Chapter Text
It was remarkable how much had changed at work since last Jungkook had been there. The mood was solemn, the few people he saw silent. The common areas were devoid of people, where previously there would often be patients and volunteers mingling. And most notably, the guards, who'd normally only man the gate, and monitor the surveillance cameras, were stationed in the hallway. Jungkook had only been away a week. And yet things had changed so drastically. He intended to find out why.
He would've asked one of the guards if he'd had the time, but the director of Hope Clinic had requested Jungkook come see her straight away when he arrived, and he was already running late.
He needn't have hurried as much as he did, he realized when he arrived to find that the director wasn't in her office. The door was unlocked however, so he let himself inside and sat down in the chair across from the desk. He regretted not stopping to ask someone what was going on. But he supposed he'd find out soon enough. It no doubt had something to do with why the director wanted him to come in earlier.
"Jungkook-ssi." A voice called from behind him and Jungkook startled. The director was standing right behind him. She had an uncanny ability to move silently, even whilst wearing heals.
Moon Hyejin, third child of the Moon Conglomerate patriarch, she'd used her considerable wealth to start a charitable organization for victims of abuse. She wasn't a pleasant woman to deal with, but she did a lot of good, so Jungkook had learned to bite his tongue around her. As a beta, she would no doubt have had to fight for respect amongst her alpha relatives. The Moon Conglomerate were old money, and those families tended to lean on the traditional side.
"Director Moon." Jungkook greeted her, standing up and bowing deep. She was a short woman, and yet she still managed somehow to look down her nose at him.
"Sit down." She told him, waving a manicured hand dismissively in his face and stepping around the desk to take a seat. Jungkook sat. He wasn't normally an obedient person, too used to fighting back against the idea that omegas should be subservient, but he'd found that when dealing with director Moon, it would pass way more painlessly if he just went along with it. He'd had to learn how to pick his battles. He was one of few people at the clinic actually paid to be there, and he did not want to jeopardize that. He loved his job.
"Why did you want to see me?" He asked, biting his lip as he suppressed the urge to ask what he really wanted to know. He'd find out one way or another, but he wasn't exactly known for his patience.
"We accepted another patient last week, or rather, a patient was forced upon us, and it has stirred up some trouble. Some of our other patients have refused treatment here for the duration of his stay, seeking care elsewhere instead. And others have demanded an increase in security. All of which have resulted in increased cost as well as a loss of revenue." Director Moon paused looking up at Jungkook. "You're well liked here amongst both our staff and our patients. I would like you to try and smooth things over, assure everyone that this clinic is safe and that they should trust us."
Jungkook was even more confused than before. He'd never heard of anything like it, of a patient being judged so harshly as to cause others to avoid him. At other places perhaps, but Hope Clinic had always prided itself on its inclusiveness. "What exactly is wrong with this patient?" Jungkook asked carefully, needing to know what had everyone so on edge.
Director Moon sighed. "We don't know the extent of it. The police have yet to figure out who he is. What we do know, is that he's been abused for many years. He has scars and old wounds all over his body. The doctors suspect that he's been used for manual labor based on his physique, but that his injuries are severe enough not to just have been caused by that. His captor was sadistic in his torture. The responsible people have been arrested, but they claim not to know who he is. And he himself has gone entirely feral, so is therefore unable to tell us."
"We've treated feral people before." Jungkook interrupted. That was not cause enough to have everyone so concerned. If anything, feral patients were usually recieved with more love than others. It was well known that people needed care and community to get out of a feral state.
"Omegas." Director Moon said, leaning back in her chair. "We've treated feral omegas before. This one is an alpha."
Jungkook reared back in shock. It was practically unheard of for alphas to be abused in such a manner. Usually, when alphas hurt each other, it tended to be mutual, not one-sided.
"No other clinics or hospitals have been willing to take him. I'm only allowing him here as a favor to an old friend." Director Moon continued, rising from her chair to begin pacing across the office. "None of our employees, omegas or betas dare go near him. The alphas who've tried have been attacked as soon as they've stepped foot inside his room. We're currently trying to wait it out. Hope that he recovers from his feral state enough that we can send him away."
"So, you've just left him on his own?" Jungkook was appalled, unable to keep the anger from his voice. "How long have you worked with this now? You know people can't recover from a feral state on their own. You need community, care and comfort. You need to convince their instincts that they're safe. You can't do that if you just lock them away." Jungkook was ranting now, fury bubbling beneath his skin. Their treatment of that alpha went against everything he stood for, everything he believed in.
