He remains silent as he tucks his head deep into my neck, his body rattles hard as his ability to maintain hisposure disappears.


    “I know you’re terrified, Cole. You have every right to be. Your faith is fleeting and your ability to trust is even less which makes this a whole lot harder <b>but </b>I promise you, we are going to do everything we can to help you.”


    I whisper as I gentlyy my head upon his, holding him as Lilly pets the top of his head.


    “Keep your movements slow and gentle, Patrick. I know it’s been a while since you helped us with Ciara.”


    “Honestly Dr. Pierce. I don’t think I’ve worked with a prospect as physically injured as Coleing in. Ciara was rough but that was more mental than physical. Despite being the alpha’s daughter, all he managed to do was make her mean. That’s why I took the lead over Demetri. He saw that she desperately needed help just like Cole does but she was also theplete opposite.”


    I feel Patrick attempting to pull Cole’s leg away from his abdomen but it’s obvious that Cole is resisting. Cole finally pulls his leg from Patrick’s grip. bringing it back to where it started.


    “Cole, I need you to stretch out. The lidocaine wash is going to slightly numb the surface so getting the salve on your leg is easier this time.” Ang tries to exin gently.


    “Alpha please. He’s just like Lucas. He hates me.”


    He squeezes my shirt even harder, his fists shaking from the tension.


    “I don’t hate you, Cole. I’m sorry that my biases across that way but I promise, I’m nothing like Lucas.”


    There’s a note of sadness and shamecing Patrick’s voice as a new set of footsteps enters the room followed by the distinct scent of <b>Parker</b>.


    “I found the socks, dad, but I couldn’t find anything that would stay on his shins without being tight.”


    “Thank you Parker. Did you speak to Dominic?”


    “Yes, he’s headed up. He wanted to bring Dasha since she knows a little about what’s going on but I managed to convince her not to.”


    “Thank you, again. I don’t think this room could handle much more and it’s important that he, you and Damian are all on the same page as to the changes getting ready to happen with Cole.”


    “What’s getting ready to happen with Cole?”


    “Take a seat with Damian. I don’t think Cole fares well with a crowd.”


    “You’ve changed towards him.”


    “While it will take me some time for me to trust him and even longer for him to trust me, yes. Even though the direction Lucas took isn’t one any of us wanted or encouraged, it did allow me to see a side of Cole I didn’t expect and it has forced me to reconsider my decision.”


    The sound of Parker’s footsteps let me know that he’s gone to sit with Damian.


    “While it’s important for Dr. Pierce to get you wrapped up, I think giving you some information about me will help. While this is a <b>very </b>simple act of kindness, for Ansley and Ciara, it was the little things that meant the most to them. While I talk, I’m going to get you used to my touch so I can change these worn out socks of yours. You’re freezing to the touch and these socks are so worn that they can barely be consid should help maintain your body heat.” <ol><li>ks<b>. </b>Getting your feet warm </li></ol>


    His exnation hits hard as I realize I saw the same thing before dinner. The knit fabric of his socks has been rubbed so thin that the bottoms are see through. A hard whine with only a slight movement of his leg alerts me to Pat’s attempt to even touch Cole. Something he was hard against just two nights ago.


    “It’s okay Cole.” I whisper. “Pat is as genuine as me. We may butt heads with opposing opinions a lot but that’s why we work so well together. He’s not going to tell you he wants to help just so he can hurt you.”