e, blanketing the forest in silver

pper tub that looked half-ancient and half-magical, filled with warm water

room, back turned to t

andle undressing herself. Not even when she'd left the door cracked open - p

es still marred her hips and ribs, but the pain was fadi

e now - but present. He's ours, the wolf whi

ng the heat soak into her bones, the bo

spered, "Kae

d like a

dark sweats. His eyes found hers, and stayed

t ached

re?" he

o feel safe... and I

nd her face again, fingertips brushing

ny line you don'

ned into

t," she whispered. "Wh

reath - part l

cupped her cheek with a wet palm. His fingers stroked he

out her permission. A

d. "When you touch me. My wo

ugh. "The bond b

ips to his. It was gentle - soft and trembling - but it felt like fir

't demand more. He shivered

he stayed close, f

l never rush what's sacred. But when you

oice breaking

she

er body wasn't broken. Her soul wasn't ruined. A