Chapter <b>297 </b>


    <b>“</b>Why Cole? Why are you afraid of me?”


    “The rumors. Soon enough you’ll hear of the rumors and you too will want nothing to do with me. I know you said you wanted to get to know me but….


    His voice trails off and I’mpletely stunned by this turn of events.


    “When you decide to reject, I won’t fight it. You deserve better and if that’s what you choose I will let you.”


    “You think once I get to know you that I won’t want you?”


    I’m sopletely stunned by such an assumption that I can’t help but look to alpha. I know there’s shock and confusion on my face as his eyes soften.


    “He originates from the Red Fang pack. That pack in general has a really bad rap but Cole, unfortunately, has some really bad rumors that tend to follow him to each pack he visits. Those rumors tend to result in him not receiving a fair chance at proving who he <b>is</b><b>.</b>”


    “What kind of rumors could do that?”


    I see him open and close his mouth several times as if he wants to answer but nothinges out. Alpha’s eyes drop briefly as he sighs deeply.


    “Cole has been branded as a sexual predator at his home pack. From what I’ve seen so far of his character and in consideration of the condition that he’se here in, I find it difficult to believe that the rumors are urate.”


    “Damn alpha, I wouldn’t even help me with that description.”


    I barely hear Cole whisper.


    “Is it true?”


    I whisper,pletely taken back by the news.


    “I don’t expect you to believe me but no. The rumors are not true. I protect those who can’t protect themselves. I have never hurt anyone.”


    “Alpha, do you believe him?”


    I’m darting between looking at Cole and looking at Alpha Demetri trying to figure out what’s going on.


    “Yes.”


    I look back to Cole and can’t help but notice how hard he’s fighting the tears. He’spletely given up on life in general, something I’m not ready to exin to alpha, and he’s sick enough right now that if he gives up mentally he will never make it through this deep poisoning of his body. I take a deep breath as time is not on my side and I know I have to tell him something.


    “Alpha, I know he’s only been here a few days and processing everything going on immediately is nearly impossible but what is your stance? You said you believe him over his pack. Does that mean you don’t think he’s dangerous?”


    “I do not believe he’s engaging in anything inappropriate in his home pack. If I did then I would have gotten the council involved in researching the rumors and I would have started making arrangements to remove him from the program and my territory.”


    I’m shocked at Cole’s reaction to alpha’s truthfulness. He has moved his arm so that his hand is now in his hair and he’s squeezing down hard. He’s breathing hard and I feel torn and heartbroken that my mate is in this condition. I don’t know how to deal with him rumored to be a predator even though alpha seems to believe him, even trust him<b>. </b>


    My past is haunting me, as I have been sexually abused by many alphas in the packs that I’ve been to, including Red Fang. Yet as a nurse practitioner I have learned to set aside my personal feelings and concentrate solely on the patient and no amount of unproven rumors will stop me from helping him survive


    this.


    I startle badly, drawing a sharp breath in trying to stifle my own emotions, when Cole yelps repeatedly. Everyone freezes as I hear Madilyn’s tiny voice yelling.


    “Daddy no! Stop hurting him!”


    1 turn my attention back to Cole and see alpha kneeling beside him, his hand on top of Cole’s.


    I’m not hurting him tynnie, he’s scared. For the condition he’s in, he’s beyond scared.”


    I watch as alpha moves his other hand to the back of Cole’s head. The gentleness and care he’s showing towards Cole is quite moving despite my misgivings about these rumors he feels I will reject him for. He closes his hand gently over Cole’s as he touches the back of Cole’s head.


    The simultaneous touch sends Cole into a small frenzy. The amount of fear he’s showing towards alpha is so much more than my own. It’s a powerful reminder of how far I’vee in the three years since I moved here.


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