Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Mason
I woke up an hour later, and found I was still wrapped in Kip’s arms. I wanted to cry, to let out all the feelings I’d been holding in since I blew him. The main emotion that plagued me?
Fear.
Even though he’d done his best to settle my nerves, I was still terrified I’d screwed up, that he’d walk away from me.
A close second, however, was the elation that I’d had him in my mouth in the first place.
It had been everything I’d hoped for and more.
The texture, the smell, the taste—oh god, the musky-sweet taste, which still lingered on my tongue.
It was heaven.
Underlying that was the horror of what I hadn’t told him, what I wouldn’t tell him.
He isn’t a wolf. He doesn’t know.
As an Omega, I was now bound to him as my Dominant. This had been what the Alpha had been talking about. Wolves mated for life. Kip was under no obligation to stay with me and could leave whenever someone or something better caught his eye.
And it would, I was under no illusions about that.
Granted, it might take some time, but I knew it would happen eventually.
I tried to tell myself it would be okay, that I’d survive it, but after feeling myself being bound to Kip, to realize I was now his submissive, I knew it would break me.
Part of me wished he’d never said he’d be my Dominant.
It would’ve been preferable to have Jerome. At least he’d always be there.
That thought made me feel even worse, because it signified I wasn’t trusting my Dominant.
Kip pulled me closer and tightened his grip. “How did I not know that you think way too much?” he asked, his voice heavy with sleep.
“I’m sorry, Kip,” I whispered, my voice raw and broken.
“Tell me what’s going on in your head.”
What on earth do I say to him? ‘I should be trusting you in all things, but that isn’t happening right now’?
“It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
A deep sigh rolled out of him. “Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
This time it wasn’t a request but an order, and still I struggled to not obey.
Another sigh. “Right. Okay, I don’t know much about being a Dominant. I don’t really understand what it means to have someone depend on you to guide them. For me, this is a learn as I go kinda thing. I do know your refusal to talk to me requires me to do something about it.”
“How about let it go?”
He patted my head. “Cute, Elsa. No.” He got up, then grabbed my arm and pulled me out of bed. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since it was decided that I was now responsible for you. I’ll tell you the truth, this is real heady shit, knowing you have someone’s life in your hands.”
“Is that why you said you don’t want to be my Dominant?” I asked, feeling out of sorts.
Kip rolled his eyes. “No, that isn’t it at all.
We’ve been friends for years, and after everything the two of us have seen and done, I can’t quite see you in the submissive role.
Seriously, it’s a struggle. I mean, I’m starting to understand it, or at least I’m doing my best to, but seeing my friend kneeling at my feet?
It freaks me out, if I’m honest. The Mason I know would have laughed at me if I’d ever even suggested he should get on his knees in front of me.
At the very least he would’ve turned it into a dirty joke.
But the Mason I’m coming to know now? I can see in his expression he needs it.
Needs me to give it to him. And I swear, I’m trying.
After your spanking, can we promise to be patient with each other? ”
What the fuck? “My what now?”
He snorted. “C’mon, it’s not like you weren’t expecting this to happen eventually.
You’re a brat, you’ve always been one.” He folded his arms. “So I have to decide if I want a brat or if I want a nice, docile submissive who’ll kneel at my feet.
Or… do I want to help him mesh those parts together to more closely resemble the Mason I know. ”
“And love?” I teased.
He smirked. “I’m not going to admit to anything, but you are growing on me. Like mold, or maybe fungus.” He pressed me to the wall. “And don’t think I’ll forget about the spanking. I asked you a question twice, and you chose to ignore it. That won’t do.”
“But you just said—”
“Oh, I know what I said. This both freaks me out and excites me. However, you seem to need it, so it’s up to me to give it to you. Now, answer me honestly. Do you need me to spank you? If you can tell me no, I won’t.”
A smart man would say no, but since this whole thing started I’d been anything but smart. My brain wouldn’t shut the hell up, trying to make me doubt Kip, and that wouldn’t do. Not only was he my Dominant, he was also my future.
I squared my shoulders.
“Yes, Kip. I need it.”
“That’s what I thought.” Kip tapped the wall. “I want you to put your forehead here, sticking out that dump truck of yours.”
“Dump truck?” I squeaked as I took the position he’d said.
