Page 4 of Wild Wolf
Alarmed, he studied the child. “How much is ‘some?’”
“Asip.”
Relieved, he softened his voice. “Did you likeit?”
This was all important. If she did, he’d have to take extra measures for the child to understand the gravity of the situation. Every child in his pack was allowed half a glass, a “tasting” on their thirteenth birthday of the sweetest wine in order to test their palate and at a special coming of agecelebration.
But no Lupines were allow to drink that vintage. It was reserved for theFae.
Her tiny face wrinkled. “No. It wasyucky.”
Biting back a smile at the rare vintage called “yucky” by a seven-year-old, he gave her a stern look. “Why did you drinkit?”
“Because Bobby is always boating that he can have a taste his next birthday. He thinks ‘cause he’s turning thirteen, he’sspecial.”
“Boasting,” he corrected. “No excuse. You know thepunishment.”
Trembling she braced her hands on the railing. He stood, removed his leather belt, glanced over his shoulder to ensure her parents watched through thewindow.
Gods, he hated doling out discipline, but this was essential for order. It was tradition for the alpha to punish children’stransgressions.
Tradition he hated, but he carried it on because it wasexpected.
Nolan folded the belt and gave the girl a gentle smack on the butt. Barely a tap, but shehowled.
“Return to your parents andapologize.”
She turned, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly she ran toward him, hugging him tight. Nolan’s heart turned over. Sighing, he went to the rocker with Kacey on hislap.
“I, Isorry!”
“I know honey.” He stroked her head as she rested against him and then began to sing to quiet her sobs. The local Fae said he had the best voice in the hills, for a Lupine,anyway.
His thoughts drifted back to the time when another seven-year-old had come to him for comfort. A seven-year-old with tangled red curls, a blush on her cheeks and fire in her eyes, even at such a young age. His father, their alpha, had hit her much harder with his leather belt and she refused tocry.
Only in his arms had she released her tears. He’d been twelve and in love with her even backthen.
I wonder where Jordanwent?
It hurt too much to contemplate. She’d run away and his heart never recovered from that open, throbbingwound.
After a few minutes, her eyes closed. He stood, Kacey in his arms, and handed her off to her father, who finally came outside with hismate.
“Thank you, Nolan,” Charlene whispered. She looked at her mate. “I wish you had never taken that wine. I should have told you it was a badidea.”
Nolan gave her a hard stare. “Take your daughter and return to yourhome.”
As the mother did, he turned to Roy, the father. Nolan seized his throat in a hard grip. Roygasped.
“What were you thinking, leaving a bottle of our finest, rarest magick vintage out for your daughter to find? I should lash you, not your sweetgirl.”
Roy struggled to speak as Nolan squeezed tighter. “I, I, wanted…celebrate with my mate. They say… it enhances lovemaking and gives you a rush… had…only one glass. Left it open…forgot. I’m s-sorry! Charlene had nothing to do withit.”
“That wine is reserved for the Fae. Do you know what could have happened to Kacey if she took more than a few sips? She could have died!” Disgusted he shoved hard, throwing Roy against the wall. The Lupine landed with anothergasp.
“You’ll spend the next two months in the vineyard. You’re demoted from working inside. Next time you pull a stunt like that, I’ll tear you apart.Understand?”
Roy nodded, hanging his head. “I’m sorry,alpha.”
