Page 9 of Designation Prey

He’d likely want to worship Liam’s balls for a while, inhale his scent, get drunk off his pheromones, become swollen and receptive, and encourage a big load from the Dominant. And a submissive like this should want to get bred hard and long then want a secure plug to keep all that goodness inside. Daniel should be smug and content after the experience.

The combination of those things, the fact that Liam is the answer to both of those biological urges, should drive Daniel wild. Instead he’s scared, pretending to be asleep.

There are tears.

It just doesn’t make any sense. And the fact that he’s only responded to a Daddy/boy dynamic also doesn’t make a lot of sense.

A Daddy/boy dynamic is gentle, and if Daniel were anyone else then maybe he could just have that. But he’s high needs. If Liam treats him softly, as gently as Daniel wants, Daniel will spiral. Liam has seen how badly that can turn out when designations are not compatible.

But maybe the poor fit is something to worry about later. Right now, it’s a place to start.

“Beautiful boy. I’d be a very lucky Daddy if I got to have a boy like you. I’m going to put the thermometer on your neck in a bit. It stays there for five seconds and it not only takes your temperature but will tell us how much stress you’re under and how bad your drop is. It doesn’t hurt at all. I’m sure you’ve had it done before,” he says, and doesn’t stop touching Daniel’s hair. He thinks about that statement. “Well, maybe you haven’t had it done before. When you wake up you can tell me. Okay, here we go.” He touches it to Daniel’s neck.

Daniel makes a sound and shivers. It’s pretty close to a moan.

Interesting.

“Good. Almost done.” The thermometer beeps and Liam takes it away, watching the monitor for the information to come up. He’s still touching Daniel’s hair. Best to get him used to Liam’s touch as he’s going to experience a lot of it pretty soon.

“Let’s see. What can we tell from this?” Liam asks, like he’s talking to himself. He keeps his voice soothing. “You’re in distress and there are still spiked levels of hormones showing you were hurt. The submissive side of you is pretty touch starved. Hopefully, we can take care of that with some affection. We’re gonna go slow and make sure you feel good. We can talk about it when you’re ready. However you’ve been feeling, we can do better than that.”

There is no way Daniel has been feeling good. “It’s gotta be a real struggle for you, Daniel. A beautiful boy like you needs a Daddy to take care of him and get this problem fixed. That’s what I’m going to do, sweetheart. I’m here to give you what you need.”

He looks at Daniel’s face. Despite the way he’s trying so hard not to give away that he’s awake, his scent is already changing from having his hair touched and having Liam nearby. The bitter scent of fear is slipping away. Liam doesn’t smell slick yet, though.

Liam moves, lifting his hand away from Daniel’s face but Daniel turns, lips sliding against Liam’s wrist, over his scent gland, wanting the taste of Liam’s skin and hormones in his mouth.

There he is, Liam thinks, arousal coursing through him as the submissive starts to respond.

Daniel’s features even out with the slightest hint of relief. And, of course, he’s still wanting to keep up the bizarre pretense of being asleep.

Liam gets more firmly on the bed, pressing his hip against Daniel’s middle. Daniel curls closer almost instantly. With Daniel being so very submissive, it’s possible he enjoys this passive surrender and helplessness. It would be unusual if he didn’t.

Somnophilia is definitely something they’ll talk about. Later.

“Beautiful boy. How sweet you are. God, you’re making my knot tingle and I haven’t even touched you yet, honey.”

Daniel’s breath draws in and holds. Liam tries to gauge his reaction. He isn’t sure. Liam’s aching already, his own biology wanting him to mate the submissive and give him what he needs. Usually he’d think it was mutual, his desire ratcheting up in response to Daniel’s lust, but he doesn’t want to make assumptions when Daniel has had so many unusual reactions.

Most submissives with a designation as high as Daniel’s would be turning over to present already. They hear that a Dominant’s knot is tingling, would swell up just for them, and they can’t resist. Especially considering how out of whack Daniel’s hormones are.

A submissive like Daniel should be a knot slut. And getting a knot out of a Dominant doesn’t happen all the time. It’s a special gift. Not all Dominants have them. “I’ve got a really big knot, sweetheart. I’d just love to give that to you.”

Daniel’s cheeks go pink. He curls a little closer but still pretends to be asleep.

“We’ll make sure you want it, honey. I might even let you earn my knot. Would you like that? Or are you one of those boys who just wants to take it? Get his Dominant all riled up, and then be a sweet princess who gets fucked again and again? The truth is, I’ve got a knot big enough to leave any submissive feeling a little tender after. Pretty boy like you, I think you’re gonna be sore by the time I’m through with you. Beg Daddy to stop. How does that sound?” Liam’s voice has a bit of a growl, and he’s still looking for clues about what the submissive responds to.

Another tear slips down Daniel’s cheek. What the hell does that mean? What trauma has this poor boy been through?

“Poor boy. I want to check your mounting glands, but you’ve only allowed visual inspections on exposed skin. I don’t need you to wake up for me to check—I think we can find a workaround so you can stay asleep and pretty for me. But it’s important to get you checked out. I’ll be your Dominant for a while, so it’s my responsibility to take care of you. That’s all I want to do. It’ll be so nice when you wake up. We can talk about it and work out a plan.”

Daniel is anxious again, his brow furrowing.

“If you don’t want me to check, if you need more time, or you’re not okay with me lifting the sheet and touching you between your legs to check your mounting glands and then your submissive glands, then you need to wake up now. Otherwise, I’m going to check. You can just keep sleeping and let me check.”

Daniel relaxes, mimicking sleep. Giving permission.

“Good boy,” Liam says, wanting to kiss him on the forehead. However, they’re not at the kissing stage yet. Daniel will need to wake up for that.

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