“I’m not abandoning her.” It came out as a snarl. Just as I’d suspected, his words incited my wolf and tore the lid off my carefully contained anger.
He nodded in a professional manner, immediately distancing himself. “Very well. I’ll call your father with the results of her blood work soon.”
He slipped from
the room, leaving me to face my future alone.
Chapter 25
Sophie
I woke beside Dom. He was gently brushing my hair away from my face in a soothing, rhythmic motion.
The first thing I noticed was I wasn’t in as much pain. It amplified what I’d felt prior, making me hyperaware of the extent of my earlier agony.
“Doc gave you some pain meds,” he explained.
My mouth was dry, pasty; a hint of a metallic taste lingered on my palate. I needed some water.
I stretched my arms out prepared to sit up when I saw the bright green
wrap on my arm. “I, uh, guess it’s pretty bad.”
He watched me closely, but didn’t reply. He continued his gentle sweeps. It was
slightly unsettling.
I fidgeted, rubbing over the
thick bandage, feeling every fiber of the plush material. It’s not what I’d expected. I’d expected an ace wrap at best. This was tightly bound in many layers, constricting my arm, almost holding it in place.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?”
I stared up at the ceiling, thinking about his question.
What is wrong with me?
Despite his attention, I was unusually calm. It was an eerie calm that stole over me, like the calm before a storm. Was there a storm coming?
I was processing slower. I realized I
was unusually at ease… because it was a forced calm. Was it? I couldn’t figure out where the drug stopped and Dom began.
Regardless of my drug-induced intoxication, it felt right to be beside Dom. His fingers slid easily through my strands, like a silent lullaby. I wanted to inch closer to him, fit myself to him. Somehow, I knew I would fit perfectly against him, despite my
curvier figure. He felt right. He was far better than living with my dad.
My dad!
That’s the storm.
I frantically searched the room for a clock. Dom was too impassive beside me. He wasn’t rushed or anxious in any way.
“He’s going to come for me, Dom.” I swallowed the fear pushing its way into my chest.
Dom’s sweeping hand halted momentar
ily; the only reaction I got from him. “I’ll protect you, Sophie. I’ll always protect you.”
My stomach
clenched. I sat up, crossing my legs Indian-style. “You don’t understand, Dom.”
He sat up swiftly, meeting my worried gaze. I saw
irritation flare in his eyes. He didn’t hide all the nasty things he wanted to do to my dad. “No, Soph,
you
don’t understand. I’m a future alpha. I’ll be damned if I let some wolf who’s not brave enough to pick on someone his own size influence my life. You’re not running and neither am I.”
I gasped as I recognized his true intentions. My heart took off. “You can’t, Dom. You…
I mean, he’s…” I shook my head, loathing the fuzzy feeling fogging me, hindering me from getting my point across.
“I can. And I will,
Sophie. I will fight for you.”
My lungs ceased to expand. Dread slowed my blood flow, killing my pulse despite my rapid heartbeat. “Please don’t, Dominick. Please don’t do it.”
His hand cradled my face. “Why? Afraid my charm’ll be too much for you?” His dimples appeared as his lips curled up in light humor.
I couldn’t resist a small smile, but I still chastised him. “Stop. You know that’s not it.”
He crossed his arms, teasingly assessing me. “No, you stop. Kris’ mom left clothes for you. Dr. Charles said you need to shower. He only cleaned and treated what he could see. He left some more cream and bandages to reapply when you get out.” He leaned into me and wagged his brows suggestively. “I can help you in the shower if you want. After all, you can’t get your arm wet.”
Somehow he demolished my self-consciousness and made me feel like a dainty cheerleader. It was probably the desire in his eyes. He made sure I saw it. He made sure I knew he wanted me in
every way, not just because Nature said so.
I smiled, suddenly feeling shy
. “I think I can manage.”
“With one hand?” he challenged.
“I’ll call if I need help.”
He grinned wider. “I’ll be waiting.” He winked cheekily.
I slid off the bed. I teetered, grabbing at the bed desperately; I imagined this was what it was like to be drunk. I was disoriented. I didn’t feel like I was standing on solid ground…or maybe it was my body that didn’t want to stand its ground. I tingled, aware yet numb in some ways.
Dom was there somehow, catching me. I didn’t know how he moved so fast.
Concern crinkled his brow before it smoothed. By the time he centered himself in front of me, amusement lit his face. “You sure you can manage?” A single brow was up, taunting.
I studied him. The boy was downright sexy as sin. There was something about him that was charming and alluring. I knew, once I allowed myself, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off of him. I knew I wouldn’t be able to tell him no if he touched me in any deviant way. His words alone made me feel beautiful. I could only imagine how his hands and mouth would make me feel.
“I’m sure.”
He chuckled, his laughter wrapping itself around my heart and warming me through. “Stubborn girl.”
“Somehow, I don’t think you’d want an easy girl.” I didn’t know where those words came from. I wasn’t usually so forward in judging others… Was I judging him? Darn this medicine.
There was something in his eyes, some sort of emotion I couldn’t name. “Hm. Guess we’ll never know.”
We watched each other. Butterflies fluttered about in my belly. I was lost in him. How did I get lost in him so easily? I could stare into him forever. I would gaze into him forever.
He smiled wistfully. “Go shower, Soph. I don’t want you getting an infection. Come
on.” He placed a soft hand on my shoulder. Clutching my good hand in one of his, he guided me into the bathroom attached to his bedroom. “Sit.” He helped me sit on top of the toilet. I could only imagine how I looked right now on top of the commode with a bloodied shirt, messed up hair and a bright green soft cast Bigfoot could see from a mile away in the forest.