“Yup.” He rubbed a hand over my cheek, and a shiver rolled through me. “My boy has cake for days. Now, assume the position, please.”
No way could I deny how much the ‘my boy’ comment meant to me. I turned and placed my head against the cool wall, then sighed when Kip moved me around so my ass jutted out.
“I want you to stay just like this until we’re done.”
“Do I need a safeword?” I snarked, a list of potential words popping into my head.
“Stop will be enough, I think. Maybe later we can revisit this, if that’s what you think we need to do.” He patted my leg. “Now, spread ’em until you feel comfortable in this position. We’ll be here for a few minutes.”
I wouldn’t deny the flash of excitement that rolled through me. I wasn’t sure why. I should have been aghast at the very idea he would spank me, yet I wasn’t, not really. My brain was telling me I needed—craved—this to help remind me of my place and to center me. Did I want it? No.
Well, actually, maybe.
Fine, yes, I wanted it. Why? Because my Dominant wanted to give it to me.
“Here we go. Remember, if you’re having issues, just say stop. It doesn’t mean we won’t try again later. Considering what a brat you can be, I’m still guessing this will be your first spanking?”
“Yes, Kip,” I answered truthfully. My parents would never have spanked me, because they knew it would be my Dominant’s job.
“Awesome. Another thing we get to share.”
“Have… have you ever spanked anyone before?” I didn’t like the idea of Kip’s hand on someone’s ass, even if it was a girl.
He chuckled. “That’s what I meant about sharing this. You’re my first too.” And before I could react, he leaned in and said in a low voice, “Ready? We’re going to start with ten.”
He didn’t even wait for me to answer before he unleashed on me. There was a loud crack, and I shuddered as his hand connected with my bare flesh. Then pain jolted through me, radiating from my ass throughout my body.
“Oh, fuck!” I cried out. Still, I didn’t ask for him to stop.
I didn’t want him to stop.
The next one was in the same spot, only this time the burn was deeper, hotter. I found my brain clearing as I settled back into my skin.
“Here comes three.” A moment later another crack of skin on skin. I yelped again. “Do you need me to stop?” he asked, and I could tell by his voice he was hoping I’d say yes.
“No, Kip.”
“Fine. Here comes the next ones.”
Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. They came one after the other.
Kip was grunting now when he spanked me, and I was too, but for different reasons.
For the first time in way too long I felt…
whole. My head was no longer muddled. Thanks to the sharp pain in my ass zipping to my brain, I realized now who was in charge of me, who would be the one to guide me into the world as a whole person, not just Mason or just the Omega.
I would be Kip’s Omega.
“Nine. And Ten.” He let out a sharp exhale. “Please tell me that helped, because my hand is throbbing.”
“It did,” I told him. “A lot.”
“Good. Get on the bed, on your stomach. I’m going to step into the bathroom for a moment.”
I was too exhausted to be a brat. “Yes, Kip.” I lay down, my face in his pillow, his scent surrounding me, making me boneless. Just as I was about to drift off, something cold touched my ass.
“What the hell?” I cried out, more in frustration because Kip’s scent was replaced by sharp, cool peppermint.
“It’s some cooling lotion I bought,” he said, the tips of his fingers brushing over my heated skin. He held it out so I could see the bottle.
“Dr. Tush? Really?”
“It had good reviews,” he argued.
And then I realized something. “You went looking?”
He dipped his chin. “Ever since you asked me about being your Dominant, I’ve been trying to get some information. I will always try to give you what you need, but at the same time I want to know my role too, so I don’t mess up.”
I could have cried right then and there, and not just because my poor ass was throbbing.
A Dominant—my Dominant—was taking care of me.
I had no clue how we’d gotten here, but going back was no longer an option for me. Kip was stuck with me forever.
Lucky bastard.
Kip
The phrase ‘this is going to hurt me more than it does you’?
It might be true.
With the first crack of my hand on Mason’s ass, I was in pain.
Except we’re talking mental anguish, mostly.
Hearing his gasps when my hand connected had me wanting to run from the room because I was causing him pain.
Yeah, we screwed around when we were younger.
Smacking each other, seeing who could stand a snake bite—where you twist the skin on the arm until the other person flinches or cries out.
Stupid shit like headbutting each other to see who’d wanna stop first. Yet causing him actual pain?
That scared the shit out of me.