for the deep recesses of the bed again, Finn hauls him next to him again and reclines on him.
To my surprise, this makes Deek go still.
Sending me an expectant look, Finn pats the spot on the other side of Deek’s shoulder. “Come on, Sue. Get over here. He needs reassurance.”
Easing down beside Deek’s shivering form, I tentatively brush my fingers in the deep fur starting between and just behind his ears.
Deek exhales through a parted muzzle and burrows hard against my thigh.
Finn taps the back of my hand. “Why the clenched fist?”
I release the grip I had in Deek’s fur—but he only shoves himself against me harder, as if trying to get me to touch him again. I do, hoping to reassure him.
And to my relief, it works. He nuzzles his nose under my knee until he can tuck it there, and sighs.
Swallowing, I risk a glance up at Finn. “What do they do to them in the Pack den?”
Finn’s smile turns puzzled. Then he’s all-out frowning. “What do you mean?”
I indicate the mess of a werewolf squishing himself into me. “Look at him.”
“I am,” says Finn, who’s not in fact looking at Deek. He’s looking at me—a direct stare. A very direct one. “And I see a submissive wolf.” He reaches over Deek to lay his hand on the top of my knee. “He’s not been abused, Sue. This is just how submissives are.”
I must look too skeptical, because he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Oh, jays, Lucan.”
I’m momentarily confused until I remember that Deek’s name is actually Lucan.
Finn mutters something that I think is unflattering in regards to Deek. “Buck eejit,” “banjaxed wulf! Stop the lights!” and also the incomprehensible statement, “Any more of this and there’ll be less of it!”
During the banjaxed wulf, something interesting happens: Deek wags his tail.
Immediately, the knot of concern that I’ve been feeling for him eases. I go back to petting him. “He just seems afraid a lot.”
“Well, he is,” Finn agrees. “You’re scaring him.”
More in disbelief than outrage, I squeak, “Me?”
Finn’s eyes widen and he leans back, surprised. “Well, yeah.” At my skeptical look, he adds, “I’m not codding you!” He shakes his head. Then he plants a finger on the wide swath of space between Deek’s low-pinned ears. “For now, you are this wolf’s alpha. Deek knew you’d be miffed if he tattled about Ginny’s situation, but he couldn’t not do something about that so he got anxious.” He gestures to the wolf between us. “When you back a submissive wolf into a corner, this is what happens. Plus, he went out today. That was a big deal.”
I’d really like to discuss the part about Ginny’s situation, but I take the unnaturally still werewolf in, considering Finn’s words.
Finn takes one of my hands and implores me with his gaze. “Sue, a stór, I’m bleedin’ serious—no one’s been hurting ‘im. He’s just like this. All submissives are like—are like this. That’s why you only ever see alphas out and about with the rest of you.”
He releases my hand and grabs up Deek’s ruff, lifting this loose-skinned, thickly furred part of his pelt, dragging it back and forth like he’s shaking it for emphasis. Deek’s fur gleams and ripples with health, almost fluid as it’s being manipulated this way.
“Imagine being born with a personality that makes you inclined to bend to a leader figure’s higher authority. Imagine the desire to submit is mad strong. Now imagine yourself out in a world of people who operate as their own independent authorities most of the time. You’d be bombarded trying to please everyone. And no one can do that, you have to think for yourself.” He releases Deek’s ruff in favor of patting him between the shoulder blades. “This one can think for himself, but we protect our submissives in quiet places. Places away from human whims and human confusion. You think he’s abused, but what he is is shell-shocked. He’s never been out with you people before, and it’s a lot for him to take in.”
The Internet made some mentions of Packs having their own little general stores and general doctors and basically being hidden-away towns so that werewolves who don’t want to leave never have to.
I guess Deek’s behavior makes sense.
“Okay,” I say finally. Then I pin Finn with my gaze. “What does Deek think you’re going to do for Ginny?”
“Hmm?” Finn asks, brows raised politely.
My eyes narrow. Deek shivers between us and burrows harder. “Deek sees Ginny’s bruises and he