"That's true for omegas. Feral alphas belong in prison." Director Moon's tone was harsh, unforgiving. "The only reason he's in here, and not there, is because he has yet to hurt anyone. And we want to keep it that way. As I told you, he's attacked every single alpha who's stepped inside that room. Only backing off when he's been sedated. If he'd hurt one of them, he would've been jailed immediately. Trust me, keeping him in there is as much for his sake as it his for ours."
Still, the alpha was a victim, not a perpetrator. He deserved more respect than that. He deserved care and comfort, a reprieve from the hell he'd been through.
"Let me try." Jungkook pleaded, before he had a chance to think things through. "Let me try to help him. I'm not an alpha. He might not attack me."
"You're naive, Jungkook-ssi." Director Moon sneered. "Your idealism is clouding your judgement." She sat back down into her chair with a heavy sigh. "But if you want to try, who am I to stop you? It would be in all of our best interests if he could recover." She waved a hand, dismissing him.
"Thank you." Jungkook bowed twice before backing out of the room. He only really considered what he'd taken upon himself once he was alone.
Director Moon hadn't lied. Jungkook had never heard of an alpha going feral that hadn't been imprisoned. It was rare for people of all subgenders to go feral. It only happened in extreme circumstances, a list ditch effort of the brain to protect itself by reverting to a baser state, instinct driven rather than logic driven. Alphas weren't the only ones who became erratic and dangerous when feral; betas and omegas did too. But betas and omegas were a lot more easily subdued. Alphas were aggressive by nature, when feral they lashed out at anyone they deemed a threat, and that tended to be everyone. It was a wonder this alpha had managed to avoid hurting anyone. And Director Moon had a point in wanting to keep it that way. As much as Jungkook felt for the alpha, he could understand why so few people had dared enter. Now, he could only hope that the alpha wouldn't view him as a threat.
That wasn't the only problem with his new commitment though. Aside from the issue of his security, Jungkook had no idea how to treat an alpha. The clinic had previously only catered to omegas. He remember one beta being treated there back when he'd just started, but he'd had no hand in it himself. He wondered how much help he could be to the alpha.
With no other options, Jungkook decided he would treat the alpha like he would a feral omega that needed his care. It couldn't be too different, could it? They were all people first and foremost. And with the abused omegas that came through the clinic, the most important thing was to establish a space where they felt safe and protected. Only then could they begin to heal. With that in mind, Jungkook started heading over to the supply room. They kept a generous stack of nesting materials there, blankets, pillows, a few stuffed animals for when they had children staying there.
He grabbed the biggest basket he could find and began filling it with nesting materials he himself was drawn to. He didn't know what the alpha liked, but Jungkook could make an educated guess. He went for darker, more muted colors that would help give the illusion of an enclosed and protected space. Like a den. He chose the softest, fluffiest fabrics that gently caressed his skin, and large pillows and weighted blankets that would offer support and comfort.
Jungkook spent a long time in there, picking out only the best things. Perhaps, he used it as an excuse to avoid actually going to see the alpha. Despite his earlier bravado, he too was a little scared. He'd never encountered a feral alpha before. He'd seen footage of a few on the news, and they'd always been shown as violent and ruthless. Jungkook shuddered to think what such a beast could do to him. But this alpha wasn't a criminal. He hadn't hurt anyone. He deserved the benefit of the doubt.
With his basket overflowing, Jungkook had no choice but to quit stalling, and steeling his nerves, he headed over to the corridor where the in-patients were kept. It wasn't difficult to figure out which room belonged to the alpha. Two guards were stationed right outside it, both of which were looking to be falling asleep on their feet. They weren't used to this kind of assignment, and Jungkook doubted very much happened during their shifts there. The alpha was unlikely to bother them as long as they left him alone. The guards were more likely there to appease the other patients than to subdue the alpha. Nevertheless, it made Jungkook breathe a little easier to see them there. If the alpha attacked him, they could come to his rescue.
The guard closest to him straightened his spine when he saw Jungkook. He was an alpha too, all the guards were. They weren't normally allowed this close to the patients. Omegas who'd been abused tended to be wary of strange alphas. But even strange alphas were preferable to feral ones.
