“How much have your brothers told you about us?”
She had to admit that Kranor’s name didn’t come up all that much, but the last time she’d heard either man mentioned was in reference to helping Malik and Cavon. “Not much.”
“You probably can surmise that the fact we helped save four lions implies we don’t condone all of the senseless killing by our clan.”
“Neither do I, but sometimes it can’t be helped.”
“I know, but the wolves are intent on taking over Anterra. They laughed about mauling children when they are in cub form.”
She covered her mouth. Wolves had mauled two young boys only last month. “They laughed?” Her lip curled.
“Yes. They were making fun of how stupid lions were at the bar and how much all lions deserved to die. Kranor reacted. What started out as a fight of one against one ended up as one against four.”
Her throat tightened in sympathy. “I’m surprised he wasn’t killed.”
“I stepped in, but that brought on more wolves. Kranor is a better fighter than they are. He had the chance to kill one, but he was merciful.”
The horror of war sickened her. “Why can’t we live in peace? There’s food enough for everyone.”
“It’s not about food. It’s about power. That’s why we’ve chosen to move on the edge of the territory. We’re growing our own food the best we can, but we need others to join us.”
She couldn’t imagine trying to survive on her own. “The lions depend so much on each other.”
“We do, too.”
“Is that why you didn’t want to go to the hospital? You thought they might try to harm Kranor?”
Jude nodded. “He’s known around town as the one who is against the wolf philosophy. I tried to talk him out of going to town, but he said he wasn’t ashamed of what he believed.”
“I hope he learned his lesson.”
A small smile lifted his lips. “I doubt it. Kranor is stubborn.”
She knew a lot of lions who fit that bill, too. “Don’t you work with the wolves?” Taryn had mentioned something about selling mineral rights.
“Yes. I don’t think many of the wolves like us, but they tolerate us because they need our services.”
“You said you would get a doctor to come here tomorrow? Do you think he’d be willing to treat Kranor?”
“I know one doctor, Tamor Kran, who does not believe in the killings either.”
“Ah, so he’s the type to make house calls to the less than desirables.”
This time, he did smile. “I see you’re catching on to our politics.”
He should have called the man sooner, but the deed had already been done. She yawned. “I need to get back in to Kranor. I’m afraid when the ice melted it soaked the sheets.”
“I’ll help change them.”
She quirked a brow. “Do you read minds?”
“Yours? Absolutely.” He winked, negating his comment. Nonetheless, she felt more at ease with him than most other men.
* * * *
Henla didn’t remember when she decided to crawl into bed with Kranor, but she did fall asleep. The sun streaming in the window woke her. She immediately rolled over to check on him.
Damn
. Not only was the bed drenched again, but his skin was clammy and hot.
“Knock, knock.”
She jerked up and blinked. A tall, broad-shouldered man, carrying a case like the ones she’d seen on American television, came into the room. She scooted off the bed but kept her gaze on him. His full lips and strong jaw gave an appearance of strength. Okay, the broad shoulders helped with the image.
From the way her body was reacting, he was also a wolf shifter. No doubt he knew she was part lion, but he said nothing, as if it didn’t matter if she were a giraffe.
“I’m Henla.” She held out her hand.
He shook it. “Tamor. So how’s the patient this morning?”
She liked that he was all business. “No change. I tried to bring down the fever with ice, but it had little effect.”
He straightened. “If you’d give me a few minutes alone with him, I’d like to examine him.”
Since she’d placed a towel over his groin, the doctor probably thought that was for privacy and not to bring down his temperature. “Sure.” She glanced again at Kranor. “I had covered him with ice, but it melted.”
The man’s lips partly lifted. “I see.”
She dragged a hand through her hair. She probably smelled. Hell, she did smell. She was covered in Kranor’s dried blood. As soon as the doctor left, she was going to take a shower. Her stomach grumbled, and she went in search of food. Jude said to help herself.
When she got to the kitchen, he was pulling eggs and some meat out of the cooler. “I take it you’re hungry?”
“Yes.”
“Sit down and let me fix something for you. You don’t look so hot.”
That was not what she wanted to hear, but he’d said it with enough cheer in his voice that she forgave him. The moment the eggs hit the pan, the scent made her stomach go crazy again. He popped in some toast and cut up more fruit. After he flipped the eggs, he tossed the meat in another pan. By now, her mouth was watering.
“Do you cook for the both of you?”
What are you…
Who said that?
Her brain seemed to tighten.
She rubbed her temple, fearing she was going crazy. It was as if someone had shoved words in her head.
Jude rushed over. “What’s wrong?”
She couldn’t tell him. “Nothing.”
He leveled her with a stare. She didn’t want to move her lips, but it was as if he’d willed them to move and tell the truth. “I thought I heard something in my head.”
“What did I say?”
She jerked at the implication. “I can’t read minds.”
He smiled and pushed back his chair, probably because smoke heavily scented the air. He removed the eggs and the meat. He slapped the meal on a plate and placed it in front of her. “Eat up.”
Something was going on, but now wasn’t the time to question him.
The snap of the doctor’s bag caught her attention. A second later the doctor entered the kitchen.
“I’ve done all I can. I cleaned his wounds and gave him an antibiotic.” He placed a vial of pills on the table. “Give him one every six hours.”
He looked up at Jude. From the way their eyes were moving, they were communicating. That really pissed her off.
“If you have something to say, say it in front of me.”
