Chapter 230
(Cole’s POV)
I do the only thing I can as she breaks down in tears. She doesn’t have to tell me what’s happened to her. Just knowing that she was at my pack tells me everything and it has my wolf howling.
“Lay against me, Jessa.” I speak softly as I caress her face.
I put no force into my touch as I patiently wait for her to get comfortable with me. She finally lays her head on my shoulder allowing me to wrap my one arm around her pulling her closer to me. I lean my cheek against her head contemplating if I should follow through with what my wolf tells me he needs from me.
“Yesterday when you started off very boldly, inviting me back to your apartment, I agreed because your wolf was at the front. As nervous as I was when you kissed me, sat on me, laid with me, I knew it was because your wolf was attracted to mine. She wants me to claim you as much as my own wants to be claimed.”
“How do you know that when we can’t link?”
She whispers as I pet her hair, slowly moving it off her shoulder exposing her neck making it easier to scent her.
“Our wolves are connected. They have been from the start. They refused to wait for us to make an official decision. Which is why I need you to allow him to scent you like he did Madilyn.”
I can feel her tense and even though I know she could easily get up from my hold I tighten it in the hopes that she’ll submit instead. A small whimper escapes but she doesn’t move from my hold.
“Just like the pups I will not force this but I can not allow you to consent to the claiming until he verifies that you can handle it.”
“Handle it?” Dr. Pierce questions from a position that I can’t see.
“Dr. Pierce, could you come sit closer, I don’t want to talk loudly about this plus my own voice hurts my head.”
I’m choosing to spend a lot of this conversation with my eyes closed as the raging migraine isn’t making it easy to do anything. I listen to her footsteps as she closes in and sits close by.
“I’m assuming that Jessa told all of you what I told her about the pups.” I start quietly.
“Don’t say anything yet.”
Alpha surprises me when I hear him walk away. It’s only when he returns that he speaks again.
“Anytime Cole is willing to speak about his involvement with the pups of his pack the conversation is to take place in a soundproof room with a closed door.”
I can’t help but open my eyes and stare curiously as Dr. Richards and Dr. Pierce nod their heads in agreement.
“Yes. Jessa told us everything about her hour or two alone with you. She was quite distraught about how she reacted.”
“I know you were. I could hear it in your voice, feel it through the bond but your wolf wasn’t there to give you the confidence you needed to hear what I needed to say. Unfortunately I knew if I continued to delay it I would never be able to confess it to you.”
I duck my head down near her ear. She nods her head and I can feel that she’s finally started to relax in my hold.
“Not every pup has enough of their wolf present to handle being marked.”
“I don’t understand. Every pup has their wolf at birth, at least the majority of those in the upper ranks.”
“Yes, alpha that is true but it’s just like your daughters could only link with you once they were within two or three miles of you.” I politely remind him. “Parents can link with the pup at any point but the pup must learn to use it, to learn how to tap into their inner wolf. It’s only as they grow older that their wolf gains strength and it’s that strength that gives them their special abilities.”
“I’m sorry. As a doctor I should have thought of that. The strength of the wolf determines how well you heal from something as traumatic as being marked.” I nod lightly as I duck my head down near Jessa again.
“Are you okay? You’re shaking. Can you tell me what’s scaring you right now?”
“I’m sorry. For some reason I feel that this scenting you're talking about is also going to be a marking. As much as I want it I’m also afraid of it.”
“I’m not marking you, not today but by allowing my wolf to scent you it will tell me if I can mark you before I leave. If you can handle it, I promise I’ll do with you what I do with the pups to lower the pain you feel and you will be marking me too.”
I can feel her amping herself up again, it seems I have waited too long as she’s more afraid now than she was.
“Jessa, I was really hoping that I could do this while you were relaxed but it seems that moment has already passed. Everyone I’ve done this to was nervous except Madilyn, she slept through it.”
“She slept?” Jessa sounds amazed that such a thing is possible.
“I’m not going to hurt you but it is important that you submit and stay still. My fangs will touch your skin and if you move suddenly I won’t be able to keep them from cutting you.”
I wait as I feel her take several deep breaths. It seems telling her that Madilyn slept through it has eased some of the anxiety she’s getting from the unknown.
I take my own deep breath as I lay my cheek on hers, gently encouraging her to expose her neck. It’s as I concentrate on her scent that I shift. I know she can feel the changes in my face as a soft whimper escapes her and she grabs the side of the gown.
“Everything is okay, Jessa. Try to relax.”
Alpha tries to soothe her. I wait for his attempt at physical comfort as I feel she’ll react much the same as myself. A sudden jerk and a whine tells me he tried to hold her hand showing me exactly what he meant when he confessed that he hasn’t spent the time with her that he normally does with abused transfers.
“Alpha, I think it would be best if you don’t try to comfort her until I’m done. I really don’t want to hurt her in any way.” I explain gently.
“Sorry. I didn’t think her anxiety was that high.”
She squirms in my hold as I lower my face towards her neck.
“Be still baby.”
I whisper as I open my mouth and place my canines in the crook between her neck and shoulder. She stiffens as she feels my teeth on her skin, small whimpers escape telling me of her discomfort. I take several slow, deep breaths with my mouth until he tells me that he has the scent he needs. I back off slowly as I feel her shaking again laying my cheek against hers again.
“Try to relax baby, that’s all he needed.” I whisper as I return to fully human.
“I’m sorry.” Is the only response she can express as she breaks down crying.
“It’s not something you can control Jessa.” I whisper, trying to console her knowing she already knows the answer to the question I was seeking.
“Are you okay?”
Alpha asks, uncertainty lacing his voice. I take several deep breaths, trying to gain control of my own emotions before speaking.
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