Chapter 121
Trigger Warning: This chapter contains experiences of abuse and s3xual assaultnothing explicit, but please take care reading..
Sinclair
Ella’s small body is completely stiff in my arms, even though we’re in her favorite
place. I’ve only bathed with her once before, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to
figure out how much she loves a bubble bath. She takes at least four a week, and
when she’s upset I’ve known her to have a bath even after showering. Until I spoke
with Cora about Ella’s self-care practices, I didn’t understand the connection to her
childhood experience of neglect, but now that I know I’m determined never to deprive
her of the comfort even if my water bills go through the roof and the city goes into a
drought.
“Are you ready to talk this out, trouble?” I inquire, resting my hands on her round
tummy and feeling a pulse of stress from the baby. A fresh spark of worry assails me,
and I know that Rafe is channeling his mother’s fraught emotions. Ella doesn’t
respond to my question, and I press on, realizing that the poor little wolf isn’t going to
relax until she knows l’m not going to reject her”
Sweetheart, it never even crossed my mind to end things. I love you
Ella’s muscles tighten further, though I didn’t think such a thing was possible.
“But..She stammers, twisting around to look at me, “but you left!”
Im sorry that I walked out.”I reply gently, grazing my knuckles over her cheek. “But it
wasn’t because I ever had doubts about us.”I share, wondering about my sweet
mate’s reaction. I know some survivors of child abuse view any confrontation as a
disaster or threat, but Ella has weathered my anger in the past without any signs of a
trauma response. “I was angry that you thought you don’t contribute anything to our
it when you suggested you couldn’t
you pushed me over the edge, and I
continuing.”
her grappling with her emotions. “Dominic,
might end things.” She whispers, staring at the water.
come back.. think.. I think maybe I have
And Mike’s betrayal and learning that I’m a wolf
them into very
flip her body the rest of the
facing me completely, I snuggle her to my
she can
baby.” I profess, kissing her head and stroking her spine.
I
way I would
the height of a fury. I think taking some space in the
maybe we can find some way to take breaks
I suggest. “But even if we can’t,
matter how far I go or how long I stay away, I will
you, Ella.”
and her arms
“and I’m sorry I said I couldn’t be
weight here. This isn’t the
for you and failed.”
moment.” I order, sliding my finger under her chin and
up to mine. “First of all you take care
keep me
ogre You stand up to
I don’t want you to.
nurture and
care of you, I would
didn’t
the terror that
tying her up. I’ve growled and grumbled at Ella a thousand
overpowered her countless times without any issue.
the time her wolf responds to my bossiness like a bee
happen
didn’t I?”
still holding Ella’s chin, but her eyes
Ella gives a slight nod, and then her wide gaze
aches. “Do we
her no, promise that she won’t ever
wouldn’t help anything. “We’re in a
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