Just as he asks me, all of the pain from the previous events comes crashing down on me, eliciting a groan of pain to escape my lips. 
                          
"Umm... yeah. I've been better." I say, sarcasm dripping from my voice. 
                          
"How did you... How did you manage to calm me down just now? I was beginning to have a panic attack, no one's been able to stop those except for my sister." I ask him tentatively, still apprehensive of his presence. 
                          
"It's the mate bond." He starts with a small smile full of love on his face, his left hand still massaging my scalp, "My presence automatically calms you down, and you me." 
                          
Something about the way he's looking at me, how gentle he is with just running his hand through my hair; it really makes me think, maybe he can be trusted. I want so desperately to give him a chance, but I need time to get to know him first. I can't just rush into any sort of magically appearing friendship or relationship of any sort. I'd become too overwhelmed. I need time. I have too much on my plate right now to also be dealing with a werewolf.
                          
The way he's looking at me right now makes me think he can read my mind. It's like his beautiful ocean eyes see right through me and he's silently letting me know that it's okay. I don't have to rush with him. Maybe he doesn't want to rush this either, whatever this is. It's like we've had a whole conversation just by looking into each others' eyes. Is this also a part of the mate bond? I can't help but wonder to myself. 
                          
"Can you walk? Roni can give you a ride home, is that okay? Ms. Miller told me you walk home every day. I don't think you should be walking." He says, concern still etched into his handsome features. 
                          
"I'm fine." I tell him, attempting to stand up. His hand leaves my hair, but he refuses to release my hand from his other one.
                          
I slowly sit up in the bed, wincing from the pain. Trenton sees my evident pain and quickly stands up, moving his chair back and coming over to where I'm sitting up on the bed, standing in front of me. 
                          
"Okay, I'm not letting you walk. Come here." He says, causing my expression to form into one of confusion. He sees this and decides to explain further. 
                          
"Roni's Jeep is just outside, I texted her. She's waiting for us just outside the door so it isn't far. Let me carry you." He tells me, the realization of his words causing my face to heat up. 
                          
"No no! It's okay, I can walk. Who's Roni?" I ask, curiosity in my voice. 
                          
"Roni is my cousin, she's also to be Beta when I take the title of Alpha once my father retires. Now come on, this isn't up for debate." He says, using an authoritative tone.
                          
"ALPHA?! You're going to be Alpha?" I ask, trying to change the subject in hopes of him forgetting about it and letting me attempt to walk on my own. 
                          
"Kai. I know what you're doing. We can discuss this later but there is no way I'm letting you walk right now. I have some things I want to ask of you as well, but I don't think now is the time." He says, grabbing my shirt from the foot of the bed. Ooookay, didn't even realize I was missing that. I mentally scoff at my obliviousness. Throwing on my shirt, I closely watch Trenton as he comes closer to me, making space between my legs that are swung over the edge of the bed to stand. 
                          
Trenton leans down and swiftly, but gently, picks me up, eliciting a small yelp of surprise to escape my mouth and leading me to reflexively wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. 
                          
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you but I knew if I let you keep stalling, you would've found a way to avoid this. You're hurt, Kai. Let me take care of you." He softly whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.