CH6: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
I had been swinging this axe for about an hour, when I felt her eyes rake over me. I swung the axe one last time, leaned it on the stump, then reached for my shirt and wiped the sweat falling into my eyes.
I had taken two steps to the water pump, worked the lever to fill the bucket, reached in with my hands and drank letting some drip down my chest.
I watched her with my peripheral vision. That is, until I lowered my head to wipe my chin with my arm and locked eyes with her.
I gave her a wide smile before she turned away from me.
We couldn't have that, now. Could we?
I never thought I would find this whole situation this exhilarating, but I found myself almost running to the door, making haste of my way to the kitchen to greet her.
I held back a snarl at her disrespect, and to hide my anger, I started acting a bit too enthusiastic - uncharacteristically so - starting with my greeting, "Good morning, Bella!"
A shot of heat rose up my spine when she disrespected me once again by not responding promptly.
She has to be taught-she just doesn't know it yet.
I repeated the same thought as a mantra to calm myself as I washed the grime from my hands and forearms at the dish sink before eating.
I heard her polite, yet shaky reply.
"Y-Yes it it, Mr. Black."
Good. She's afraid.
Glancing at the still set table, I figured she hadn't touched her breakfast yet, but I asked if she had anyway. Only this time I walked to her and, bending slightly at the knee and waist, then maneuvering a bit as I searched for her eyes.
Eye contact is important when excerpting who is in control...and who is the one under said control.
"Have you eaten yet?" I asked with another of my sunny smiles I have noticed her liking so much.
Her eyes landed on my bare chest first and glanced up to my eyes quickly before diverting her eyes as her blush darkened. Something I have come to feel smug about, although I was still angry at her prior disregard for my presence and lack of respect.
I kept my lips shut though.
She's already reacting as she should.
She began to speak softly and politely, surely trying to let me down easily, "Ahh...no! Not yet! ...but I will, as soon as I put on something de..."
"Nonsense! You must be starving!" I interrupted - again, entirely too enthusiastically - grabbing her hard by the elbow, basically pulling her to the chair I even pulled out for her. I knew she was probably about to excuse herself, most likely to change, but no way was I letting her get away with that. Not with what I knew she was wearing under the robe.
While Bella smiled at me nervously, and while gripping tightly at her robe to hide her body from me as she compiled - her politeness, demanding she remained as such - I thought of my error in allowing her the comfort. Still, I knew that this would all play in my favor in the end, and she will appreciate the slow matter in which I took the past away which was only in the way of her future with me anyways. One in which I knew she would be happiest.
"Should still be warm too. Enjoy!" I encouraged her as I sat on my side, watching her as she me-
shocked, I'm sure
-her mind reeling with all kinds of undignified thoughts.
I sat before her, devouring what to her was her husband's food, enjoying and hating the anxiety that comes from anticipating the events to come.
Silly girl. You will learn soon enough.
I decided to clarify her confusion and get her moving.
We had a long day before us after all.
"He's not here," my tone relayed that I would accept no retorts, "Eat."
When she visibly jumped at my sharp words and dug in as as commanded, I had to bite the inside of my cheek to hide the smirk threatening to appear on my face.
After serving us both drinks and ignoring her flinch, I noticed she had stopped eating.
I breathed deeply while trying to wait, thinking-
maybe she'll begin to eat again.
She was too skinny, borderline malnourished.
Trying to keep herself skinny enough for that bastard, I'm sure.
I was done playing.
If nothing else, she had to learn to at least take care of herself.
I ordered her to sit on my lap and fed her while I informed her of the changes that occurred while she had been 'sleeping' the last three days. She gasped and whimpered, but kept eating until I finished speaking.
Of course, I had neglected telling her about the ongoing search for her or the actual three days she had already been missing. No need to add more aggravation to the already sour beginning of our relationship.
Then she turned away without saying a word.
Another disrespect.
I took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh, repeating to myself that she was untrained and did not know any better.
...yet.
Besides, she had her life change in an instant. She just got informed that she had no choice but slavery and even if she ran off she wouldn't be able to make it.
I'm sure she would probably need more time, but I only offered her an hour to grieve for her past and get over it.
