Chapter <b>296 </b>


    1e out of the reading with a gasp. I can’t help but to take several steps back away from alpha and Cole. I’m panting hard and I’m struggling to keep the tears at bay. I heat Damian and Madilyn’s voices down the hall. I know they are not far with the transport chair.


    “Jessa


    Alpha is calling me but for the first time ever, I’m losing it. I have never reacted this way towards a patient. No matter how sick a pup was I have never reacted this badly to what I felt and I know alpha is going to ask questions.


    “jessa.”


    His voice is calm but more demanding this time. I turn and walk a few feet back to the stairs that alpha and Cole are sitting on. Cole appears to be asleep, his legs are on the step resting tight against his abdomen, his arms are wrapped around them and his head is resting on his arms. Alpha is slowly and <b>gently </b>rubbing the back of his head. His whimpers have calmed into a soft but persistent, high pitched whine.


    “What’s going on with you, Jessa? I’ve never seen you this shaken up after a read and you’ve had some fairly nasty onestely.”


    I shake my head as I fight back the tears, turning my back to the alpha trying to hide them as they fall.


    “Jessa, look at me.”


    He speaks soft and patient as if he knows what I’m struggling with. I follow his directive, turning slowly and breathing deeply. I’m cursing myself silently as I look up at him.


    Although Alpha Demetri has never given me any reason to fear him, my past experiences with over a dozen alphas adds to my already distraught mind and looking into his eyes is all it takes for me to crash. I turn away from him again as the tears silently fall. I’m fighting hard to regroup but feeling how bad my mate is currently feeling has unnerved me.


    I feel alpha’s hands on my arms pulling me close to him. I’ve never allowed the alpha such contact with me but it’s toote for me to protest without making a scene.


    “Try to rx with me, this will help.”


    I allow Alpha Demetri the contact I’ve only allowed his son to have with me. I wrap my arms around him in a hug as I feel one of his hands wrap around my waist and the other around my shoulders and against my head. He rubs my head gently, contact that I’ve never felt from a pack leader. There’s something about his touch that isforting and calming in my time of need.


    Iy my head on his chest as I silently cry for my mate. He holds me tight, reminding me of my father’s warm embrace, giving me the minute I desperately need. He lets go easily when he feels me push myself up off him.


    “I think I know what’s going on with this sudden change in you. While I do believe that neither of you are in a position to ept, it is important for me to know if you intend to reject. I’ve already heard his answer when you asked but now it’s time for you to answer as well. I also need to know what’s going on with him. I’d like to record what you say so I can refer back to it, make sure we cover all the needed tests.”


    I nod my head as he dries my tears.


    I step over to Cole and touch his face. He startles badly but apologizes almost as quickly.


    “You need to hang in there Cole. I never thought I’d get a mate but you have proven me wrong. I would like to get to know you though, before I ept or reject the bond. I hope you can understand that. I’ve had a lot of bad encounters with alphas in the past. The few that I’ve worked with here have been the kindest.”


    He opens his eyes, looking at me sideways as I stroke his cheek.


    “I’m sorry I’m not the strong wolf I wanted to be when I met you but I have been looking for you. I want you. No matter how much I don’t deserve you, I do want you. May I touch you?”


    I cock my head to one side. I’ve never been asked such a question by anyone. I’m barely able to nod my head as I whisper a soft yes. He reaches out towards me but his movement is slow and his eyes filled with fear.


    Are you afraid to touch me?”


    I whisper gasping at the thought that a male could be more featful of a rtionship than 1 am. I can see him hesitate before drawing his hand back and cing it over his closed eyes.


    “What’s wrong Cole?”


    I can’t help but feel rejected by his inability to even touch me.


    “I’m sorry Jessa.”


    I can tell by the waver in his voice that he feels just as dejected as I do.


    Chapter Comments