Daniel flinches, looking away from him. “No. Never. My father wouldn’t allow it. And I…. They’re trying to turn me into a Dominant.”

“How do you feel about that?”

He shrugs. “My father knows what’s best,” he says hollowly. “I used to want to be a Dominant. Now I just want… I thought I was going to die.”

“You’re not going to die. And you won’t ever be a Dominant. You’re perfect as you are, Daniel.”

Daniel shakes his head sharply, just once. As if it was the start of a vigorous denial.

“I want to take you home and give you my knot. You’re a high-needs submissive and if you agree, I’ll use you hard. It will help. Hopefully your father will leave you alone if we can get you feeling better.”

Daniel doesn’t answer but his head turns back, another shock of electricity going through Liam as their gazes lock, and then Daniel is offering his mouth for a kiss, panting as he shifts on the bed, legs opening in invitation. Frantic, needy, as if he’s terrified it’s all going to be taken away in the next sixty seconds and he’s going to get what he can while he can.

“Good boy, that’s so good. Surrender to Daddy. There you go,” Liam growls, unable to help it. He’s concerned Daniel will find it upsetting, how aggressive he sounds, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

And then Daniel offers his neck, tilting his head, which is rather shocking. Highly submissive. A response to the growl. Daniel noticed, after all.

Noticed and liked it.

It takes a moment for Liam to look away. His mouth is watering. This sweet boy just offered Liam his neck. Incredible. “Christ. I’ll have to put you in a collar so I don’t mate you.”

“Wouldn’t I be yours then?” Daniel asks. “For good?” The question is quick, is one the boy must have thought about before. Maybe a lot. A submissive who is meant to be prey. Who doesn’t want to consent but wants to be taken. And he’s asking the first Dominant he’s alone with if he might be permanently claimed.

Christ.

Liam forces himself to pull back, to try to think and resist the alluring submissive beneath him. The kid just offered himself to the first Dominant who showed up because he’s in a desperate situation and wants out. His father has controlled his life and now he’s willing to throw his lot in with anyone. Hell, he might like it if he got stuck with a bad, bad man.

“You should have choices,” Liam says.

Daniel drops his hands to the bed, turning his face away. Is he taking it as rejection?