"And when he went into rut for you?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Before you were here? He'd knot me over and over until I was raw. Sore. Sometimes to the point of actual pain.And it still wouldn't be enough because his body knew what—who—it actually needed. We'd fuck for hours and I'd feel this... emptiness after. Like going through all the right motions but never getting the relief that's supposed to come with it."
Her eyes widen. "God, I didn't know. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. It's funny now," I admit. "In a fucked up way. We joke about it sometimes. But at the time? It sucked. Feeling like something's wrong with you because your body won't accept what should work. Because you need something specific and nothing else will do."
She stares at me. "I didn't know."
"Not something I advertise." I brush her hair back. "But I'm telling you now so you know: you're not broken. Your body's just bonded. It made a choice even if your mind didn't get a vote."
"It's not fair."
"No. It's not." I kiss her forehead. "But it's also not your fault. And it's not something to be ashamed of."
"Ben's hurt."
"Ben will heal." I keep my voice gentle even though the Alpha in me wants to growl at the mention of his name. "He's an adult. He made his choice too. But right now? Right now we need to get his scent off you before Dorian wakes up and loses his mind."
She nods shakily. "Shower."
"Shower," I agree. "Come on."
I guide her into the bathroom, turn on the water. Steam starts filling the space immediately.
"Strip," I say, keeping my tone matter-of-fact. Not sexual. Not yet.
She hesitates.
"I've seen you naked, little star. This isn't about that. This is about getting you clean before pack dynamics become a nightmare."
She nods and starts peeling off her clothes. Tank top. Sports bra. Leggings.
The Beta's scent gets stronger as each layer comes off. And yeah—there's the evidence. The slickness between her thighs that isn't hers. The smell of his come.
My Alpha roars. Wants to drag her into the shower and fuck her until all traces of him are gone. Until she's marked so thoroughly that no one could mistake who she belongs to.
But I breathe through it. Force myself to stay calm.
She needs comfort right now. Not possessive Alpha bullshit.
"Get in," I say softly.
She steps under the spray, and I watch the water start washing away the evidence. But it's not enough—I can still smell him on her skin. In her hair.
"I'm coming in," I tell her.
She doesn't protest. Just watches as I strip quickly and join her under the hot water.
"Turn around."
She does, and I grab her shampoo. Work it through her hair carefully, thoroughly. She makes a small sound—relief or pleasure, I'm not sure.
"I used to do this," I say quietly. "After Dorian would... after. I'd shower for hours. Trying to wash away the feeling of being used. Of not being enough."
"You are enough," she says fiercely, turning to look at me. "You're so much more than enough, Oakley."
"So are you." I rinse the shampoo out, gentle. "Your body's not broken. It's just bonded. There's a difference."
"Doesn't feel like it."
