Rite of Submission (Rite #1) Unedited

Deal with the Devil

My arms tightened around my chest, waiting for him to make a move. With a wink, he turned and walked away back towards the chairs. Frowning at the empty cups, he pulled a new bottle of vodka from a shelf beside him. With a deliberately slow pour, the cups were refilled and the bottle placed on the table beside them. With a slight bow, he gestured to the second chair. “Let’s get comfortable,” he sat in his chair. “I imagine that you’ll prove to be a particularly tough negotiator.” His lips twitched up at the corner, as if he was trying to suppress a smirk.

Irritated by the smug look on his face, I stormed across the room, grabbed a glass, tossing the entire contents down my throat. I immediately regretted the action as the clear liquid burned like molten lava all the way down to my stomach. I slammed the glass back down a little harder than I’d planned, fighting the urge to gag as he chuckled. I flopped unceremoniously into the empty chair and folded my arms back over my chest, annoyed.

“I’ve bargained many deals in this room.” He purred, clearly enjoying this. “Usually, it’s another Alpha in your seat, and you’re only the second female to ever sit here, so I’ll let you start us off. What terms do you propose?”

“It would be great if you’d be so kind as to just drive me home and never return!” I huffed sarcastically.

He smiled, picking up his glass and taking a small drink. “You’re free to go home, after the terms of the contract are fulfilled, and it cannot be altered further. I’m suggesting we make a new, side deal, to make if more interesting.”

“How am I supposed to know what has and hasn’t been negotiated for me already?” I frowned. They had told me bits and pieces of the ‘contract’ when it suited them, but I didn’t actually know what was in the damn thing. What could I ask for that wasn’t in that contract, but was outlandish enough to talk him down to what I was willing to settle for? What was I willing to settle for?

“Would you like to see them?” he gestured toward a set of shelves on the wall, “I’m sure a copy is kept in here.”

“I would actually,” I huffed, surprised when he shot out of the chair grabbing two thin leather ledgers from the shelf he’d pointed too. He dropped them on the table beside me and flopped back into his seat.

“I’ll make sure copies are made for you to have if you’d like, but you’re welcome to peruse these while we’re here for now.” He cradled his glass in his hands as he watched me.

One was definitely older than the other. I opened the newer one, instantly overwhelmed by the legal words scrawled across the pages. “Why can’t we just tear these up and be done with?” I asked.

“They’ve been filed with the Council of Elders. In the original agreement, it was proposed that our pairing was predominately to provide a stronger heir to reign as Alpha of the pack. That was the basis Sophia used to draw up the new contract a few years back. Any children I have will have no blood claim to Alpha of this pack unless they are born by you. The only loophole is for me to find a legitimate mate, as that could be considered divine intervention…”

I laughed, making him frown. “So nothing in here, is of any real use to me right now,” I frowned. “I don’t even feel like a real person any more. I’m just some line in a contract, being passed back and forth between you and your sister until you get what you want. The only person who gets anything is you! The only one who wins is you!”

“You’re parents are granted permanent sanctuary with the pack,” he settled back in his chair, nursing his drink, “and you are amply provided for.”

“Sure,” I sighed, “I use your soaps; sleep in your beds, in your rooms. I wear clothes your mother bought but never wore, and Sophie picked out for me. I eat whatever you two decide is what you’re hungry for. I spend my days tethered to one of you or the other. I have been provided nothing but leftovers and scraps.”

He rubbed his chin, leaving a long awkward silence between us. After a few moments he pulled the newer contract from my hand and shuffled through the pages before handing it back. “I’d hardly call 10 million dollars scraps.” As he said it the number jumped out on the page before me, making the rest of the words blur around it. “So you want to buy a baby from me for a small fortune?” He choked back a laugh, “Couldn’t you have asked to harvest my eggs and do some kind of artificial insemination and chose a surrogate for this much money? Humans have doctors that have dedicated their entire careers to this very subject.”

“We are not human,” he huffed. “Some traditions cannot be broken. Without my scent entwined with yours for the duration of the pregnancy, the resulting child would be illegitimate.”

“Humans would just use DNA testing,” his lips twitched making me add, “I got it, we’re not human.”

