Chapter 28: Tension

Seth was happy that Alex finally ended the time-out. Although the distance between them wasn't much physically, he didn't like being ignored. Sneaking around and stalking her was exciting, but he grew more greedy by the day.

That time on the rooftop was his favourite memory from last week. Alex fooled around at home with the curtains wide open. Of course he jerked off while watching her. It was an open invitation in his mind.

Seth wasn't aware that the sunshine reflecting on his wrist watch ruined his fun. As his hand slid up and down on his dick, it generated the rapidly flashing light that annoyed Alex.

Nevertheless, he enjoyed that much more than seeing her with Tanya. That woman was odd, he could never figure her out. He had to be extra careful not to show up on her radar as he followed them.

Now it all came to an end. Seth could go back to his Master and continue lording over the other subs. He wasn't interested in them, but he liked the authority and power that came with his position.

He was so immersed in his best encounters and the upcoming reunion that he forgot about Larry. Seth almost got caught eavesdropping on them two days ago.

He didn't like the sounds he heard at all. Since he fled the scene in a hurry, he wasn't aware that Alex left naked. He didn't know who spanked who. Either way, it didn't look good for him.

While Seth was on his way to the playground from the parking lot behind The Crib, Richard was already there. He was browsing the rope sets for his next play with Robert.

As he didn't receive the text from Alex in the basement, the trio surprised him when they entered. Seeing Alex, he stopped searching, and bent the knee.

"Welcome back, Master." He said to Alex.

"Hello Richard! Relax, it's just us. Seth is on his way too." Alex told him to drop the pet act.

After he stood up and registered the other two, Richard greeted them warmly.

"Tanya dear, it's good to see you again. Thanks for taking care of our queen, as always." He hugged Tanya gently.

"It's my pleasure, you know. She's about the only one who can keep up with me." Tanya returned the hug, chuckling softly.

These weren't empty pleasantries between them. They both cherished Alex in their own way and often coordinated to solve problems. They were a team, Alex's strongest pillars in times of need.

Just before they parted, Tanya whispered in his ear.

"Look out for these two lovebirds for me." She warned.

Richard's back stiffened for a moment. He obviously missed something major while Alex wasn't around. He wanted to know more, but Tanya's secretive behaviour told him to be patient.

"I'm glad you handled my request on the fly." Richard turned to Larry and shook his hand.

"You can count on me. I don't have much to do anyway." Larry reassured him.

With the greetings over, Alex guided Richard to the juice bar. By putting her arm around his waist, she pulled him intimately close.

"Would you update me on your relationship status? Is there anything I should be aware of?" She asked with a mischievous tone.

"Nah, nothing new. Rob wanted to keep things as they were. Aside from fucking me brainless, and you know… coming out for the pack." he bragged.

"Good for you. I'm glad." She spanked that firm round ass under her palm. She was truly happy for them.

"On that note, would you help me out with Larry today?" She asked Richard, not revealing details. She knew he liked surprises and improvised plays.

"Gladly!" He agreed excitedly.

While they prepared drinks and coffee, Seth opened the door. As he walked in, the tension immediately rose in the room. His jolly mood turned sour, seeing the crowd.

"Arrange the bean bags in a circle, Seth! Larry will help you with the tables." Alex instructed without greeting him. Her words didn't sound upbeat, but rather strict and measured.

Seth did as he had to, while doing his best to avoid eye contact with Larry. His humiliation from last time popped to his mind. He had activated his obedient good boy alter ego to hide his frustration.

He could fool Richard, Larry, and even Tanya, but Alex knew better. Her cold stance toward Seth warned the others to remain calm.

Since the chairs got rearranged, Seth wasn't sure where to sit. He waited patiently until Alex put down the drinks to point him to the right place.

However, he found himself standing even after the others sat down. He looked around, then back to Alex, hoping for some hint to arrive.

"Did you think about your position in the pack during the time-out?" Asked him Alex.

In an instant, the whole atmosphere in the room changed. It wasn't a casual reunion between a disobedient kid and a scolding mother as Seth envisioned. He was on trial in front of Alex's most trusted advisors and Larry, who was a victim of his violence.

