I was never so happy to be told I was going to be punished in my life and had to withhold a grin. I hated to have others blamed for my mistakes. It was like a dam of tension broke and the assembled wolves howled to the sky, why I didn't know.

"That's appreciation for taking on all of my ire, love," Joel whispered low into my ear. "You should definitely wait to see if you're happy when I'm done with you."

I looked up to see swirling gold and shuddered at this dominant male's idea of punishment. I had guessed he would be angry at me for allowing myself...