Alex knew well that negative reinforcement (punishments in general) didn't work at all with psychopaths. Only positive feedback was a somewhat viable option for influencing their decisions.
Time-out wasn't essentially a punishment. More like a trade, a temporary deal. In exchange for cutting all contact with the pack, Seth gained immense freedom.
He was free to break every single rule of the pack, and nobody would hold it against him.
Alex used this separation to give him - and herself - time to think about the future. She wanted to remind Seth that he could leave the pack if he wanted. He needed to realise from time to time that he chose to obey in the first place.
She was contemplating whether the risks of having Seth in the pack was worth it or not. And had to think long and hard about Larry too.
She didn't want to work with the latter only as a therapist. She was done with the good girl act, and had no intention to reopen that chapter anymore.
However, Larry was no sub. At least for now, and probably for years to come. He was deeply scarred by mindless obedience, by rules that tied his hands, and by the consequence of others' decisions.
His attitude so far made Alex believe that he was good material for dominance. At the same time, the weight of responsibility for others wasn't a light one either.
All in all, a mentor-mentee relationship seemed to be her best option. That would give both of them the most relaxed atmosphere. Larry needed guidance not only around kinks, but with his mental health too.
At the same time, Seth was bound to get even more difficult to handle with Larry in a dominant role. He was ready for blood the first time he saw Larry standing next to Alex - instead of behind her, like a sub should.
As she was thinking about where to start and how to proceed with them, a certain picture popped to her mind.
She was blindfolded and gagged, kneeling in front of a man with a huge cross tattoo on his back. He was holding a feather tickler in one hand, and a cane in the other.
< What the actual fuck?! ME?!?! As a sub???? Give me a break… > She was offended by the mere thought.
She was about to dismiss the idea for good, when she felt something stir in her lower stomach. It was the same feeling when she heard Mikey call Larry's name.
Thinking back, she wasn't fantasising about the veteran fucking the young slut. In her mind's eye, she saw Larry railing the kid and her. She wasn't simply a voyeur.
She was the second slut next to Mikey.
Alex didn't pay much attention to what happened inside her head during the play beside the pool. She was concentrating on the dirty talk and the feelings coming from her vag and clitoris.
That, and Larry's name.
< It has been some time since I tasted a good dick, I have to admit it. But Larry?! He's old and… Okay, same age as me, but well, not as young as the others… And with those lumps of fat, geez… Get real girl, you can do better! >
She of all people knew that sexual fantasies had zero connection to reality most of the time. Especially when it came to kinks. A lot of green women imagined herself being overpowered, dominated, hurt.
Then, when those fantasies become reality, they get scared. Terrified of being hurt for real.
< I enjoyed the fantasy of being dominated by him. That's all. > She decided.
Out of curiosity, Alex checked her underwear with her fingers. She was wet. Flooded, rather.
< Fuck… I need a dick. A real one. >
It was early afternoon, and she was home for once. As she recalled her potential partners' schedules, her face turned grim. None of them were available in the next few hours.
Not only that, her mind played tricks on her. She couldn't stop fantasising about Larry. She kept hearing as Mikey called his name again and again.
Alex liked Mikey's moans. They were heartfelt, they came from genuine pleasure. In spite of his dramatic general behaviour, his voice during sex was honest.
< I made him say things I wanted to say, is that it? > She thought.
Here came that stirring again. She was turning from horny to desperate. She was eyeing her phone next to her, trying to convince herself not to call Larry.
She knew he was free. They exchanged numbers the last time at The Crib. Now, Alex was listing the reasons why she should not make that booty call.
Just as she started to calm down and talked herself out of stupid ideas, her phone rang.
< This must be some kind of divine punishment. > She cursed in her mind.
"Hello." She answered the phone.
"Hello Alex." Said Larry on the other side of the line. "I got the contract from Richard. It doesn't mention a specific role. Why?"
"Because most of our activities at The Crib are not sanctioned by law. Even if someone agrees to be choked by me, or being flogged, it counts as assault. There's no legal equivalent of submissive or dominant in terms of sexual or romantic relationships." She explained.
"I see. It leaves a lot of room for interpretation like this." He said.
"True. This is the main reason behind the security cameras. With the video footage as context, the legal lingo of the contract becomes more evident." She confirmed.
"What about plays outside The Crib?" He asked.
"That is covered by a different clause. Do you want to have one of those too?" She was trying desperately not to think about having sex with Larry in a public setting.
She failed. The floodgates were open, and her fantasy ran wild with similar scenarios. That sneaky stirring intensified too.
"I don't think so." He replied. "I have it signed, and I prepared some stuff to move to The Crib. Should I go there right now?" Larry seemed eager to start his BDSM career, so Alex gave up stalling the inevitable.
"Actually, I'd appreciate a ride too. I left my car there after the celebration and got home by cab. I'll text you my address." She said, then hung up.
< I'm officially a lunatic.> She sneered at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.
She sent the text, then hopped in the shower. Her most precious clit stimulator was ready to use, as always. It was a black, smooth silicone gadget with a simple golden line as decoration, and the brand name.
< I need at least this much if I don't want to jump him the moment I get in the car. >