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L iam takes out his phone so he can make an audio recording of their session. Daniel hasn’t moved. He’s still in the bed, breathing even, limbs loose. Dried blood is everywhere. It doesn’t hide the fact that Daniel is beautiful. Must have been handsome, maybe even delicate, before he was altered.

Liam puts his hand on the man’s cheek, needing to see how he’ll react to being touched. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m Commander Liam Stone, and I’m a Dominant. I’m here to take care of you. And it looks like you need a bit of caretaking.”

There’s still no response from the submissive in the bed. Hell, considering all he’s been through, maybe passive consent is as good as it gets.

“I need to check you, sweetheart. I’m going to feel your neck glands first. I’ll be gentle. Soft, okay? With my fingers. Very light, just like I’m touching your cheek now. That gentle. We need to get a sense of your cycle and where you are hormonally. Nothing I do should hurt, okay? At least… not yet,” he adds, because this is a high-level submissive who is going to need a certain amount of pain to submit and get his needs met. For a submissive as high needs as Daniel, saying “not yet” is akin to flirting.

But he isn’t going to do anything to the boy until he’s talked to him. His reactions are odd, and Liam can’t be too careful with this one. He touches two fingers to Daniel’s neck and Daniel whimpers, pulling in tighter to himself, brow furrowed. He doesn’t open his eyes, though.

“I know. It’s weird when you’re not used to someone touching you. I won’t hurt you. You’re doing so well. I’m almost done,” he says, finding the edges of Daniel’s gland with a gentle touch.

The gland is warm and enlarged, but not swollen and hot. Swollen and hot would be better. That’s fixable. That indicates he’s about to go into heat and his body is working overtime to get him ready. That’s normal.

Warm but large implies a chronic condition. The gland should be soft, and touching Daniel’s neck should make the submissive slump in relief. But his body is tense and his brow is furrowed in worry.

“I won’t hurt you,” he repeats. “I think you’ve had a tough time with all of this, haven’t you?” Then he rattles off a note for his own file. “Neck gland is large, relatively solid, and the condition seems chronic. Temperature is elevated but not feverish. No sign of redness or infection.”

Liam lifts his hand away from Daniel’s neck and Daniel relaxes, his breath sighing out of him. “Possible aversion to touch, possible… abuse. Atypical response to Dominant touch.”

Daniel swallows. The “awake but pretending to be asleep” is also an unusual response.

“We can talk about it when you wake up, honey,” he says gently. “I’m going to touch your hair now,” he murmurs, soft and close, radiating calm and gentleness. “I won’t hurt you.” Liam puts the back of his hand near Daniel’s nose again so the submissive can pick up his scent. Daniel is going to need to get used to it.

Liam isn’t going to leave here without him.

It’s decided. His own arousal is distracting, his knot wanting to fill, a primitive part of him just wanting to mount the submissive. But that’s not how things are done. That’s not the appropriate reaction when there’s this much trauma, and he’s a little disturbed by the intensity of his inappropriate response. Liam doesn’t let his instincts dictate his behavior. He never has, and he won’t start now.

“I’ll touch your hair now. Soft, baby,” he whispers, and Daniel goes tight and tense, hands fisted in what might be panic.

Liam rests his hand carefully on Daniel’s head, brushing his hair back just a little. “This is all I want from you, sweetheart. Right now, this is it. And look how good you’re doing. You’re perfect. What a good boy. Look how soft you are, submitting for me,” he says, waiting for a reaction. There isn’t one.

Which is odd.

Submissives love praise, love doing a good job. He’d expected Daniel to blush, maybe to smile. Maybe even open his eyes so he could see Liam’s approval for himself.

Instead, a tear courses down Daniel’s cheek. Liam wants to kill whoever got Daniel to this point. This is an atypical reaction. “I know, it’s gotta be a lot, baby,” he says, watching Daniel’s face. “But I’m happy with you. You’re doing well. This is all I want from you, and you’re giving it to me.”

Daniel should be very interested in Liam. He should be trying to move closer, entice the Dominant, and want to please.

