Page 26 of The Dragon Warlord

“Yes, Alpha.”

Whack!Same fucking spot. My right knee bends, but I straighten it quickly and breathe through the pain. There are more tears. Not crying tears. The kind that happens when something is fucking stingy.

There’s more waiting, but I’m grateful this time that I’m not on my toes and I keep my mouth shut, afraid he’ll make me return to that horrid position.

“You’re lippy, but also a fast learner. I can work with that, pet.”

It takes every lesson in obedience I’ve ever had to hold my flippant tongue.

“I don’t ask for much, just immediate compliance to the orders I give.” Oh, yeah. Not too much at all. “There will be the opportunity to debate with me plenty when I ask for your input. I expect my Warlord will have more insight into the current military matters than I will—over time. I’m also looking forward to the expertise you’ll bring to your kin. I will not tolerate childishness. You’re going to grow up. You’re going to be respectful. If not, I’m happy to discipline my Warlord as often as he needs it or find a new one.”

Whack!

The pain deepens and borders on psychological warfare because of the way it stings. I cry out this time and hate myself for doing it.

“Alpha, may I?”

“Look how well discipline works. So polite already. Go ahead, pet. Ask what you need to.”

Five. Has it really only been five? But his soft cooing is already better than that other voice—the displeased one. Is this the work of our bond?

“Why the same place? I’m behaving now.”

“You are and I’m very proud, but you weren’t so well-behaved this morning, were you? I told you that you would regret it. Answer.”

River has his maybe other father. He won’t miss this one that much if I run him through with my sword, will he?

“I wasn’t well-behaved this morning, Alpha.”

“Then we agree. You need the discipline.” I make like I’m going to get up. “Ah, ah, ah. Don’t do that. We’re doing so well.”

All the threat he intends is in his voice. I settle. I want the fuck out of here.

“Tell me you need the discipline.”

Yep. Right after this, I’m going to plot his murder. I grit my teeth. “I need the discipline, Alpha.”

He takes his time and draws this out for all of eternity. A ten-stroke caning has never lasted so long in the history of canings. His expectations can be summed up as follows: Don’t fuck up. Do as I say.

I only lose my temper one more time, after the seventh fucking stroke over the same welt, and I almost wrap my fingers around his throat. Rayne is handy for stopping me, and it’s worth seeing the “I told you so” glare Tristan gets.

I spend the last three strokes on my toes and forearms, nearly driven mad by how long he takes between strokes to lecture me. By the end I’ve collapsed over the bench, shaking with dry sobs.

He taps the back of my thigh with the cane. I whimper and it takes all I have left not to beg him not to whack me there. One of the strokes was all about discipline and how I’m to take what I’m given with good grace and gratefulness, and I definitely should not complain or attempt to beg my way out of what I’ve earned.

According to “Alpha” Law, that is, the law ofmyalpha.

“I like this area. I’m well-versed in how much it hurts. This is where I’ll discipline you tomorrow. Keep that in mind for our morning meeting. If you behave, I’ll remember that—I think I’ve demonstrated that I reward as much as I penalize.”

In other words, he can do what he did tonight and whack the same area ten times, or he could move around, insinuating that it’s up to me even though I’d argue that it’s up to him. Either way, it’s fucking effective in motivating my acquiescence. I also know what it’s like to be disciplined and punished on the backs of my thighs. My eyes water just thinking about it.

“I will, Alpha.”

“Very well. Pull up your clothes, bow low with your forehead pressed to the floor, and thank your alpha for taking the time to look after you.”

All his attention was paid to one lonely line across my backside. It throbs. Pain spreads to my whole arse and moving disrupts the sore skin. I get down anyway and press myself flush with the cold stone floor. “Thank you, Alpha.”

“Your thank you needs work, but see how nice I am? I’m still going to dismiss you with every faith it will improve in time for tomorrow night’s session.”