“Now that we’ve got that understood,” he smiled and sipped his drink. “I still concede the opening negotiation.”

“Not yet,” I mused trying to understand the legal jargon on the page. “This is about providing for my life after fulfilling my contractual obligations. That doesn’t mean I’m being provided for in the interim.”

“Very well, I’ll arrange for you to do some shopping tomorrow if you’d like,” he smiled.

“Would you like me to get a suitcase as well,” I frowned, “make it easier to shuttle back and forth.”

“I’m sure we could manage to make sure you have what you need in both rooms, without dragging it back and forth.” He grinned. “Is there anything else you’d like to be provided with?”

“A longer leash,” I mumbled, forgetting his hearing was enhanced until his eyebrow arched quizzically. “How about giving me some time for myself every day?”

“Time to do what?” he mused. “Sophie and I already agreed that you needed time for self care.”

“I don’t know exactly what right now,” I huffed exasperated. “Curl up and read a book, watch the sun set, or maybe just go for a walk. Maybe I want to enjoy sitting alone; listening to the quiet.”

“Every day,” his voice trailed off as he thought about something. “I would have to renegotiate the schedule that Sophie and I already agreed on.” He sighed, “and you would still have to have a guard, there are the logistics of clearing out the house around your movements,” he was ticking off the problems on his fingers.

“Even Beauty got to explore when the Beast imprisoned her,” I busied my hands with folding the ledger closed; worried I might have pressed a button with the reference. “In this whole giant labyrinth of a house, you can’t clear out one little room? Maybe let me browse through one of the libraries to borrow a few books at a time? You’ve already assigned a babysitter to follow me around whenever I’m not with you.”

“I will discuss this with Sophie, and see if there is possibly a way to accommodate your request.”

Shit, he agreed to that rather easily. “Wait,” I set the contract back on the table, and turned in the chair to face him more directly. “What do you expect me to do in exchange?”

“You are a quick learner,” he smiled; “I suppose you’re right about needing your own basic necessities. There’s no reason to negotiate for that.” He shrugged, but I could feel the other shoe waiting to drop. He paused, “but, Sophie has been much happier these past few days of having a companion to spend her time with regularly. You’re asking me to talk her into spending more time alone. That could be a tough sell.”

“Don’t try to put this on her. What do expect me to agree to before you’ll stop locking me in you rooms all day?”

A sly, wolfish grin spread across his face, as if he was hunting and ready to pounce on the prey he’d been tracking. “Give me one night.” He sat back and looked at me through hooded eyes, “to properly enjoy you, fully.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m not agreeing to fulfill your contract just to spend some time alone.”

His grin never wavered. “You misunderstand,” his voice dropped down into that sultry, seductive tone that made me question by feelings for him. “I want one night for you to explore the possibilities of accepting your role fully. Give me one night, and I’ll grant your alone time on my days with you.”

“What does that mean? I just said I am not going to agree to have s*x with you.”

“Have you not learned there is far more that we can do?” he looked me up and down. His voice was starting to get raspy, and it made me feel warm and tingly. “But I’m suggesting a night free contractual repercussions.”

“Are you offering to let me change my mind in the morning, should you find a way to seduce me?”

“If you want to look at it like that, yes,” he took a slow breath. “If you agree, you’ll have your alone time one way or another, and by breakfast the next morning, everything can go right back to the way it is now.”

“And that’s everything?” I eyed him suspiciously.

“Well, there are some topics I’d like to negotiate with you as well,” he gave me a half smile, “but as far as your demands, I would say yes, that’s everything.”

“One night?” he waited for me to mull it over, “If I’m not agreeing to s*x, what will I be agreeing to though?”

“Nothing you haven’t done already.” He eyed my body like he could see through the oversized, baggy clothes.

“I’ve barely even known you a week,” I complained.

His brow furrowed, making him look confused, “Only a week…” he mulled something over in his mind, “I think I could give you a little leeway on the date to uphold your end, as long as I get to withhold my end until you do.”

“So we’ve really agreed to nothing for now. Only after giving you your night?” he nodded, “Ok,” it barely came out as a whisper, even though I wasn’t really agreeing to anything more that a possibility at my own bidding.

“I’ll need a clear ‘yes’ and I’d like to seal the deal with a kiss,” he really was shameless.