"Mr Jeon." The guard greeted him as Jungkook came closer. Jungkook didn't recognize the guard, but he must've met him before since the guard was familiar with him. "Are you here to talk to the patients? Most of them have moved to the floor below. They wanted to be as far away as possible."
Jungkook's brow furrowed. The floor below was really just a basement, and though it did have rooms, they were hardly suited for living in. The clinic mostly used them for storage. They would've been perfectly safe on this floor, in their usual rooms. But Jungkook supposed you couldn't reason with fear. They would come back up again when they grew tired of the stale air and lack of sunlight.
"No." Jungkook licked his lips nervously, glancing over to the door. "Actually, I'm here to treat the alpha."
The guard stiffened, and the one beside him opened her eyes too, fixing them intently on Jungkook. "Are you sure that's such a good idea?" The male guard asked. "He isn't very friendly."
"He is a patient, is he not?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow, feigning confidence. He was scared yes, but he would net let these guards find out about that. "Besides, I've gotten permission ... no, I was given this assignment by Director Moon." They might deny Jungkook entry if he tried going in of his own accord. But if the order came from Director Moon, well, she paid their wages. They wouldn't dare deny him then.
Neither of the guards looked pleased as he reached for the door handle, but they didn't attempt to stop him. "Scream if you need us." The female guard said, just as he was about to enter.
Jungkook gulped, but paid her no mind. If he didn't do this now, he wasn't sure he would ever do it. He perched the basket on his hip and opened the door.
No sooner had a crack appeared before growls started up inside. Jungkook closed his eyes, forced himself to remain calm. He didn't want to smell distressed when he entered. He was good at suppressing his emotions, he could do this. It wasn't like he'd expected the alpha to welcome him with open arms.
Jungkook took a step into the room, and the door closed with a click behind him. The growling sounded much louder now that he was in an enclosed space with it. Jungkook moved slowly, setting the basket down on the ground and kneeling beside it. He wanted his hands free if the alpha attacked him.
He didn't dare raise his gaze, kept it lowered to the floor. This alpha might consider anything a provocation, and Jungkook desperately wanted to remain alive and unhurt. But he could see the alpha out of the corner of his eye. Not so well that he could make out his appearance. But the alpha was pressed against the far wall, hunched over and snarling. Jungkook wanted to raise his head and look at the alpha's face, but he wasn't willing to risk it.
"Hello." Jungkook said softly, lowering his head even further and baring his neck just slightly in submission. It went against his every instinct to be so vulnerable in front of such an obvious threat. But he needed to show the alpha that he meant him no harm. "My name is Jungkook. I work here at the clinic, and I thought you might need a nest. I brought some materials here with me." Jungkook spoke slowly, careful not to let any of his fear show on his face or in his scent.
Gradually, the growls subsided. They didn't disappear completely, but instead of the loud rumbling that had greeted Jungkook when he walked inside, it could now almost be mistaken for heavy breathing. Jungkook chanced a glance about the room, careful not to look the alpha straight in the face, but he wanted to see what he was working with. Who he was working with.
His heart sank as he beheld the bare walls, the empty space. There was nothing more than a cot for sleeping in, in the small space. The only other thing a screen door, behind which Jungkook knew existed a tiny bathroom, and a surveillance camera in one of the corners. Usually, when they recieved a new patient they would decorate the rooms together with them, to create a space where they could feel safe, and to show that they had agency. But here they'd truly only tossed the alpha inside before shutting the door on him. It was heartbreaking.
The alpha though ... perhaps Jungkook could understand why everyone was so terrified of him. He was tall and broad, muscles bulging beneath his thin shirt, and he had scars all over. Most notably, a thick, straight line, running down his cheek, and a mottled mess of healed flesh on his forearm, where it looked like someone had tried to sever it with their teeth. If Jungkook hadn't known better, he would've assumed him to be the perpetrator rather than the victim. He did look extremely intimidating. But appearances could be decieving, and Jungkook intended to abide by his morals. To treat this man like he would any other patient.
"Do you want to build your nest yourself, or do you want me to do it for you?" Jungkook asked, keeping his voice light and sweet. He lowered his gaze again, reaching over for the basket, slowly, carefully. The alpha didn't respond. "Do you want to do it together?"
Jungkook didn't expect the alpha to say anything. In his current state, Jungkook would be surprised if the alpha even could talk at all. But he wanted to include the alpha in what was happening. Jungkook would be building the nest for him after all. He should be a part of it.
