He nods. “They took one gland to stop me getting so wet and aroused. I couldn’t have functioned in the field.”

Liam looks back down at the scar. “Did they discuss taking your submissive glands?” Much like a lobotomy in the early twentieth century, it wasn’t a good fucking idea, but when has that ever stopped anyone?

“They were still trying to get approval. There was concern for my ability to fight. They wanted to take out the submissive glands and put in Dominant glands and that was much too experimental, it kept getting pushed back. My father couldn’t find a surgeon willing to do it. And they didn’t know if my body would reject the glands. When my father gets better, he’ll keep trying. People don’t say no to General Burrows for long,” Daniel says, unwilling to look at him.

It’s evil, that’s what it is.

“What else did they do to try to make you into a Dominant?” Liam asks, even though he doesn’t want to think about it. This poor boy. “Can I touch you? I really want to touch you, but I don’t want to do anything you don’t want me to.” The question bursts out of Liam.

Daniel looks so lost, what’s been done to him is so wrong, and Liam just wants him to feel good, and safe, and like he doesn’t have to apologize and be ashamed. He’s the furthest thing from a disappointment.

“If you want,” Daniel whispers, looking down. It’s either a very submissive invitation—which is how Liam’s body interprets it, his cock leaking fluid, wanting to ease the way so he can mount the submissive in front of him—or it could be because Daniel thinks he can’t say no.

“Daniel, you can say no to me.”

Daniel chews his lower lip, brow furrowed for a long moment. “You think that’s what I want?” he asks, sounding hurt.

“I hope not. I’m just trying to make sure. You haven’t had as many choices as you should have.” And his responses are not typical of a submissive who desires a Dominant. He’s more reserved than the men Liam is used to. It’s throwing him off.

Daniel chuckles. “I suppose that’s true. I don’t want to say no,” he whispers, face going bright red. “Not to you.” The scent of aroused submissive rises around him.

Liam growls and Daniel’s hand strays towards his cock again.

Daniel stops himself and turns his head away, anxiety rising again. “It all feels like a trap. Another one. How do I know what’s real?”

He glances at Liam’s groin, but Liam’s got Dominant briefs on so he can get hard and it shouldn’t be too visible unless his pants are really tight. Daniel looks disappointed.