To appeal to Alex's lenient tendencies toward her puppies, and convey honest regret, he bent a knee facing the throne.

"I did, Master." He replied, hanging his head low.

"Do you still want to be part of it?" Alex asked.

"Yes, if I'm allowed." Seth requested, keeping his position.

"You are allowed." Confirmed Alex.

"What about my position, Master?" Seth was afraid she would demote him.

"What about it?" The judge didn't go easy on the accused.

"Am I still alpha?" Asked Seth again, raising his head with a begging expression.

< His acting skills improved a lot. I know he doesn't mean any of this, yet I'm compelled to believe him.> Alex thought, and kept her mouth shut to put pressure on Seth.

"Remind me again, how does this alpha thing work in a dog pack, Richard?" She turned away from Seth.

Addressing Richard instead of him with that question was a slap on Seth's face. Especially because all of them knew the answer, yet Alex made the second in command spew it in the alpha's face.

"The strongest is the alpha until he gets defeated, Master." Richard replied. He tried really hard not to smile - his court routine was a lifesaver.

"I wasn't part of the pack when I defeated him." Larry interrupted.

Even though Larry spoke in Seth's defence, the latter's reaction wasn't an amiable one. He gritted his teeth so hard Alex could hear the bones creaking in his closed mouth.

Speaking out of turn was an insult to the Master's authority in a slave's eyes. Seth had to set aside his pride completely to keep a cool head. To achieve that, he chose the role of a slave.

However, if Larry kept being disrespectful to Alex, that strategy won't help. Aside from his authentic self, he had the 'slave' and the 'charming lover' role to use. He was running out of alter egos.

Alex kept a cold face, but boy, she was ecstatic! To corner a raging psychopath like that, it was exhilarating. She couldn't have planned it better. Unknowingly, Larry helped her push Seth's buttons. She would reward him later.

"That is true. Seth just wanted to defend the pack from an intruder, right?" Alex turned back to Seth with a loaded question. There was no right answer..

"Yes, Master." Seth confirmed, knowing he signed his own sentence. Larry wasn't an intruder. He was Alex's guest.

"Was he really an intruder though? I remember telling all of you that he was a guest." Continued Alex, just as expected.

"You knew and still attacked him. Although, I promised you a chance to put him in his place right?" Asked Alex, addressing the question to Seth.

He hesitated for a moment before answering. With revealing this, Seth's attack could be seen as something Alex permitted. That would excuse Seth from any punishment, hence making this court hearing situation pointless.

"Yes, Master. You made such a promise." Confirmed Seth. It was better than admitting to attacking a guest without permission.

"Count your attack as that chance then, and accept your failure. You won't receive any punishment. Do you accept this verdict, Seth?" Alex rubbed salt into his wounded pride.

The slave persona kept Seth's cool head. At that moment, his pride didn't matter.

"I accept, Master." Seth replied, bowing his head.

"Good. I trust you learned your lesson. As for the future, if you attack him again, your contract with me will be terminated on the spot. I can't have my sub attacking another dominant under my watch." Delivered Alex the killing blow.

"What?" Asked Seth, looking around in a daze. He broke character, position and all. He didn't believe his ears.

"Lawrence is learning to be a dom, under my mentorship. He won't be part of the pack as a pet. He stands above you, Richard, and the rest. Harming him means harming me. Is that clear?" Asked Alex.

"After he bossed Mikey around, I'm not surprised." Chuckled Richard. He was fully on board.

"Master asked me, not you!" Seth snapped at Richard. His control over his behaviour was slipping, big time. He needed to get out of the room before losing his shit.

As an alpha, his words to Richard were acceptable. Not favourable, but acceptable. He wanted to make one thing clear before leaving though.

"I submit only to you, Alex. Whatever you do with him, keep me out of it!" Seth declared, then stormed out of the room, taking with him all the tension he generated.

"That went better than expected." Said Tanya, slurping the last of her drink loudly. She timed her words so Seth could hear them before the door slammed shut behind him..

Calling Alex by name was already an offence, but she let him go. There was no point in stressing him further. She had enough fun, thanks to her companion's perfect ensemble.