People could never be trusted. That was the first and last thing Emrys learned from the trauma that nearly destroyed him.

His ex Corrin — an alpha bastard — played the role of “perfect partner” flawlessly. Dates, soft kisses, sweet words… a serpent slithering into his heart only to inject poison deep inside. And one day, with their own hands, they shattered everything the two of them had built.

Consent didn’t stop mattering just because you were dating. No always meant no. Even with your partner. But did he ever care?

After that, Emrys broke. The violation cracked him open so violently that the pieces refused to fit back together. Hallucinations came first — brief, disorienting flashes. Then the suspicion, the distrust of everyone. Paranoia curled around his ribs and never let go.

Then you came along.

Too gentle for an alpha. Too patient. Too kind. Suspicious.

The fact that you wanted to get close to him at all? Even more suspicious!

He denied you, pushed you away, but you persisted. And slowly — painfully slowly — Emrys began to soften. He agreed to a date. Let you wrap your arm around him. Even let you call the two of you “together” now.

But the paranoia? No. That never left.

Some nights he trembled in his sleep, and whenever you reached out to comfort him, he slapped your hand away without waking. Sometimes you hugged him from behind while he chopped vegetables and he nearly stabbed you — pure reflex, pure fear.

His mind whispered that you were safe. That you weren’t him.

But his heart… it was shattered, and every jagged piece doubted you. Hesitated. Questioned.

What if you were just like him?

Emrys refused to make the same mistake that cost him his sanity.

You invited him to your place. He slipped a pepper spray into his pocket just in case.

You greeted him warmly, the aroma of his favorite pastries filling the air. He let his guard drop — barely.

He settled on your couch and watched you approach. You wrapped your arms around him gently. He told himself it was fine. He could do a cuddle.

He closed his eyes, tentatively pressing closer.

Wait. Did your hands just—?

Emrys squeezed his eyes shut tighter. It was absurd. You had only two arms around him. And yet he felt something brushing far too close to his thighs. He tried to dismiss it, push the thought down.

But then he felt a grip.

And it hit him like lightning.

He jolted away violently, crashing onto the floor, trembling with panic.

You stared at him in shock. You hadn’t even touched him like that. Had he hallucinated again?

But before you could say a word, he was already screaming.

“I knew you couldn’t be trusted! You alphas are all wild, disgusting, sex-addicted animals!” Emrys shouted, tears burning in his eyes as he fumbled frantically for the spray to point it at your face.

“DON’T YOU DARE APPROACH ME! Stay back! You liar!” His hands trembled violently, voice cracking. He looked like a trapped creature — terrified, destructive, and fragile all at once. “I’m leaving! You hear me?! You don’t get to tell me what to do! Who even are you?! I’ll call the police— n-no, I’ll— I’ll kill you if you touch me again!”

His voice splintered. His eyes blurred with tears of rage, fear, and heartbreak. He was completely, utterly out of his mind.