Chapter 47
“Stay with him Jamie. This is just a bad fear response.”
“He’s shaking alpha.”
“I know. Cole, I’m going to use a pair of scissors to cut through your boxers. Are there any bruises or cuts on the sides of your legs that I should be aware of?”
“No sir”
I can hear the anxiety building in his voice as I try again. I can feel him trying to shift away from me but Jamie’s hold is strong and I can hear him trying to figure out why Cole is so afraid after consenting.
“Were you this nervous when you exposed your secret to dad?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you afraid of anyone finding out?”
They’re both quiet as I move to the opposite side. He yelps again as I get started using my hand to protect his skin from any accidental cuts.
“Are you ready to try and walk?”
I watch as he slowly lifts his head from Jamie’s shoulder. His position tells me he was using Jamie’s scent to help him keep calm.
“What I would like to do is get you to the bathroom, get you seated so you can take care of your needs and when you’re done, take a picture of your front and back while in the bathroom. There’s a rail you can hang onto in there so it’s the safest place for pictures standing up until I do your physical.”
He nods his head slowly but I can see the hesitation and fear.
“I’m not going to hurt you Cole.”
My voice is soft, almost submissive in nature catching his attention. He looks up at me, and for a moment, into my eyes. Despite the dark navy color the fear written into his eyes is heartbreaking. There’s only twice before now that I can recall seeing similarly fearful eyes, my mate when I first brought her home and a little boy that had been abandoned at the human’s children’s hospital.
I reach out to the young man as he turns away from me again. He tenses up badly when I touch his face. I’m struggling to comprehend why exposing such a painful secret is so devastatingly terrifying for him.
“Talk to me Cole. Why is exposing this secret so frightening for you?”
I gently rub my thumb across his cheek as a single silent tear falls.
“It only…. makes it..... worse..... It has never.... helped me.”
“How many packs, that you’ve been a prospect in, have figured out that you’re being abused?”
“I’ve only been to three.”
“Did all three figure it out?”
“Yes sir.”
“I’m sorry Jamie but I’ve got to help him stand.”
He nods his head as he tries to step aside but Cole is resistant to let him go.
“It’s okay Cole. We’re taking everything just a little at a time. I promise you, I won’t make it worse on you.”
I hear Cole whimper softly as I take his hands from around Jamie, freeing the young man from his grasp. He looks at me briefly before ducking his head down. It’s easy to see how terrifying his life must be to have such immense fear and anxiety towards me. I’ve come across plenty of wolves in my time as alpha through the prospect program that have been abused. They all showed a stronger than normal submission response and severe anxiety towards me, which alerted me to their struggles, but none have come even close to Cole.
I spend a moment in front of him running one hand through his hair while the other rests gently on his side providing support. I’m silently hoping that his bathroom needs are not too urgent as it’s taking longer than I wanted to get him up and walking.
“Just like with the chair, I’m going to wrap my arms around you and you do the same to me. You push and I’ll pull to get you up.”
He’s quiet but speaking better than this morning.
“Yes sir.”
I remove the oxygen cannula from under his nose and the pulse oximeter from his finger. I give him a slow count, keeping my voice soft and neutral. We succeed in getting him up but not without several painful yelps.
“Take your time to get used to your legs again. Let me know when you’re ready to move. I want to stay with you in case you fall.”
He nods his head as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other, testing out his balance while his hands are on my shoulders. I relax my hold on him, giving him some freedom to move about. He’s swaying badly, which is a big concern to me regarding his oxygen intake. Surprisingly he starts walking towards the bathroom.
“Jamie, walk with him on the other side please.”
Jamie doesn’t miss a second as he accompanies Cole and l to the bathroom. Despite his initial swaying when he stood up, he made it slowly to the bathroom without issue. I shoo Jamie out as I help Cole get situated, exiting once he’s comfortable. Jamie finds a chair to sit in while I get some soup out of the fridge and start heating it up. I also pull out the special formula we put in the tube so I can warm it slowly.
Timing is perfect as Cole rings the call bell for me to come into the bathroom. I open the door slowly and call his name. He’s still seated with his head hung down and his eyes closed. I can tell by the way he breathes that he’s trying desperately to control his anxiety. “Cole.” I speak gently in an effort to calm him.
“If exposing the rest of the damage your father has done is causing this much anxiety then perhaps it would be best to wait until tomorrow.”
“It won’t be..... any easier to wait.”
I walk over to where he’s seated and crouch down to his level.
“Look at me, Cole.”
I give him a moment to bring his eyes to mine. He’s reluctant but complies with my request.
“This is only going to help you Cole. I’m not going to touch anything this time so the only pain you will feel will only come from your movements and the gown rubbing against your skin.”
He nods his head as he attempts to stand. I place my hand gently on his knee stopping his movements. I wait for his eyes to come back before continuing.
“When you stand I would like you to take a few steps away from the toilet before putting both your hands on the rail. Stand as straight as you can but don’t cause yourself pain in doing it. I will untie the back of your gown. Just let it fall to your wrists. While the rail is supporting you I will take pictures of your back, butt and the backs of your thighs. After that I’ll have you turn so that one hand is on the rail. I’ll take the gown from you and I’ll take the pictures I need of your chest, abdomen, groin and thighs. Are there any other areas that are bruised or cut that I need to document?”
I can tell he’s hesitating which tells me there is.
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