He turned on the shower, testing the water several times before he turned back to me.
He shuffled uncertainly for a moment. It was unlike him. He was always confident. “Does your bra hook in the back?”
I averted my gaze. I knew my cheeks were colored. “Um, I can just pull it off over my head.”
He squatted down in front of me, lowering himself once again for me. He dipped a finger beneath my chin and lifted my face. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, okay? I promise not to maul you.” He beamed, his dimples on full display.
I chuckled; surprised to find tears in my eyes. I bit my lower lip as I gazed at him. He did something to me. He unleashed emotions I was unfamiliar with. He gave me hope when I thought I’d lost it. He was slowly wrapping himself around my heart, working his way in. Already I knew his laugh, his charm, his protection, and, already, I knew I was going to miss it. “Thanks, for everything, Dom.” My voice was soft,
yet full of sincerity and heavy with sentiment.
“I’ll always be here for you, Sophie.”
My tears were wavering. I knew if I spoke they would fall, so I nodded my head, acknowledging his declaration, savoring his promise.
He stood, leaned in and
carefully kissed my cheek on his way up. “Call me if anything. I’ll put the bag of clothes on the bed open for you. Just leave your clothes on the counter. I doubt we’ll be able to save them, but knowing Lisa, she’ll try anyways.”
I swallowed hard, regaining a bit of control. “Okay.”
Chapter 26
Dominick
I walked out into the living room and found Swanson and my dad bent over his computer. Lisa and another mother in our pack, Anna, were occupying one of the couches, mid-conversation when I came out.
“How is she?” they all asked at once.
I didn’t feel right airing Soph’s dirty laundry. I didn’t want to taint her standing with the pack coming in. I felt the need to protect her reputation. “Better.”
I brushed past them, avoiding eye contact so they wouldn’t pester me with more questions I would have to carefully word answers for. I went into the kitchen and
grabbed a family size package of sirloin steaks from the fridge. I pulled out a grill pan and got to work. I knew without the blood results that she hadn’t been eating right. Not once had she eaten lunch. She probably wasn’t eating breakfast either. If I had to guess, she was probably eating one meal a day consisting of the scraps her dad left her, which definitely didn’t have meat.
My wolf roared, snarling viciously at the thought alone. It was customary for the man of the house to get the largest piece, but a resp
ectable man made sure everyone had enough. I knew the asshole was practically starving her. He took what he wanted from her when he wanted it.
I froze, mid-seasoning the steaks.
Shit.
My harsh growl echoed in the oversized galley kitchen. I hadn’t thought about it before. Just how much did her father take from her? If he-
fuck!
I yanked on my hair, unable to stand still. I tossed the seasoning aside and began pacing.
My breathing was rapid and sharp, a
sneer on each exhale. If he touched her in that way… He was dead. Hurting her, breaking bones, ripping skin and cutting flesh was enough, but if he even thought about touching her in that way, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill him in front of anyone, even the police. I’d be damned if he walked a free man after that. I wanted to do that already with her wounds alone. They looked bad. He hadn’t been gentle with her. He’d treated her like a damn predator, like his enemy rather than his daughter. He deserved to die for that alone. She was his flesh and blood, but he treated her worse than a criminal robbing him.
I glanced up at the clock. 2:47pm. School would let out soon, and when she didn’t show up, he’d hunt her down… and find me instead.
I found solace in that. I’d get my day with him. I’d have my chance. My dad would see to it. He understood the drive to hunt anyone who hurt your mate. He knew it all too well. Sadly, this was a new bond in our relationship.
I finished the steaks, cooking them to medium rare and letting them rest on a plate.
The shower had stopped a few minutes ago, but already, my wolf was restless to see her. I needed to see that she was alright, reassure myself that she would be okay.
I knocked on the bedroom door. “Sophie?”
“Yeah?”
“Need any help?”
I heard her struggling; tiny grunts carried my way. “Um…maybe.”
I slipped into the room. My heart stopped at the sight of her.
Her calves were exposed now, showing an array of bruises and cuts that matched her arms. The capri sweats Lisa had loaned her were too big, only being held up by the width of her hips, which was where they rested. Her soft stomach was exposed. She was lovely, luscious and curvy, but heavily battered at the moment. My eyes sought the large bite marks on the right side of her. It took every ounce of my control to contain my wolf. That alone was worth death in my book.
She clung feverishly to her bra in the front, the only thing covering her upper body. The straps hung loosely around her upper arms. Her breasts spilled over, swelling above and below where she had carefully crossed her arms.
Her hair was a matted, wet mess, clinging to the flesh it touched. There was such a stark contrast between the color of her hair and her skin. And there was a far more jarring difference between her natural complexion and the dark purple bruises and bright red cuts covering her.
It didn’t matter though. She was stunning. She was feminine and soft. She affected me in more ways than one. She was beautiful. She always would be gorgeous to me.
She fidgeted. A flush splashed over her. “Um, I just need help closing my bra. Please.” She worked her bottom lip. The edge of her teeth peaked between her lips, testing my restraint.
Damn. I wanted to rip her bra
from her grip, yet, she was asking me to close it. I wanted to do sinful things to her.
Even my wolf had quieted, sitting back contently at the sight of her, wounds and all.
She was definitely pleasing to my eyes. I knew she lacked confidence in her body, partly because of the damage done to it, but damn. If she could only see herself the way I did.
It was a long trek towards her.
A stiffness in my center made it hard to focus on anything but her body. I didn’t care if I sounded like a lovesick artist; her body was a work of art that I didn’t want to share. Thank God we lived in the city because I’d be damned if another man saw her figure in a bathing suit. She could be embarrassed, but I would always be proud to have her on my arm.