Declan - Heart of a Tiger (Royal Taiga Streak #1) - J.R. Loveless Page 0,63

returning them to Sean’s lap. “They don’t really shrink your head, Sean. Sam was being funny.”

“Oh.”

“A therapist is a doctor of the mind and soul. They help heal you mentally while a doctor like Cameron heals you physically. I think it’s important for you all to talk to someone who can help you deal with what you’ve been through and how to live with those events. You’ve all been through something horrifying and beyond understanding for many of us. Especially you, gorgeous. You’ve spent years being the punching bag for someone, taking care of so many others while struggling to survive, and seen death more than any child should.”

Sam snorted. “Like they’re going to understand any of it themselves?”

Declan gave Sam a look and she sighed. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I don’t mean any disrespect, but I doubt anyone can begin to know what we’ve all gone through except each other.”

“You’re right, Sam. No one can ever truly know what happened to you and it may even be good for you all to have sessions together as well as apart. To talk about the things that you experienced in a safe space. Will you both consider it? Please? Speak with Tara as well.”

Sam studied Declan for a silent moment and then nodded. “All right.”

“Sean?”

Sean didn’t really want to talk about and relive the last seventeen years of his life. He wanted to forget about them and just be happy he was out of that basement, but Declan seemed to really want him to see the therapist. “Okay.”

Declan smiled and reached out to brush a strand of hair away from Sean’s cheek. “Thank you, gorgeous. I think today we should see about getting this hair trimmed, too.”

“On that note, I’m going to go find Tara and Vicky,” Sam said and started to leverage herself to her feet. Declan stood and took both her hands, helping her upright. “Thank you, Alpha.”

“Call me Declan or Dec, please.”

“I’ll try,” Sam said, wrinkling her pert nose at him.

Once Sam had wandered into the house, Declan turned to Sean and held out his hand. “Let’s go see Clarissa.”

Sean laid his palm in Declan’s and allowed him to lead him down the porch steps and through the compound. The walk didn’t take more than a few minutes and they approached a brick one-story building with white trim. When they stepped inside Sean saw a small room with a couch, several chairs, and a T.V. on the wall. The wall was a cheery yellow with a plethora of pictures, drawings and photographs. There was a corridor that led further into the building and Declan encouraged Sean to head down it. There were four more doors as well as bathrooms at the end.

They stopped in front of an open door where a pretty blonde woman stood at a white board on the wall, a marker in her hand. Sean peeked in and saw there were rows of small tables with kids ranging in ages around them. Ronnie sat at one of those tables, but when he saw Sean, he gave a small shout of greeting and darted out of his chair to throw himself at Sean.

“Ronnie,” Declan grunted. “Were you allowed to get up before asking?”

Ronnie backed away from Sean and flushed, looking at the ground. “No, Uncle Dec.”

“I think you should apologize to Ms. Clarissa.”

“Yes, Uncle Dec.” Ronnie turned to look at the blonde woman. “Sorry, Ms. Clarissa.”

She smiled and came over to where they stood. “Go have a seat, Ronnie. I know you were excited to see the Alpha and Alpha-mate, so I won’t have you stay after to help clean up today, but please remember in the future to ask before leaving your seat.”

“Yes, Ms. Clarissa.” Ronnie rushed back to his chair and sat, but didn’t take his eyes off Sean or Declan.

“I apologize for interrupting class, Clarissa,” Declan said. “I wanted to know if we can have a moment of your time?”

“Of course, Alpha.” Clarissa turned to face the children. “Class, please remain seated and take a few moments to review what we’ve already gone over this morning. I’ll be right back. Megan, please take names of anyone who gets out of their seat.”

A dark-haired girl who looked around the same age as Tara nodded with a serious expression. “Yes, Ms. Clarissa.”

The three of them stepped out of the room and Clarissa closed the door until there was just a small crack remaining. “How can I help you, Alpha?”

Declan wrapped an around Sean’s waist. “Clarissa, I’d