Hi there, lovelies!

I know I said I'd update once a week, but since this was already written you get it a few days early.

Thank you everyone who read, followed, added this to their favorites and reviewed!

You all make my day.

I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Actual spanking in this chapter.

The dub con warning was just for the heat because Charles was pretty out of it and could not consent rationally. All sex from now on will be consensual.

The next morning starts far, far too early. Charles is tired and grumpy and not at all inclined to get up at this ungodly hour Lehnsherr wants him to.

"Go 'way," he mumbles when his mate shakes his shoulder and tells him to get up, his arm flailing around aimlessly and swatting weakly in the general direction of the other's hand.

Unfortunately, instead of being left alone, his blanket is being yanked away. Yelping in the sudden cold, his eyes fly open to see an unimpressed Alpha frowning down at him.

"Up," is all Lehnsherr says and Charles just glares at him, tugging at the blanket in Lehnsherr's grasp.

"You're insane! It's freezing and it's not even fully light yet – there's no way in hell I'm getting up! Try again in three or four hours, you maniac!"

Lehnsherr's eyes take on that dangerous glint again and before Charles can get his bearings, he has been grabbed and thrown across the man's knee. He hasn't even time enough to take a breath to scream out in outrage before a brisk smack lands on his upturned behind, closely followed by more of the sort.

And god, does Lehnsherr hit hard!

"When I tell you to do something, you do it," the Alpha says, undisturbed by Charles' wailing and wriggling, keeping up the rhythm of his stinging swats with ease.

"Including standing up in the morning. No complaining, no giving me lip, you just obey. I went easy on you yesterday because you were still settling in, but you obviously need to learn your place. You are my Omega now, not the entitled future Earl of Westchester and you will do as I say! Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?" He demands, accentuating each word with a particularly hard swat to the tender under curve of Charles' backside.

"Fuck you!" Charles spits out angrily, bucking more than ever over Lehnsherr's knee, trying to twist out of his grasp.

"Clearly I'm not making an impression," Lehnsherr states and drops Charles rather unceremoniously to the floor. He stands and retrieves a couple of the willow rods that are watering in the corner.

Charles lets out a shriek and tries to scramble up off the floor and run.

Sadly, Lehnsherr is faster. With seemingly no effort whatsoever he has Charles across his knee again, his squirming legs secured between Lehnsherr's strong thighs and both his wrists caught in Lehnsherr's left hand.

Then the bastard lifts Charles' nightshirt with his right hand, tucks the bunched up fabric under the wrists in his hold and proceeds to really lay into him with one of the springy rods.

Charles throws his head back and howls – Lehnsherr's hand has felt bad, but this is pure agony. The Alpha doesn't show any leniency and doesn't even lecture anymore, just concentrates on making Charles very sorry indeed.

Charles tries to fight with all his strength, squirming and twisting on Lehnsherr's lap like a worm on a hook, but he achieves nothing except further exhaustion for himself. Apart from the fact that Lehnsherr is bigger than him he also has the kind of muscles you built up with hard manual labor every day – sitting in his study and reading books hasn't done Charles any favours in that respect.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the switch breaks and Charles sighs in relief – until Lehnsherr picks up the next of the switches he brought with him. The thought that the Alpha would just go on while his behind already is on fire is just too awful to behold. Charles finally breaks down.

"Please..." he chokes out between sobs, "please stop!"

"Are you ready to apologize?" Lehnsherr asks firmly.

Charles bristles momentarily (he wasn't the one to rudely awake and assault his mate at this ungodly hour, after all!) but the Alpha taps the new switch warningly against his bottom and Charles nods frantically. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"And will you obey your Alpha from now on?"

"I will! Please, no more..."

He sniffs pitifully, feeling pathetic and completely wrung out. He just wishes Lehnsherr would free his hands so he could wipe his face.

"All right," the Alpha says, sounding much less stern now, and helps Charles stand up. Charles' hands fly back at once to rub his abused backside and fresh tears stream down his face. He feels like a thoroughly chastised little boy and his cheeks and even the tips of his ears burn in shame.

Lehnsherr stands as well and gently lifts Charles' chin with a finger. "Look at me," he says calmly.

Charles lifts his eyes slowly (he isn't really that keen on seeing Lehnsherr's impressive scowl directed at him) and is surprised when the Alpha looks almost sympathetic.

"I don't want to repeat this ordeal anytime soon. I'm sure you agree. Just watch your tone and do as you're told, then we'll be fine."

Charles nods miserably and is taken completely off guard when Lehnsherr pulls him into a hug. He stands stiff at first, but relaxes after a few moments, burying his face into the taller man's shoulder, drinking in the comfort from his mate. Lehnsherr hums approvingly and runs soothing hands up and down his back. Tentatively Charles brings his own arms to settle around Lehnsherr's waist and is rewarded with a squeeze.

It feels strange to be comforted by the man who has been hurting him mere minutes ago but also weirdly right. (Having never faced corporal punishment before Charles isn't quite sure of the protocol in these situations.)

Charles will take any moment of tenderness he can get, though, before the stern and demanding Alpha reappears.

Apparently Lehnsherr doesn't seem to be in a hurry, holding Charles until the last of his sniffles have evened out into normal breaths and his tears dried up. Then he gives him one last squeeze before he unwraps his arms from around Charles.

"You'd better wash up and get dressed, and then I need you to fetch fresh water or we won't be having any tea for breakfast."

This gets Charles going at top speed because a morning without tea would be just unimaginable.

Thanks for reading, comments and suggestions are always welcome.