Chapter 5

“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. 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.