His biological response to a powerful Dominant should be to mate——to be bred. He should want all of the Dominant hormones inside him that he can get. He should be moving in close, undoing his clothes, getting Liam’s pants open, presenting, and appealing to Liam’s nature to breed. He ought to want to see Liam’s balls; see just how much cream he could get from him.

He’d likely want to worship Liam’s balls for a while, inhale his scent, get drunk off his pheromones, become swollen and receptive, and encourage a big load from the Dominant. And a submissive like this should want to get bred hard and long then want a secure plug to keep all that goodness inside. Daniel should be smug and content after the experience.

The combination of those things, the fact that Liam is the answer to both of those biological urges, should drive Daniel wild. Instead he’s scared, pretending to be asleep.

There are tears.

It just doesn’t make any sense. And the fact that he’s only responded to a Daddy/boy dynamic also doesn’t make a lot of sense.

A Daddy/boy dynamic is gentle, and if Daniel were anyone else then maybe he could just have that. But he’s high needs. If Liam treats him softly, as gently as Daniel wants, Daniel will spiral. Liam has seen how badly that can turn out when designations are not compatible.

But maybe the poor fit is something to worry about later. Right now, it’s a place to start.

“Beautiful boy. I’d be a very lucky Daddy if I got to have a boy like you. I’m going to put the thermometer on your neck in a bit. It stays there for five seconds and it not only takes your temperature but will tell us how much stress you’re under and how bad your drop is. It doesn’t hurt at all. I’m sure you’ve had it done before,” he says, and doesn’t stop touching Daniel’s hair. He thinks about that statement. “Well, maybe you haven’t had it done before. When you wake up you can tell me. Okay, here we go.” He touches it to Daniel’s neck.

Daniel makes a sound and shivers. It’s pretty close to a moan.

Interesting.

“Good. Almost done.” The thermometer beeps and Liam takes it away, watching the monitor for the information to come up. He’s still touching Daniel’s hair. Best to get him used to Liam’s touch as he’s going to experience a lot of it pretty soon.

“Let’s see. What can we tell from this?” Liam asks, like he’s talking to himself. He keeps his voice soothing. “You’re in distress and there are still spiked levels of hormones showing you were hurt. The submissive side of you is pretty touch starved. Hopefully, we can take care of that with some affection. We’re gonna go slow and make sure you feel good. We can talk about it when you’re ready. However you’ve been feeling, we can do better than that.”

There is no way Daniel has been feeling good. “It’s gotta be a real struggle for you, Daniel. A beautiful boy like you needs a Daddy to take care of him and get this problem fixed. That’s what I’m going to do, sweetheart. I’m here to give you what you need.”

He looks at Daniel’s face. Despite the way he’s trying so hard not to give away that he’s awake, his scent is already changing from having his hair touched and having Liam nearby. The bitter scent of fear is slipping away. Liam doesn’t smell slick yet, though.

Liam moves, lifting his hand away from Daniel’s face but Daniel turns, lips sliding against Liam’s wrist, over his scent gland, wanting the taste of Liam’s skin and hormones in his mouth.

There he is, Liam thinks, arousal coursing through him as the submissive starts to respond.

Daniel’s features even out with the slightest hint of relief. And, of course, he’s still wanting to keep up the bizarre pretense of being asleep.

Liam gets more firmly on the bed, pressing his hip against Daniel’s middle. Daniel curls closer almost instantly. With Daniel being so very submissive, it’s possible he enjoys this passive surrender and helplessness. It would be unusual if he didn’t.

Somnophilia is definitely something they’ll talk about. Later.

“Beautiful boy. How sweet you are. God, you’re making my knot tingle and I haven’t even touched you yet, honey.”

Daniel’s breath draws in and holds. Liam tries to gauge his reaction. He isn’t sure. Liam’s aching already, his own biology wanting him to mate the submissive and give him what he needs. Usually he’d think it was mutual, his desire ratcheting up in response to Daniel’s lust, but he doesn’t want to make assumptions when Daniel has had so many unusual reactions.

