Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha
Chapter 39

LEANDER’S POV

I held my little mouse close, tucked under the crook of my arm, splayed fingers applying pressure to her lower spine to keep her exactly where I wanted her-no distance between us, not even an inch. The pert mounds of her breasts pressed against my side, her two hardened nubs, the evidence of her arousal, poking into my chest. Her little hands rested flat against my back and right pectoral muscle. She was a perfect fit tucked under the crook of my arm, her tiny shape molded and created for me, two halves of one whole, just right together.

I hadn’t anticipated clutching her tightly during the speeches part of the ceremony. Typically, the Alpha and Luna stood next to each other, holding hands. But after the sweet scent of her arousal filled the air, she was lucky that’s all I did, instead of listening to every primal instinct in my body, demanding I toss her over my shoulder and replace the nearest den so that I could make her mine.

My posturing was much more than physical. Nature drove me. My Wolf and I ached to show her she belonged to us. Hell, his very image was inked permanently into the skin of her back! He was jealous of that tattoo. He wanted to be in its place, his body curled over her back, connected to her in the most intimate way possible.

It was where we belonged.

And for once, she wasn’t pulling away. Quite the opposite. She’d been drawn to me. Her attention had zeroed in on what her body craved, what the bond craved. Her gaze had fixated on my revealed flesh, visually feasting on what she saw. I smirked. Maybe I should walk around half naked more often. If I kept getting results like this, I had no problem displaying as much skin as she desired.

Right then, she was staring wide-eyed at the spectacle of Sydney’s punishment about to unfold in front of us…and petting my chest at the same time.

I didn’t think she even realized she was doing it, little fingers absentmindedly stroking along the curve of my pec. Maybe it was a nervous gesture or her body’s way of unconsciously seeking comfort from her mate, but whatever the reason, she was loose and pliable in my arms, content to stay right where she was.

And she was driving me crazy.

Out of my mind. Bat-shit crazy.

But I had no intention of pointing out her behavior. Far be it from me to say something that would cause her to stop, even when the result was the slow, painful death of my sanity.

With great effort, I forced myself not to think about her little fingers trailing over my flesh, and focus on the words coming out of Ever’s mouth.

His expression was fierce. Veins protruded from his neck, and his shirt pulled tight across his chest which kept flexing with his irritation at Sydney behavior. His eyes flashed dangerously as he faced her.

“Your less than honorable actions yesterday set into motion a series of events…resulting in the ruin of the Alpha and Luna’s Announcement Ceremony. As you know, the Announcement Ceremony is a prelude and necessary precursor to the Claiming Ceremony. Without one, there is no other.”

Sydney’s head dropped low, unable to face the authority and power exuding from Ever’s Wolf. She stared at the ground while he continued relentlessly, “Need I remind you that the pups conceived during the Claiming Ceremony will change the future of the pack. Those young ones will be blessed with fortitude and gifts above and beyond those of a normal Wolf. They will strike fear in our enemies and make us stronger. They are the hopes and dreams of the mated pairs and for some. Their last hope.” There was just a slight variance in his tone at the end. Most wouldn’t even notice the difference. Most wouldn’t catch the almost unintelligible strain in his voice. But I did. I always heard his pain and felt it with him.

Sydney’s head dipped even lower, shoulders hunching forward. She anxiously twisted her fingers together. She knew this was going to be bad. All of the wolves did.

“We will not stand by while you cause discord for your personal gain! Lies by omission or suggestion, interference and meddling will not be tolerated. Your offense was not only against your Luna, but it was against us!”

Sydney shuddered hard. Her Wolf whined.

I could almost see the realization coming over her, understanding the true scope of what she’d done. In her eagerness to hurt Hycinth, she’d lost sight of the bigger picture and the more significant consequences.

“As such, the penalty for your behavior was left to our discretion.” Ever took a breath and continued, “For your reckless interference, you will be collared for one month and publically spanked. Additionally, any Wolf, male or female, negatively affected by your behavior has been given the opportunity to spank you themselves. They will take turns until every Wolf is satisfied you’ve learned your lesson”.

Sydney gasped loudly. Her head snapped up, genuine fear running through her eyes. She trembled. Hycinth froze in my arms, her mouth dropping open just slightly, as she understood just how significant a penalty the mated pairs had sentenced. Even I was a little surprised. Hell, if we were going to have to wait on every Wolf who wanted to spank her to take a turn, we’d be here all night.

Ever held Sydney’s gaze and said coolly, “However, we found none of them wished to touch you.”

Sydney’s overwhelming relief was palpable. The breath whooshed out of her lungs. She’d escaped a significant punishment, but still, my father did not have a light hand. Experience taught me well.

Ever pulled a moonstone collar from his pocket, different from the one I’d used with Hycinth, but similar in construction, opalescent, aquamarine Labradorite stones, polished to a smooth finish. They shone brilliantly against silver settings and a thick leather band.

“Kneel!” Ever barked out the command.

Instantly, Sydney dropped to her knees, unable to resist his Beta authority even if she’d wanted to. He stepped forward and secured the collar around her neck. My father then took his place, paddle in hand, on a low bench set adjacent to the one Hycinth and I would use when we received the wolves. Sydney stood to her feet and placed herself on his lap without a word.