Chapter 193
(Demetri’s POV)
“Everything okay, Jessa?”
I’m calm yet concerned when I see his mate hurry to the fridge. She shakes her head as she talks.
“He’s in some sort of panic attack. Do you know any reason why?”
She sits down in the chair Cole just left beside me.
“I have a few ideas what may be causing it but it’s important for him to voice what’s going on. I’ll link with Julie and come to his room in a few.”
“Thank you.” She whispers as she hurries from the room.
“What do you think that’s about?” Lilly asks me gently.
“Several things. My biggest concern is that talking to me while hacking my Big Brother program may have triggered some intense feelings of hopelessness.”
“Why would that cause a panic attack?” Damian asks quietly.
“Talking in detail about his involvement with the girl pups of his pack combined with the reason he can’t leave his pack are more likely the triggers than the feelings of hopelessness. In the past I have found that speaking what’s going on out loud tends to make the truth of the situation more real than when it’s simply stuck in your head. But, that’s simply my best guess. He got really nervous when I asked about his knowledge of the Big Brother program as well as when I mentioned starting to test some of his warrior skills. Those items could be playing a part as well. That’s why I’m going to take a moment to link with Julie and introduce her to Cole.”
I explain as I activate my link with her.
‘I’m sorry to bother you at such an hour but are you busy?’
It only takes a moment for her to respond.
‘Not at all. We just finished dinner and the kids are starting their baths. What’s going on?’
‘I’ve only mentioned him in passing but I think it’s time I introduced you to Cole. He’s having a bit of a difficult evening and I’d like your input as to different ways we can start helping him through his panic attacks instead of knocking him out with sedatives.’
‘We both know that sedatives during a panic attack play an important part in calming everything down.’
‘Yes, that’s true but medically speaking we also know that sedatives are metabolized differently for each rank and Cole has already shown us that his weakened state causes a delayed reaction which causes him to go into a much deeper sleep and for a longer period of time. While I’m certain his mate, Jessa, will convince him to take a half mil of Ativan, depending on which way he’s reacting, I’d like to attempt to give him an outlet.’
‘I see. Where are you now?’
‘Dinner with the family.’
‘I’ll come sit at the table with you in five and we can head to his room when you’re ready.’
‘Thank you Julie.’
‘Any time. I’ll see you soon.’
I come out of the link and rejoin listening to the family conversation while waiting for Julie to come out.
“So what’s wrong with the pervert now?” Lucas asks callously. “Hasn’t been able to get his hands on Madilyn recently?”
The entire table goes silent with his comment. I can easily see the confusion in Madilyn’s eyes as she looks at Lucas.
“I miss Cole.” She states sadly.
“I told you to stay away from him.” Lucas snaps, bringing tears to her eyes.
“Can we go see him, daddy?” She looks hopefully towards me.
“Tomorrow would be a better day.”
“Why is Cole upset?”
She repeats the same question everyone has asked as my best guess hasn’t given anyone any answers.
“That’s what I’m going to help your dad find out.”
I smile as Julie tucks Madilyn’s stray hair behind her ear before sitting in the seat beside me.
“You know Cole too?” She asks.
“Your dad has shared some things about him with me and I have given him some ideas based on what he knows but I’ve never met Cole.”
Madilyn smiles at the thought of Julie getting to meet him.
“He’s really nice. I think you will like him.” She states sweetly.
“He’s really fun too. He made me fly.” Madisyn adds in with a giggle.
“What the hell is wrong with you dad? After Dallas told you who he is, how could you let them meet him, let alone give him permission this evening to touch and talk to them!”
Lucas’s explosion has wiped the smile off Madisyn’s face and has even caused Madilyn to cower back into her chair.
“And what exactly is your impression of who Cole is?”
Julie asks patiently the question he has refused to answer for the last four weeks he’s been seeing her.
“He’s a predator that’s preying on women and children!”
He repeats the statement that all of us have heard before.
