Demi’s POV)


    It dowsn’t take long for the X–rays to bepleted and to get Colefortably dressed again. Although be’s will quite nervous, it seems like the after effects of the protective shock he went into have worn off and he’s functioning rtively close to an adult.


    I’ve invited him to my office. I want him to see himself in action and I’m curious as well. With Cole being thest patient in the wing and still an hour before dinner is ready, I encouraged lessa toe along to my office and to have dinner with us tonight. My hope is that the more I have them together the more Cole will want this different life, one that is filled with love<b>, </b>understanding and support.


    I turn into my office, turning on the lights as I step out of my shoes. Jessa follows after me with Cole close behind.


    “Jessa?” His voice is calm but quiet as he calls her attention to my shoes by the door.


    “Sorry, alpha.” She apologizes meekly.


    “Not a big deal really. I only instruct thoseing in here to take them off when I’m implementing physical punishment. It makes it easier for them to remove their pants.”


    I say it jokingly but one look at Cole’s face tells me instantly that I’ve said too much.


    “I’m sorry. I know that’s not much of a joking matter to you but I don’t want to hide from you that I implement it either.”


    “Have you really spanked Lucas over me?”


    He sounds hesitant to ask yet at the same time it sounds like he doesn’t believe that it happened.


    “He was spanked as a result of his own actions. I can show you the footage if you wish to see the difference in the way I operate. I save the footage of every spanking that way if I’m ever questioned on my technique I can prove that I’m within the council’s standards.”


    He walks forward slowly. His eyes are fixated on the wide but very worn belt hanging on the wall. Even Jessa seems hesitant toe much farther into my office.


    “I’m sorry. I should have remembered that it was out and put it away before the two of you got in here.”


    I watch Cole carefully as he slowly shakes his head. He reaches out and slowly removes it from the nail it hangs on. He runs his hand slowly from one end of the belt to the other. He’s very calm, nearly in a sedated state as he examines the only object I have ever used during my fifteen years as alpha. While I do and have used it multiple times for the worst offenses I also feel that I have done so sparingly.


    “There’s no buckle.” He whispers his observation.


    “That’s why I chose it. It’s well worn making it soft and pliable. Without the buckle there’s little chance at idental injuries.”


    “Have you ever cut someone with it?” His voice trembles with his question.


    “I don’t remember a specific incident but I do adjust my strength ording to age and rank. I can remember early on as an alpha I didn’t want to participate in physical punishment and you have five years after taking the alpha role to decide on such punishment.


    Even though I’m the fourth generation to help others escape the cruelty of abuse that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist in my own pack and I’m not na?ve enough to believe that it couldn’t happen. It’s what changed my mind about physical punishment. I walked in on a delta male and his mate who were striking their pup so hard with their belt that he was actively bleeding when I stopped them. I called Kathy toe get the pup and take him back to the medical wing. I also called my beta, who at the time was a gentleman named Conner, to help me bring the parents back to my office. That was the first time I implemented physical punishment. They both received ten full strength hits to their bare backside before I sent them to my jail.”


    C