Jake stared at her, shaking his head. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
“I’ve accepted his claim,” Dawn said.
“There’s a reason she’s accepted my offer, Jake. Come inside, and I’ll let you listen.”
Together they walked into the house. She noticed Daniel made the two men walk in front of them.
“Thank you,” she said, resting against him. One of his arms wrapped around her back, holding her up.
“No need to thank me, baby. You’re my mate and my sub. I’ll take care of you for the rest of our lives.”
She closed her eyes, relishing the feel of him holding her. They’d not even had sex, and yet she felt close to him.
Sex doesn’t mean love.
The way he’d brought her to the edge of orgasm and yet denied her had angered and excited her. He was the first man to show so much control. Daniel turned her on by his masculine display.
They entered the house, going toward the sitting room that Daniel told her was only allowed to hold guests. He rarely let anyone further into his house who was not part of the pack. Daniel’s pack may be different from many others, but his determination to keep them safe was that of a good leader.
She liked the thought of having the house filled with a loving, loyal pack.
“I want to thank you for coming,” Daniel said, standing behind her as she sat down on the sofa.
Get closer.
Dawn moved into the sofa and snuggled up against his arm. Daniel seemed to know what she needed as he rested both of his hands on her shoulders, holding her.
“No problem. I don’t see any problem, but I guess this is not a social call?” Doc asked.
“This isn’t a social call.” Daniel squeezed her shoulder. “Have you heard of other wolves who suffer with a condition similar to Congenital Analgesia?”
Doc frowned. “The condition is very uncommon in humans let alone in wolves.”
“I’ve heard of it,” Jake said. His arms were folded over his chest, staring at them. “The rumors were true. There’s a wolf being used for sport.” Jake glanced at her. “I’ve not been able to find him though. It has been a very busy morning.”
She had so many questions.
“Is there any way to treat it?”
“What is this all about? I don’t see what the problem is,” Doc said. He looked between the two. She looked up at her mate, and Daniel stared back at her, waiting. Dawn nodded for him to tell the truth.
“Dawn can’t feel pain,” Daniel said.
“This is bullshit, Daniel. How do you know she’s not lying to get away from you? She’s been playing you from day one.”
Daniel’s wolf tensed. She felt him get ready to strike, and Dawn didn’t want to be the one responsible for two pack males attacking. Getting up from the sofa, she opened the Doc’s medical kit and withdrew a scalpel. Opening her arm, she slid the knife across her flesh. She didn’t wince or feel the bite of pain. It was like her brain was cut off from feeling anything but pleasure. She felt Daniel’s touch, the stings of the cane or his slaps. They didn’t hurt her, and yet this kind of pain didn’t have any affect.
She ran the blade across her arm twice more.
Dawn hadn’t pressed the blade too deep, and the wounds started to heal seconds later. The first man she’d killed had pressed the blade in deep making it hard for her to heal.
“That’s enough, Dawn,” Daniel said. His voice commanded her to stop, and she stared at him. The concern was clear in his eyes. She handed the Doc back his scalpel and took her seat beside Daniel.
He covered the marks on her arms. Blood oozed between his fingers until finally the blood disappeared. Licking her lips, she stared up at him.
“Wait, you just took a scalpel to yourself,” Jake said.
“This is not good,” Doc said, moving forward.
Daniel growled, covering her with his arms. “I suggest if you intend to harm her you think again. I won’t have anyone harming my woman.”
“I’m not going to harm her.” Doc held his hands up in surrender. “I’m only going to inspect her arms.”
Several seconds passed before Daniel relented and allowed Doc to get closer. She held her arm out for him to inspect. There were no visible wounds.
“How long has it been like this?” he asked.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Ever since my transition.” It wasn’t a lie as she’d felt plenty of pain before then. There used to be a lot of pain, and over time she stopped reacting to the pain inflicted upon her. After her transition, the pain no longer mattered. Her mother wouldn’t leave her alone long enough to stop.