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“Thanks, Dad,” I said with a smile, shuffling to the motel room I shared with Dom. “I love you,” I called over my shoulder, my gaze catching his and Monster’s before it ping ponged off Liam. “You too,” I added as an afterthought, but his expression was so astonished by my casual words, I couldn’t let it go. “You’re family now, Liam. Get used to hearing it.” Dad slung his arm around Liam’s shoulder and guided the dazed teenager to the car.
I met Dom at the door, he was still in wolf form as I opened the door and I muttered, “Do not think you’re kissing me with that mouth. Not until you’ve gargled with a gallon of Listerine.”
He let out a low bark, following me as I headed straight for the bathroom. I peeled my clothes off, dumping them on the floor to wash later, as I set the shower to scalding.
“Listerine, huh?” Dom repeated, standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. I glanced at him in the mirror and flinched at the macabre sight. Blood coated his face and neck, and his hair based on its matted appearance.
“The blood doesn’t disappear with the magic of the shift,” I stated, faced with the obvious.
“Unfortunately, no,” Dom answered, going to the sink and splashing water on his face. “But I need to heal your wounds so one gallon of Listerine coming up.” He poured a ridiculous amount in his mouth and started to gargle as I stared at him in disbelief. He swished it around, his cheeks ballooning and a laugh caught me off guard at the sight. I leaned against the shower door as steam billowed around me and laughed as he made a fish face and chipmunk cheeks for my amusement.
When he finally spit the liquid out, my sides ached from my laughter. He stalked toward me, opening his mouth for my inspection, exhaling a minty breath in my face.
“Good enough?”
“Yes,” I said fighting a grin as I informed him, “But you still need to wash the rest of the blood off.”
“You wash my back and I’ll wash yours,” he offered with a cocky grin.
“Who can refuse an offer like that?” I responded, shrieking as he scooped me up and set me in the shower. Hot water poured over us and he shook his head, slinging water. I grabbed a bottle of shampoo and filled my hands, reaching for his head. He ducked so I could scrub his scalp, letting out a moan as I scratched behind his ear.
Pink tinged water flowed down the drain as I scrubbed the blood out of his hair and off his face. He returned the favor, his movements careful as he lingered over bruises and cuts until my skin was flushed pink. He cut off the water and carefully wrapped me in a towel, patting me dry before knotting a towel around his hips.
“Now, let’s get those tended to,” he murmured and I nodded mutely, my body relaxed by the heat and his careful ministrations. He led me to the bed, his mouth brushing my cheek and I felt his tongue stroke over a cut I didn’t even know I had. He worked his way slowly over my body, careful to inspect every inch as he licked and soothed my injuries.
When he finished, he eased down next to me, a prominent bulge nestled against my butt and I wiggled, my hand reaching for him and he stopped me.
“No, sleep,” he urged, guiding my hand back to my chest as he wrapped himself around me. “I want to hold you while you sleep.” His need to take care of me pulsed over our bond and I knew this more than anything would reassure him I was safe. I nodded sleepily, the adrenaline I’d felt long gone as exhaustion sank though me.
When I woke up, I was alone. A glance at the clock told me I’d only slept a couple of hours. The bond told me Dom was outside with Caleb and I hurried to pull clothes on to meet them.
“He’s safe at home,” I heard Caleb say as I stepped outside the room. “Anna managed to calm him enough so we could walk him through shifting back.”
“You initiated him?” Dom asked, as I padded toward them.
Caleb shook his head, “Not yet. He was practically falling over in exhaustion,” he made a soft sound of amusement, “That first shift is a doozy, if you can remember that far back, old man.”
“Careful who you call an old man,” Dom rejoined accompanied by the soft sound of a brotherly punch. “You should respect your elders, pup.”
“Oh, that’s how it is?” Their teasing brought a smile to my face as notes of the old Caleb came through. “Trent escorted them back home,” Caleb told Dom, sounding more serious. “With my blessing,” he added when the silence lingered. “You know when I told you Trent was welcome to join the Navarre Pack…I meant it for all of you, for your Pack.”