“Fine,” I huffed, climbing out of the chair to stand before him. He looked up at me expectantly, “Yes, I agree,” I leaned forward, and left a quick peck on his cheek. I practically jumped back into my chair before he had a chance to react. “You got your kiss, now,” I squared my shoulders and sat up straight, “what more could you want?”

Recovering quickly, he chuckled. “Straight to the point,” he smiled, “I think I’d like to start with how you behave, especially while other pack members are present.” He rubbed his chin, “I really do enjoy your spirit, but there are times when it’s highly inappropriate.”

“I’m not going to bow and scrape in front of everyone, or call you Alpha,” I scoffed.

He shrugged, “I’m just asking you to curb your disdain and use basic manners until we are alone. I enjoy the challenge, just not at the expense of undermining my position. Your position allows you to use my given name.”

“Very well,” I sighed. “I suppose I can behave in a civil and appropriate manner while we’re in mixed company, Dmitri.” It felt a little weird to say his name. “But,” I added quickly, “It would only be fair to have you stop demeaning me, or calling me ‘pet’ in these circumstances.” My voice sounded too sweet to my own ears, but he seemed to enjoy it. “Especially around Candy,” that last bit may have sounded a little harsh.

He grinned wolfishly, “Me dear Alexandria, are you jealous of Candice?” There was a hint of laughter in his voice.

“You can’t be serious,” I huffed. “Why would I be jealous of a woman who is desperately trying to climb into a bed that I would rather not be in?” He frowned. “No, I’m not jealous of your sad little slut puppy.” His brows furrowed, not liking the phrase. “There is nothing you could promise me that would convince me to play happy little slave girl the way she does,” I smiled sweetly and folded my hands in my lap.

He arched an eyebrow, “You’d make a very poor slave my pet, and if that’s what I wanted, I already have a willing candidate to fulfill any experience I should desire.”

“I am aware,” I huffed, aggravated, “especially since you’re so keen to rob me of natural experiences.”

He lips curled up into a full; god help me, sexy smile. “I’m intrigued now.” He leaned heavily over the arm of his chair towards me, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “What experiences have I robbed you of?”

I chewed on my lower lip a moment. “I’ll never get to do the things most girls my age go through? I’ve never been allowed to have a boyfriend, or gone on a date. I can’t…”

“You want to go on a date?” he asked sarcastically, cutting me off. “I think I can safely assume that you don’t mean with me. So you’re asking for what exactly? You want to act out some idealistic school girl romance fantasy?” No hint of a smile. “And you expect me to sit by and watch?”

“You say it like it wouldn’t be fair trade,” I rolled my eyes. “Do you or do you not openly continue to enjoy the company of another woman in your bed? You keep pointing out that our parents arranged for us to be together, but I’m the only one that’s expected to be loyal to that agreement?” I scoffed, “You’ll have to forgive me if that doesn’t exactly inspire me to swoon and fall into your lap.”

“I don’t think you see what she really is. You don’t see that she provides an means to take the edge off the frustration you leave me with so that I don’t lose control with you,” he countered smoothly, “I do not take her out on dates or snuggle with her while you’re away. We are not a couple.”

“So you get to have your cake and eat it too,” I frowned, “Meanwhile, my needs are ignored and in the process.” I arched an eyebrow at him this time. “Honestly, you’re trying to seduce a stranger while sleeping with someone else.”

“A,” he spoke quietly, “stranger…” There was another long silence between us as he had a mental conversation with himself. Finally, he laughed loudly, “I’ve created a monster,” he grinned. “Very well, what do you have in mind?”

“How about don’t touch her until I’m free to leave. If I should have to suffer through this, you should too.”

“You sure you want to go ahead and jump into the deep end of the pool?” His smile looked a little menacing. “I’m not sure you’re ready to make this deal yet little girl.”

He was taunting me, and I fell for it, “You really expect me to want someone else’s sloppy seconds.”

“You really want to play with fire, huh?” he studied my face. I didn’t move a muscle. “Very well,” he finished his glass and set it down. “I’ll keep my hands off her, if you can propose a more appropriate place for my hands to be.”

