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 be

you pushed me over the edge, and I needed to calm

continuing.”

brow furrows, and I can see her

think you might end things.” She whispers, staring at the water. “I wasn’t

come back.. think.. I think maybe I have some abandonment

completely aware of. And Mike’s betrayal and learning that

into

flip her body the rest of the way

snuggle her

she can straddle

profess, kissing her head and

when you were already upset, I just don’t trust

I’m that angry. The same way I would never make a pack ruling

the height of a fury. I think taking

moment can be healthy, but maybe we can find

I suggest. “But even if

no matter how far I go or how long I stay away, I will always

you, Ella.”

whimpers, and her arms tighten around

I’m sorry I said

This isn’t the

for you and failed.”

me for a moment.” I order, sliding my finger under her chin

up to mine. “First of all you take

You keep me

stand up to bullies like the Prince and

want

It’s in an Alpha’s DNA to nurture and protect. If you didn’t

I would

“But I didn’t

thing.” I sigh, recalling the

I’ve growled and grumbled at Ella a

and overpowered

of the time her wolf responds to my bossiness like

know this didn’t happen randomly. I accidentally triggered

didn’t I?”

eyes look

nod, and then her wide gaze returns to

so vulnerable that my heart aches. “Do we have to

could tell her no, promise that she won’t ever have to relive her

wouldn’t help anything. “We’re

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