Most submissives with a designation as high as Daniel’s would be turning over to present already. They hear that a Dominant’s knot is tingling, would swell up just for them, and they can’t resist. Especially considering how out of whack Daniel’s hormones are.

A submissive like Daniel should be a knot slut. And getting a knot out of a Dominant doesn’t happen all the time. It’s a special gift. Not all Dominants have them. “I’ve got a really big knot, sweetheart. I’d just love to give that to you.”

Daniel’s cheeks go pink. He curls a little closer but still pretends to be asleep.

“We’ll make sure you want it, honey. I might even let you earn my knot. Would you like that? Or are you one of those boys who just wants to take it? Get his Dominant all riled up, and then be a sweet princess who gets fucked again and again? The truth is, I’ve got a knot big enough to leave any submissive feeling a little tender after. Pretty boy like you, I think you’re gonna be sore by the time I’m through with you. Beg Daddy to stop. How does that sound?” Liam’s voice has a bit of a growl, and he’s still looking for clues about what the submissive responds to.

Another tear slips down Daniel’s cheek. What the hell does that mean? What trauma has this poor boy been through?

“Poor boy. I want to check your mounting glands, but you’ve only allowed visual inspections on exposed skin. I don’t need you to wake up for me to check—I think we can find a workaround so you can stay asleep and pretty for me. But it’s important to get you checked out. I’ll be your Dominant for a while, so it’s my responsibility to take care of you. That’s all I want to do. It’ll be so nice when you wake up. We can talk about it and work out a plan.”

Daniel is anxious again, his brow furrowing.

“If you don’t want me to check, if you need more time, or you’re not okay with me lifting the sheet and touching you between your legs to check your mounting glands and then your submissive glands, then you need to wake up now. Otherwise, I’m going to check. You can just keep sleeping and let me check.”

Daniel relaxes, mimicking sleep. Giving permission.

“Good boy,” Liam says, wanting to kiss him on the forehead. However, they’re not at the kissing stage yet. Daniel will need to wake up for that.

Liam lifts his hand away from Daniel’s hair, wanting two hands for the examination, but Daniel grabs him with a pained whimper. His hand is heavy over Liam’s wrist.

“Alright. Let’s do this one-handed.”

Once again Daniel blushes all up his chest and throat.

Liam has to stand up and stay bent over to keep his palm pressed against Daniel’s cheek. It’s awkward but not impossible.

He drags the bedding down, letting the sheet bunch near Daniel’s waist, allowing him to have a sliver of modesty for the moment.

“You’re okay. You’re a very good boy for me, Daniel.” He presses his fingers to Daniel’s thigh, gentle but with enough firmness that Daniel won’t be surprised. Goose bumps break out on Daniel’s skin, and his scent becomes thick with arousal. His grip on Liam’s hand tightens.

“It’s alright. You’re okay, honey.”

Daniel’s reaction doesn’t seem like aversion. If Liam didn’t know better, he’d think the submissive was about to come.

Wouldn’t that be something? Anxiety seeps into Daniel’s scent.

And then the front of the sheet is abruptly wet. Release. Not urine, not an orgasm, but his body’s way of getting rid of toxins. Should he give Daniel approval or ignore it? Why is there so much anxiety?

He’s so submissive and so far down into a drop that his body is probably desperate to get toxins out. Desire ramped up now that some part of Daniel has decided he likes Liam.

He can’t think of anything else it could be.

Liam wouldn’t be surprised if Daniel had some fucked-up notions of what he’s allowed to want.

“You need to release, sweetheart. It’s not bad. It’s good,” he reassures, and Daniel finally opens his eyes. There are tears on his cheeks and his breathing hitches. His eyes are hazel and the eye contact feels like a punch in the gut. As if this is the person he’s been waiting for all his life.

“There you are,” Liam says, voice rough. Daniel’s pupils are blown with arousal, glassy with need. He’s so beautiful. “I’m Liam. I’m here to take care of you. What’s wrong, honey?”

