Dominic's POV
Ashen's body arched in pain, his entire frame trembling as he let out a sharp, desperate gasp.
"It hurts," he choked out, gripping the sheets like they were the only thing keeping him grounded.
Fuck.
I didn't think. I just moved.
In an instant, I scooped him up into my arms. His body was burning his skin feverish against mine as he writhed weakly. His scent was drowning me, intoxicating and desperate, pulling at every alpha instinct I had.
But I locked my jaw and ignored it.
I stormed into the bathroom, kicking the door open before carefully setting him down on the edge of the tub. With quick movements, I turned on the water, adjusting it to a lukewarm temperature.
"This will help," I muttered.
Ashen barely seemed to hear me. His breathing was ragged, his head tipped back, exposing the vulnerable line of his throat. He was completely out of it, lost in the heat tearing through his body.
I hesitated. Then—
"I can help you release," I said, my voice calm, even. "That could ease the pain."
Ashen's entire body locked up.
His glazed-over eyes snapped to mine, raw panic flashing across his face.
"No!" he yelled, shoving at me weakly. "I won't let you f—" He cut himself off, his breath hitching violently.
I caught his wrists before he could hurt himself, keeping my grip firm but gentle.
"I won't," I said, my voice low but steady. "I promise, Ashen. Just trust me."
His breathing hitched again, his lips parting slightly. He didn't respond.
Didn't fight.
Just stared at me.
I didn't move. I just held his gaze, letting the words settle.
Because no matter what this heat was doing to him no matter how much my instincts screamed at me to claim him—I wouldn't take him this way,when i do take him,he will be ready for me.
And I needed him to know that.
Ashen was shaking. His breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps, his body strung tight with unbearable tension.
I could feel the battle raging inside him,his stubbornness, his pride, fighting against the heat consuming him.
I loosened my grip on his wrists, brushing my thumb over his pulse, feeling the frantic rhythm beneath my touch.
His wolf was close to the surface, desperate, aching.
"Ashen," I murmured, my voice dropping into something softer. "Let me take care of you."
His head jerked slightly, his lips trembling. "I—I don't—"
I leaned in, pressing my forehead against his. "I'm your mate," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Let me help."
He let out a shuddering breath.
I kissed his temple, then his cheek, slow and careful, my lips barely grazing his heated skin. His scent wrapped around me, intoxicating, pulling at every part of me that wanted—needed—to protect and soothe him.
His body sagged slightly against me, his resistance slipping as another painful wave of heat rolled through him. A strangled noise left his throat, his fingers clenching into my shirt.
"It's okay," I murmured, my lips brushing over his jaw. "I've got you."
He whimpered.
I slid my hands down his sides, my fingers trembling slightly as I reached the waistband of his shorts. I waited.
He didn't stop me.
Didn't tell me no.
So I moved.
My fingers slipped beneath the fabric, sliding over his burning skin, and I began to stroke him slow, gentle movements meant to ease the unbearable ache.
His body jerked, his breath catching hard.
"It's okay," I soothed, pressing a lingering kiss to the corner of his lips. "Just let go."
He made a broken noise, his hips twitching slightly, his body instinctively chasing the relief I was giving him.
I kept my pace steady, kept whispering to him, kept pressing soft kisses to his heated skin—until he finally shattered.
His entire body tensed, a desperate cry ripping from his throat as he came, his fingers clenching into my shoulders like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.
I held him through it, stroking him through the aftershocks, whispering reassurances until the tension finally eased from his body.
His breathing slowed.
His grip on me loosened.
And then, with a soft, exhausted sigh Ashen slumped against my chest, his body going completely limp.
I caught him easily, cradling him against me as his breath evened out, his lashes fluttering shut.
He was asleep.
I exhaled slowly, pressing a final kiss to his temple. Then, carefully, I lifted him into my arms and carried him to the bed, tucking him beneath the covers.
I watched him for a long moment, my chest tight with something I couldn't name.
Then, finally I lay beside him, my arm wrapping around his waist, pulling him close.
And for the first time…
He didn't pull away.
I stayed awake long after Ashen drifted off.
His body was warm against mine, his breath steady, his face finally free of the tension and stubborn defiance he carried like armor. Even in sleep, he looked wary like some part of him still feared the moment wouldn't last.
It made something in my chest tighten.
I ran a slow hand down his back, grounding myself in the feel of him. His scent was still thick in the air, intoxicating, making my wolf restless. Every instinct screamed at me to claim him, to mark him, to ensure no one else could ever lay a hand on what was mine.
But I couldn't. Not like this.
Ashen wasn't ready.
I exhaled slowly, reigning in my instincts, pressing my nose to his hair. He stirred slightly, his fingers twitching against my chest, but he didn't wake.
He trusted me enough to sleep beside me.
That was a start.
But I knew the moment morning came, the walls would be back up. He'd shove me away, pretend this never happened, maybe even curse me for helping him.
A muscle in my jaw twitched.
I didn't care how long it took Ashen was mine.
I wasn't letting him go.
The first rays of morning light filtered through the curtains when I felt movement beside me.
Ashen stirred, a soft exhale leaving his lips. I opened my eyes, watching as he blinked sleepily, his brows drawing together like he was trying to make sense of where he was.
Then his entire body stiffened.
I smirked. Here we go.
His gaze snapped to me, wide with alarm. I felt him tense further as he realized our position—his body tucked against mine, my arm still around his waist.
"Morning," I murmured, my voice still rough with sleep.
Ashen flinched.
Then he shoved at my chest, scrambling out of my grasp like I was about to bite him.
"What the fuck—" He sucked in a sharp breath, his hands gripping the sheets, panic flashing across his face.
I sat up slowly, watching him. "Relax, Wolfe."
He shook his head, his jaw clenching. "No. No, what the hell what did you do to me?" His voice cracked, and he hated it. I could see it in the way his hands curled into fists.
I tilted my head, my expression unreadable. "I helped you."
His entire body shuddered.
"No." He shot to his feet, his breathing uneven. "No, you—" He swallowed hard, his face twisting like he couldn't process what had happened. Like his body still remembered the pleasure, even if his mind wanted to reject it.
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, watching him like a predator watching prey.
"You needed relief," I said simply. "I gave it to you. That's what mates do."
His eyes blazed.
"I never asked for your help!" he snapped.
I arched a brow. "You were in pain, Ashen."
He let out a harsh breath, raking a hand through his hair, his movements jerky. "This—this isn't—" His voice broke again, and his throat worked as he tried to swallow down whatever emotions were clawing their way up.
I stood.
He froze.
I didn't move toward him. I didn't touch him.
I just watched.
Watched the way he trembled, the way his body warred with itself, the way his wolf wasn't fighting me.
"You're running," I said quietly.
His nostrils flared. "I'm not—"
I took a step forward.
He took one back.
I smirked. "Then look me in the eye and tell me last night didn't mean anything."
His lips parted. His throat bobbed.
But no words came.
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "Tell me you didn't feel safe with me."
His breathing hitched.
His fingers twitched at his sides.
But he couldn't say it.
Because we both knew the truth.
Ashen was mine.
And no matter how hard he tried to deny it…
His body, his wolf, his very soul—they already knew.