Page 58 of Alpha Scorned

His hold was uncompromising. Even if I’d been full strength, fighting against it would have been futile. But I didn’t want to fight. I happily took what he offered, letting his power rush through me. He wanted to heal me, and I gladly let him. My wolf was overjoyed. She revelled in the trust and safety he promised and her happiness filtered through to my heart.

I lost track of time, but as more of Owen’s energy hit me, strength flowed through every mutilated cell. Despite my desperate desire to join with my mate, a deep sense of peace enveloped me. It was impossible to maintain my hold on his powerful muscles—not when a whole new level of lethargy overwhelmed my body. Without conscious thought my lips relaxed and released Owen’s skin. I was barely aware when Owen gently pulled me from his neck. He lowered me down to the soft pillow, swiping his thumb over my blood stained lips.

“No, no. I need to heal you,” I whispered.

“Shhh, it’s okay, rest now. We will finish this when you are stronger. My wolf can easily heal me.”

A sudden sense of panic overtook me as I grabbed for his wrist to hold him to me. What if he changed his mind? If I slept, he could leave me. But warmth invaded my heart, my wolf the one to reassure me that he wouldn’t leave our side; not then, not ever. As weak as a newborn, I couldn’t even open my eyes, but I forced myself to take a breath and speak. “No—the claiming mark.”

Owen kissed my cheek, his lips hot against my cold skin. “Don’t worry, love, you’ll get as many chances as you wish to claim me, very soon.”

Relief unfurled in my chest. “Owen?”

“Yes?”

“Stay? Hold me?” I clutched on to him tighter, I was covered in blood and sweat and my injuries were only just starting to heal. But he didn’t hesitate.

“Always,” he answered, his voice thick.

I forced my fingers to uncurl and let him go enough to move. The mattress dipped and I hissed at the discomfort as he pulled me up, still on my side, until I was draped across his large chest. Exhausted as I was, my body was still aware of his nakedness under mine. My breasts were pushed against the hard muscles of his chest, his arm draped low across my back, avoiding my injuries, and his other hand stroked my hair, before trailing down my arm where I rested it over his stomach and hip. His fingers played with mine before he trailed them back over the same path and stroked my hair again. I inhaled his scent and sighed, peace and contentment filling me now that I had my mate and my wolf with me. At least, she was for now.

A pulse of reassurance resonated through me.

I made a contented noise in my throat, every tired and aching muscle relaxing as Owen continued running his fingers through my hair. He kissed my head. “Go to sleep, Lina. Heal. Everything will be okay. You’ll see.”

And I believed him. Letting his nearness soothe me, I fell asleep in my mate's strong, yet gentle embrace.

Slowly,consciousness returned. Memories of what had happened, of the vampires running in through the rear entrance of the cave, of fighting for my life, of my wolf, of Devon covered in blood, of almost dying... It all came back to me in a rush. Part of me wanted to stay in the oblivion of sleep where it was less traumatic, where there were no enemies trying to hurt me. But there was no Devon, and no Owen, in that dreamless world.

My heart skipped a beat. His strong body wasn’t beneath me anymore, instead, my face was cradled by a soft pillow. Had he changed his mind and left me, after all? Squeezing my eyes tightly shut, I took hold of my panic. No, he wouldn’t do that. And pushing away that irrational anxiety, I strained my ears. The muffled sound of falling water reached my ears. I exhaled heavily.He was in the shower, that was all.

Tentatively, I wiggled my fingers and toes, and when that didn’t hurt, I moved my arms and legs, working slowly and carefully through my whole body. I grinned and held back a sob of relief. There was no excruciating pain, no nausea or dizziness, so I peered over my shoulder as best I could. My skin looked healed. I reached over and rubbed my fingers lightly over the back of my neck and down my spine as far as I could stretch. The skin was tender and raised under my touch, but when I brought my hand away there was no blood.

“Thank you,” I whispered out loud to my wolf. She’d stuck around and used Owen’s strength, along with her own, to heal me. She sent me a wave of encouragement to get up.

I chuckled and braced my hands flat against the soft sheet that covered the mattress. “Okay, I’m getting there.” It took a minute or so before I could get myself upright. Damn, I was as weak as a newborn fawn. My legs even wobbled as I stood up. Taking a deep breath, I concentrated on my goal; Owen’s very wet and very naked body behind the closed door of my bathroom. I smiled, anticipation curling in my belly. My pulse was racing, whether from effort or excitement, I didn’t know. All I knew was I needed to touch him, to be with him and tell him how much he meant to me.

I pushed open the door to the bathroom. The glass door to the shower was steamed up, but it didn’t completely hide Owen’s powerful body. He had his back to me. I bit my bottom lip, my breath hitching. His powerfully muscled shoulders and back tapered down to a perfectly hard ass and strong legs. Need warmed my core and I prowled forward. Owen’s movements froze and he cocked his head, inhaling deeply. I smiled as he turned his head, looking at the shower door, his stillness giving away that he was waiting—for me.

With trembling fingers, I opened the door. Steam billowed out laced with lust and Owen’s deep scent, the one I loved so much.

He turned, sliding his gaze slowly over my body, hunger burning in the silver grey depths of his eyes. He completely stilled, those gorgeous eyes hooded and his nostrils flared.

I stepped into the shower stall, leaving barely an inch between us. Heat from his skin bathed me, the hard silk of his erection sliding against my belly. “I need to get clean,” I murmured, my voice husky as I slid my hands over his wet shoulders, the spray from the water cascading onto his back soaking my hands and arms. His mouth slid into a sexy grin. His canines dropped, long and vicious. I swallowed hard, they were the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. I trailed my fingertips over his back, along his shoulders and up the strong column of his throat. Goosebumps appeared on his skin, his eyes boring into me as I traced his beautiful lips with those same fingers. I raised my gaze and locked eyes with him. Leaning up at the same time as I urged him down, I traced my tongue over his lips and circled the tip of one sharp canine. His groan filled my mouth, his large hands grabbing my hips.

He pulled back slightly, a crease on the bridge of his nose. “Are you fully healed?” His growled, yet concerned question made me smile.

“I am,” I said, lifting up on my tiptoes to lean in for a kiss. This time he leaned back. I growled in frustration when I couldn’t reach him. He smirked, his eyes gleaming.

“Owen, kiss me,” I demanded, sliding my hands into his soft brown hair. Wet, it felt like running my fingers through silk.

“I will.”

I squealed as he spun me around, dislodging my exploration of his hair. “First, I’m going to check every inch of this skin to make sure it's healed well enough.”

“Well enough for what?” I raised my hands to reach back, sliding them into his hair. That movement raised my breasts. My nipples peaked and hard, brushed against the tiled shower wall. With my arms stretched up behind his head, he had access to my whole body. He rocked his pelvis into the softness of my buttocks and slid his hands up the curve of my waist and around my ribs. Cupping my breasts, he explored their softness before clamping a nipple between each finger and thumb.

“For me to claim you like I want to.”

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