Page 40 of Ember's Claim

It’s all my brain can focus on.

Moving her right now might not be the best choice, but the couch doesn’t offer her much space.

My eyes fly to the front door and briefly around the room to the windows.

Aimes could have supporters ready to lash out.

I run my fingers through Ember’s soft hair one final time and gently move her until I can hop up. Carefully making my way around the house, I lock down everything as securely as I can.

My shoulders roll back as my head slides from side to side. It’s not enough, or it doesn’t feel like it.

Once the terms were set, I came to peace with the fact that I might die tonight.

I owe the little wolf my life, and I always pay my debts.

I gather her more carefully than anything I’ve done in a long time.

This house doesn’t have a downstairs bedroom, but even if it did, I’d still be compelled to bring her to mine. Not that it’s more secure than the rest of the house. It will just give me the benefit of hearing someone coming and an additional door between us and them.

Ember cuddles her pale cheek to my tattoo-covered chest. She’s vulnerable, and it sets off every protective instinct I’ve got.

The remnants of the fight didn’t magically disappear. She’s bloody and needs a shower, but then again, so do I. Although, I did scrub my arms and face when I grabbed the first aid supplies.

We make it up the stairs, and my free hand wraps around the door handle. I close it as quietly as possible before shuffling over to my bed. This house has old wooden floors and the boards creak constantly.

Getting to the edge of my queen-size bed, I pull back the covers before placing her down.

My eyes fly to the floor and back to her still body. She could totally roll off if I’m not careful. I gently lift her, repositioning her closer to the middle before heading over to grab myself a fresh T-shirt. I frown at the blood staining my chest and sides but pull the material on, anyway.

My gaze moves back to the female alpha. My lion really likes the fact that she’s in my clothes, but the reminder of the way she got there makes my jaw clench.

Aimes is lucky he’s dead.

Shady behavior or not, I would have transformed into my lion and killed him for attacking the female wolf. It would have gone against all of our codes and customs, and yet, I still would’ve done it without hesitation.

That probably says as much about me as it does him.

I move to the side of the bed closest to the door and climb on while doing everything I can to keep from jostling her.

Lying on my back, I loop my arms over my head and stare at the ceiling.

I’m physically exhausted, but my mind races.

Shit just got real, and it’s only going to get worse before it gets better.

Ember snuggles closer in her sleep, and her nose comes to rest against my ribs over the shirt as I stare down at her in bewilderment.

She feels the connection,my lion says smugly. He doesn’t elaborate further, and I do my best to stay completely still. It feels like any slight movement could cause her pain, with how severe her injuries are. Her good side lies against the mattress, and the one that’s ripped to hell faces the ceiling.

Her hand slides over my side, coming to rest on my stomach, and my mouth falls open. Everything in me aches to touch her, too, but I’m not sure if that’s gratitude or what.

My wolf is a beta. Since my lion is an alpha, he tends to win out when it comes to pushing his thoughts and feelings into my mind.

But my wolf comes forward just long enough to say,You should shift. Skin-on-skin contact will help her heal faster.

Indeed,my lion agrees.

My head shakes. I’m flabbergasted. They’ve never shown interest in anyone individually. Having them agree on something? It’s fucking weird. They picked a hell of a person to hyperfixate on.

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