Jade’s pov:
“You had me worried, so damn much, I wonder what kind of punishment would be most appropriate to you…” Alex all but chewed my head off.
I could understand his worry. Hell, what annoyed me the most was that their reasoning made a lot of sense… But it was still a hard pill to swallow.
When he was done, I said stubbornly, “I was born to two proud warriors, and I will be damned if I let a couple of rogues frighten me into hiding.”
He heaved a sigh and then said, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I know, love. Don’t get me wrong. I know you can handle yourself, but my wolf wouldn’t let me fight with a clear head if I knew you to be in danger.”
“Sounds to me like it is your wolf who needs some discipline,” I said only half teasingly, to which I heard a chuckle from behind.
My eyes widened as I recalled that we were not alone. I needed to mind my tone and my words if I wanted to avoid conflict.
Alex pinned Luc with his chilliest gaze, and the beta was soon saying in an apologetic tone, “I have matters that need my attention. I will be on my way.”
The moment the door clicked shut and we were left alone, Alex beckoned me over to him.
“On my lap, Jade,” he said in earnest, “face down.”
“Huh?” I let out incredulously even as I took a step back.
“Don’t make me come for you, love,” he said, the warning in his voice making me shiver deliciously.
I loved Alex, and appreciated his caring side, but this side the dominant one was thrilling to me, in more ways than one.
I gulped down my dread and anticipation, and then took a step forward, and then another, and another, till I was right in front of him.
“Do you seriously want me to repeat myself?” He said darkly.
This kind of play was usually reserved for our wing where we basically went crazy… Not that the office didn’t get its fair share of loving.
I soon complied with his earlier command, and readied myself to take a spanking well deserved.
“Count for me,” he instructed in a soft command.
“Yes alpha.”
The first blow landed and I gasped first the pain mixed with the anticipation of it making it a thrilling experience before saying, “One. Thank you, alpha.”
Another blow landed on my other cheek, and I inhaled sharply, wishing to keep my whimpering in, before I said, “Two. Thank you, alpha.”
“Do you know why you’re getting punished, Jade?” He asked before another blow landed.
“Three. Thank you, alpha. Because I have been a bad girl, and bad girls get punished.”
“Exactly,” another blow, more powerful, with a caress to soothe the pain away, and I counted as usual… “You make me worry incessantly about you. I cannot afford to be distracted, love.”
“I am sorry, alpha,” I said, licking my dry lips.
“No, you’re not. You’re even enjoying your punishment,” he hissed at me, almost as if it pained him to spank me.
“Thank you, alpha,” I purred.
By the time the tenth blow landed on my ass, I, who had been writhing in pleasure, came undone, with a sharp cry.
“See? You were enjoying your punishment, sweetheart,” he let out huskily, his eyes flickering between green and black on repeat.
“Alex,” I mewled his name, and he made me sit on the evidence of his desire.
“Feel what you do to me?” He asked and I nodded eagerly, reaching out to cup his face, ready to kiss him. “My wolf is dying to have you tied up to our bed and having his way with you.”
“Let him,” I said against his lips.
He groaned. “You hungry, insatiable, little vixen.”
And then, he claimed my lips in a kiss so searing, it almost made me cum a second time.
My love for this man knew no bounds. And I knew that if I were to lose him, that could possibly destroy me.
“Let me have you,” I whispered after a second guess that left me reaching for his belt.
“Bad girls get punished, Jade,” he said darkly. “You don’t get to have me.”
“But isn’t that painful?” I told him as I wriggled against his hard-on.
His hands shot forward, in an attempt to keep me in place, to keep me from moving, “I am punishing us both. You for your ways and me for being too indulgent with you.”
“But Alex…” I groaned in displeasure, not quite sure I liked what I was hearing.
“I will take care of you when the time is right,” he said calmly before placing a chaste kiss on my lips. “For now, you need to endure this.”
I pouted, sulking, and he chuckled uncaringly.
“I am sorry,” I said after a beat, “the words slipped past my lips before I could help them.”
“I know that you meant no real disrespect, love,” he said, the understanding that oozed off his tone making me lean into him, relaxing. “But you need to be more careful still.”
“I know,” I said in agreement. “I will be.”
** ** **
Alex’s pov:
We had a traitor among us. Of that, Luc, Trevor and I were sure.
The rogue had been far too coordinated for Jessica’s escape to be just a fortunate result a coincidence. Hell, I didn’t believe in coincidences to begin with.
Ergo, someone had helped them. And considering rogues rarely ever were this organized, chances were this was getting out of hand, with the involvement of a witch.
Besides, according to both Jade and Eli, one of the rogues they encountered was far too unfocused, and didn’t attack at first sight… That in itself was extra suspicious, and had the signature of a witch all over it.
I hated their kind with a passion that had for only equal my aversion for vampires. Indeed, witches tended to dabble in forbidden witchraft.
“We need to contact Camelia,” I declared after a moment.
“Are you sure?” Luc was the first one to object. And while I understood where this came from, we needed a witch on our side too.
“She’s our best shot, all things considered,” I let out gravely.
Trevor’s eyebrows shot up, and he declared after the words sank in, “My loyalty lies with you, and also with Luna Jade.”
“What are you saying, Trevor?” I asked.
“I would think twice about getting a witch, and not any witch, Camelia, involved with pack affairs.”
“She won’t be involved,” I said. “Think of it like me hiring her for a job.”
“She doesn’t have the clear head of a mercenary,” he told me, still firmly believing it was a bad move, it would seem.
“The alpha is so infatuated with Luna Jade, it’s sometimes sickening. Stay cool, Trevor. I am sure she’ll behave and if not, we’ll make her. This is in the best interest of the pack.”
“If I ever feel like Luna Jade might be in danger, I will help her run from the pack.”
I didn’t get angry at Trevor’s words, though many other alphas would have been… Instead, I nodded gravely, and said, “If she ever is, you have my permission to flee the territory.”