"Carrionites. I took care of it."
His jaw clenches tight as his thumb delicately charts the edge of the massive bruise surrounding my eye. I flinch and grab his hand. His gaze lands on my wrapped palm and he growls low. “Fuck, kid. . .”
When he traces his fingers down my neck, I flail, trying to shove him away. I don’t want him to see.
But it’s too late.
"Fuckin’ hell!" He explodes, the cords in his neck bulging. His features contort into a terrifying rictus, his voice deep and threatening to match.
His chest heaves, muscles vibrating under taut skin. I've never seen Rex lose control like this—he looks ready to tear the world apart bare-handed.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
When his eyes travel back to the bite, I pull away and sit up slowly. Only the room spins and I nearly fall over, my fingers gripping the sheets as I try to steady myself.
“Dev, lay the fuck down. Now.” Fear undercuts the barking tone.
My eyes are screwed shut as if it will help stop the spinning.
It doesn’t.
Rex guides me back down, his hand shaking slightly as he smooths my blood-caked hair. His gaze continues cataloguing every contusion, pausing when he gets to my legs. His eyes widen, face scrunching in a mix of worry and fury as he takes in the bloody teeth marks on the denim of the inside of my right thigh.
I twist away, but he grabs my calf and hip, trying to keep my legs open. "Dammit, Devon. Let me see."
"Get off," I choke out, stomach twisting with instant nausea.
He holds me tighter.
"Get. Off!" My voice pitches up into a range I barely recognize, my body violently shaking.
"Okay, okay!"
He lets go and I squeeze my legs closed, panting and shaking as hot tears prick my eyes. I dash them away, hissing at the pain in my bad eye and will myself not to cry.
"Please, Dev.” He brushes the hair from my face, palm resting against my cheek. The heat of his skin seeps into my own, and the frantic thumping of my heart slows a little. "Please let me make sure you’re okay."
The ache in my chest careens around like a wild animal trying to escape, locked inside my sternum but getting stronger for each second of his silent appraisal.
My eyes well up again. I try to blink the moisture away, but something inside breaks, and I can't stop the shuddering sobs any more than I can the tears that follow.
Rex draws me close and tucks my face into his chest as he pulls me in tight.
"I'm sorry, baby boy." His voice cracks at the last words. “So sorry I didn’t keep you safe.”
After a few minutes, I calm down and he shifts, lifting my chin so our eyes meet. “Will you let me check it?”
I sniffle and look away, not saying a word. When his hand slides over my waist and starts unzipping my jeans I don’t fight him. He tugs them to my knees, gently pulling my legs apart, and I swallow past the lump in my throat.
I belong to Rex, and now someone else has marked me.
Twice.
He lets out a long breath, shoulders slumping the tiniest bit. “Blood must’ve been his. Skin’s bruised but didn’t break. Won’t scar like—” He trails off, his eyes going to my neck, as regret and anger wash over his features.
I swallow hard, a sense of violation lingering at his confirmation the bitemark will be permanent.
