Page 46 of Designation Prey

Daniel gets up, throws on sweats and a shirt, runs a hand through his hair and splashes water on his face, trying to wake up a little. It’s over. He knew it would end.

If he can keep it together until they leave, that will be a miracle. He has no idea how Liam will react to him leaving, but it won’t be good.

How bizarre is it that he knows his Daddy will be devastated? The real danger here is that Liam might fight for him, get into an altercation with the soldiers if Daniel can’t convince him he wants to leave. Even if Liam didn’t get killed or hurt by the soldiers, he knows his father would love an excuse to court-martial the Dominant who bred his son. And if he couldn’t court-martial him, then at least get him demoted, possibly kicked out of the military. If Daniel isn’t careful, he could ruin Liam’s life.

He couldn’t stand that.

Daniel’s life is already ruined. It’s over. He’s going back to what he knows. Liam can still live a good life. Maybe this is the true test of submission, he realizes—being willing to sublimate himself for the good of the man he loves.

He goes out into the living room, and Liam looks at him, his nostrils flaring. “Wait,” he growls, pointing at Daniel.

“I have to go. It’s time,” he says, forcing a smile as he looks at Dr. Chang.

The doctor is frowning severely.

Daniel starts walking to the door.

“This isn’t my decision. We’ll take his labs when we get back to the base and start making a case that his treatment be changed,” Dr. Chang says.

“He’smine,” Liam snaps, and grabs Daniel’s arm as he tries to pass by.

“Oh shit,” the doctor says.

Two guards step into the cabin.

The hand on his arm tightens. “Daniel,” he murmurs, and every hair on Daniel’s body rises, electricity crackling between them. He’s still caged. He’s wearing a plug, and the shirt is rough against his nipples. Daniel belongs to his Daddy. But now he has to leave.

“Please do not make this worse for me,” Daniel says.

Liam’s arm drops to his side. Daniel can’t even look at him. He certainly can’t touch him or say goodbye. It’s three steps and then he’s in the bright light of day and walking towards the jeep.

“Daniel!” Liam calls from behind him.

“Sir, I’m going to need you to remain in the house,” a soldier says. Daniel hears a snarl and he almost stumbles.

The car door opens, and a doctor he’s familiar with gets out, leering at him. “Hello, Daniel. It’s been too long,” he says, and Daniel almost runs, just bolts into the forest. Let them shoot him, let them capture him and take him back to his father kicking and screaming.

He doesn’t. Because he knows Liam will fight if Daniel runs. And then Liam will get hurt.

And how does that help anyone?

Daniel gets into the jeep, closes his eyes, and pretends to sleep.

Dr. Chang takes his vitals as they head back to the base. “Your improvement is remarkable. Did he take care of you?”

“Yes,” he replies. It’s a massive understatement but what else is there to say?

Forty minutes later he hears Doctor Chang gasp. “Oh god,” he says, looking up from his phone and at Daniel, an expression of horror on his face before he flinches and looks out the window, rattled.

“Let me guess. My father has decided I need a long, cold nap?”

He doesn’t answer right away. “I’ll talk to him. We’ll appeal it.”

“Do I see him first or just go straight there?”

“I’m not sure if he’ll meet you there.”

“Disposing of his son in person might be too unpalatable. Even for him,” Daniel says, and laughs. He isn’t sure why. But it feels like cowardice for his father to not even look him in the eye and be there when he’s put to sleep. He might never wake up again. He might wake up fifty years in the future. Any amount of time will be odd.Willhe wake up again?

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