Oh! My! Goddess! Does he know you call him that?” Bethany asks.

“Oh yeah. When he called me about the color of Sloane’s dress, I called it to his face,” she says, grinning.

“Scarlet!” Daniel scolds.

“Oh, Danny. He didn’t mind. BWFive has a sense of humor. He called me SMOne,” she says.

We all stare at her for a moment, then break into laughter.

“He called you that?” I ask.

“He did. Made me like him even more.”

I watch Bethany’s eyes go unfocused. When they refocus, she looks at me.

“Bene wanted me to let you know that when you’re done here, he’s waiting for you in his room.”

“Ohhhhh,” Scarlet and Stephanie say at the same time.

I laugh. “I would say it’s not like that, but… it totally is,” I say, grinning like a fool.

“Good for you, Sloane. Really. I’m happy for the two of you. I know you haven’t turned eighteen yet, but …” Stephanie shrugs. “I think sometimes our wolves know before we do.”

“Well, Aisling is all about Marrok, I can tell you that,” I say, handing my drink to Scarlet. “Finish this for me? I’ll see you in

10:14 Thu, Feb S

the morning.”

“yeah you will and I’m sure you’ll have a fresh coat of Eau de Benedict on you when you come down tomorrow,” she says, as Daniel shakes his head again.

Til walk up with you in case anyone tries to stop you,” Bethany says.

“I think I’ll head to bed as well,” Stephanie says.

I hug Scarlet goodnight and wink at Daniel, knowing he’ll be carrying my friend to bed tonight. I also know she’ll make sure to make it up to him.

When we walk inside, the party seems to be breaking up now that Benedict has left. I’m surprised when Luna Beatrice stops Bethany and I at the stairwell.

“Oh, Sloane, dear, why don’t I escort you upstairs? Benedict insisted that you have the room next to his, but after you came in smelling so strongly of him, I’m sure he’s planning to have you sleep in his room.”

I glance at Bethany and see the same frown on her face that I have on mine. Why is Luna Beatrice being so nice to me? She’s made it very clear that she can’t stand me.

I follow her up the stairs to the Alpha floor, then down the hallway to the last door on the right, just like Benedict said. I notice that Bethany follows behind us, also curious about what her mother is up to.

“Benedict, dear,” Luna Beatrice says, in a singsong voice. She turns the knob on his bedroom door, turning to smile at me as she does. When she opens the door, her response is so staged that even if I didn’t suspect that she was up to something, I’d know something was up.

When she ‘apologizes‘ that I had to see what’s going on, but steps aside to make sure that I DO see what’s going on, I see a naked Benedict looking repulsed and a she–wolf pressed against him, her arms around his neck as if they were having a loying embrace. Except I know Benedict, and I know that if he wanted this she–wolf, his arms wouldn’t be at his side. He wouldn’t look startled or repulsed. He told his sister that he was waiting for me. He wouldn’t have done that if he was planning to hook up with someone else.

His mother’s behavior, however, makes much more sense. I know very well that she staged this.

I step past her, looking at the she–wolf who is barely dressed, as Benedict shoves her off of him.

“Benedict,” I say, turning my gaze to him. I can see the pleading in his eyes, begging me to realize that he had no part in this. Not to worry, BWFive. I’ve got this.

“I told you what I would do if I ever caught you in this type of situation,” I say.

I watch as his body relaxes and he slowly smiles. “You did. And I agreed that it was acceptable.”

“Good, as long as we’re still in agreement,” I say, turning to the she–wolf.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Alpha Sloane. This isn’t what it seems,” she says.

“Oh, I know EXACTLY what this is. But let me explain something to you, sweetie,” I say, my tone mocking.

“Do you see this?” I say gesturing to Benedict’s flaccid penis. “This is not a man who is interested in you. Not at all.”

I hear Bethany snort from the doorway.

Without taking my eyes off the woman, I slide my hand down Benedict’s chest to his stomach. His body jerks at the touch and I don’t have to look to know that he’s responded to my touch, even with his mother and sister in the room.

“Now this,” I say, gesturing to where I know his dick is now standing at attention, “is what a man looks like when he IS

A SERAJONGER

interested in you. He doesn’t want you, honey. He wants me. You touched what is mine and I won’t tolerate that.” I say, pulling my fist back and smashing it into her face.

I hear the er inch of breaking bones as she falls to the ground, unconscious.

“How DARE you assault one of our esteemed guests!” Luna Beatrice growls, rushing to the girl’s side.

