<b>Chapter </b><b>280 </b>


    “He’s afraid of being in the hospital and if his pain and his infection have gotten worse then that’s where he needs to be until we get both under exhtml?


    I kiss the top of Madilyn’s head as 1 step away from the table.


    ll be back down in a few minutes. Hopefully before Jessa gets here but I’m not certain what I’m going to find so…..”


    1 trail off as I head to the stairs, uncertain as to what kind of basket case I’m going to find Cole in.


    I knock on the door softly before easing it slowly open. As I anticipated, he’s sittingpletely nude on the edge of his bed.


    I approach him slowly from behind, watching the tremors in his hand get worse as I get closer.


    “I’m sorry to ask this when you’re in this state of mind but has any alpha outside your pack implemented physical punishment on you?”


    “Y–ye–yes.” He stammers through before clearing his throat and trying again. “Yes, sir.”


    “Do you remember why?”


    He swallows hard. It seems he’s having a hard time admitting to what he’s done wrong.


    “Defiance.”


    He sighs hard as he winces, whimpering softly as he stands. He turns to face me. Red, brown, ck and blue marks litter his light peach skin. He moves slowly as he struggles toy upon the bed.


    “No, Cole. I need you to stand.”


    I know he misunderstands when I see the shear terror in his eyes. He shakes his head as he struggles to control his breathing.


    “I can’t sir.” He states breathlessly. “Please, I can’t handle it standing up.”


    His fear and desperation is easily heard in his voice. His hand shakes as he grasps the post at the end of the bed. His eyes are closed, unable to <b>see </b>me approach with clothing draped over my arm.


    “Cole.”


    I speak gently as I don’t want his fear to get any deeper than it already is.


    “I’m not going to punish you. I am very concerned about you. You have told me all day that you’re doing fine but it’s obvious that you’re in a great deal of pain.”


    He shakes his head slowly as he struggles to speak.


    “I’m fine, alpha. I just need time.”


    “Don’t lie to me Cole.”


    His eyes shoot open making contact with my own.


    “I can’t help you if you lie to me. I know you don’t want to be in the wing but with silver in your blood, that’s the best ce for you to be right now. Let me help you get some clothes on. I’ve got my nurse practitioner, who’s also a natural healer,ing to take a look. We need toe up with a n for helping you. Stay where you are. I’m going toe to you.”


    I make my way slowly to the desk in the room. I grab the chair and push it towards Cole. I can tell he wants to run. I’m not certain what’s stopping him from doing so. I touch his hand gently. His unexpected yelp is unnerving as I quickly wrap my arms around him, causing even more agonizing yelps as <b>I </b>keep him from falling. I steady both of us against the bed as his yelps quiet into persistent whimpers.


    <b>“</b>I’m <b>sorry</b>.”


    I speak quietly as heys his head on my shoulder. I can feel his hands balled into fists around my shirt. His breathing is tight but controlled, estify conveying the intensity of pain that he just felt.


    “I’m sorry Cole. I know it creates a lot of anxiety for you but I’m putting you back in the medical wing until we figure out how bad the silver situation is and if we need to get Crimson General involved. I’m going to help you get some clothes on once your pain dies down enough for you to move again


    He doesn’t protest my n. It seems he realizes the shape he’s in. He slowly releases my shirt and starts moving his hand back towards the bed. I stay stilt until he lets go and steps away on his own. I look at him briefly before sitting in the chair I pulled over.


    It’s been a long time since I’ve worked with a wolf so broken. His head and eyes are still trained towards the ground, rarely has he looked into my eyes on his own. What few times he has, his eyes were filled with the fear of being caught in doing something wrong. Just like a moment ago when I called him out on his lie. He looked at me, into my eyes searching for the anger, the malice thates with the punishment he’s used to receiving. The harsh punishment <b>I </b>know he expects from me as well. I will not pretend to understand why he’s desperate to hide his pain. All I know right now is that he’s failing miserably to do so.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>


    Stephanie Godin Duval


    I believe Jessa is his mate


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