Page 35 of Wild Wolf
His dad had spanked her good that day with the leather belt. Nolan’s smile died as he recalled Jordan’s stubborn refusal to cry. He’d suggested to his sire that Jordan should scrub out the bathrooms for a whole week instead, which she’d always hated. Craig hadrefused.
Beatings with leather belts were all some stubborn, wild ones understood, his father haddeclared.
Yet Craig decided against punishing Bryce because being sick was punishmentenough.
His father always put his blood kinfirst.
Erica rang up an order for a happy Skin couple who’d been Jordan’scustomers.
“That girl, Jordan, she sure is fun! She convinced us to buy a case of the new blueberry hill,” the woman toldErica.
Erica grunted and took their credit card, ran it. She muttered thanks as the couple finished thetransaction.
They left, lookingpuzzled.
This was so not good. Usually Erica was cheerful, a good example of the positive customer service the winery exuded. Always leave them with an upliftingexperience.
Not with her sourpussface.
“What’s wrong?” he asked her. “Smile at thecustomers.”
“It’s not fair! Jordan’s barely back one day and you have her pouring, waiting on customers. I’ve worked in the store five years and you never gave me a chance to serve at the bar. Why are you playing favorites, Nolan? Same as your fatherdid?”
The accusation stung. He growled low, and she paled. “I amnot.”
Erica stared at the counter. “I’msorry.”
“Stay at your station and I’ll send someone to relieve you. I’ll give you an hour at the bar, but you listen to Galen and if you start confusing people on the vintages again, you’reout.”
She brightened. “Thankyou!”
Removing his radio from his back pocket, he called another Lupine from the back to help at the bar. Erica was slow and the bar bustledtoday.
Nolan headed into the tastingroom.
Maybe he’d needed to find a strong mate to appease the Fae leader, but he risked alienating hispack.
It was his fault, putting Jordan in a position coveted by other Lupines. He’d forgotten how Erica clamored to learn to pour from Galen, their wine expert. Even though Erica could sometimes mix up the vintages, she had done well at the last tasting party held at thelodge.
Nolan returned to the bar, where ten people lined up with glasses, most in front of Jordan. Light shone in the auburn and gold streaks in her red hair, and her smile was puresunshine.
He waited until she finished with the first set of clients and leaned across the counter, beckoning to her. As she bent over with a questioning look, he gestured to the store. “Go relieve Erica on the cashregister.”
His new mate blinked. “Whatgives?”
“Erica needs to tendbar.”
“Ole lemon sucker? She’ll scare away the people. She’d scare away a pack of starvingwolves.”
Damn if she wasn’t right. Nolan wanted to laugh, but this was too serious. “Doit.”
“She’s a jealous bitch.” Jordan turnedaway.
Nolan skirted around the counter, took the wine from her and set it down. He offered the waiting customers a wide smile. “Excuse us, folks. Galen will pour foryou.”
The male hastened to wait on the customers as Nolan grasped Jordan by the elbow and steered heraway.
“What?” Jordan demanded. “I was just telling it like itis.”