"How about this. Why don't I start with building you a nest, and you can change it however you like, later. I'll leave you some nesting materials to work with." Jungkook suggested, keeping an eye on the alpha as he began moving further into the room.
He didn't approach the alpha. Kept a respectful distance. But he did walk over to the cot. He figured he could use the space between the cot and the wall to build the nest. Not only would using the cot as a barrier make it feel more like a den. It would also provide a little privacy from the constantly watching camera. Jungkook didn't think the alpha was aware of the fact that he was being surveilled. And he probably didn't care either. Not now. Not when he was like this. But still. Jungkook wanted to afford him a little bit of dignity. At least his nest should be away from prying eyes.
He worked methodically, placing the larger pillows around the small area, like a soft fence against the rest of the room. At the bottom he placed the fluffiest of the blankets and pillows, and he saved the weighted ones for last, for the alpha to curl up under if he wanted to. And all the while he talked. Not of anything in particular, just narrating his actions for the alpha to hear. It helped in keeping both of them calm.
Jungkook was aware of every single twitch the alpha made. He noticed as he gradually relaxed, as he began to shift closer to where Jungkook was. Not close enough to be of any concern. But it was clear the alpha was curious, that his wariness of Jungkook was decreasing.
When Jungkook finished with the nest, he sat back on his heels. As he stared at his creation, he found that he'd run out of things to say. The alpha was watching him intently, and for the first time, Jungkook dared to return his gaze. The alpha's eyes were black, his pupils and his irises indistinguishable. Jungkook could see his canines glinting inside his mouth, elongated, threatening. And yet, the longer Jungkook looked at the alpha, the less intimidating he seemed. Despite his large size, there was something small about him. Perhaps the way his shoulders were bunched up to his ears, or his wide eyes, that despite their blackness, seemed almost innocent.
"Would you like to scent me?" Jungkook blurted out, wincing as soon as the words had left his mouth. It wasn't uncommon to scent someone in greeting. But even the most casual of scentings required a degree of intimacy, of closeness, that Jungkook wasn't sure he wanted to share with this alpha.
Again, the alpha remained silent. And as he continued to watch Jungkook, Jungkook wondered if he could comprehend Jungkook's words at all. Perhaps he was so far gone, human speech didn't register to him anymore.
But after a while, the alpha walked closer. His steps were hesitant, and he looked at Jungkook all the while, as if waiting for Jungkook to do something, ready to flee should Jungkook lash out. Jungkook had to fight an inappropriate smile. To think this alpha was afraid of him. Jungkook liked working out and had a nice physique. But he'd never harmed anyone in his life. And his gentle scent and innocent features tended to make people trust him quite easily. There was a reason he'd gotten this job.
When the alpha got close enough, he sat down on the floor, to be on the same level as Jungkook who was still kneeling. His hand trembled a little as it reached out towards Jungkook, stopping half-way between their bodies.
The alpha flinched violently when Jungkook reached out to brush the inside of his wrist against the alpha's, but he didn't pull away. Without realizing, Jungkook let out a purring noise, meant to comfort and soothe, and he was about to stop when the alpha relaxed, releasing a shaky breath. Jungkook continued. If the alpha was willing to trust him this much, Jungkook would do whatever he could to put him at ease. Including, utilizing his omegan traits.
The scent-glands on their wrists were the ones least sensitive. And since they were also the ones furthest from their noses, it took a while before their scents spread enough in the air for Jungkook to detect. He'd smelled hints of the alpha before. He had been spending the past few days in this room after all. But it was an entirely different thing to smell such a concentrated version of it.
The alpha smelled like wood-smoke and rain. Like a forest fire that had just been put out. A little wild, a little free. Jungkook would probably have liked it, if it didn't also smell so sharp. Fear and terror clung to the alpha's scent, it had seeped in deep enough, that it would take a long while and a lot of work before it disappeared completely. Just smelling that fear had Jungkook's heart clenching.
He wanted to say something. To do something. Anything, to make it better. But there was no magic fix for this kind of trauma. He found his mouth opening and closing, lost for words.
