Page 19 of Eclipsed Heart

More oddly, we were raised similarly, even though I’d been treated as a lowly, weak wolf and he as a future king. Neither of us had been able to leave our pack and attend school like our peers, and we’d missed out on a lot of things other shifters were able to do, like work.

“If you ever get your memories back…” He took my hand. “Will you tell me anything that you remember about our parents?”

My heart ached. Neither of us remembered them, only the stories that others had shared. “I will. I promise.”

He hugged me, crushing me against his chest with the warmth of his affection swirling between us. He linked,I couldn’t ask for a better sister.

My eyes burned. “I couldn't ask for a better brother.”

He blew out a breath and stepped back. “I really want to spend time with you and get to know you even more, but you and Bodey need each other after the fight.” He glanced at the wooden floor and shrugged. “Maybe in between all the chaos, we can find some time to hang out together?”

“Most definitely.” I placed a hand on his chest and said, “Besides, you're living here with us. We can start with breakfast in the morning before we head over to Zeke's.”

His head jerked up. “You want me to come along?”

“Well, yeah. I don’t only need Bodey to help me figure out how to read Zeke, but you too because, clearly, I haven't been doing it well. Otherwise, I would’ve pieced everything together.”

“You were brought there as a young child. You didn’t know any different.” He patted his chest. “I’m honored that you want me there, but I don’t want you to feel undercut because everyone thought that I was the future king until today.”

“And I don’t want you to be upset with me for that same reason.” I rubbed my hands together. “I know that’s hard for alphas.”

He laughed. “You don't remember me telling you that I didn't want to be king? Honestly, I’m relieved.”

The fact that there was no sign of a lie had relief floating through me, my knees growing weak. “So you don't want to be an alpha?”

“Oh, yeah.” He nodded. “I do, but not the ultimate alpha. I'm good with being second place.” He winked.

I exhaled. No matter what, Bodey, Samuel, and I would be okay.

The shower turned on, and my wolf whimpered. She wanted to see Bodey and inspect him for injuries…and other delicious, hard things.

“See you at breakfast.” Samuel rolled his eyes, but the corners of his mouth tilted upward. “Good night.”

He was giving me the pass to leave. “Night. See you.” I scurried away and jogged up the stairs. When I reached our room, I shut and locked our door then stripped. Getting wet and clean with Bodey sounded like a better ending to a shitty day.

When I stepped into the bathroom, my gaze went to the gray-tiled shower on the right. Bodey stood there, soaked and completely naked, though the fog prevented me from seeing his delicious body in detail.

He linked,I was hoping you’d get here in time. I got a towel for you.

I strolled over the cool gray tile past the sink in the Jack and Jill bathroom with its dark-gray granite countertop. The walls were a light gray, which made the room appear large and homey.

I grabbed the bronze handle and yanked open the shower door.

His front side was under the stream of water.How are you doing? I know locking up Stevie wasn’t an easy decision.

I flinched. Even with him naked, that question changed my mood.I’ll be fine. I just wish there was something else we could’ve done, but Samuel is right. She can’t be trusted.

He turned toward me, and my desire returned twofold.

Are things okay with Samuel?

Great, but I don’t want to think about him right now.Need clenched in my stomach.

Oh really?he teased and winked.What do you want to think about instead?

I stepped to him and took in every inch of his face then let my gaze work its way down.

When I got to the wounds on his chest, I froze, thinking I must be seeing things.

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