Crack.
The first time the leather slapped down on my wet, chilled skin was complete and utter agony. A line of fire burned across the cheeks of my ass and I cried out in pain, tensing my backside in an attempt to lessen the incredible sting. One strike quickly became two and then three, the belt falling faster than even Alix’s palm had a few days ago.
Wolfe was harsh and he punished me as he saw fit. His hand pressed against my lower back, holding me in place for his discipline and I keened, every strike of the belt fire across my skin. He started at the top of my ass and worked all the way down to mid-thigh, ensuring that not an inch of my backside went unpunished.
“Raven, when your alphas demand your obedience, you will give it,” Wolfe scolded, and I whined in response.
“Please,” I begged, squeezing my eyes shut. I struggled to hold back my tears as he whipped me soundly. My hands found Ivan’s thighs and my fingers squeezed around him, holding on tight.
“You earned this, little one,” he whispered, rubbing my back with his thumbs.
I tried to stay calm, but Wolfe belted my thighs, again and again until my breath hitched in my throat. Soon, I was fighting a losing battle against my tears and the first one drifted down my left cheek, followed by a torrent of them.
I cried because my ass hurt, but that wasn’t all. I sobbed at the loss of my team, at the loss of my way of life, and at the failure this mission had become. Wolfe’s belt still whipped at my scorched skin, forcing me to let go of a multitude of stress and fear that had plagued me over the last few days. Eventually, he threw the belt to the ground and sat beside me, pulling my body over his knees.
He finished my spanking with his palm, cracking it hard against the lower curve of my ass and I held onto his ankle, lifting my backside for him. My tears continued to fall, but he held me steady, finishing my punishment with a vigor that I knew I would never forget.
He was the alpha. I was the omega and I would obey.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice thick with tears and he slowed, squeezing my tender globes softly.
“Good girl,” he answered, and my heart soared. He massaged my sore cheeks, and I sighed, as the terrible pain slowly began to twist into a steady ball of desire deep in my core. His fingers ventured closer and closer to the crux of my thighs and he groaned softly.
“Open your thighs, omega,” he softly commanded and I submitted. I heard him draw in sharp breath.
I was soaking wet. I could feel it dripping down my folds onto my inner thighs and I whimpered with shame at his discovery. His finger delved deeper in between my legs, finding my clit and circling it slowly. I lifted my head, catching both Ivan’s and Alix’s gaze and felt myself blush hard as they watched me and Wolfe.
Wolfe pressed down hard on my clit and teased me by varying the pressure on my needy little bud. I gasped as he drew more pleasure from my body than I thought possible, especially now that I’d just had my ass whipped by his very own belt.
My hips rose and fell lewdly over his knees, moving in tune with his fingers, begging him for more. I moaned, the sound low and seductive and he purred low in appreciation. My body sang at his approval.
My scorched cheeks burned as little welts rose up all over my skin, but I hardly paid them any attention. The pain morphed into something more pleasurable, more wonderful, and far more intoxicating. My core practically boiled with lust and my skin began to crawl with it. I needed to come, and I needed it soon. I mewled happily as he toyed with my clit.
Then he pinched my needy bud roughly and my world shattered into pieces.
“Oh, please!” I screamed as I rode out my pleasure on his fingers. Ecstasy raced through my veins like wildfire, flames flickering up and down my limbs. My toes curled with it and my fingers tightened around his ankle, holding on tightly as the wave of ecstasy rushed over me.
When my orgasm finally faded into small little aftershocks, Wolfe gathered me in his arms and held me close to his chest. I heard his heart beat, strong and firm and the pair bond between us pulsed.
“Your ways are different than ours,” I said quietly, and he chuckled softly.
I felt clean and calm. I should have been angry for being treated so savagely, but I couldn’t bring myself to be. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding onto the horrors of the journey and maybe Wolfe had sensed it through the link or maybe he had just wanted me to obey, but at that moment, I didn’t really care. My sore ass ached, pressing against the leather of his pants, yet it felt right.
Pleasure and pain.
“I imagine they are,” he eventually answered, while he kissed the top of my head.
Alix cleared his throat and stood, throwing a few bags on his back and gesturing toward a pile of clothes for me he had brought.
“We best get a move on then,” Ivan responded.
I didn’t protest anymore and allowed the men to dress me. I lifted one foot after another as Ivan slid my boots onto my feet. He tied the laces tightly and nodded in approval when I smiled softly at him.
The three men gathered the few bags of supplies that Wolfe and Alix had collected and strung them across their backs, refusing to even give me a single one.
“No need, omega. Your alphas will care for you,” Wolfe grinned, his eyes meeting mine. I drew up on my tiptoes and he leaned down as I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. I couldn’t tell him how much his firm hand had affected me with words, so it would have to do. He nodded gently and the link between us pulsed.
He knew.