Of course, I knew it would be hard for her to hear these changes I had forced on her. So, I left her, reminding her what I expected once I returned and went outside and decided the best thing to do was to run off the anger that had risen by her undesirable behavior. Once she saw how much better her new life would turn out and I couldn't wait to say the day she will be thankful to me for doing this.
I ran further than the treeline to make sure I wasn't seen and undressed to phase.
Once in my other form, I took off. I was thankful that, for once in this form, I didn't have to share my thoughts.
Yet, before I could sigh in relief for it, I felt someone else phase.
Shit.
I was extremely annoyed at the fact that I needed this release, and pissed that I couldn't get it in peace.
At least it was Sam.
'Jacob.'
'Sam.'
'How are things with your chosen?' he asked, sounding genuinely concerned. Most likely, sensing my need to vent, plus the fact that I was in this form must have spoken volumes as to my irritation to the situation I was currently in.
'As well as could be expected,' I responded, trying not to sound too disappointed. 'She's mourning her past right now. I will begin training in an hour.'
'Are you sure that it is wise to begin so soon?! Emily and Kim were given a week!' Sam replied, shocked at my haste, and obviously worried that I maybe acting too soon. He still disagreed after we had discussed the changes I would be implementing to the training of my own in comparison to the past pack member's chosen, including his own.
'I have patience, butI wouldn't want to give her the chance to try an escape, and besides how would I be able to wait that long?You know how submissive she is already. I want to do it quickly but take my time. She's been broken too long already,' I explained to calm his worries, 'I just want to see the end result.'
'I hope you know what you're doing, Jacob,' he relented uncertain that I wouldn't botch the whole situation like Quil did with his first chosen. She had ended up losing her mind during her first stage of training had to be repeated. Every single try it was worse, and she was never compliant. Sam and I were not the only ones that still can't believe she was accepted for the process.
'How's everything else back home?' I asked, changing the subject, no longer wanting to think about Amanda.
'Your father's fine. He is handling his new treatments well. Embry and Jared are at the office for the month,' he reported. 'My Emily is finished with the last of the training and doing well, but Paul or Quil may have to replace Jared sooner than expected though.'
'Why? What's happened?' I asked, concerned with all the possibilities running through my head.
'It's Kim," he explained after a sigh, "She tried to run off for the second time. She probably ran off shortly after our last circuit of patrol. Don't worry though, she was found sleeping on a high branch of the big oak tree two miles from the ranger's station and brought back for restarting training."
Damn, that was close.
I felt his agreement to my inner monologue, but didn't voice the thought,
'Who found her?' I asked instead.
'Leah,' he replied quickly.
'Leah? Seriously?!' I said shocked. She thought what we all were doing was barbaric. That is, until she found Tyler.
'Yeah. She locked Kim up in her dungeon and is keeping an eye on her until Jared comes back,' he informed me. Images of Kim, curled up in Ty's cot, flooded my mind.
He was going through a sleep induced training method designed by Leah, since she had been so against corporal punishment or fear induced loyalty, which is why his bed was going unused for the moment. 'Too many variables' she had said confidently. Instead her plan was to use hypnopedia - sleep implemented learning via playing recordings into the slumbering subject (in this case, her chosen, Ty). So, Tyler was laying in a medical setting, sedated and immobilized and with headphones hooked to recording of 'how to be a good slave'. Her own repertoire of recordings on how much he is to want her and respond to her. Outside of this, he is learning to respond to her unconsciously while she reinforces his positive response to her by allowing him pleasure during his long slumber and takes care of his every need. She also takes good care of him, feeding him via feeding tubes - a change from the first two weeks, while he was fed intravenously - other physical natural demands of hygiene, and of course, providing the regiment of natural 'enhancers' approved to us by our superiors. Some of this substance mixture recipes made by our first pack members to make mates less pliable to the needs of the wolves a bit more...agreeable.
We had our doubts, especially after learning from her own research that prior attempts to prove the same theory only turned positive results in a fictional novel called 'Brave New World', but it was something to think about for the rest of us should she prove this method a success, with a male no less.
While I don't agree with any method that have been tried so far, I did appreciate the results. So, with the help of the only one of us with a tried and succeeding method, I devised a plan to try on my own with my chosen.
