Page 65 of Savage Fate

“It belongs to the current alpha, so technically, it’s my house.” He opened the massive oak door to a spacious living room. “A few members live here, including my parents.”

Warmth permeated the air, and it wasn’t just a temperature thing. Like the Anderses’ home, the atmosphere held on to the kindness and happy memories that had unfolded within these walls. Pictures lined the huge fireplace mantel where flames crackled, and more were on bookshelves, tables, and the walls.

“You can use a spare bedroom.” Saint motioned toward the set of wooden stairs leading to the second-floor landing.

I grabbed the railing as my trembling legs climbed each step behind him. “You wouldn’t happen to have a change of clothes I could borrow, would you?”

He peered over his shoulder. “I just gave away all my extra-smalls, but my younger sister might have something that would fit you.”

A snort burst out of my mouth at the thought of Saint donning an extra-small-sized anything.

He pointed to a door on the left side of the hall. “I’ll grab you some clothes. Make yourself at home.”

I ambled into the sizable room with a large bed against one wall and a fireplace on the opposite. The view from the windows was incredible, showcasing the frosty forest landscape. I could practically smell the pine. Or that might have been Saint’s jacket.

“I hope these work.” He entered the room and tossed a pair of sweatpants, a matching hoodie, and a gray tank top on the bed. “My sister’s not here, but she won’t mind.”

“Thanks.” I groaned as I removed Saint’s jacket, tossing it on a chair.

A low growl curled from his mouth as he scrutinized my body, particularly my torso. Blood leaked from my left side, bruises spotted my flesh, and angry healing marks coated my right side from where Amelia clawed me.

“Are you sure you don’t want a healer?” The muscles in his face twitched as he clenched his jaw. “Josh is just downstairs. Or I could get a female if you’re more comfortable with that.”

“I’m fine.”

Lines developed across Saint’s brow. “I wouldn’t let anyone here hurt you. You’re perfectly safe with all of our healers.”

“It’s not that. I just…” I rubbed the center of my forehead, wincing when I touched a bruise. “I’m not all that comfortable with being touched.”

His mouth parted as so many emotions flitted across his expression. He was probably trying to guess what had made me that way.

He might come close, but he would never really know. Only Fane did.

“I’ll make sure to remember that,” he whispered, shoving his hands in his pockets as if to keep himself from accidentally touching me.

“Youcan touch me.” As soon as the words dropped from my tongue, heat flooded my cheeks, and a nervous laugh slipped out. “I just mean I’m okay with you. I know you. Sort of.”

A soft smile curved Saint’s mouth as he grabbed a plush towel from the dresser, crossed the room, and passed it to me. “That’s good to know. I’m glad.”

Fane certainly wouldn’t be glad.

I took the towel and wrapped it around the ends of my hair, squeezing the frigid water out. “I think I can handle these little injuries on my own, though.”

As his gaze dropped to my torso again, anger flashed over his face. “I’m sure you can take care of yourself, but Iama healing alpha.”

My head cocked to the side. “What do you mean?

“Some shifter bloodlines, like my father’s, often pass down a special gift to the alphas whether they ever take that position or not.” He gave a casual shrug. “I can heal my pack members.”

“But I’m not part of your pack.”

I tried to recall any information I learned on the subject while studying as a raven but was coming up blank. Maybe it wasn’t a widely known fact.

“You are still technically my fated. It would work for you too.”

“How would you heal me?”

Saint palmed the back of his neck as he stared at the floor instead of me. “I would have to, uh, lick your wounds.”