The scary man looks up, the furrow between his brows deepening, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from whimpering as I cling to Daddy’s hand.
But then he sighs, and his expression softens. He may even be smiling, but it’s hard to tell beneath the bushy beard. “Onehug, no presents, and then they’re going inside to get their bottoms spanked.”
Squealing excitedly, as if this giant of a man hasn’t just promised them both a painful punishment, the two girls spin around and race for me and Daddy.
“Uncle Colt! You’re home!” The smaller of the two launches herself at Daddy, wrapping her arms around his waist. After a brief embrace, she steps back and turns her wide smile on me. “You must be Tabby! We’re so excited to meet you.”
Before I can confirm or deny, she throws her arms around my neck and squeezes. Frozen, I look up at Daddy, who nods encouragingly.
“Tabby, this is Lanie, your Uncle Axel’s Little girl.”
“Oh. Um, hi, Lanie. Nice to meet you.”
Lanie pulls back with a giggle and a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I can get a little bit overexcited sometimes. Josie’s much more mature than me.”
“Are you calling me old, Lanie?”
Despite the biting tone and the hands fisted on her hips, Josie is grinning. Sheisold, though, or at least older than meand Lanie as far as I can tell. Maybe closer to Daddy’s age, though I don’t know how old Daddy actually is.
Lanie gasps in horror. “No! I would never!”
Rolling her eyes, Josie waves a hand. “I’m just teasing you. But for the record, I amnotmore mature than you. I’m just more discreet because unlike you, I don’t go looking for reasons to get my butt busted.”
“Speaking of which…” Uncle Axel raises a bushy brow and points toward the house. “Corners.Now.”
They both whine and plead with him not to spank them, but Uncle Axel remains as immovable as the soaring mountains surrounding us. “You can do as you’re told, or I can carry you both inside and add six with my belt for not listening.”
Thatgets them moving. With shocked shrieks, they both hurry toward the front door. Once they’re out of sight, Uncle Axel shakes his head, and when he meets my eyes again, there’s no doubt about the smile hiding beneath his oversized beard.
“Welcome to the family, little one. Maybe you’ll be a good influence and they’ll be able to go more than an hour without needing their bottoms warmed.”
“Y-yes, Sir,” I manage to whisper. I’m still clinging to Daddy’s hand, and even though he’s the one who took advantage of me, spanked me, and kidnapped me, he is also the only familiar thing in this terrifying new world I’ve found myself in. Moving closer, I press myself against his side, relieved when my heartbeat immediately calms.
Chuckling, Uncle Axel bends down and gives one of my braids a gentle tug. “Don’t worry, Tabby. I promise we’re not as scary as we look.” With a surprisingly charming wink, he straightens again and shifts his attention to Daddy. “We’re mostly ready for the ceremony. After I deal with our two mischief-makers, Gray will help all the girls prepare.”
“Ceremony?” The word slips from my lips before I have a chance to think better of it.
Uncle Axel’s smile broadens to a grin that shows his gleaming white teeth. “Yes, little one. Your wedding ceremony.”
Colt
Beside me, Tabby stiffens, and I bite back a sigh.
“But-but you said we were already married!”
She tries to yank her hand from mine, but I hold tight. It’s far too easy for a Little girl to get lost in these woods for me to risk letting her go.
“We are married,” I explain patiently. “Legally speaking. But my family has our own traditions.”
Eyes narrowing, she tries again to pull away, letting out an annoyed huff when I don’t release her. “I think you’re lying.”
“And I think that’s my cue to go,” Axel says, his tone full of amusement. “We’ll see you inside.”
“Yes. We’ll be there in a bit.”
When he turns to leave, I crouch down in front of my sulking Little girl. “Tabitha. I need you to listen to me and listen to me very closely. Are you listening, babygirl?”
“Yeah.”