“Esteemed? Perhaps you need to re–evaluate your guest list,” I say,

“What is going on here?” Benedict Winslow, IV asks, walking into the room.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Benedict snarls.

“Here brother. There’s not enough therapy in the world for me to have to see that any longer,” Bethany says, tossing Benedict a pair of shorts.

“Benedict!” Luna Beatrice barks. “This girl assaulted one of our guests. You must banish her from our pack immediately!” she says, looking at her mate.

I watch the former Alpha frown, looking from the girl to me, to Benedict. Before he can respond, Benedict steps up beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist.

“You forget yourself, Mother. I am the Alpha of this pack now. Only I can banish someone from the pack and I have no intention of banishing Sloane. She was within her rights to fight Elena. We’ve both clearly claimed the other to the extent that we can wtih Sloane being underage. Any she–wolf, any Alpha worth her title, would never have set up a situation like this to make it look like I was cheating on my girlfriend,” he says. “Now …” he begins before we hear the sound of pounding footsteps in the hallway.

“What is the meaning of this?” a large Alpha booms from the doorway. “Who assaulted my daughter?” he asks, rushing into the room to check on Elena.

“She did!” Luna Beatrice says, pointing at me.

The Alpha growls, standing up to face. “How dare you! Do you know who I am?”

I take a step forward, ready to fight this Alpha. He’s one of many that I met this evening, but I remember he’s Alpha Steph, Stephanie’s father. I didn’t realize that Stephanie had a sister. I guess that friendship was short–lived.

“Alpha Steph, your daughter entered my room without permission, then threw herself into my arms as if we were lovers. My girlfriend was within her rights to protect what’s hers.”

“I will not tolerate…” Alpha Steph begins.

“Let it go, Dad. Alpha Benedict is right, I’m sure. Luna Beatrice wanted me to try and get Alpha Benedict away from Sloane. I refused since he’s obviously enamored with her. My step–sister must not have as much respect for herself.”

Benedict growls beside me. A moment later, warriors are standing outside the door to his bedroom.

“Take my mother to her bedroom. She is not to leave until I say so,” he growls.

“Benedict, you can’t…” Luna Beatric begins.

“I warned you mother. I warned you more than once, but you wouldn’t listen. You can either go with the warriors to your room quietly, or you can leave this pack right now, forever. Your choice.”

“Benedict,” Luna Beatrice whispers, looking like Benedict slapped her.

“Now, mother. I will deal with you tomorrow,” he growls, pulling me against his side.

14 Thu, Feb s

at voucheté

I want to argue with him, but seeing the look on Bethany’s and Benedict’s father’s faces, I know that Benedict HAS warned her multiple times and she’s ignored him.

When the warriors take her arms and begin leading her out

the room, her mate stops her.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever been more disappointed in you, Beatrice.”

I watch what’s left of Beatrice’s bravado collapse.

“Benedict…” she whimpers, but he turns away from her, and the warriors take her down the hall.

“Alpha Benedict, what of my daughter?” Alpha Steph asks.

“Take her and teach her some manners because if your daughter ever enters my room again uninvited, I will rip her to shreds.”

Alpha Steph pales but picks his daughter up.

“Let’s go, Stephanie.”

Rather than following her father, she turns to me. “I hope you won’t hold my step–sister’s actions against me, Alpha Sloane. I really enjoyed our time together this evening.”

I nod. “I did as well, Alpha Stephanie. Thank you for your honesty about Luna Beatrice’s plans to try and break Benedict and me apart.”

She nods, looking from Benedict to me. “You’re too good together to get broken up by something so ridiculous.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I say.

She walks out, leaving me, Benedict, Bethany, and Benedict Winslow, IV.

“What are you going to do with your mother, Benedict?” he asks.

“I warned her father. I have a witness who says she did exactly what I told her not to do. I’m sure that tomorrow, when Elena regains consciousness, she’ll corroborate Alpha Stephanie’s story. I think the more important question, Dad, is what are YOU going to do about Mom?”

He nods. “I’m going to sleep in the spare bedroom tonight.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Benedict says.

Then both he and Bethany walk out, closing the door behind them. Benedict walks over and locks the door before turning back to me.

“Thank you for believing me.”

ゆ

I walk over to him. “You knew your mother was going to do something like this, didn’t you? That’s why you warned me.”

“I wasn’t completely sure, but I wanted to safe, rather than sorry.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “Are you okay?”

He shakes his head, no, pulling me against him and burying his face in my neck.

“No. No, I’m not okay at all.”

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.