Nicole rushed around, trying to ensure everything was ready for the grand opening of her new event planning business, Wolf Storm Events. With Asher’s help, she’d been able to secure a large warehouse space down on the waterfront. Not only did she have space for a commercial kitchen and storage on the second floor, but the first floor contained her office, reception area, a small conference room and a unique open event space with a kind of vintage-industrial feel. She had been absolutely floored by the warm reception the entire city of Kodiak had given her, not to mention their friends in Mystic River.

Scott Hardaway had been cooking for days to provide a tasting menu of sorts, including appetizers, small bites of entrees, and luscious desserts. He wanted to stick to local or at least sustainable products, and they’d been able to hook up with people in the area to if not provide what they needed, then at least transport it.

A young wolf named Honey had come from the Mystic River Pack to sign on as Nicole’s assistant and had already proven herself to be worth her weight in gold.

The door to the office portion of the building swung open with a bang and Ellis Wells entered the building—unannounced and uninvited.

“Where is she?” he bellowed. Spotting Honey he advanced on her. “You, little wolf, are in trouble. Your parents are beside themselves with worry. Get your things; we’re going home.”

Nicole stepped between them, halting Ellis’ advance. “Good afternoon, Ellis. Nice to see you, too. We didn’t get your RSVP for tonight’s open house. Are you planning to join us?”

“I want nothing to do with you, my son, or this infernal business. I voted against you at the town meeting. Now, get out of my way,” he growled.

Taking a deep breath and reminding herself that he was Asher’s father and Gemma’s husband, she exhaled slowly and turned toward Honey. “Do you want to go with him?”

“She has no say in the matter…”

“I’m afraid she does. She doesn’t want to be stuck in Mystic River with a crotchety old alpha like you. Her parents should be glad that she’s still on the island. So many of your young she-wolves leave.”

“I don’t want to go back,” said Honey in a trembling voice.

“That’s good enough for me,” said Nicole kindly. “Why don’t you go upstairs and see what you can do to help Scott.” Nicole watched Honey run up the stairs. It seemed the young she-wolf couldn’t get away from Ellis fast enough. Nicole turned back to him. “You know, every time I think you couldn’t be more of a jackass, you prove me wrong.”

“I don’t know what my son sees in you.”

“He sees a woman and she-wolf who loves him enough to marry him and put up with the likes of you as a father-in-law. This is my building, Ellis. Get out.”

Ellis stood, trembling with rage, but apparently unsure of what he could do about any of this.

“You… you…” he sputtered.

“Yes, me… me. I’m the woman fate chose for Asher. I’m the one whose life he saved and whom he turned, and I’m the one that’s going to drop kick your butt all the way back to Mystic River if you don’t get out. Now!”

He started to say something a couple of times but thought better of it and finally left.

“He really is a jackass,” said Scott, joining her.

“He is. He just can’t seem to accept that Asher isn’t going to leave his career and force me to go home with him to lead the Mystic River Pack. I know that’s what Ellis has said he always wanted Asher to do, but I don’t believe he’ll ever give up control willingly.”

“Agreed. Do you think he’ll come back?”

“Doubtful. I think he picked a time when he knew Ash wouldn’t be around.”

“The old man doesn’t know you very well, does he?”

“The old man doesn’t know me, or his son, for that matter, at all.”

“Honey and I have everything under control here, and we both brought our party clothes. Why don’t you go head for home to rest for a bit and get changed?”

“I can’t leave you two here to work while I put my feet up. That doesn’t seem fair.”

“The servers and other help will be here shortly. I need to get them up-to-speed on the menu and Honey wants to run over all the services we offer. Besides you were here at least three hours before either of us showed up. If we let you get run ragged again, your mate is going to be pissed.”

Nicole smiled. “He is a possessive sonofabitch, but I love him madly.”

“He feels the same way about you.” He hesitated as if he wasn’t sure what to say.

Nicole put her hand on his arm. “I haven’t heard from her one way or another. If I hear anything…”

“Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“No. I think you’re a lynx who knows his fated mate when he sees her. I think things are just more complicated for Kyra than for most.”

“I know you’re right. I just wish things were different.”

“So do I. You both deserve to be happy.”

“Go on home. I’ll make sure Honey is safe.”

“Thanks, Scott. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Nicole looked down at her clipboard, which showed her that everything was done except for last minute details. She did have time to try and get some rest, and maybe spend some time with her mate. Between opening night jitters and the confrontation with Ellis, her nerves were a bit frazzled. She headed out to her Range Rover, started it up and headed for home.

She smiled as she rolled up to their cabin. His Jeep was there. Of course, it was. Scott had most likely called him and told him about her argument with his father. She parked her vehicle and got out. When she opened the door, she was reminded of why she loved him so. He was waiting, leaning against the back of the chesterfield sofa in button-up Levi’s, boots, and nothing else.

“Did we agree you weren’t going to have anything to do with my father?”

“We did, but when he comes to my building and yells at my employee, I’m not going to stand around and do nothing. Why is he so hateful?” she asked feeling tears welling behind her eyes. She wasn’t that upset and knew the tears were more about nerves and frustration than Ellis refusing to give ground on anything.

“Remind me why we put up with him at all?”

“Because we love and adore your mother and if we kill him, it will upset her.”

Asher nodded. “Right. I knew we had a good reason, but I may just go up to Wolf Run and punch him in the nose. Pulling that little stunt today before your big event was a shitty thing to do. And as for you, I think it might do you some good to spend a little time over my knee.”

This was another reason she loved him. He understood her and what she needed without her having to say a word. Asher had discovered that the best way to get her to behave was to not let her get stressed out, and sometimes the very best form of stress relief was a spanking that produced tears.

“You’re right. You’ve told me repeatedly not to confront your father directly.”

“Yes, I have. Come over here, push the leggings down past your knees and lean over the back of the couch.”

Nicole preferred his lap, but she had also figured out in matters of sex and spanking, he not only wanted and needed control, but that giving that to him was the best way to ensure her own needs were met. Taking a deep breath, she shimmied out of her leggings and put herself in position. Asher ran his palm up her back, ensuring her sweater would not get in the way, and then slid his hand over her curves, rumbling seductively as he did so. Anticipation hung between them like the last ten seconds before the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve.

She felt the soft uptick of air as his hand lifted and heard the crack as it connected with her skin, leaving a sting and flush of warmth and pain. He smacked her again and again and again, allowing the pain and heat to flare. Inside her bra her nipples tightened and her pussy began to soften and ripen. As the spanking rolled on, tears began to well and then fall.

There was no reason to hold them back; she knew as he pushed her past her walls, the stress would begin to dissipate and she’d come out on the other side oddly refreshed and ready to tackle the world. It made no sense to her that submitting to her mate gave her a self-confidence and courage she had never known before, but it did.

Asher didn’t say a word, just continued to spank her. She knew he would read her body language and give her just what she needed, even when she didn’t know what that was. He’d taught her this was a part of their love language. When he spanked her, as when he made love to her, the world receded and the only thing that remained was the two of them.

Finally, he stopped and rubbed the sensitized and painful flesh. He helped her to stand and then lifted her into his arms before walking around and settling her in his lap on the couch.

“Better?” he crooned as he nuzzled her.

“Always. I love you.”

“I love you too… but I still want to punch my father in the nose.”

She laughed softly and just let herself drift. Time enough to go back to the real world. For now, she would remain ensconced in his arms. Drawing her strength from him and giving him back some of her own. Tonight could wait. For now, she was right where she needed to be.