So far, the prior plan the others have tried after and before Sam haven't been too successful.
We had to minimize human contact during training, especially when they tried to escape. They had to learn we were the only ones they could rely on.
It was the case of Amanda and now it seems to be a repeated situation with Kim.
Too bad, too. She was close to the second stage, where contact with others was introduced. Others being pack mates, of course. She wouldn't get to meet Emily till much later, according to the routine training. Public allowances wouldn't be allowed till much later.
'At least she's gentler than Paul,' I said, relieved for her sake. When Amanda had escaped, Paul had been the one that found her. Images of her hog tied so tightly and left alone like that for days while she was blindfolded and he silently tormented her will haunt our minds for the rest of our lives.
To our relief, the council decided Paul wouldn't be allowed to train a chosen unless he was to be supervised - and even then, not for a long time.
'Tell that to Kim.' Sounds of her cries and sobs were heard for miles around close to where Sam's patrol run had him circling.
'I see you've got it all under control. I'm gonna run back in human form.' I did not want to hear Kim's laments anymore. 'just get Jared home as soon as possible.'
'Sure, sure,' he quoted me.
'Hey! That's patented!' I complained playfully.
'Ahh! Bite me!' He taunted back.
'I should get Leah to whip your ass!' I replied with images of the few times he and Leah got into a scuffle, causing him to yell defensively, 'Only because she's quicker! If she stayed put...'
'She still would have whipped your ass!' I interrupted his rant and phased quickly, not giving him time to refute my arguments.
Smiling, unlike when I had switched forms earlier, I got dressed and ran back to the cottage.
I was hoping that Bella was not like Kim and was waiting for me as requested.
Beginning with a punishment wouldn't earn her trust.
As I arrived at the front yard and saw her figure as she walked by towards the enclosed living room.
I raised my eyes with letting out relaxing sigh and thanked the spirits that she had listened for her own sake.
I took another deep breath to settle back into the seriousness if the situation, and entered the house.
I leaned on the archway before entering the room, watching her tense up. Her back straightened, her shoulders coiled. If you didn't know any better, the sight of her reaction would indicate fight.
However, I did. I could smell it pouring off her.
She was truly afraid.
I walked into the room after drinking her in, savoring the first act of submissive behavior. To let her know she had nothing to worry about-
yet
-I stopped before her and conveyed my contentment with her show of compliance, "Good. You're here."
I voiced my prior worry and conveyed my contentment with her compliance, "I was afraid that I would have to punish you before we begun."
I caressed under her chin then pulled her face to me so I could praise her for pleasing me while looking into her eyes.
"Good girl."
I let go of her, walked across the room, turning on a lamp on my way, and sat facing her.
I watched her at first and noticed that tears were still flowing, her body still shook slightly, but she had accepting her fate.
"The rules are simple," I began, sternly but not raising my voice. "You must understand that you are mine; my property to do with as I please. To remind you of this you will wear a collar. Do you understand?" I asked.
She wiped her tears with the kitchen towel she was holding as she nodded.
I took that gesture as an answer, for now. She will learn the proper response later.
"You can't speak unless I allow you to, though there will be responses you are required to give. I will teach you what to say. Understood?" I asked.
She nodded once again.
"When I give you an order or command, I expect for you to do as I said. No hesitation. The word 'no' is a privilege you don't have, unless I allow you the choice. Understood?"
Another nod.
"Have your head straight but your eyes on the ground, unless I allow you to look at me. Also, there will be positions you will be expected to be in. I will teach you when and what positions. Got that?"
Another nod.
"There's things that you will be expected to do, with me, for me. I will tell you about those too. Regarding clothing: The robe you wear now will be removed and the straps you wear will be your uniform, unless I request otherwise. There are steps to care for the many items we will use, since many are either leather or require special cleaning, I will teach you that too. Now..." I trailed off as I stood and walked towards her.
"Stand," I commanded and she did immediately.
Good.
I walked a couple of steps and ordered over my shoulder, "come."
I didn't have to check to verify she was following. I didn't have to listen to her feet lightly patting either.
She had understood.
She just needed to be taught some things.
