Amy Lynn/Bane Bailey
"These past few weeks have proven all of you what your worth really is." Alpha Flynn stood in front of the flanks of Banes. His rich green eyes floating over the eyes of every one of the 15 Banes that now kneeled in front of him, a closed fist pinned to their chest.
My heart caught for a moment as Beta Artemis and Luna Lyla walked into the small room. The Bane Hall had become less and less spacious in the two years since my return back home. Madison had returned to No Man's Land shortly after alone, but rising pressures from the Ice Dance pack forced me to stay with the rest of the Banes under Alpha's commands. The feeling of the Beta's gaze on my nude body sent a shiver down my spine I couldn't hide. Nudity wasn't something wolves were ashamed of. However, upon the creation of the first Bane, Bane Clair Lois, Alpha ordered that any Bane who enters the Bane Room must be nude to keep us equals. I was growing more and more unsure of the exact reasoning, but the Alpha's answer was always the same. Unity through nudity. However, the nudity wasn't what consistently bothered me.
"Banes, to your duties." Alpha called out, sending bodies moving quickly in almost every direction. "Banes Bailey and Adrian, stay!"
My feet stopped instantly, mindlessly turning back to face the Alpha. Bane Adrian and I exchanged a glance before returning to our kneel.
"You both are at the bottom. Numbers 14 and 15, and thus you have become less." Beta's voice sounded over us, echoing in the nearly empty room. "Bailey, you were once #4 what happened my child? Did your 2 months of worthless research turn you soft?"
"No, Beta." I replied as I starred him down, biting back my tongue. Dickhead, I was #4 when there were only 4 of us. I had returned with Madison to find eight more Banes had been made in my absence and Alpha Flynn's paranoia grew with each increase.
"You are a Wolf Bane. Act like one." Luna Lola spat at me before turning to Adrian. "And you, You think you can back talk to my son yesterday and get away from it unscathed?"
I felt the rush of air and heard the sting of her palm striking Adrian's cheek. I knew, going against any member of the Alpha's family was asking for a beating. My heart hurt for the Bane beside me, knowing Adrian had to have a good enough reason to have done so. At least I had hoped he would, but the Bane remained quiet as he was continuously struck.
"Bane Bailey, finish your Packhouse chores and report to my home shortly after." Beta ordered before pointing at the door for me to leave.
I rushed out, not wanting any more problems before grabbing my clothes and changing. My 'Knight' shirt still clung to my body like a paper bag, my stupidly small frame barely filling half the maroon and gold material.
My hands flowed quickly over the dishes and folding before I sighed. My long chore list always seemed unfair. I just wanted one day to have a patrol hour or even just a hunt. Something to let my claws dig into the earth and the air flow through my fur. As number 15, I was still the only Bane not trusted enough with patrol duty. I ran through the checklist again, making sure each item was complete before rolling my eyes again. Dishes, Laundry, vacuum, clean kitchen, and wash the floors of the packhouse. Everything was finished and nothing left stopping me from reporting to the Beta.
Walking up to the Beta's home, I caught the eye of Adrian leaving with a black eye and holding his arm. "Broken?" I mind-linked him as we passed each other.
"More than once." He replied, a twinge of pain seeping through the link. Banes weren't allowed to speak to each other verbally unless in the training arena or Packhouse. A rule everyone followed with no question out of fear of the unknown punishment.
"Bane Bailey, welcome." Beta Artemis chimed as I made my way through the door.
"Beta Artemis." I replied, moving into the kneel before him. "Bane Bailey reporting as ordered."
"Bane Bailey," Beta started the command, his voice sounded through my body with the Beta power following. "Spend the rest of the day attending to my son's needs. Answer to him until sundown."
My heart stopped at his words. He had selected me because he thought I was weak, the lowest and easiest to order. My mind tried not to race as I struggled against the Beta's command, pain shredding into my joints sending a high-pitched whistle through my ears. It meant nothing to submit except acceptance, but I knew what was coming. With a slight whimper, I bared my neck to the Beta and gave in, a smile creeped across his face.
"Yes, Beta Artemis." I told him before rising to turn to his son's room. Madison had warned me of her father's want to continue his son's legacy any way possible. It was frowned upon to ask random pack members to bed his son, but Beta wasn't below ordering a Bane to do so. Bile rose in my mouth as I knocked on the door.
"Enter!"
My fear prickled against the back of my neck as I turned the handle and entered.
"Ah. Bailey..." Set exclaimed from behind his desk as I entered.
"Set." I responded. "Your father sent me."
"My father sends a lot of people." Set replied before looking me up and down like a piece of meat. "Too small. Must be a shit fighter."
"Excuse me?" I asked trying not to show my clear distaste.