Page 18 of His Wild Mate

I knew if they tried to come for her here that I could easily defend us.

Also, I knew I needed to call Thomas and confirm that she was here with me.

I was starving from the run and fresh air, but I could also smell my own stench. A shower was far more important.

“Make yourself at home. I'm just going to take a quick shower,” I told her.

I wasn't going to push her to follow me or anything like that no matter how much I'd enjoy that—if she'd shift in her skin and show herself to me at least.

Shutting the door and locking her out of the bathroom was much harder than it should have been. I made quick work of taking a shower, and it tore at my heart to hear her scratch and whine at the door much like Wyatt's dog does to him.

That dog of his is a menace, so I shouldn't count them the same.

My mate was no dog even if she was currently in her fur. I wasn't imagining this. I heard my inner wolf, and she had clearly communicated with me. I wasn't crazy. This was really happening.

I got out as quickly as possible and dried off, then wrapped a towel around my waist. When I opened the door, she rushed in and ran straight into the shower. I didn't move, so she barked at me.

I groaned. I'd imagined her joining me in the shower but not like this.

“Don't you want to shift and wash up?”

She shook her head and started to cower in the corner.

“It's okay. Take as long as you need.”

Without another word, I let the towel drop, turned the water back on and stepped back under the water to join her. She was so dirty, and her fur was matted up in even more places than I thought. It took me almost an hour to get her clean and comb out the knots, but I did it.

I didn't know why she wouldn't shift, but if this is what my mate needed, then I would do it. I'd do anything for her.

Finally clean, I shooed her out and toweled her off. She happily shook, shooting water all over the bathroom.

Laughing, I tried to give her a stern look, but it fell short.

She already looked a million times healthier than she had. Still too skinny, but who knew how long she'd been out there living in her fur. Maybe just having regular meals would do her a world of good.

I jumped back into the shower and rinsed off once more. Looking down at the shower floor, I cringed. I wasn't going to clean that mess up and made a mental note to call in someone to do it for me. There were a couple of high schoolers that were willing to take on projects like this for a few extra bucks. Maybe Will knew of someone interested.

For now, I left it behind and walked to my room. She followed.

Once dressed, I laid down on the bed. Hesitantly, she jumped up onto the bed and curled up, too careful not to get too close, though she'd seemed okay with letting me bathe her. I didn't understand this woman at all, but I knew I had to be patient and give her space,

By the time I was dialing Thomas's number, she was already snoring softly.

“You're still alive?”

“I'm fine. I told you nothing would happen.”

“Where is she now?”

“My place. She's exhausted and resting,” I whispered.

“If she was anyone else, I'd have her put down and you know it. I saw Brady last night. She really did a number on him. Are you sure you're safe?”

“Positive. She isn’t going to hurt me. And I already told you why.”

“The guys said there was no sign of humanity in her. How sure are you?”

“Come and see her for yourself. I'm a thousand times sure of exactly who she is. As sure as you were the day you saw Lily and everything changed for you. We've talked about this, Thomas. I know what happens and what to look for. She's mine.”

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