Page 11 of Guardians

Zion stood up and motioned toward his chair.

Kane nodded then directed, “Move to Zion’s chair and bend from the waist, legs apart.”

The room came back into focus, the soaring ceiling making it feel endless and empty. Seven large hybrid males stared at her with obvious hunger, but only three had the right to touch her. Only three? The phrase sent a fresh rush of humiliation and uncertainty surging through Lexie and she struggled against the need to run. Malik’s kiss had been enough to weaken her knees and make her entire body ache. How in the universe was she going to survive the demands of all three?

Refusing to give in to the fear washing over her in waves, she moved to the chair and assumed the position Kane had described. Her bare butt was on display, as was a hint of her sex. He hadn’t said how far apart he wanted her legs, so she chose not to turn this into something lewd.

Someone moved up behind her and booted feet forced hers apart. She gasped and looked back. It was Diego and his dark gaze bore into hers. “Your pussy will be on full display anytime you are disciplined. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir,” she whispered. The harsh authority in his deep voice seemed to demand the title.

“Good girl.” He reached between her thighs and stroked her sex once then silently moved away.

What the hell was that? Did he think being fondled in front of a crowd was some sort of reward? His casual possessiveness made her angry and embarrassed, yet the simple brush of his fingers had felt good too. It had been oddly calming.

Then she heard Kane unfasten his buckle and the familiar hiss of a belt being pulled through loops. Her heart thudded wildly in her chest and the rushing of blood filled her ears. Her face felt hot, yet the situation didn’t seem quite real. How could it? A feline hybrid was about to whip her butt in front of a room full of his friends and she was going to stand here and let him. Yeah, that happened every day.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to do this?” Diego teased.

Was he talking to her? She was debating whether to answer when Kane saved her the trouble.

“I am perfectly capable of disciplining our mate.”

Instead of immediately laying into her with the belt, Kane moved in close and placed his hand on one of her upturned cheeks. “Why are you being punished?”

Because your boss is a sadistic pig.She was pretty sure that wasn’t the answer he was looking for, so she said, “Your leader found me prideful and self-absorbed.” He slapped her bottom and she automatically turned and glared at him.

“Hold the position,” Diego ordered.

She turned back around only to have Kane spank her even harder. Why was he spanking her with his hand? Wasn’t he supposed to use the belt? Not that she was complaining. Hishand stung, but the belt was sure to be worse. Was this some sort of warmup?

“Was your attitude prideful and self-absorbed?” Malik added. He moved in front of Zion’s chair so he could see her face. “Or was Zion being unreasonable?”

The sting was starting to compound. Either that or Kane was hitting her harder with each swat. She yelped and jerked her hips away as the discomfort became overwhelming. “That hurts!” she objected.

“That’s the point of discipline,” Kane said. “It’s supposed to hurt so you will think twice before repeating the infraction. Now answer Malik’s question.”

“I didn’t think I was being arrogant, but I can see how others might find my attitude upsetting,” she answered honestly, just wanting the foolish incident over.

Kane paused with his hand on her stinging bottom. “So Zion just needs to stop being so sensitive?”

Laughter rippled through the room and Lexie’s face began to burn even hotter than her behind. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Well, let me see if I can help you understand our perspective.” Kane punctuated the offer with two stinging slaps, one on each side of her bottom. “We have lived here for three and a half years without any assistance from you.”Smack.Smack.“We have plenty of food, warm shelters, and an adequate store of medications.” More painful slaps followed.

Lexie shifted from foot to foot, beyond embarrassment and even anger. She felt odd, unsettled in a way she’d never experienced before. Heat sank deeper with each of his firm spanks, and hercore had taken on the throbbing of her ass cheeks. What the hell was happening to her?

“You have been here less than three months, and your entire camp is on the brink of starvation. Do you need our help more than we need yours?” When she didn’t answer, he finally swung the belt.

Lexie cried out, rocking to the balls of her feet as searing pain blazed across her bottom. “Oh, God! Don’t do that again. I’msorry.” The second swat was even worse. She twisted and whined, hating the sound even as she made it.

Malik grabbed her unbound hair and tilted her head back until she looked into his eyes. “Were you rude and disrespectful?”

“Yes!” she yelled immediately, hoping to avoid another swat. No such luck. The belt landed hard across both cheeks and set her ass on fire. “I should have begged for your help with no conditions. Without you we’ll all die.” It was true, but it made her furious to admit it out loud.

The next swat drove the pain deeper and triggered the strangest ache in her core. She felt empty and needful, andwet. Good God, she was hovering on the brink of an orgasm. She shook her head, horrified by the possibility. What was wrong with her?

“You do not have permission to come,” Diego snapped, suddenly standing beside Malik. “Fight it off. If you come, I will punish you, and my punishments are much harsher than Kane’s.”

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