She was already broken, She had allowed that asshole to do that to her, so all I needed to do was shape her, but first she had to become pliable in my hands.
Once in the hallway, I stopped by the closet door with the bent to hell handle and rolled my eyes. I had forgotten to fix it. I would do so after I was done with her for today. It gave little fight when I twisted it open, then I grabbed the blindfold inside, pushed the door shut, and walked to the bedroom.
I sighed.
Time to start making her feel uncomfortable.
I turned around and saw her standing two feet away, fidgeting in nerves.
I raised my hand slowly to her face and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
She jumped slightly at my touch.
"Do you remember the rules I said you must follow?" I asked gently, trying to make it easier on her.
She nodded slowly as two tears escaped her eyes again.
"First lesson is that you should only speak when I prompt you. Otherwise there shouldn't be any words spoken by you. Next is that you should know what to call me. You already know my name is Jacob Black. You may call me either Master, Master Jacob or Master Black. Which one will you feel more comfortable using for now?" I said, leaving the question open, testing her.
She didn't disappoint. She did open her lips but didn't allow herself to respond, unsure if I had actually given her permission to speak with the question.
Good.
"You may answer." I allowed, hiding the pride inside of me that wanted to be voiced.
"M-master" She stuttered almost inaudibly. Even with my enhanced hearing I had to strain to hear her.
"Alright," I accepted her choice, "from now on, when I ask a question - no matter the response - you must show respect to me by mentioning my name. For example, when I ask if you understand from now on, you are to respond with 'yes or no master', whichever applies." Her brow scrunched up in confusion.
"Are you confused?" I said intrigued by her facial response, "You may answer,"
"Ye-yes...master," she answered, as her body showed how uncomfortable she felt saying the words by fidgeting.
I was pleased about her saying them though.
"You may speak freely to explain, but be cautious of your words," I warned.
"Um..you sa-said I wasn't allowed to say 'no'...master," she quoted one of the rules.
I smiled and chuckled smugly, while she shifted awkwardly.
"You're right, my pet. Very good," I said caressing her cheek. "I will tell you when 'no' as a response is or is not allowed though," I clarified and she visibly relaxed a bit. "Are you okay now, my pet? Answer."
"Yes, master," she said, not stuttering this time, but still shaky.
I took a step closer to her and kissed the top of her head, wishing I could kiss her lips already but knowing I couldn't.
Not yet anyway.
"My pet...", I paused and looked down at her lifted her chin to watch her face. Her breath shortened and her heart beat faster. She probably thought I was going to take her right now.
Don't I wish?
"Do you remember the other rules, pet?" I said swallowing a knot that formed in my throat.
The robe had to go, her hands covered her lips as a whimper escaped her.
"Ye-yes, mast-er." Her eyes got wide with understanding.
I closed my eyes at her hesitance. I didn't want to punish her for disobedience, so I decided to give her a chance to get used to her new life and a choice.
"Would you rather it be me that removes it, pet?" I said caressing her cheek as two tears escaped her eyes.
She closed her eyes as more tears ran down.
"Ye-es..mas-mast-er." She accepted her fate reluctantly, as more tears fell, once again.
I exhaled loudly and moved closer. Softly, I tugged at her arms that were now wrapped around her body, bringing them softly to her sides.
"Don't move them, pet. Understood? Answer," I ordered softly.
She began to nod softly then she replied, "Ye-es, m-master."
"Good." I praised, kissing her forehead this time.
I tugged the belt loose.
She whimpered, as her arms flinched to cover herself, but she stopped herself.
"Good girl," I whispered by her cheek.
I gulped, and heard her do the same.
Slowly, I opened the front, and pushed it back over her shoulders, caressing as I went. I thoroughly enjoyed the goosebumps raised in my wake. I let the robe fall down her arms until it fell to pool at her feet.
With a herculean effort, I released my touch from her skin and took a few steps back to look at her.
Wow. Just...wow.
Her eyes and fists were clenched shut, her body, rigid.
I hate this part, but she would learn...
"Pet," I called her name. She shook her head, but her voice trembled - unsure - when she answered with the opposite response.
"Y-ye-es, m-mas-master?"
