Friday, October 18th Pt. 7
She yelps even harder when I complete the shot. Despite her nod to my instructions her will is as weak as her fight. Again the three of us keep her where I need her and I get the Vicodin into her just seconds after finishing the first. She settles into a persistent whimper as I pop the cold pack and place it on her arm.
“Dev, I’ve stayed quiet to allow this to play out but this has all of us very upset. I need to know what’s going on with Cole’s mate.” I shake my head.
“That’s unacceptable. I command you to explain why you are doing something that is obviously painful before you ever explain to her what’s going on with her.”
He’s understandably angry as he leaves his chair and approaches us. While his aura does little to affect Demetri and I, he’s only about halfway to us when Cole starts to whine. It’s when he’s barely a foot behind me that Jessa wakes up enough to struggle with his presence.
“Please don’t beat me. Don’t rape me. I’ll leave on my own. Just give me a chance.”
Her cries increase as Cole’s refusal to let go creates an intense panic attack.
“Let go. Let me leave.”
She screams as the three of us struggle to keep her in Cole’s lap. I can feel the pain in his back and legs increase at the same rate as her struggle.
“Cassius, I need you to shut down your aura and step away from us.”
“I’m trying to protect her. Never have I ever felt the need to protect a female from you but you’re hurting her and won’t tell me why. Did you hear what she said?”
“Which is exactly why I need you to shut down and back off.”
I state with more authority than I normally dare to use. He shuts down his aura slowly as she continues to scream.
“Please don’t rape me. Let me go.”
“Cassius, do not touch her in this state of mind. You have no idea what ninety percent of empaths go through.”
My command is again very stern as I see his hand reaching out to her.
“I don’t understand. You’re hurting her but she fears me.”
He whispers as he draws back and steps away.
“Demetri, I would like to step away as that first shot was very painful and upsetting. Do you think you can calm her?”
“Yes.” He states simply.
We silently manage to coordinate a switch allowing him to move in front of the chair without loosing his submission touch on her neck. I back into Cassius and use the contact to push him several more steps away but remain close enough to listen to Demetri work.
“Jess, I need you to take deep breaths. I would not have brought you here for help if I believed that leaving you here would result in abuse.” He attempts to explain quietly.
“No! Don’t leave me!”
She screams as she jumps from Cole’s lap to around Demetri’s neck.
“Can you hold her a moment, Alpha. I’m really starting to hurt badly. I need to get up.”
There’s a subtle whine behind Cole’s request. I knew it was only a matter of time before he needed a break.
“Stay.” I tell Cassius before walking away.
“Do you think you can stand while holding her?”
I ask knowing that in a standing position it would be easy for him to carry her weight.
“Yes. I think we need to sit together for a few minutes. I know it’s childish but I haven’t felt this much fear from her since the first time we met.”
“I thought you said you hadn’t worked with her like the others.”
Cassius comments as I assist Demetri in standing up. Her grip is hard on the back of his shirt, her head is tucked deep against his neck.
“No, I haven’t.”
He admits as he turns looking for a place to sit. I guide him easily to the recliner sitting opposite of where Cole was sitting. She’s crying hard by the time he sits down.
“Jessa, my daughter, do you remember what I told you when I discovered your arm and you needed surgery to repair it?”
“You will never abandon me.” She hiccups.
“A true alpha sees all members of his pack, both older and younger than them, as an extension of themselves. It’s the reason I’m so strict when it comes to illegal behavior. Every member is my son or daughter and when they visit another pack they represent me. The flip side to it is when a member is orphaned, it doesn’t matter how old they are when it happens, I take on the parenting role. I will do everything I can to help you, to care for you when you’re sick, protect you when you’re weak.”
I’m relieved to find her settling nicely in her alpha’s lap.
“Relax with my touch, Jessa. There’s nothing sexual about rubbing your back and I’m trying to see if I can figure out why Cole is in so much pain.”
I stop in front of Cassius as my brain registers what he just said.
“Cass, you need to go to Ari. She’s very upset right now. Everything is going as it should but if Jessa agrees to the therapy that will save her things might get chaotic again.”
He nods but struggles to pull himself away from Demetri and Jessa.
“Deven, it doesn’t seem like the Vicodin you gave her is doing much.” Demetri addresses me quietly.
“I’m sorry. I have myself completely open to everyone right now which makes it harder to focus on individuals. At the moment I’m actually trying to scan the room and figure out who needs support. I felt her pain level change when she leapt out of Cole’s lap.”
“What does that mean?” Cassius asks as he escorts Ariana to the couch.
Jessa’s face contorts as she squirms uncomfortably.
“What are you doing to me alpha?”
Her question has a hard whine mixed with fear.
“Try to relax with it. I haven’t attempted to take on pain outside of my mate and kids before but it’s something you need right now.”
I turn quickly, looking at Demetri. He’s taken to speaking directly into her ear as she starts slowing her movements. I watch as he coaches her into a simple deep breathing exercise before he, himself, closes his eyes and goes into a trance. The change between them is nearly instant as she relaxes at the same rate he becomes uncomfortable.
“What is he doing?” Sheila comes up beside me.
“Where are the kids?” I ask as so much has happened I’ve lost track of Clay and Cody.
“Luna Charlotte suggested they stay the night. She didn’t believe that you’re close to being done with Cole’s mate and the kids are getting tired.”
I nod, grateful for the luna’s support. I spot Cole as he approaches Demetri and Jessa.
“Are you feeling better?”
I ask as I had picked up on Demetri’s suspicions but didn’t want to say anything too soon.
“Yes sir. It seems walking around has loosened my back up.” He nods as he turns his attention to his mate.
“Jessa, sweetheart.” He speaks softly as he pushes her hair behind her ear. “You need to drink.” She nods as she opens her eyes.
“I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad. He’s my alpha. The closest thing to a father I’ve had since mine died. Please….”
Her talk is frantic as she tries to explain why she’s in Demetri’s lap letting him rub her back. Two short clicks with his tongue interrupts her babbling.
“There’s no need for that. I need you to drink.”
He runs his thumb across her cheek as he takes her chin into his hand, turning it gently away from Demetri’s chest. He places the uncapped bottle of water against her lips and slowly pours some into her mouth. She’s slow to respond but does manage to bring her hand to the bottle, tipping it so the water moves a bit faster.
“I know he’s your alpha and Buddy is adamant that he’s ours as well. That he’s never hurt either of us and he has abilities to help that we don’t understand. Besides, I’m not the jealous type.”
“Are you sure about that?” I tease playfully as keeping the room calm will work to everyone’s benefit.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