“Lucas, ignoring what Dallas said about Cole, what has Cole said or done in the last ten weeks that make you believe he’s a predator?”
She asks another question she’s been asking him for weeks.
I’ve read all of Julie’s notes on her sessions with Lucas. Although this does breach the normal therapist to patients confidentiality, it’s because he has already injured Cole twice that she is willing to allow it in an effort for both of us to understand his thinking. I’m also under strict orders not to punish or directly ask him anything that would allow him to think that she’s supplying me her notes on their sessions.
“Just because he’s not acting like a predator out in the open doesn’t mean he isn’t one.”
We get the same answer as before as he quickly stands from his chair, knocking it over in the process. Madilyn whimpers in fear as Madisyn growls at her brother. He quickly picks his chair up, placing it under the table as he gathers his dishes and takes them to the kitchen. After a minute of scraping and rinsing he emerges from the kitchen and walks quickly to the stairs.
“If you seek Cole out to harm him your hind parts will have hell to pay.”
I speak clearly and loudly as I hear his shoes come to a squeaky stop. It only takes a moment for me to hear movement again, only this time it’s traveling up the stairs. I drop my head into my hands with a sigh.
“What am I going to do with him?”
Julie remains silent as she rubs my arm.
“As we have already spoken of, the only thing we can do is keep going. Eventually he’s going to slip and tell me what’s really beneath this deep seated hatred towards Cole.”
Julie’s voice is sympathetic towards my frustration as I stand from the table. I move to the chair beside hers and slowly move it out enough to reach down and lift Madilyn from her seat. She whimpers briefly before the heat of my body and the scent from my neck hit her, comforting her immediately as she wraps her arms tightly around me. She’s completely silent yet her tight hold and her face buried into my neck tell me of the stress she’s feeling.
I sit back in my own seat, keeping her in my lap as I slip one hand onto her back while the other goes beneath her shirt searching for any knots that may have formed like the last time Cole was panicking.
“I don’t hurt, daddy. I'm just sad.” She whispers against my neck.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t understand why your brother feels the way he does.” I sway her gently in my arms.
“Do you think he’s dangerous in any way?” Julie asks honestly.
“Towards the pups, no. He would never hurt them. At least not the youngest ones.”
“But older ones like Lucas?” She implores softly.
“Lucas attacked him. I fault no one for defending themselves.”
“What did you see before Lucas attacked?”
“He wanted to flee. He only defended himself when there was no alternative and his mental health paid a heavy price when he did.”
She nods silently as I hold Madilyn a little longer before returning her to her seat to eat.
“Patrick, I’d appreciate it if you could hang out for a little while after you’re finished eating. Depending on what he needs I may need your help.”
“Absolutely.” He gives me a single nod as I walk by.
“Thank you.” I place my hand on his shoulder before turning towards Julie.
“Although I don’t think he’s moved everything out of the medical room upstairs I do know that he’s in the guest room I’m giving him until he leaves in July. I’m hoping that it will make him more comfortable with being here.”
She nods with a smile as she follows me to his room, a short walk down the hall behind the stairs. A frustrated growl causes me to quicken my pace as I turn into the open door of his room.
Cole is actively pacing the room, highly agitated with brief displays of muted aggression. His agitated state has affected Jessa heavily as she slowly backs away into the doorway I’m standing in. I underestimate the level of fear she is experiencing as she bumps into me.
Her shrill yelp and sudden fight catch me by surprise as I wrap my arms around her. She’s pushing against me with everything she has trying to get out of my hold.
While I’ll admit that I haven’t spent nearly enough time with her, earning her trust as I’ve done the other abused wolves I’ve brought in, I’ve never hurt her. I’ve never so much as raised my voice as I know, without her telling me how empaths are commonly treated. I’ve always been patient, gentle and kind with her. I tighten my hold as I finally speak.
“It’s okay Jess. It’s just me.”
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