Neither could erase the sparkle in their eyes. From that reaction, at least the good doctor wasn’t telling Jude that his friend only had hours to live.
“Call me.” The doctor walked out.
“What the hell was that about?”
Jude poured her some juice and brought it over. “He commented on how pretty you were.”
The man exuded sincerity. “Oh. Next time you see him, say thank you for me.” She gobbled down her meal. “This is divine.”
“I’m glad.”
She cleaned her plate in no time and placed the dishes in the sink. “I’m going to check on Kranor. Then, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take a shower.”
“Do you need help?”
Her mind raced to all sort of places, none of which was good. “Do I?”
She couldn’t figure how the light switch worked in the bedroom, so maybe the shower would be as troublesome. It would be terrible if she got naked and then couldn’t figure out how to turn on the water. Calling him in for help might suggest she was interested in having hot monkey sex with him.
Whoa.
Where had that idea come from? She squinted her eyes. “Are you putting more ideas in my head?”
He burst out laughing, and the sound swirled around in her mind, coating it with such joy that her whole body thrummed.
“No, sugar. Come on. I’ll show you the intricacies of our shower system.”
She’d been able to figure out their wolf tub, but she was more of a shower girl. Though this tub had its perks. It was large enough for a slew of people.
Stop it
. She glared at him. “You’re doing it again.” She swore he was using his telepathic abilities to mess with her mind.
He grinned and held up his hand. “I swear I am innocent of all accusations.”
They stepped into the bathroom. He opened the large glass door and turned a knob. Water shot out. “That’s all there is to it.”
She palmed his chest and, keeping her arms straight, she stepped forward, pushing him out the door. If she’d had her clothes with her, she would have locked him out. His laughter floated down the hallway.
Once she was sure he was gone, she ducked across the hall for a clean set of clothes. Kranor’s face looked more peaceful, as if his fever had broken and he was finally at rest. She stepped over to the bed and placed a hand on his forehead. It was much cooler to the touch. She let a long breath. He was going to make it.
Since the doctor had removed the wet cloths, Kranor was now totally naked. She didn’t want to stare at his cock, but she couldn’t help it. With one finger, she poked his dick. Kranor’s hand snaked out so fast her heart stopped.
“You here to have sex with me?”
She yanked back her hand. “How are you feeling?”
Kranor glanced down at his cock that had somehow grown. “Better.”
She was glad. “I need to take a shower.”
His eyes were half-closed as if he was fighting to stay awake. “I’ll be here, honey, waiting for you when you get done.”
She rolled her eyes and picked up her backpack. “Be good.”
He grabbed his cock and waved it at her. She really tried not to smile, but she couldn’t help it. The fact he was this feisty told her he’d survive. What was up with these men? It was like they hadn’t seen a woman in months.
She’d seen plenty of men, but she hadn’t slept with any in, well, she didn’t want to go there.
The bathroom was filled with light. If she ever had a home of her own, she’d like a room just like this. She could envision herself spending hours soaking in the tub.
Move
.
In the next few days, Kranor would regain enough strength to go back to his usual routine, whatever that was, and then she’d ask them to escort her home. A small cramp gathered in her belly. Being with Kranor again brought back so many good memories. When they weren’t in school, Kranor would sneak on over, and the four of them would play in the river, swimming and having such fun. Occasionally her sister, Sella, would join them, but she acted like she was ten years older instead of just one.
Henla shook herself out of her daydream and undressed, glad to be out of those bloodstained clothes. She turned on the water and was about to wait until it heated, but noticed it got hot instantly. Now wasn’t that nice. She stepped under the soothing flow and dunked her hair under the showerhead.
Nothing felt better than getting clean. She looked for the soap or shampoo and didn’t see any. Taryn’s soap was hidden behind one of the tiles, so she starting pressing the tiles, but nothing moved.
I need shampoo!
She glanced through the glass to the counter to see if perhaps the supplies were there. The door opened and to her shock, and if she were honest, to her delight, Jude walked in, shielding his eyes. Between the steam swirling around her and him covering his eyes, she didn’t bother to turn around.
“You could use some shampoo and soap, right?”
That was downright spooky. “Yes. How did you know?”
He shrugged. “Most people who shower use those products. I’d just ditched the old ones and hadn’t put out the new ones.”
His hand dropped away from his face as he dug under the cabinet and pulled out two new bottles of liquid. She knew it would be too good to have conditioner. She’d have to make do.
When he stepped toward her, his gaze latched on to her bare breasts then traveled down to her shaved pussy. The heat that drenched her had nothing to do with the steam. She turned around.
He laughed. “I think it’s a little too late for that.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the bottles on the floor near her feet. “Thank you.”
She stepped under the water, hoping it would prevent him from seeing all of her.
You want him to.
Nonsense
.
She hadn’t heard the door close, but Jude often moved silently. Needing to see if she was alone, she looked over her shoulder.
He grinned. “Still here.”
Before she could ask him politely to leave, he toed off his shoes then whipped his T-shirt over his head.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought it was obvious. While Kranor is sleeping, I thought we’d save on water. You don’t mind, do you?”
Say no.
She shook her head at the image of these foreign thoughts entering her brain. “What’s going on? Are you trying to talk to me?”
“Sugar, I thought this was talking.” By now, he had his fingers on his zipper, ready to get really naked.
Say something.
Don’t stop him. You want him.