Punished by the Alpha Book 3

“Skins only. No teeth.”

My father glares at me, letting me know not to take it too far, but where’s the fun in that?

I look at the overly proud male in front of me and grin wickedly, letting my canines descend just enough for him to see.

His eyes widen in surprise, and it’s in this moment he knows he’s made a mistake.

It’s been a while since I’ve been challenged by a male, or anyone for that matter, but I know how the ego of a young alpha can quickly get him into trouble, so I won’t hold this against him.

My wolf, however, might not be so forgiving.

The young soon-to-be alpha was sent here by his father a couple of weeks ago for extensive training, and he’s got enough testosterone built up to make him do ignorant shit like this.

As pissed off as he got when I kept putting him on the ground during training, I knew this challenge was coming.

Little does he know, I’ve trained my entire life for this.

“You might as well just submit now,” I hear Jackson call from somewhere behind me. “Save yourself the embarrassment from her kicking your ass in front of all these good folks.”

The young alpha’s face turns crimson, his pupils dilating until his eyes are solid black. He growls furiously at the disrespect before quickly launching at me.

I duck out of the way with ease just as he throws a meaty fist straight at my face, and I retaliate with a sharp, quick punch to his throat.

It’s just enough to catch him off guard, and while he takes a second to recover, I haul myself up onto his broad shoulders and quickly lock my legs around his neck.

Throwing all my weight backward, he falls back with me, and we hit the ground hard enough to knock the breath out of my lungs.

Luckily, I manage to keep my leg locked over the one that is still around his throat, and I squeeze tightly.

I hold on as he begins to flail wildly, his hands grasping at my legs as he starts to gasp for breath.

He continues to struggle and after a little while longer, he starts to lose consciousness.

“Enough, Artemis!” my dad bellows from my side, but I don’t stop. All this male has to do is tap out and submit to me.

“I said that’s enough!” he roars as he pulls me off the male.

A loud growl rips from my throat, my wolf pissed she didn’t get her submission. However, my father’s tone is enough to make me back down.

“Alright, that’s enough entertainment for one day. All of my warriors meet in my office for orders in exactly twenty minutes.”

My dad shoots me a stern look before turning and walking back to the packhouse.

Turning toward the male I just fought, I snarl as he picks himself up off the ground. Before I can say anything, he grunts and storms off in the opposite direction.

Inhaling deep to catch my breath, I turn to follow my dad when I feel somebody poke my side.

“I just love a good fight in the afternoon,” Jackson chuckles as he falls in step with me.

Jackson is my closest and oldest friend, other than my twin brother, Raiden. We were all raised together since his father, Toby, is my dad’s beta.

“I’m pretty sure you gave that guy a boner,” he laughs, and I elbow him in the ribs.

“Ew. So not my type, J.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he says. “I have to say though, it’s going to take a strong male to handle you. If you were lucky enough to find your true mate, I bet he would be one bad motherfucker.”

“It’s a good thing I’ll probably never find him,” I tell him, and he shoves me playfully.

“Not with that attitude, you won’t.”

Rolling my eyes, I scoff and continue walking. I couldn’t care less about finding my mate right now. It would probably be in everyone’s best interest if I never found him at all.

He will more than likely be another self-absorbed alpha, and I am not interested in wasting my time in a relationship that will never work.

My submission will not be easily attained by anyone. Especially by some asshole who tries to own me, as most alphas try to do.

My only interest is to be the best leader I can be for my pack, and I definitely don’t need a mate for that.

When we finally get to my dad’s office, we stay at the back of the room while he finishes giving orders.

“So, I heard Raiden is coming home with his new mate in a few weeks,” Jackson whispers. “I’ll be glad to see him.”

“Me too,” I reply quietly. “I’ve missed him so much.”

“You’re on guard duty tonight, Stone,” my dad says, interrupting our conversation. “Take the south border.”

“What?” I ask, hoping I misheard him.

He gives me another one of his fatherly glares, and after a moment, I lower my eyes.

“Yes, Alpha,” I grit out.

“The rest of you have your orders. You are dismissed.” My dad leans back in his chair and scrubs his hand over his face. “Except you, Artemis.”

Everyone quickly disperses out of the alpha’s office as Jackson tugs a strand of my hair. “I’ll see you later,” he says. “Link me if you need me.”

I nod silently before slowly making my way to my dad’s desk.

“Before you start, that wolf challenged me and you know as well as I do that our wolves won’t let us stop until we get complete submission,” I tell him.

“You could have killed him, Artemis. His father is counting on him making it home in one piece.

“I know your wolf needs submission, but you have to learn to control yourself if you are going to take over as alpha someday. Someone can’t submit if they are dead, and you know we don’t do that here.”

Frustrated, I lower my head and silently acknowledge he is right. I’m not too proud to admit I still have a lot to learn.

In a lot of ways, I feel like I carry a chip on my shoulder being an alpha female. I always feel the need to prove myself.

However, I will not let anyone run over me, and I will not back down from a challenge.

We both stay silent for what feels like an eternity before he speaks up again. “I’m guessing you learned that move from your mother?”

When I look up at him, the corner of his mouth tilts up into a smirk.

“Where else would I have learned it? You don’t know any moves like that,” I tease.

He chuckles and seems to go into deep thought, the silence reminding me of being put on guard duty. “So, you were serious about guard duty?” I ask him.

“Sorry, A. I need you. Johnson is at home welcoming in a new pup, so I gave him the rest of the week off.”

Letting my head fall back, I let out an exaggerated sigh. Guard duty sucks, but my dad says it’s necessary even though nothing ever happens here.

I’m usually left wandering the woods for hours, bored out of my mind.

I know he has a good reason with our history of rogue attacks, but there hasn’t been an attack since before I was born.

Regardless, I am always happy to hear of a new, healthy pup being born, so I let it go.

“Fine,” I drawl, “but only because I’m happy for Johnson.”

My dad shakes his head and smiles knowingly. “No matter how strong you are, you will always have the same soft heart.”