Page 69 of Bound By Alphas 1: Bound

“I’ll draw him a bath,” Cade said, already heading for the stairs.

“I can walk,” Finn protested weakly, his voice still raspy.

“Not a chance, little fox,” Cade replied, not breaking stride.

Logan followed, his wolf still too close to the surface. The image of Finn struggling underwater, fox features fully emerged, played on repeat in his mind. If they’d been a few seconds later…

He’s safe now,Keir’s voice came through their pack bond.We got to him in time.

Barely,Logan replied, his internal voice a growl.I should have ripped their throats out on the spot.

And traumatize Finn further?Cade’s calm reason flowed through the bond.Drew’s friends were there. We handle this properly, not like animals.

Those Blackwood bitches planned it,Logan insisted.I saw their faces when he fell.

We all did,Keir agreed, physically staying close to Cade and Finn as they ascended the stairs.But Cade’s right. We deal with them later. Finn comes first.

They reached Finn’s room, and Cade carried him straight to the en suite bathroom, a spacious area with a large soaking tub. Carefully setting Finn down on the padded bench, Cade turned to start the water.

Logan leaned against the doorframe, unable to take his eyes off Finn. Their mate looked so small, wrapped in those towels, his fox ears still visible and twitching slightly. His tail, still damp, curled protectively around his leg.

He’s lost weight,Keir observed through their bond, kneeling in front of Finn to check his eyes for signs of shock.

He’s been avoiding meals,Cade confirmed, testing the water temperature.

We thought giving him space was the right call,Logan growled mentally.That clearly didn’t work.

“I’m fine, really,” Finn insisted, though his voice still sounded rough. “You guys don’t need to hover.”

“You nearly drowned,” Keir said gently, brushing wet hair from Finn’s forehead. “Humor us.”

The bath filled quickly, steam rising and fogging the mirrors. Cade added some herbal mixture Elena had prepared for colds and stress, the scent of eucalyptus and lavender filling the air.

“I can take it from here,” Finn said, a hint of his usual stubbornness returning. “Seriously, all three of you don’t need to watch me take a bath.”

Logan almost smiled. If Finn was being difficult, he was recovering.

“You can barely stand,” Cade pointed out. “And your tail is still out.”

Finn’s ears flattened further in embarrassment. “I’m aware, thanks. But I’m not an invalid.”

“Let us help you,” Keir said softly. “Please.”

Something in his tone must have reached Finn, because after a moment of hesitation, he sighed and nodded.

I’ll stay with him,Cade decided through their bond.You two check with Elena and make sure Drew doesn’t bring those girls back here.

Logan wanted to protest—leaving Finn felt wrong—but he knew Cade was right. Too many alphas in a small space would only make Finn more agitated.

“I’ll get you some dry clothes,” Logan said aloud, stepping back.

Finn looked surprised at their acquiescence. “Oh. Okay.”

As Logan and Keir left the bathroom, Cade was already helping Finn remove his soaked shirt, revealing the slender torso that had indeed lost weight in the past month. The sight made Logan’s wolf howl with the need to provide, protect, claim.

Later,he reminded himself.He needs care now, not claiming.

In the hallway, Keir ran a hand through his still-damp hair. “That was too close.”

---