Welcome party I

In the two and a half hours they had between the airport pick-up and the playground meeting time, Alex and Larry had a tour at The Crib - like an open house event. This gave the latter enough time to ask all he wanted to know, and Alex explained everything patiently.

At exactly 5pm, they arrived at the now familiar padded door. Before going in, Alex felt the need to warn Larry one last time.

"All five submissives of my personal pack are already inside. They're all men, four of them bigger and stronger than me. I couldn't do anything to them that they don't want to do, and I don't even try." She looked directly in his eyes.

"You'll see painful things, cruel things inside, but remember: They choose to do this, or have it be done to them. I'd never, ever consider these activities without their consent." She finished talking, but didn't break eye contact.

She was waiting for Larry to give a sign of his understanding. 

"Am I allowed to talk to them or you?" He asked.

"Not during plays, you'll see why. It's okay in between. However, I will not force them to answer. If you find our fun too much, just use the sound cancelling headphones I'll prepare for you, and sit down in some corner." She threw in a taunt.

Not wasting a single second more, she pushed the door open. 

There they were, standing in front of the throne, facing the entrance, forming half a circle. Halfnaked and barefoot, wearing only the satin lounge pants in their respective colour.

Seth, the alpha in black, stood in the middle with two of his packmates on each side.

Zack on his left wearing orange, tallest and widest amongst them.

Rick on the alpha's right, sporting blood red pants and short, neatly cut brown hair.

Rob closed the line on the same side with chocolate brown as his assigned colour.

Mikey's place was beside Zack on the opposite end, his garment was deep purple.

In perfect unison, they went on one knee the moment Alex appeared at the entrance.

Larry felt as if he had fallen into a fantasy novel. He was witnessing a queen entering her throne room with all his trusted guards pledging their undying loyalty. Although neither his, nor Alex's clothes matched the scene, he was the only one standing out like a sore thumb.

The woman in front of him behaved with ease and grace, regardless of her casual summer dress from the beach. Based on her gait alone, this was the natural order of things, as simple as breathing.

The queen stopped before his knights, and just stared down on them in silence. Looked over them one by one from right to left, then being content with the sight, she instructed.

"Rise, by beloved doggies." Alex spoke with affection.

Said dogs kept moving in unison, like trained knights. Their eyes were glued to their owner without exception, as if Larry weren't in the same room.

"I'm glad we all could gather for some training again." She continued, "First, I present to you today's guest, Larry. He is applying as a potential pack member, and I decided to let him watch a group session to get a taste."

Upon mentioning his name, the dogs turned their head in Larry's direction. Their facial expressions varied greatly, from blatant malice to genuine excitement and utter disinterest.

"Larry will only watch us, he's not part of the fun. He is allowed to talk to you between plays, but is not entitled to get answers. I leave it in your hands to satisfy his curiosity, or keep the juicy details for yourselves." Alex finished the first round of introductions.

She walked through them, and the necessary members stood sideways to give her room to pass. Until that point Larry followed in her footsteps. This time, he thought it better to go around the pets, from Rob's end.

Alex sat on the throne, and pointed towards a pillow not far from her. That was Larry's designated place - he understood the assignment. By the time he sat down, the puppies were facing the throne.

"As you all know, Rick was away for a few weeks on business in Singapore. This is his welcome home party just as much as a training session. How was your journey, Richard?" Asked Alex, requesting a report.

Richard stepped forward with his arms behind his back, and bowed slightly.

"It was satisfactory, Master. As instructed, I secured 5% shares of the companies you listed. Two accepted you as a new member of their board of directors, starting the next fiscal year." Rick replied, pride oozing from his every pore.

"Excellent!" Alex clapped her hands together. "As a reward, you are free to choose one play today with the partners you desire." 

"You're generous, Master." Started Rick with another bow. "I choose fire play with Zack and Rob." 

"Two of them at once? You glutton. Want a hand with that?" She asked.

"If you don't mind me topping with you." Requested Rick.

"It's settled then." Agreed Alex, "Before we get all hot and bothered though, let's have some drinks. Rick, Rob, bring us all refreshments. The rest of you, sit down. Let's have a chat!" 

While the lovebirds went to grab drinks, other puppies found their place. However, the friendly banter from Larry's first visit did not start. Hearing the eerie silence, Rick whispered to Rob.

"What's with the silent treatment? Not even Mikey opened his stupid mouth." He asked, thirsting for hot tea.

"That Larry lad was here once already, when you were away. Some Langham dude sent him here, making the Lady angry." Rob whispered back. 

"The kid had some kind of meltdown too, but I don't know the details. I was upstairs calling ya boss with an NDA violation stuff." He summarised.

"Ho, now that sounds interesting." Said Rick, grabbing the first tray full of fancy longdrinks. Not only was his brain quick, his hands didn't fall behind either.

Not to mention his shameless attitude when it came to gathering information. Or anything else, for that matter. While delivering the glasses, he didn't waste time tiptoeing around any unspoken beef.

"I hear you left quite a first impression." He said when he reached Larry. "Our smallest got hurt, yet the alpha let you leave without a scratch. I'm impressed."

He crouched down so he could look at Larry face to face. Rick didn't notice any reaction from him - Seth wasn't so quiet though. He didn't leave Rick's sneaky criticism about him unanswered.

"Comforting the kid came first. Zack was there as back-up to handle retaliation." Seth hissed between his gritted teeth.

Rick did not turn away from Larry.

"I'm even more impressed then! Seth's size might mislead you, but he's a tough nut to crack. Yet, you managed to escape Zack? That's a special talent in itself." He taunted.

Now it was Zack who interjected, not letting Larry speak for himself.

"He ain't escaped me, Rick. Master didn't order me to stop him." He said, protecting his image.

"I see. Master spared you." Rick continued to pick on Larry. "She's too kind for her own good. Tell me, Larry, what did you do to Mikey for him to need comforting?"

Mikey felt the need to have his fair share of the conversation.

"He didn't do anything to me, Rick, give him a break. I had a bad day on my own, that's all." He defended the guest, as well as took responsibility for the shit went down that day.

"What an unfortunate timing." Rick was staring at Larry right in the face since he crouched down. He wanted to see who would blink first.

"Anything else you want to know?" Asked Larry.

"You do have a voice!" Rick feigned surprise, "I started to think you are a mute. That would explain the reason you let others answer instead of you. Mute or a pussy - I was thinking along these lines." 

Alex just sat comfortably on her throne, leaning back, slowly sipping her drink. She didn't think for a minute to interfere - dogs needed space to decide the packing order, and men were not too different. She actually enjoyed this little pissing contest.

"Why should I care what collared little puppies think of me?" Replied Larry in his usual aloof, uncaring tone. With one sentence, he reminded all of them of his higher position. 

Complete silence fell on the room. Rob stopped in his tracks with a tray in hand too.

He was not sure if he'll need his limbs free in the upcoming fistfight. He was ready to throw it away and defend the pack.

A few seconds went by in that manner. Then Rick shot up to his feet again, and with a genuine smile on his face, he turned to Alex.

"I like the fucker! Hope he joins." He exclaimed, and sat down on his bean bag chair.

< This man will be the death of me. > Thought Rob, trying to not spill the drinks in his trembling hands.