Page 13 of Beast

I had just stepped under the warm spray when the bathroom door creaked open.A moment later, King joined me, his arms wrapping around me as he pulled me close.

“You okay?”he murmured, his lips brushing the top of my head.My forehead found its usual resting place against his chest, and I sighed.

“Headache,” I admitted, the word muffled against his skin.

He tilted my head back gently, his piercing blue eyes scanning mine.“You need sleep,” he said firmly.

I yawned again, unable to hide the exhaustion weighing me down.“I really do.”

“We need to be at the airport in forty-five minutes.You’ll sleep on the plane,” he promised.

Leaning back against his chest, I let my eyes drift closed.“Wake me when it’s time to leave.”

King grabbed the soap and began running it over my back and shoulders, his strong hands massaging knots of tension as he worked.When his hands slid across my chest, I let out a low groan.“You’re making me reconsider sleep.”

He chuckled but didn’t take the bait.“Relax.Let me wash you up.Then you’ll get a few minutes of rest before we go.Once we’re on the plane, you’ll sleep.”

“That’s not what I meant,” I murmured, tilting my head back to meet his gaze, hoping he could see the spark of desire still flickering behind the exhaustion.

His slight smile melted me.“I know what you meant,” he said softly.He guided my head back down to his chest, his hands resuming their slow, deliberate motions.I didn’t fight it.For now, I let him take care of me.

A few minutes later, King carried me to bed.I barely stirred until he shook me awake a little while later.My head spun from the lack of sleep, but I got up, letting him lead me to the bike.

“Hold on tight and don’t fall off,” he yelled over the roar of the engine.

“Wait!”Maylin’s voice rang out.I opened my eyes as she ran toward us, a bag clutched in her hands.She thrust it toward me.“This is my way of thanking you for taking care of Che.”

“You know I don’t need thanks,” I replied, but the scowl that usually painted her face softened into a rare smile before she turned and hurried back inside the citadel.

Sinking against King’s warm back, I cradled the clunky gift on my lap and let myself drift during the twenty-minute ride.The hum of the bike, the steady rhythm of the engine, and King’s solid presence lulled me into a hazy state.

The sound of plane engines roaring to life jolted me from my half-comatose state.I blinked, clearing the cobwebs from my mind, and glanced down at the bag Maylin had handed me.It was still there.A pang of guilt hit me for not telling her about Che’s little escapade.She’d tan his hide, which was probably exactly what he needed.But punishment wasn’t coming from me.That kid had me wrapped around his finger tighter than I cared to admit.

Once King and I dismounted the bike, I took in the scene.The airstrip buzzed with activity.Warriors shouted orders as supplies were loaded onto the planes.Amid the chaos, my eyes caught a familiar figure: Axel.I did a double take, not expecting to see him here.

He strode toward me as King headed off to join his men.“You look tired,” Axel said with concern.

He, on the other hand, looked surprisingly rested.Whatever time away he’d had, even while working, seemed to have done him good.“You look out of place,” I teased.

We both smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling in good humor.“Maylin made it clear she can handle medical emergencies while I’m gone.I’m taking her up on that offer.”

Surprisingly, relief flooded through me.I had grown very attached to our doctor.He had become one of the few people I could rely on completely.He didn’t trigger King’s ever-present mating rage for some reason, and he treated me like any other Shadow Warrior.His direct eye contact, his acknowledgment of my presence in a room, and even the occasional hug (though it did leave King grumbling) had solidified his place as my best friend.King’s Beast tolerated Axel, while most of the other men set him off.That alone made Axel invaluable.

Axel’s sharp eyes scanned me, stopping at my hand.The stitches looked ready to pop, and the bruising made it appear worse than it actually was.“You’re a one-person walking disaster.Of course, you need me.”

“Harsh,” I replied, feigning offense.Under his watchful gaze, I pulled out the stitches and flexed my fingers.Shadow Warriors healed incredibly fast.It was only one of many perks.

“You need a full-time babysitter,” he muttered.

King’s arm slid around my shoulders, pulling me into his warmth.I leaned against him, grateful for the support.“She’s about to collapse.I’m putting her on the plane where she’ll sleep through the flight,” he declared.

Axel didn’t even blink.“Who made you doctor?”He turned his focus on me.“Get on board and sleep.Doctor’s orders.”

King growled low in his throat, but I couldn’t help laughing.Axel might be the only person alive who didn’t take King seriously.I reached up, rubbing the hand resting on my shoulder and traced along his arm.It was an awkward position, but I needed the contact.“I always follow doctor’s orders.”

That earned me growls from both men.Fighting a yawn, I turned toward the plane, King close behind me.

“I’ll see you after we land,” Axel called after us.

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