Hurts So Good

Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3

I lost time while I sobbed. When I was finally cried out, I was exhausted and sluggish. Trey whispered things to me the whole time, but I didn’t listen to the words. His soothing tone was the important part, and when I finally could sit up on my own again, he left me on the couch. I missed his warmth immediately, but he wasn’t gone for longer than a few seconds. He returned with a cloth, and he cleaned my face before he helped me to stand and put his arms around me.

Duncan met us in the hall, and he gave that big, warm smile as he laid a hand on my back. “You all right?”

I shrugged because I didn’t have an answer.

Duncan didn’t seem to mind, just rubbed my back and turned his attention to Trey. “I put his bags in the spare room, Alpha.”

“Thank you, Duncan. Will you help Asher upstairs?”

“Of course.”

Trey took my chin and made me look at him. “Duncan is going to help you get settled. I want you to clean up and go to bed. Sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

I nodded and tried not to feel like he was dismissing me. But I was too tired, too wrung out, and when Duncan wrapped his arms around me, I sagged into his soft chest and held on. He hugged me tightly for a moment, then led me up the stairs.

I barely took in the room, other than to notice it was furnished in solid furniture and decorated in warm browns and dark greens. I saw my bags on the floor at the foot of the bed, and I sat on the mattress. Duncan didn’t say a word as he knelt and removed my sneakers and socks.

“Bathroom is right next door, if you want to shower or clean up. There’s fresh towels, tooth brushes, and everything.” He gestured toward the left, so I knew which direction to go. I nodded. He smiled again. “Sleep well. I’ll come get you in the morning, all right?”

I nodded again and whispered, “Thanks.”

Duncan’s smile turned sad. “You don’t have to thank me for being a decent person.”

I didn’t know what to say to that.

Duncan left a moment later, but I remained where I was. It took all my strength and will to get up, pad into the bathroom, empty my bladder, and brush my teeth. When I was finished, I was even more drained. I couldn’t even contemplate a shower, even if my brain told me it would feel good. So I went back to the guest room, pulled off my clothes, and crawled into bed.

The sheets were soft, and the mattress like heaven. I’d thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep. My brain was sluggish, but it wouldn’t stop. I’d admitted to things I’d never really even allowed myself to think, and certainly never said out loud. And now Trey, powerful alpha of the Carver pack, knew exactly how weak I was.

I was too tired to cry any more. I had no tears left. The only thing to do was sleep.