<b>Chapter </b><b>169 </b>


    (Demetri’s POV)


    stability and right now it’s telling me he has none.


    I don’t like what I’m seeing. These extreme shifts between being


    <b>in </b>


    control and anxiety attacks are a major concern as they tell me a story about <b>his </b>mental


    <b>‘</b>Madilyn can you hear daddy?‘


    <b>‘</b><b>Yes </b>sir. What’s wrong with Cole?‘


    ‘He’s been treated very bad for a long time and that makes it easy for him to get very scared, very quickly. Are you feeling better<b>?</b>‘


    ‘Yes daddy, they’re all gone. My belly doesn’t hurt no more.”


    ‘Good. Do you think you can help Cole<b>?</b><b>‘ </b>


    ‘How can I help him?‘


    ‘Get him talking with you again. He did really well when he concentrated on you.‘


    ‘What do we talk about?‘


    J


    ‘Anything sweetie. You asked him a question about the young girls he helps. He never answered it. See if he’ll talk about that.‘


    She goes quiet but I keep the link open just in case she needs more <b>of </b>a reminder of what she asked. Fortunately<b>, </b>she doesn’t disappoint<b>. </b>


    She carefully starts moving around, trying to get out of his grip. He lets her go but I can tell that it hurts him to do <b>so</b><b>. </b>I watch his mouth move but <b>no </b>soundes out. His eyes are closed tightly and one hand is gripping the mattress tightly. I touch his hand lightly. He makes <b>a </b><b>sound </b>but strangles it back<b>. </b>Madilyn finallyys back down. Her head is on the pillow but she’s facing him this time. She reaches over and touches his face. His rapid breathing hitches as he feels her delicate fingers on his cheek.


    “Breathe Cole.”


    Lilly tries to soothe, gently running her finger across his shoulders.


    “Why are you fraid?” Madilyn finally whispers.


    “I deserve to be punished.”


    He finally whispers after a long pause. I can almost feel the shock ripple through the room. I meet Ang’s eyes as she puts the syringe <b>back </b>on the table her tools are sitting on. She looks confused and disheartened as I look at Lilly <b>next</b>. The look of heartbreak showing on her <b>face</b><b>. </b>


    “Why do you think that?”


    I interject before Madilyn can <b>ask</b><b>. </b>


    “I’m not supposed to interact with the pups. Every pack has had an issue with it, not just my own. As soon as Das <b>opens </b>his mouth I’m punished for getting near them.”


    He lets go of the mattress, lifting his hand towards his head. <b>I </b>stand from my seat, slipping my hand into his before he can <b>get </b><b>there</b>.


    “I wasn’t going to hurt myself alpha. Please believe me<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    He whispers<b>, </b>in pain and frustration.


    <b>“</b>Ang has started the internal stitches<b>. </b>You need to <b>keep </b>your hands <b>away </b>until she’s done.<b>” </b>


    <b>I </b>exin gently as <b>I </b><b>rub </b>his hand.


    “What’s going on? You were doing great and now it’s like you feel guilty about what you’ve done. I gave you Madilyn because you said you could help. And


    you did.”


    “I am guilty alpha.”


    “Of what? You helped her.”


    “You don’t understand alpha.” His voice is straining under the pressure of trying to hold back.


    “Please. Help me to understand, Cole.”


    “I want her, alpha<b>.</b>”


    I’m taken aback by his confession and I can feel a spike in Lilly’s anxiety through the bond.


    ‘Do not snatch her off the bed. Walk around normally.‘


    I try to calm her through the link so she’s not further upsetting Cole.


    “Madilyn, how about you go with your mom to use the bathroom and get ready for bed again.”


    My voice is calm and gentle, brushing her hair from her face as I hold Cole’s hand. His grip is strong but he’s metering his strength so as not to cause me difort. Once Lilly has taken Madilyn from the room I try to understand his panic, his absolute fear.


    “Cole, I need help to understand. You said that you want her. Who and in what way?”


    “Your daughter, alpha. She’s sweet and innocent.”


    I bite down on my tongue not wanting to react to what he’s said hoping that he’s not finished.


    “I know how it sounds. There’s only one way for it to sound, considering what Das has said about me but that’s not what I want, I need from her.”


    “Need, Cole?”


    I ask as delicately as I can knowing this young man is quickly spiraling out of control. I move from my seat to the bed, maintaining my hold <b>on </b>his hand as he tries to pull away.


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