Consequences for Madison

Chapter 4

COOKIE CRUMBS

(Madison’s pov)

I cleared my throat before speaking, “I apologize for drifting off. I got distracted by your appearance. I will try my best to stay focused and avoid looking at you.” I can’t believe I just admitted to being turned on. Where did that come from? This is not me.

Sexy Guard looked down and I saw a light pink on his cheeks. Hopefully he doesn’t destroy my chances of avoiding expulsion. He spoke with a soft voice leaning within inches of my face, “I hope you make better choices. You need to remember that all your choices make a difference. You need to decide if you’re ready for the consequences.”

I stared into his eyes and nodded my head. After a couple of minutes, he leaned back and nodded towards the room we had come from. I entered and took my seat.

Whitney gave me a smirk and I winked back, making her gasp. As I sat down, I noticed our future Alpha, Mathias, sitting next to Whitney, who gave me a wink. What’s he doing here?

DISCOVERING THE GAME

(Madison’s pov)

As all the inmates stood up to leave the room, I realized I had missed the introduction. I really need to start paying attention.

It didn’t take long to realize we were moved into side rooms for small group therapeutic games.

This will be easy for me because touchy-feely discussions are easy games to play. All I need to do is create a character, include abuse and neglect, and act my arse off. Drop a tear here and there, maybe a scream of emotions and others will believe I’m buying into this therapeutic crap.

In our first groups, we were separated by gender, then we were moved to heterogeneous support groups. I believe most of these idiots are telling stories about their actual lives. I nodded my head and played the game. After lunch, support groups started encouraging hugs. It was time for the tears to be shared.

As we wrapped up before dinner, I was sitting with confidence knowing I had played out everyone today and sat with a smile counting the hours until Jackson would pick me up.

BUT THEN A TWIST WAS BROUGHT INTO THE GAME THAT I DID NOT EXPECT.

THE TWIST

(Madison’s pov)

Everyone was getting paired with a partner. Six girls made three pairs while four of the five guys made two pairs, leaving myself and future Alpha Mathias standing by ourselves.

A guard entered the room holding a bunch of handcuffs. He walked to each of the pairs, clasping the left wrist of one partner to the right wrist of their partner. Oh, this is like the three-legged race, we need to learn how to work together.

When all the pairs were clasped together, the guard motioned for Mathias and me. I watched with my mouth dropped to the floor as he clasped Mathias’ right wrist to my left wrist.

Mathias stood with a smirk on his face. Why isn’t he arguing about being paired with me? Wouldn’t he rather be with Whitney?

The sexy guard gave each pair an envelope and our final directions for the day, “Each of you are connected to a partner. You need to learn how to communicate and work together or you will find out that your choices have consequences."

Another sexy guard announced, “You will remain with your partner throughout the 30-day process. You will learn how to adjust and live your daily lives with your partner. In your envelopes is your room key at our facility, your schedule and rules that everyone must follow. Are there any questions?” Wait, did he just say 30 days?

PARTNERS IN CRIME

(Madison’s pov)

Mathias opened the envelope and pulled out a room key with number 10 on it. Why is he okay with this? He started walking down the hall and pulled me with him. He calls me “you” when we train. Does he even remember my name?

The other pairs found their rooms and quickly snuck inside while our room was at the end of a long hall. Why are we separated from the others?

I followed Mathias, not sure what was going on. Who would have guessed the pack playboy would be paired with one of the few virgins in our pack? Getting to our room, he opened the door and waited for me to go in first. I walked in, then got pulled to my left. Ouch!

I paused, realizing we must stay close to each other. Looking around the room, my mind questioned how this was going to work. Shuffling to the side, he shut the door and gently pulled me towards the bed where I sat down as he emptied the envelope.

The schedule was on a white piece of paper and 5 rules were on a red piece of paper. Mathias read aloud the rules, “1. Communication, 2. Teamwork, 3. Compromise, 4. Truth, 5. Honesty.”

The water I drank trying to hide my laughter during the last support group was flooding my bladder. Wait, I have to pee, but not with him in the room! “Can we check out the bathroom?” I asked.

Mathias stood and waited for me to follow him to the smaller room attached to the bedroom. There was a double sink counter, a separate toilet room, a large bathtub and a large walk-in shower with glass walls. I'm not sure how this is going to work being attached to him, I guess I have to hold it.

ADJUSTING

(Madison’s pov)

Looking at the schedule, we had an hour's break until dinner. Mathias and I have never held an actual conversation. I broke the silence, “So, why are you here?” He led us back to the bed, taking off his shoes as I mimicked him and sat across the bed with our clasped hands pulled between us.

He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand then answered, “I got a DUI.” Oh, damn! I didn’t expect the future alpha to get actual consequences. Usually, things are thrown under the rug by those preparing for leadership positions in our pack. I figured that’s why he acts invincible.

I sat patiently waiting, not sure how to respond, he whispered, “It was my third DUI.” Bloody hell! I sat still wondering how it was possible for him to get a DUI when he had pack guards following him around.

“Why are you here?” he asked. I tried not to smile, “I beat up Whitney after she bullied an omega.” He chuckled, “Yeah, I figured my dad’s meetings were not going to be enough of a punishment.”

I leaned against a pillow on my side of the bed and kept my thoughts to myself as I stared at him from the corner of my eyes. His chiseled chin, rough cheek bones and blue eyes were breathtaking up close. He leaned back on his pillow and let out a big sigh. I whispered to myself, “How are we going to survive this?”

COMPROMISES

(Madison’s pov)

Mathias rubbed the bridge of his nose while looking down and replied, “What are your thoughts? I can’t afford to mess this up.” I closed my eyes and rolled to my side facing him while keeping my clasped hand reached out towards him, “Yeah, I need to finish this program to avoid expulsion.”

He turned his head towards me and asked, “For one fight?” He had to know more than he was putting on. I have a feeling he's also playing a game.

I rolled my eyes along his body from his hips to his abs to his face. He is perfectly sculpted, no wonder he gets w****s in bed from a simple smile.

I admitted, “There’s been more, but I’ve only been caught for a handful.” He kept his eyes on me, “Why do you fight?” I answered, “Why do you f**k around?” He clenched his jaw, “I asked you first.” I replied, “I feel like I need to protect those who can’t protect themselves.”

He whispered, “A true Luna.” Hmm? He kept talking, “I f**k around because I can.” I was curious so I asked, “What about your mate?” He argued, “What about my mate?”

I commented, “Mates are important, they complete you. You of all wolves should know the importance of a mate. Your mate will make you a stronger alpha and strengthen the pack.” He asked, “What’s your point?”

I added, “How will your mate feel when she finds out you f****d half the females in your pack?” I couldn’t help it I had to ask, “What if your mate was Whitney, how would you feel if your mate was a pack w***e?” He growled, “Whitney will never be my mate or our pack’s Luna.” Thank goodness!

I pushed it, “How are you going to explain to your mate that you slept with most of the females in our pack?” He growled, “Is that what you think?” His eyes showed hurt then changed quickly to pain.

I defended myself, keeping eye contact, trying to decipher if his words were lies, “If the rumors are true, I’m one of the only females who has never been in your bed. You know, maybe the rumors are wrong. Maybe females make connections with you and say they sleep with you to feel important.” He smirked, keeping his eyes on me, then responded, “Well, you’re going to be in my bed tonight.”