Monday, May 13th Pt. 16
“Cass?” It’s the first time Colton has addressed him directly.
Cassius pauses his attempts to disrobe Clayton, allowing the young boy to whimper quietly against him.
“The position you need to see his rear while giving him some privacy won’t work out well. Let me help.” He speaks slowly, uncertain about Cassius’s receptivity.
“I’m not taking his underwear off.” He responds to Colton.
“Easy Clayton. I just need to look but I need you to calm down first. It’s okay.”
He picks Clay up, bringing the screaming child to his chest again. It’s a relief for all when he immediately responds. Colton ducks his head against my arm and the ladies are in a state of shock as the damage to the young boy’s body is easily seen. Cassius rocks him gently. Arianna stands and makes her way over to him.
“Cass, let me hold him.”
Her voice is light and patient as Clayton is lowered to the floor. He turns quickly but remains between Cassius’s legs. It appears that his fight or flight response has not yet settled but something about Ari stops him from trying to run.
“Hello. It seems we haven’t had the opportunity to meet. My name is Arianna. I’m Cassius’s mate.” He nods his head slowly but does little else.
“You smell like him. You’re pregnant. Mama was pregnant before the rogues came.”
He breaks down softly as I’m certain the abuse he’s endured has prevented him from grieving his loss.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a very tough time for a little one to go through. I would like to hug you if you’re okay with it.”
He nearly leaps into Ari’s arms, sobbing soft in her hold. Cassius leans forward, placing his hands on the waistband of his underwear.
“No! Don’t spank! I swear I didn’t hurt her!”
He screams as he struggles to get Cass off of him.
“I’m just going to look Clay. I told you there’s no spanking today.”
“So do they! Every time they tell me they want to see the marks then the other one holds me down so the one looking can hit! Please believe me. Lydia climbed to the top. She fell trying to get down. I helped her home where they said she broke her arm. They carried me to their room. One held me with my shirt over my head while the other pulled my shorts and underwear to my ankles. They hit me. So many hits but it wasn’t enough. When one was done they switched. The second round was even worse. Beta Braysen came over as they finished and he grabbed my hair, dragged me to his car, then dragged me inside the pack house.”
Arianna has moved the two of them closer to Cassius making it easier for him to rub between the boy’s shoulders.
“What happens when Braysen punishes you?” He asks gently.
“He ties me to your desk and spanks me with my pants down.”
“Have you ever counted how many hits he gives?”
“No sir, he’ll give me many hits then walk away leaving me tied. Normally he does it twice before letting me go but….”
“Talk to me Clay. What’s the most he’s returned?”
“Beta comes every night and takes me to your office. He tells me that I deserve six times six. I’m not certain what it means but I do know he goes six rounds before letting me go.”
He’s sobbing by the time he’s done.
“Be still Clay. I promise that there’s no spanking. Ari, hold him tight. One hand gentle on his neck, the other across his thighs.” She adjusts her hold so Clayton can’t fight them. I watch as he introduces his touch to the pup’s sides. He squirms and whimpers but Arianna’s hold is firm.
“Alright, Clay. Be still.”
“No!!!!” He bellows. Cassius stops as he starts sobbing again.
“He’s setting himself up for a bad reaction. I’m going to take him from you Ari as soon as I’m done.” She nods as her hold keeps him with her.
I feel bad letting this play out but I also know Cassius would never harm him like his foster parents or the beta has. He screams as Cassius pulls the back of his underwear away from his skin. It only takes a moment to look at the skin of his rear before the cloth is gently placed back. Colton’s grip is painfully strong but I don’t make a sound to discourage it. The protection aura he produced several minutes ago told both of us what we needed to know about his relationship with pups and I can only imagine how difficult this is for him. I pet the back of his head with my free hand. He startles and momentarily stops breathing every time my feathery touch barely touches his neck. It takes nearly a minute to get Clayton’s grip off Luna Arianna. Somehow the boy manages to wait until he’s fully away from her before he starts kicking his bare feet. He’s brought against Cassius’s chest and held as he screams.
“I think it’s best if I find you a new home.” Cassius informs him as he finally quiets.
“No. I don’t want to leave.” He responds not understanding what Cassius is referencing.
“Sheila, if Alpha Cassius is done with his exam I think it would be best if you take Clay.”
She smiles at me gently before standing. Taking Clayton from Cassius proves very easy for Sheila despite his desire to scream.
“What’s going on?” Cassius asks me suspiciously as to my directions to my wife.
“We have already seen the damage that the Novas and Braysen have caused him. We knew that you would not allow him to go back there. I’m sorry but we have already spoken to him about staying here. I believe he’s breaking down again because he thinks you are taking him from us. Despite his trauma, he’s responding very well to us. With consideration to their being no word on relatives in eight months, it’s becoming more likely that he’s pure Hawktail and lost everything to the rogues. As soon as word that imprinting is approved we would like to start.”
“I missed the email when it came on Saturday. You may start as soon as you’re certain you want to adopt. If his wolf is ready to attach then he will immediately respond to your parental aura when he’s upset.”
Cassius explains what we were uncertain about. Sheila cuddles him close as he fights. Suddenly he grabs her tight. His hands become fists, balling the fabric of her shirt into them. He falls completely silent, his head laying upon her shoulder.
“That was unexpected.” I remark as she walks away from Cass. She cradles him close as his hands relax, finding their way to her face.
“What do you need from me to properly support his healing?”
I sigh in relief. I knew making the demands I made were stepping on his toes but the kid needs to feel stable and safe. Colton leans his head against my arm. I know the last hour has been exhausting and I will make certain he gets a well deserved sleep.
“He can’t go to school in his condition.”
I start again after playing with Colton’s hair for a moment. Although I do not fear Cassius I do know when I’m stepping out of line and my demands certainly feel like I’ve taken a giant leap over it.
“I agree. I disagreed with Lauren and David Nova when they wanted him in school immediately upon his arrival.” I nod my head.
“First thing in the morning I need you to call the school. I want a meeting to be convened.”
“With who?”
“The principal, his teacher, the counselor and the social worker. Sheila will need to be here to help Cole and Clay. You can bring whoever. I don’t want to simply call and say we’re pulling him out for the rest of the year. No. I want to know what they saw, experienced, and understood of Clayton during the year. I’m certain it hasn’t been easy for him to deal with the stares that come with being unable to sit. We need to find out if they suspected abuse and if they reported it. We need to know who they reported it to since you had no knowledge before Colton came to his defense. He can’t handle being taken away.”
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