“The… release,” Daniel gasps, quick and apologetic. “You said it was okay, but I wanted to make sure, because….” He lets go of Liam’s arm, buries his face in the pillow, and sobs.

“Hey, sweetheart. Hold on to me. Can I scent mark you a little?”

“Oh,” he whispers, sounding ashamed. He mouths the word please but can’t give it sound. And doesn’t that just tell Liam everything he needs to know about Daniel?

Liam leans closer, presses his forehead to Daniel’s cheek, then rubs his nose and his lips on Daniel’s face. Against his jaw.

“Is this real?” Daniel whispers.

“Yes. Yes, it’s real.”

“My dad had a stroke?”

“I’m afraid so,” he says, grimacing at having to be the one to tell Daniel.

Daniel doesn’t meet his gaze. “He won’t die, though?”

“I believe he’s expected to recover.”

A long moment passes. “That’s good.”

It’s so halfhearted Liam doesn’t bother to agree.

“How long will I have you?” Daniel asks, another whisper, as if he’s expecting this to be a trap.

“At least a week. As long as I can keep you.”

His breath hitches. His grip on Liam tightens. “You’re a Dominant. You’re going to treat me like I’m a submissive? Is that true?” Daniel meets his gaze again. The intensity of their connection is electric. A shiver goes down Liam’s back and his knot throbs.

“Yes. That’s true. Have you had a Dominant before?”

Daniel flinches, looking away from him. “No. Never. My father wouldn’t allow it. And I…. They’re trying to turn me into a Dominant.”

“How do you feel about that?”

He shrugs. “My father knows what’s best,” he says hollowly. “I used to want to be a Dominant. Now I just want… I thought I was going to die.”

“You’re not going to die. And you won’t ever be a Dominant. You’re perfect as you are, Daniel.”

Daniel shakes his head sharply, just once. As if it was the start of a vigorous denial.

“I want to take you home and give you my knot. You’re a high-needs submissive and if you agree, I’ll use you hard. It will help. Hopefully your father will leave you alone if we can get you feeling better.”

Daniel doesn’t answer but his head turns back, another shock of electricity going through Liam as their gazes lock, and then Daniel is offering his mouth for a kiss, panting as he shifts on the bed, legs opening in invitation. Frantic, needy, as if he’s terrified it’s all going to be taken away in the next sixty seconds and he’s going to get what he can while he can.

“Good boy, that’s so good. Surrender to Daddy. There you go,” Liam growls, unable to help it. He’s concerned Daniel will find it upsetting, how aggressive he sounds, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

And then Daniel offers his neck, tilting his head, which is rather shocking. Highly submissive. A response to the growl. Daniel noticed, after all.

Noticed and liked it.

It takes a moment for Liam to look away. His mouth is watering. This sweet boy just offered Liam his neck. Incredible. “Christ. I’ll have to put you in a collar so I don’t mate you.”

“Wouldn’t I be yours then?” Daniel asks. “For good?” The question is quick, is one the boy must have thought about before. Maybe a lot. A submissive who is meant to be prey. Who doesn’t want to consent but wants to be taken. And he’s asking the first Dominant he’s alone with if he might be permanently claimed.

Christ.

Liam forces himself to pull back, to try to think and resist the alluring submissive beneath him. The kid just offered himself to the first Dominant who showed up because he’s in a desperate situation and wants out. His father has controlled his life and now he’s willing to throw his lot in with anyone. Hell, he might like it if he got stuck with a bad, bad man.

“You should have choices,” Liam says.

Daniel drops his hands to the bed, turning his face away. Is he taking it as rejection?

Liam stands up, goes to the sink to wash his hands, and splashes some water on his face. He needs a moment to get himself together, too. His jaw hurts because he didn’t bite the submissive.

It’s an excessive reaction. Hopefully, it’s his designation’s response to just how uneven Daniel is, and will settle down once the boy has had a few orgasms and is past the worst of his drop.

Otherwise, Liam will have to go on suppressants.