My body responded immediately at the thought of what those hands could do. I blushed as he inhaled deeply and smiled as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. “That’s hardly fair,” I shifted nervously in my chair. “There’s already been several times where someone else has riled you up and I’ve had to face the consequences for it.”

“Now who’s not being fair? I only get to have you every other day,” his grin was infuriating, “Even when I have you to myself, I don’t really get to enjoy it, now do I?”

“I think that makes us pretty even if you ask me,” a warning tingle shivered up my spine.

“Maybe Sophia is right, you don’t know enough of our lore,” he looked less than amused now. “I’ll be in a constant state of frustration, like a wolf that’s been caged during the full moon.”

“So basically my choices are give myself to you? Or agree to be in some kind of three-way relationship?” It took all my willpower not to shout, “How is that an even trade?”

His grin made me feel like I walked right into a trap, “It’s not like Candy and I f**k all day long, nor is it every day,” his voice practically purred. “But without her,” he waved a hand in the air, “services, any time I spent with you would be increasingly dangerous, for you. You’re a single child who’s never had to share her toys and it shows.”

Why did I care so much if he got his jollies off with someone else? Besides trying to make him suffer in some way while I was trapped here, what did it really matter? A foreign voice whispered the answer through my mind, ‘because if I was his, then he was mine! That was why!’ “You’re trying to bait me into agreeing to submit myself to you. If you really wanted me more than her, it wouldn’t be such an issue for you to give up your playmate.”

“You don’t have to make the deal,” an arrogant smile plastered on his lips. “I can continue to use Candy as I see fit, or I can teach you to take her place if you’d like.” I honestly couldn’t tell which way he was hoping I’d go.

There was no point trying to lie to myself. There was a physical attraction, my body had betrayed that several times. I still hated him for all he’d made me endure. And yet, his name was listed on that contract without choice, even if he had more leeway than I did. I’d enjoy being the reason that Candy would be denied completely. He already dished out punishments and pleasures as he wished how was this any different? “So we’re back to you trying to trick me into agreeing to just have s*x with you,” I frowned.

“Not at all,” he smiled, “you’ve already learned a few ways to satiate my needs.” His eyes fixed on my lips.

I laughed softly, “We’ve talked ourselves in a circle. You claim you don’t need to use Candice every day. You already use me to satiate your needs every other day. So what exactly are you trying to negotiate? I told you that I am never going to entertain the idea of giving myself to someone who is intimate with someone else. Call me old fashioned, but I’d expect nothing less than that. Like I said, if you really wanted to be with me instead of her, you wouldn’t be with her at all.” He sat calmly through my tirade, smiling as I finished. “What could I have said to make you smile?”

“You’re right,” he grinned, “perhaps in exchange for my fidelity; you would find it more fitting to spend your nights with me. It is in fact the only way to prove that I’m not inviting other women into my bed while you’re away.”

“That’s hardly fair to Sophie, who you were so concerned about leaving alone more often to give me time to myself just a short while ago. She’s already got a mountain of movies planned for movie nights.”

He flinched slightly, at the mention of his sister, but shrugged it off quickly. “Most nights then, I’m sure Nathan would like to see a little more flexibility in my schedule for meetings, especially dinner meetings, which should help offset any time she would have to relinquish.”

“Fine, but you have to tell her.”

“It would seem that we have an agreement,” he sat back and grinned. “Shall we seal the deal?”

Sighing heavily, I pulled myself out of the chair and stepped in front of him, “You’re going to have to make an effort to get it this time.” I stepped out of his reach and waited.

He slinked out of his chair and stepped into me, wrapping an arm around my waist to keep me from falling back. His other hand moved to caress my check and cup my chin. “Alexandria,” he whispered my name seductively, “Do you agree to spend your nights with me for as long as remain faithful?”

“Yes, Dmitri,” I sighed, stealing myself for what was coming next. “I agree, within reason to Sophie’s terms.”

His hand slid from my cheek, cupping the back of my head. Slowly, he pulled my lips up towards his but not quite touching. We stood that way until I completed the motion. It felt like an electric jolt sparked as our lips pressed against one another. It zipped through me and settled into my bones, like an invisible tether to him. Our lips continued to move together, the longer we kissed the more fervent and demanding it became, until I was dizzy and breathless. Then everything went black.