I almost chuckled at how cute she was being.
"Pet," I said, getting closer again and placing both hands on her face to halt her movements. Against my better judgement, I rubbed my nose against hers.
"My pet," I whispered.
"Master," she breathed shakily.
"Open your eyes," I whispered, hoping she understood it as an order, even if it was gentle.
Slowly she did, releasing two more tears.
"Good. Good, girl," I praised her again, with a lingering kiss on her forehead this time.
I stepped back to look at her once again. Her head dropped as she looked at my feet and her arms jerked forward.
I admired the swells of her breasts, her flat belly, soft curves and creamy legs. The zipper at the juncture of her thighs called for me, but I resisted. I raised my eyes taking her in, ending at her heart- shaped face.
Beautiful...and all mine.
"You are beautiful. Do you know that? Answer," I asked her.
"I didn't...I didn't consi-sider mys-self...um..be-beauti-f-ful...master," she gulped honestly, hiccuping me of her words.
"Are you calling me a liar?" I asked smiling. I watched as she shook her head furiously, yet never said a word.
"It's okay, my pet. I was just teasing. Now thank your master for the complement."
"Tha-thank you, master."
I raked my eyes over her body once more, then gave her another command, "Turn around, away from me."
She obeyed.
With her back towards me I was able to examine her smooth back and the swell of her ass up close.
I grabbed the blindfold and stepped closer to her, not quite touching her body, but letting her feel the heat radiating off of my unnaturally fevered skin.
She trembled a shiver went down her spine.
Without telling her, I wrapped the long black cloth over her eyes and around her head, tying it securely.
"Give me your hand, my pet. It is time to introduce you to our playroom," I whispered by her ear and she raised her left hand.
Her dainty digits disappeared in my hold. I took advantage of this moment and caressed her skin with my thumb.
So soft.
With her hand in mine I walked around her and stopped when I was at her side.
"Come." She gave a hesitant step forth, but halted almost immediately almost tipping forward.
"I want to help you accept this new life and enjoy it. It will be hard for you at first and I can't baby you. Pet," I stated but then proceeded to reassured her, "this small lesson is about trust, so trust me. I won't hurt you or let you fall."
She took in a deep breath and blew out a shaky exhale.
She nodded, hesitantly, and let me guide her. Every few steps she would hesitate again but with a slight pull from my hand, and she would continue.
Already far beyond my best hopes, I took her out of the master bedroom, down the hallway, past the kitchen and again into the enclosed living room.
I pushed my hand against the mirror wall, opening the concealed door, to reveal the staircase to the dungeon.
I pulled her forward to the entrance, then warned her. "There are stairs here, be careful."
She moved her right foot forward never taking it off the floorboards until the edge of the first step then slowly lowered it down. Then she swiftly brought the other foot to meet the other and repeated the steps until it sat on the second step.
We continued like this, as I slowly encouraged her to do so faster, until we reached the last step.
"Was that so bad, my pet? Answer," I asked once we reached the end of the stairs.
"Not so bad, m-master," she admitted, "A little scary though," .
I smiled at her honesty and openness. The other girls didn't react this well.
"Stay here," I ordered.
It was pitch black and cold down here. Although I was able to see and ward off the chills just fine, I was conscious that as a good master had to watch for his slave. I am well aware that many masters/mistresses are rather sadistic, but I have a result in mind that didn't end in a mindless drone.
So I lit the torches. Their lighting set the mood better than the fluorescent bulbs anyway, plus they provided warmth. I opened the vents - one by each torch - to allow airflow and available oxygen.
And of course, to release the smoke.
Then leaned on a wall crossing my arms over my chest.
"Take the blindfold off, pet" I released her.
The soft lighting provided by the torches would be better for her eyes to adjust as well.
Another plus.
She gasped at her first impression.
Once she was able to take the room in and once her eyes reached me, she lowered her sight immediately.
I chuckled.
"Its okay, pet. I want you to take the room in. I will also allow you to speak freely. For now. Ask questions. Familiarise yourself with it all, we'll spend a lot of our time together in here." I permitted and explained, then warned, "Mind your words though."
Her response was still shaky and soft, but it slipped off her lips more easily, "Yes, master"
