Initiation by Apryl Baker

Author:Apryl Baker [Baker, Apryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-02-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Cole

She hadn’t said a word.

Not a single sound escaped her.

She sat there, her eyes haunted and full of shadows.

I caused it.

Why didn’t I think what that might do to her? I was an idiot, that was why.

My wolf paced behind his cage, snarling because we’d upset our mate. I had him locked down tight. She was already freaked out over seeing Reed’s glowing eyes. I couldn’t let my wolf surface tonight. It’d scare her more, and all the progress I made with her would be lost.

I felt helpless, something new for me. I was an Alpha, always in control, but I couldn’t control this. I’d read all about triggers for a rape victim to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid, and what did I go and do? I clamped my hand over her mouth.

Fucking stupid.

Unlocking the door, she went right to the couch and curled up. She shivered, and I bumped the heat up. She stared at nothing, her eyes unfocused. I picked up the fuzzy throw that adorned the back of the couch and wrapped it around her. Her entire body flinched when the fabric touched her.

“Easy, Clem,” I whispered. “It’s just a blanket. You’re cold.”

Again, she said nothing, and my worry increased.

Maybe getting something warm into her would help. I bypassed the coffee pot and instead pulled down a mug and poured it full of milk. While that heated in the microwave, I found the packets of hot chocolate Jackson smuggled in under the girls’ chocolate radar. When the milk was hot, I added two packets of cocoa—really, one just makes a person mad—and stirred it until thoroughly mixed.

“Here, drink this.” I thrust the cup in front of her, and she looked up at me.

My entire world shifted in moment, with that look.

The pain, the fear, the guilt were all right there for me to see. Every reason I had for denying her faded away in the face of her pain. I couldn’t…no, I wouldn’t deny it anymore. She was my mate, and I’d do what was necessary to keep her safe.

The weight of the decision I’d been carrying from the day I met her lifted, and everything inside me loosened and tightened all at once. She was mine, and I was hers.

When she didn’t take the mug, I wrapped her hands around it myself. They felt ice cold. “This will help.”

“Thanks,” she whispered, her voice husky and raw.

“I’m going to sit down on the other end of the couch. Is that okay?”

She nodded.

After a few minutes of silence, she blurted out, “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” I worked hard to keep the anger out of my voice. She had not one fucking thing to be sorry about, but I sure as hell did. “I should never have touched you like that. This is my fault.”

She shook her head to try to deny it, but we both knew the truth.

“I’m the one who’s sorry, sweetheart.”

“You know, don’t you?” she whispered brokenly.

“Not the details, but yeah.

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