Hurts So Good

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Verity was a tall woman with steel gray hair and a gentle, but efficient touch. She quickly proceeded with the usual exam, and after fifteen minutes, she said I could put my shirt back on and packed her bag. When she opened the door to the office—where the alpha had led us for some privacy—Trey strode in.

“Well?” he asked.

Verity shot him a look, and I gasped, surprised that she would dare to subject her alpha to such disrespect. I waited for the explosion, the verbal and physical reprimand, but Trey just rolled his eyes and waved her off.

“I need to discuss things with my patient, not you,” she said, a snap to her voice. Trey huffed, but didn’t move.

“It’s okay,” I murmured. “He can stay.”

Verity’s eyes narrowed as she studied me. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, touched that she would care about my feelings over the alpha’s. It was odd, to be sure, but I was glad for it.

“Physically, you’re well.” She squinted again. “A little undernourished, but not to any worrying degree. You need to eat more.”

I didn’t say anything. How could I explain the rationing my father had insisted on, sure that was a way to toughen me up? If I couldn’t fight to get enough food, then I didn’t deserve it.

“But he’s not sick? Nothing contagious?”

It was only then that I realized how foolish it had been to come to an unknown pack. Even though the clan healer had said I was physically fine, what if I’d had some undetectable disease and I’d brought it into the pack? Shame rushed through me, followed by dread.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think before—”

“Stop,” Trey cut me off. “You have nothing to apologize for. Do you understand?”

I nodded quickly, even though he was wrong. I had plenty to apologize for.

“Yes, he’s healthy. Physically.” Verity stressed the word, then gave me her attention. “So there must be something else keeping you from your shift. It’ll take time, but we’ll figure it out.”

“I…what?” I didn’t understand.

“Verity, if you’re done, I’d like to speak with Asher alone.”

“Of course, Alpha.” She picked up her bag. “It was good to meet you, Asher. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Then she sailed out of the room in a graceful stride. I watched her go, my confusion growing. What was going on? If it wasn’t physical, then it must be mental. And that proved my weakness without a doubt. Why wasn’t Trey casting me out of his pack and off his lands?

Suddenly, Trey filled my vision and my heart started pounding. He was a beautiful man. High cut cheekbones accentuated his features, and his eyes shifted between golden brown and wolf yellow. His power called to me, and not just his alpha presence. His shoulders were wide, his arms muscular, and I had the insane urge to throw myself at him just so he could hold me tightly.

He sat beside me on the low couch, and as though I was one of his, he cupped the back of my neck. His hand was warm and strong, and it settled something inside me. Allowed me to breathe easier than I had since I’d realized my bear was missing.

“What do you need?” The words came out with the hint of a growl. I shivered, and not from fear.

“I…don’t…what?”

Trey swept his thumb up and down my neck, just once, then tightened his hold enough so I could really feel it. I went boneless and pliant under his touch. It felt so damn good.

“Tell me something,” he said, and I nodded even though it was a command, not a question. “Why did you come here?”

I licked my lips and chanced a peek at him out of the corner of my eye. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you showed up, unannounced, on my lands, asking for help. Why?”

Gods, this was hard. I knew what I needed to say, but it was too difficult to get out the words. Instead, I gave him only part of the truth. My voice was steady even if it came out barely more than a whisper. “My clan shunned me. When I lost the ability to shift, then the healer—” I shook my head. “They turned their backs on me and cast me out.”

Again with the growl, but this time, Trey cut himself off mid sound. “Okay. That’s abominable behavior. I’m sorry you had to experience that. But why come here?”

He wasn’t going to let it go. I knew he wouldn’t. But I’d been hoping. “Two years ago, when I went with my father to visit alphas in the region…” I stopped because of course he remembered. I jerked upright, and stared at him with wide eyes. “My father was horrible to you. The way he treated you, the way he spoke to you. Gods, I’m so sorry—”

“Don’t,” Trey snapped, his eyes blazing yellow for a second before settling back to the warm amber. He tightened his grip and gave me the barest shake. “Don’t you dare apologize for someone else. Especially not him.”

I gulped and nodded. An odd fluttering in my stomach had me pressing a hand to my abdomen. I didn’t want to examine the feelings, but that little voice in the back of my brain assured me I was reacting to his kindness. His protectiveness directed at me, a stranger, made my blood sing.

“Good.” That hint of praise ratcheted up my butterflies, and I fought to keep a smile off my face. Trey’s grip loosened slightly, and he made a gesture. “Go on.”

“Just…when I was here before, I don’t know. I felt…” I couldn’t go on. I couldn’t admit what I felt in regards to him. Our meeting had been an hour at most. My father’s sneering, snide comments had cut the meeting short, and because of it, all the proper protocol that should have been observed—sharing a meal together and enjoying a shifted run—had never happened. I shouldn’t have felt the things I had, not after such a short meeting. And especially not for another alpha.

“Tell me.” Trey’s voice went deep, and I felt it in my soul. “Tell me, Asher. And remember, I’ll know if you’re lying.”

I gasped, and thought about pulling out of his hold. As though he knew what I was thinking, his grip tightened again. But rather than make me feel confined, restricted, or even in danger, I felt a sense of peace wash through me. It was wrong. What I felt was wrong. But it couldn’t be denied.

“Take a breath,” he said, his tone full of calm. I did, breathing in slowly and letting it out. “And tell me.”

“I felt something when I was here. Being in your presence. I felt—” The words stuttered out, then I just let them go because I needed to. I’d been fighting it so damn long, and I was so damn tired of it. “The things I want…I shouldn’t want them. It’s not right. But I do. I want them. And you could give them to me. I felt it that day and I’ve been thinking about it since. And gods, it’s so wrong but I know you could give them to me.”

A beat of silence, and when Trey spoke, it was a rumble of sound. “What things?”

“You know.” It was all I could say.

“Maybe I do.” That rumble became gentler, understanding. But no less powerful. “But you need to say it.”

“I want to submit,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

“Want?”

“Need,” I whimpered, because gods, yes. I needed it. It was more than just want. And it didn’t matter how wrong it was, I needed it.

“Good boy.”

Two words. That’s all they were. And not even particularly important ones at that. But they filled me, that little bit of praise, and I sagged. Trey’s hold on my neck was the only thing that kept me from crumbling into a heap.

He touched my cheek with his free hand, and brought my face around to his. I squeezed my eyes closed, not able to look at him, despite the warmth his praise had given me. Trey wasn’t having that, though. He gave me a little shake, and I snapped my eyes open. What I saw nearly undid me. The warmth in his gaze, but also the heat. But most of all, it was the pride.

“It takes the strongest person to admit what they need. Especially when it comes to this. I’m so proud of you for saying it, for coming here where you knew I would help you. I’m proud of you, cub.”

I lost it. I’d never been prone to hysterics—because I couldn’t allow that much emotion to show through—but his words broke me. Then Trey did the most amazing thing. Instead of turning away, instead of kicking me out, he gathered me in those strong arms and held me tightly while I cried.