He finally lifts his head and stands from the stairs, walking slowly towards me. Suddenly his pace picks up and has taken on a more aggressive look. I start moving to intercept him as he’s headed straight towards Cole.

    ‘Stop me. Please dad, I don’t want to hurt him.‘

    His call for help is real, he genuinely fears hurting Cole. I step quickly into his path, silently wrapping my arms around him. One around his waist, the other under his arm allowing me to curl around and ce my hand on the back of his neck. He freezes in ce and stifles a yelp as I hold him close. I’m struggling to put together what these new symptoms mean.

    “Lay your head. I need you to rx so I can submit your wolf without causing you pain.”

    I whisper in his ear as I guide his head down. He whimpers quietly as I massage his neck looking for the best pressure point.

    “I need you to talk, Luke. To anyone. I don’t care if you confide in your brother, your mother, any of the doctors or nurses in the wing, tell me what you need. Please, Luke. You pulled away from me. Got quiet and secretive four or five years ago. It’s only been this past year that you opened up about wanting to advance your training and to be a trainer yourself. I have never seen you struggle so badly with your wolf and I’m struggling to put together the pieces. Please Luke, reach out for help like you’re doing right now.”

    “I’m sorry, dad.”

    He whispers with a slight waver in his voice.

    “Think about it. We need to get to the bottom of why this is happening before it gets worse.”

    “How can it be any worse than it already is?”

    His wolf has started to respond to my hold freeing Luke up to speak more openly.

    “Without knowing what’s going on it’s hard to tell but you’re not on a good path right now.”

    I’m being as honest about the situation as I can. I remain quiet as I feel him change. I wait patiently for his body to rx, keeping my submission hold firm but gentle, my aura powerful but neutral.

    “Are you ready?”

    I keep my voice low andfortable near his ear..

    “I can’t do this? As soon as you let go he will take over. He will attack. It doesn’t matter what I say, all he wants is the blood of Alpha Redmen.”

    I cuddle him a little closer,ying my cheek upon his head. It hurts to hear him struggling so badly with his wolf. It’s obvious that Cole’s visit here triggered something deeply disturbing yet so far he hasn’t been able to speak of what it is.

    I have several ideas based on his symptoms what might be going on, all of which could lead to his wolf going feral if we don’t get a handle on it but without proof of abuse or violent sexual assault none of them are logical.

    “I will hold you for as long as you need to say what you need to say. It seems very important to you to do this.”

    “It is important but I fear him, dad.”

    “Cole?” I can’t help but ask in shock.

    “No. I don’t fear Cole. I fear what my wolf wants to do to Cole.”

    ‘Okay, so let’s try having you turn so you face him but your shoulder is against me. I will hold on to you as you say what you want, then you can head inside.”

    “What if I lose control? I can feel him fighting you.”

    “Head into the woods, to the warriors cabins in the north west quadrant. That way if you go into a shift you’re protected by the tree line.”

    He nods his head but I can tell that he’s not kidding, he is indeed very afraid of speaking with Cole. By the time I get the two of us in position, Cole and Jessa are separating from their hug.

    “Cole, Lucas wants to speak with you.b” /b

    I try to say it gently but just his name seems to bring tension to an already tense situation.

    “Alpha please don’t hurt him. He doesn’t have to say anything he doesn’t want to.”

    I can hear the panic in Cole’s voice while also feeling Luke’s body shaking.