AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Braden was as handsome as any movie star. He had strong, angled cheekbones and a straight nose. His jaw was firm, his overall look rugged, tough. Braden was both.
He had wavy black hair to his shoulders. As a pack alpha, he’d once had long hair well down his back, though she’d never seen it. In his grief, he’d cut it short when his wife died, though it had since grown out a bit.
He was a good man
. A strong leader.
And he was built.
She drew close and pulled the sheet back to look at his wounds. Her brows rose. They were much better. In fact, at least half of them were gone. This was new.
Relief rushed through her. Braden really was out of danger. He’d made his return trip to the land of the living and was self-healing. Tears touched her eyes.
Four days to bring him back.
She took hold of his hand as she had a hundred times over the past days and nights.
She’d shared her bed with him. It had been the only way to keep him calmed down. Her touch had soothed him and for reasons she couldn’t explain, it had become the most critical drive in her life to keep him alive.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and shifted his head on the pillow. He blinked once very slowly. Though his voice was hoarse, he managed, “So how did I end up in your bed?”
But he smiled.
Chapter Two
Braden stared at Maeve. She seemed different or maybe his vision had changed. She was seated on the side of his bed.
Though he still felt death clinging to his heels, the grip had lessened. His self-healing had finally kicked in.
Maeve had never looked more beautiful. Her red hair was pulled back on the sides and not as unruly as usual. She had what was called an oval face. His wife, Laura, had explained it to him once. It meant Maeve could wear her hair any way she wanted and she’d always be pretty.
Stupid the things he could remember about his wife. He huffed a sigh.
Maeve had extraordinary light blue eyes. Unforgettable.
She was tall, too. Probably six-foot.
He’d gotten to know her over the past several months. She was a grounded female with a straight-speaking style that appealed to his wolf. In fact, she was as level-headed as any of his wolves.
His wolves. Right. He was due to head back to Savage soon to support his alpha-bond. Jeremy was doing a great job as his lead beta. He was also growing in power and strength. He’d be an alpha soon which would mean a dominance fight, something all wolves loved.
Why was he thinking about Jeremy?
His brain still sloshed. Sometimes he thought he heard Laura’s voice. He glanced around the room. Was she here now? Was she with him? Wait, had she come to him recently as a ghost? He couldn’t quite remember.
Maeve looked around as well. “We’re alone.”
A thought struck and he glanced at the pillow next to him. Why was it indented and the covers pushed back as though someone had gotten out of bed? His nostrils flared and elongated slightly. He could smell Maeve had been in the same bed. But why? He knew her. He’d even had a few solid fantasies about her, or maybe a few dozen. But he’d never once tried to initiate sex.
He slid his head to the right so he could look at her again. He was weaker than hell. “Have we been sleeping together?”
A smile touched her lips. “Not exactly, but we’ve shared my bed.” She rushed on. “It was the only way, Braden. I’m sorry. I know it’s not what you would have wanted.”
“Why the hell was it ‘the only way’?” She sounded way to dramatic for his warrior head.
“You weren’t in a simple coma. You were delirious, shouting at all hours, ripping your IV out. Your stitches.”
He put a hand on his chest. “I know there were wounds here, but stitches? Why on earth would I ever need stitches?”