He didn't have to think about it much longer though. The door creaked as it opened, and before Jungkook had a chance to react, he was thrown to the ground, his breath being punched out of him at the impact. He couldn't see anything, because the alpha covered him completely, his large frame obstructing Jungkook's vision. And the alpha was growling. Nothing like the growls that had greeted Jungkook when he'd entered before. Those had been a warning. This was a threat. The alpha's entire body shook from the force of his snarls, his teeth bared, drool dripping down on Jungkook's forehead where he lay beneath him. If he could just tilt his head up, perhaps he could see who had entered. But the alpha kept him immobile.
Jungkook could hear shouting coming from the door, and his heart stuttered as the alpha yelped, before his growls increased in ferocity.
"Mr Jeon." The guard yelled. "Are you okay?"
Jungkook would've answered, but as he looked up at the alpha's face, he couldn't help but notice how his eyes looked duller, how he shook his head repeatedly as if to keep awake. "What on earth?" Jungkook mumbled to himself, trying to wriggle one of his hands free so he could reach up to try and soothe the alpha.
He didn't get the chance to, because a few minutes after the guards had entered the room, the alpha slumped down on top of him, falling unconscious.
The alpha's body was heavy enough to keep Jungkook pinned to the floor, and he struggled for breath as his lungs were constricted under his weight. The alpha was out cold, still covering Jungkook's body with his own. Over the alpha's shoulder, he could see the guards approaching cautiously, and the male guard reached out to try and pry the alpha away from Jungkook.
"Don't." Jungkook shouted, stopping the man in his tracks. He wasn't sure why he'd prevented him from helping. But the thought of the guard touching the alpha irked him on an innate level. The alpha had been terrified of the guards, it didn't feel right to have them touch him when he couldn't defend himself. Even if it only was to lift him off of Jungkook. "I'll get out by myself."
"If you say so." The male guard sounded doubtful, but he retreated a few steps to stand by his female colleague.
It was humiliating trying to crawl out from beneath the alpha. Jungkook prided himself on being fit and strong, but with the way he's limbs were pinned, he couldn't find the leverage to push the alpha off him. Instead he had to wriggle his way to the side, until he could free one of his arms to flip the alpha to his side. Jungkook was panting by the time he'd stood up, his cheeks flushed and his shirt sticking to his sweaty skin.
The guards respectfully averted their eyes, but Jungkook didn't miss the amused smirks pulling at their lips. He was already furious with them, and his annoyance only grew. "Why the fu ..." Jungkook stopped himself from cursing, he was at work after all. And he also stopped to breathe, he was more winded than he'd initially thought. As if this experience couldn't get anymore embarrassing. "Why? Why did you come in here?" He asked, once he'd collected himself somewhat. "I was making progress with him, and with this little stunt of yours, you might've caused him to regress even further than the state he was in before." Jungkook forced himself to stay calm, not to yell and scream like he wanted to. If he wanted them to take him seriously, he couldn't act like a child throwing a tantrum. Only alphas' anger were taken seriously. Not omegas.
"You've been in here for quite a long time. We wanted to make sure you were alright." The female guard answered, her tone apologetic.
"And good thing too." The male guard interjected, puffing out his chest as he defended his decision. "Considering we came in here to find him on top of you. Who knows what could've happened to you if we hadn't."
Jungkook clenched his fists in exasperation, nails digging into his palms to keep himself from lashing out. "He was trying to protect me from you." He said through gritted teeth. "He wasn't attacking me, he was putting himself between what he thought was me and danger. It was you he was growling at, not me." It had been clear as day to Jungkook. Perhaps because he'd felt how gently the alpha held him, even as he snarled at the two guards. "And anyway. This room has round the clock surveillance. If he was really hurting me, one of your coworkers would've sounded the alarm." Jungkook pointed at the camera in the corner. He had no doubt someone was watching them from the other end right now. Given how scared everyone was of this alpha, they wouldn't just leave him unattended, without knowledge of what he was doing.
The male guard was red in the face now, but still he opened his mouth to argue. The female guard held him back.
"We're sorry." She said diplomatically. Though she too was an alpha, she remained remarkably calm.
Jungkook nodded, deciding to let go of his anger. Logically, he understood that it wasn't really their fault. They were right to be concerned, given the circumstances. That didn't mean Jungkook had to be happy about it.
"Next time, check the cameras first, before you decide to barge in." He said, his tone softer now than it had been before. " Now, get out before he wakes up. I'm going to try and undo the damage you might've caused by frightening him like this."
