Page 54 of Bound to the Guard

“You’re trying to use your familial relation to force him to go with you!” Damien shouts. “Ignoring what he wants and taking him against his will is no different than shoving him back into a cage. Is that what you want for your brother?”

The sound of a sharp slap jolts me into motion, and I bolt out of the bedroom.

Damien blocks the way to the bedroom, with Oliver standing in front of him, my brother’s hand still raised. Damien’s cheek bears a red handprint, stark on his pale skin.

“What are you doing?” I shout at my brother, latching on to Damien’s arm and drawing him back a step.

Oliver snatches his hand back as he turns to me. “Dylan, I’m sorry. I just… I want what’s best for you. You need space to heal, not to have his desires pushed on you.”

“He’s not pushing anything on me.” I pull Damien down to brush my fingers over his cheek. “Do we need ice for this? You should lie down.”

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Barely even stung.” He cups the back of my head, pulling me closer.

Behind me, Oliver sucks in a sharp breath. “YouMarkedhim?”

A tremble goes through me, but I force myself to turn to my brother. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m not a child, and I’m not confused because of what I experienced. I want to stay here, with Damien.”

Oliver searches my face, and his shoulders slump with defeat. “I just want you to be safe.”

“Iamsafe.” I reach out to take my Alpha’s hand. “Damien keeps me safe. I have…episodes, like what you witnessed yesterday, but we’re working with a therapist to deal with them. I’m sorry you’re uncomfortable?—”

I cut myself off and take a shaky breath. “No, I’mnotsorry. Whether or not you like it, Damien is my mate. I will not give him up just because all you can see is my trauma and think that’s all I am.”

Stricken, Oliver takes a step back. “That’s not…”

Damien’s hands settle on my shoulders. “Your brother understands you’re not a child, and that what was done to you does not define you.” The last part comes with a hard edge of warning. “This has been a shock for both of you, so it’s going to take some time to find your new balance. But Oliver will workwithyou to figure that out.”

“Yes, of course.” He crosses his arms over his stomach. “I’m sorry. Caleb said I should give you some space and wait for you to come to me, but I…” Tears well up in his eyes. “I failed you once, and I don’t want to fail you again.”

“You didn’t fail me.” My chest tightens, but I can’t bring myself to cross the room and hug him like I would have before my world changed. “We can talk later, but not about what happened to me or anything negative regarding my relationship with Damien.”

“Okay. I hear you.” He brushes at his cheeks and gives me a watery smile. “I’m so happy you’re alive, Dylan.”

I squeeze Damien’s hand tighter. “I’m not comfortable with that name anymore.”

“O-okay.” He takes a breath. “What should I call you instead? Seven?”

“For now.” I gnaw on my bottom lip. “I haven’t decided what I want. Something new, though. I want to move forward.”

He appears lost. “Okay.”

Before things grow awkward, the front door swings open, and Caleb pokes his head in. His cold eyes zero in on Oliver. “You said you’d behave.”

Oliver’s chin juts out. “Because that’s what you wanted to hear.”

Caleb sighs and comes into the suite. He pinches Oliver’s chin, raising his face. “Didn’t I tell you that you’re only allowed to cry for me?”

Oliver scoffs and pushes his hand away.

One of Caleb’s eyebrows arches, and then he gives Oliver a smile that has me backing up against Damien’s chest.

In one smooth move, Caleb picks my brother up and tosses him over his shoulder. “Someone will be on timeout for the next three days. You can continue your family reunion once you show you can behave. Say goodbye to your brother, Oliver.”

Oliver rears up with indignation. “I’m not done?—”

Caleb’s hand lands with a solid smack on Oliver’s ass. “Don’t make me embarrass you in front of both of our brothers by bending you over this couch. Seven doesn’t need fresh trauma.”

Oliver flushes bright red, and he settles back down over Caleb’s shoulder.

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