Page 37 of Father of the Wolf

A sigh of energy spread out from Athair, then drew back. As it retreated, it seemed to sap the essence from other energy sources within the room. Even the candles went out. The last of the vibrations from the ceremony ceased.

Athair fell to his knees, and then sagged to the floor. Hope wanted to go to him, but she was too limp to do more than reach toward him with one hand and her thoughts. “Athair?”

She felt a soothing presence flow through her, wrapping around like two strong, but gentle arms. He was reassuring her. It was her last thought before sleep overcame her.

Several hours later, she awoke to pain throbbing down her leg. She struggled to stretch out the cramps, and then slowly limped over to Athair. He lay on his side on the floor, with dark shadows cutting across his narrow hips. He was breathing, but deeply asleep despite his uncomfortable position.

She knelt beside him and reached out to shake him awake. Maybe she could move him to the couch with his help. She stopped. Heat poured off his naked skin, hot enough to burn even before her hand touched his shoulder. That couldn’t be normal. But then, what was normal for an injured, but recovering werewolf?

Pulling her sleeve down over her hand, she gave his shoulder a slight shake. “Athair, wake up.” His only response was a small groan. She tried again, “Wake up. I can’t move you without your help.” A second shoulder shake produced better results.

His eyes blinked a couple times and he rolled onto his back.

“Oh, my.” Hope couldn’t believe the view. He had a fabulous body. The sight of him stretched out before her in nothing but his birthday suit made her mouth water. “Nope, not Marmaduke.” She mumbled. His face was strong and handsome, while he was still relaxed and barely awake. Despite the temptation, she forced her gaze to stay above his waist.

“Are you okay?” She asked the silly question. He was certainly better than okay. He was downright scrumptious.

“Hope.” He said her name and met her gaze. Her mind flooded with his gratitude, his vulnerability, and so much more that she couldn’t separate the powerful emotions. The connection between them was so incredibly strong it brought tears to her eyes. So strong it scared her. She immediately pulled back and tried to regain control over her mind.

After several calming breaths, she said, “I wanted to move you to the couch, but your skin is too hot and you’re far too heavy.” Before she had the chance to continue, she saw his concentration as he attempted to make some internal change.

“I should be able to get to the couch.” He started to stand up, but stopped when it left him gasping for breath and shimmering in a strange, daunting way. “Perhaps I will need your assistance,” he said with a chagrined, half smile.

Instantly, she was there to help him, pulling his arm over her shoulders so she could support some of his weight. She had expected his skin to burn her even through her light shirt, but he was only warm now. What was burning her was the hard masculine length of his body as Athair leaned against her. She helped him to the couch where he sank into it without a sound. For her own sanity, she gently pushed him horizontal and quickly pulled the afghan from the back of the couch to cover him.

With his most interesting, and obviously interested, parts out of sight, she asked, “Can I get you anything? Maybe a drink?”

She was relieved when he refused with a subtle shake of his head. Now she could escape to bed without worrying about him.

“I will be going to bed then.” Alone. That had never bothered her in the past, but now the idea of lying in bed all by herself seemed empty and lonely.

“Good night, Hope.” Athair watched her with a tired expression. He seemed to want to say more, but his exhaustion kept him silent.

She felt like she was betraying him by wanting to leave, which was ridiculous. She started to explain, “I need to put ice on my leg and get some rest before morning.”

“Come here, closer to me. I can help your leg. You’ll need no ice.”

She went to the side of the couch, without knowing why. He was too weak to do anything for her. He couldn’t even stand up on his own. “I’m okay. You should just rest.”

“I can do this. I want to.” He placed his hand on her knee. The heat in his hand would have made her pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. He held her still with a gentle iron grip. The heat didn’t burn but filled her knee and spread through her calf and thigh. After a moment, he dropped his hand and closed his eyes.

Hope suddenly realized he had used the last of his precious healing energy to heal her battered leg. He should have used it to heal himself. Why had he done this?

“What did you do?” Hope whispered. He was very weak now. Maybe he’d already drifted back to sleep.

“I healed your leg… some. I am sorry I could not heal it properly.”

“You shouldn’t have done that much. You can’t see yourself. You’re too weak to even use your voice.” His beautiful voice.

He did not disagree with her, but he did explain, “I can heal others much more easily than I can heal myself. Don’t worry about my health. I only need to rest.” He sighed softly and his gray eyes slowly drifted shut.

She felt part of her mind relax with his sigh and realized that part of him was still within her. They were joined in some special way, allowing her to reach out and sense his presence even while he slept. She opened up to the sensation and felt him there, relaxed and content.

His healing heat didn’t leave her leg as she had expected. Instead, it spread and evened out to warm her entire body. With the warmth came a tingling sensation that was at the same time relaxing and rather sensual.

Was that Athair’s doing? He could do this to her body while he slept? What would he be like awake? Empathic. He had admitted to being able to control emotions. And the weather.

What else could he control?

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