Jungkook didn't watch as the guards left, but he heard as the door clicked shut behind them. Instead, he watched the alpha, lying sprawled on the floor, body still curled as if around something. He didn't know how long it would take for the alpha to wake up. Jungkook could see the tranquilizer dart sticking out of the alpha's shoulder, and he walked over to take it out. There couldn't have been too big of a dose in there. But what did that mean in terms of time? Would it be minutes? Hours? It didn't feel right to just leave him on the floor like that.
Jungkook took a look around the room. He didn't think he was strong enought to lift the alpha into the cot. But he could probably heave him into the nest if he was willing to sweat a little, put his muscles to some practical use.
He knew the alpha was heavy. But Jungkook was nothing if not determined. So he grabbed him under the arms, making sure to lift with his legs as he began dragging the limp alpha over to the nest. He couldn't get the alpha in without messing up the outer edge a little, but that was the least of Jungkook's concerns right then. As soon as he'd gotten the alpha situated, only his feet sticking out onto the floor, Jungkook stepped out of the nest. Even if he was the one who had built it, it didn't feel right for him to be there without the alpha's permission. It was supposed to be the alpha's safe space after all.
But it also didn't feel right for Jungkook to just leave. His gut told him that would only make waking up worse for the alpha. He'd passed out trying to protect Jungkook after all. How would he feel if he woke up and Jungkook was gone?
With that in mind, Jungkook sat down on the floor, his back to the wall. He'd wait until the alpha woke up. No matter how long it took.
He'd almost started dosing off when his ears registered the sound of movement, the blankets rustling on the nest. Jungkook's eyes flew open and he hurried over to the alpha's side, looking down at him. The alpha's brow was furrowed, and he instinctually started growling, long before he'd fully woken up.
Jungkook's heart was pounding in his chest, but he kept still. The alpha hadn't hurt him before, he had to believe that he wouldn't now either. Even if he was dazed and confused.
The alpha's hand twitched, and his eyes blinked open, slow and sluggish. He didn't appear to see Jungkook, despite how close Jungkook sat. But he sniffed the air, and then he reached out, following his nose to where Jungkook was. Jungkook didn't stop the alpha from grabbing his wrist. But he couldn't have predicted how strong the alpha would be, even half-unconscious as he was now. With a muffled yelp, Jungkook was pulled into the nest, right up against the increasingly frantic alpha. The more alert he became, his panic increased, his distressed scent cloying in the air.
Perhaps Jungkook had been wrong to stick around. This alpha was feral. Yes, he'd tried to protect Jungkook before. But that was after Jungkook had spent over an hour getting him used to Jungkook's presence. He couldn't trust that he was safe in the current circumstances.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Jungkook tried to wriggle his wrist free from the alpha's grip. If he could just get his hand back, he could retreat to the other side of the room. Stand by the door, where he could make a hasty exit should the situation call for it. But despite Jungkook's best efforts, the alpha's grip remained firm. And the more Jungkook tried to get away, the harsher the alpha held him. It was getting painful, the bones in his wrist almost crushed. Jungkook couldn't hold back a whine, the sound leaving his throat involuntarily.
Immediately, the alpha's eyes turned on him, his gaze focusing for the first time since he'd woken up. His hold loosened, and Jungkook pulled his hand free, cradling it against his chest. A responding whimper left the alpha, his wide eyes fixed on Jungkook. And Jungkook should've gotten away. He should've followed his plan of getting over to the door, the alpha was still too affected by the drug to stop him. But instead Jungkook remained seated, watching as the alpha dragged his uncooperating limbs over, until he could collapse against Jungkook's shoulder.
Jungkook froze, unsure of what the alpha intended to do. He was too close to Jungkook's vulnerable neck. But the alpha didn't bite him. He didn't even seem particularly threatening. He was scenting Jungkook. But not in an aggressive way. It dawned on Jungkook that the alpha was seeking comfort. Jungkook was perhaps the only person in god knew how long who'd shown the alpha an ounce of kindness, no wonder he sought it out. Jungkook lifted his throbbing wrist and rubbed it soothingly against the alpha's shoulder, against his cheek.
"It's okay." He whispered, sitting there in the nest, with the alpha half-way up into his lap. "I'm okay." He said, leaning back against the pillows and closing his eyes. He could help this alpha. He was sure of it. He'd made the right call in deciding to treat him. "You protected me well, alpha."
The alpha's chest rumbled, a pleased sound.