Page 80 of Ember's Claim

Veryn and Anders can seek us out when they arrive, but for now, I’m here. So, I’ll be providing the care my mate desperately needs.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Ember

The shower in the nest has a bench, but I much prefer standing, so my wet skin can slide against Lorcan’s.

I’ll never forget the empty pit that formed in my soul when I couldn’t feel him. I intend to do a hell of a lot more research about druids. Next month, I will know the incantation and every step necessary to complete the ritual by heart, just in case he’s ever incapacitated again.

“Head back, lovely,” Lorcan instructs, helping me tip into the flow of water. His fingers dig into my scalp. It’s heavenly.

It still hurts to put my weight on my injured leg, but I do my best to keep from showing it.

Lorcan pulls me up, and my eyes widen when Anders’s golden brown hair appears over Lorcan’s shoulder.

Licking my lip, I give him a soft smile.

“Can I take over?” he growls, coming closer. “I need this.”

Lorcan shrugs, dipping his mouth to mine for a quick tease of a kiss. “She’s still a bit wobbly, but we’ve done most of the actual cleaning.” He leans me against the wall, squeezing my hips before backing away.

“Veryn is supervising the removal of the bodies,” Anders says. “He could probably use your magic. It would make everything run a lot more smoothly.”

Lorcan chuckles. “Fine, but get her settled into the nest as soon as you’re done. She needs an opportunity to rest and heal.”

Anders slides up in front of me, his amber eyes studying every inch of my face. “You kicked ass tonight, but seeing you bruised…” His long hair falls over his face as his head shakes. “It’s fucking killing me.”

My hands come to rest on his bare chest, guiding him to turn into the flow of hot water. “You’re covered in blood. Let’s get that off you.”

His eyes glow that yellowy-gold color that indicates his animals are close to the surface. “Ember, I’m serious. I feel like I’m about to claw out of my own skin.”

Ensuring the majority of my weight is held up on my good leg, I stretch up to kiss his strong jaw. He was bossy and commanding that night after my fight with Aimes, but he’s been so quiet and laid back since that it’s surprising to see him so close to losing it.

My wolf would be equally furious if he was injured, but it’s his emotional torment spilling over in the bond that has her pacing.

Anders’s huge hands land on my waist. “Look, I get that you can protect yourself. A huge part of me is proud of how you handled that fight.” He exhales heavily. “The fact it was two-on-one, and one of them was an alpha… Fuck. I can’t shift right now.”

I stretch around him, grabbing a pump of the body wash. Using that as a distraction, I begin to soap his bloody chest. “You’re protective. I get that. I am good, though, so please don’t worry.”

The feral alpha grabs my hands, halting their progress. “If anything happens in the future, I need you to let me fight by your side. I don’t think I can stand by and watch. It goes against everything in me. I managed it tonight, but it was an all-out battle with my lion.”

The emotion in his tone makes my chest tight.

I nod, licking my lips. “I’ll try, but if it’s an alpha challenge?—”

“That’s different,” he murmurs, lowering his face until it’s very close to mine. His lips are so close, but we don’t actually touch. “You’re so beautiful, it takes my breath away.”

I stretch, capturing his mouth. It’s going to take some time to learn all the ins and outs of Anders’s and Lorcan’s personalities, but I do my best to shore him up in the bond.

He’s not asking for much, and I want him to feel as safe and cared for as I do. His facial hair scratches over my cheek as he swirls his tongue around mine, and the next thing I know, my back hits the cool tile.

Anders towers over me, and even though my entire body is exhausted and kinda aches, my tits still tighten the longer he devours me in the tender, emotion-filled kiss.

Okay, new game plan…

Clean him up and get my sexy lion into my nest.

Lorcan outdid himself when updating the extra bedroom he placed the nest in. I got a quick look at it as he carried me through to the bathroom earlier, but after Anders and I dry off, we head into the room, and I really get to examine it.

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