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He brushed my hair over my shoulder and kissed my forehead. “Hey, we know it’s not your fault.”
“I’m not mad, Saige.” Niall moved to my other side. “It was an accident.”
I shook my head. It wasn’t an accident. My wolf attacked him. On some level, I was responsible.
“Please, don’t be upset.” He rubbed my shoulder, and I pulled away, not deserving his comfort.
“I need the cuffs,” I whispered, knowing at least Sai and Kaden would hear me.
“Are you sure?” Kaden asked.
“Sure about what?” Theo demanded from behind me.
“She wants the cuffs,” Sai explained. “I would rather you learn to control your wolf naturally, but until then, we can get you some, if that would make you feel better.”
I nodded against Kaden’s chest. I didn’t want to hurt any of them ever again. I couldn’t stop myself, so I needed to take extra measures.
“Okay, I’ll let Nancy know at work today.” Niall squeezed my shoulder. “You’ve got tutoring.”
I didn't want to face Serene and tell her what happened, but at least I wouldn’t face Jeff today. His smug reminder that a bunch of preteens had better control than I did would make my guilt and shame a thousand times worse.
Sure, they grew up here. They had parents and family and friends to help them their entire lives. I’d known about shifters for a few months and had felt my wolf for even less. I had to cut myself some slack, but I couldn’t.
Not when I hurt one of my mates.
Chapter 14
Kaden carried me out and into the bathroom before setting me on the counter like a child. I didn’t have it in me to protest, so I waited in silence while he bent down to start the water in the small tub shower. I missed my bathtub at the Academy. If only one of us had space magic, we could spell this cottage to double in size.
“Wait,” I thought out loud, and he turned to me. “You’re a Space witch. Can you make this place bigger?”
He frowned. “No, that’s not my specialty. That’s why Professor Rosen had to spell our apartment.”
Oh, well, we would survive with what we had.
“Come on.”
He held out his hand, and I stared at it, unmoving. He wrapped me in his arms again, and carried me over, lowering me until my feet hit the slick porcelain. His support disappeared, and I almost complained before remembering that I had attacked Niall and didn’t deserve to be held and comforted right now.
But then he reappeared, sans clothes.
“I’m not leaving you, Saige,” he reassured, as if he heard my thoughts. I nodded and stepped into his embrace.
Silent tears slipped down my cheeks and onto his chest, but the steady flow of water washed them away before he could notice.
I was in this strange daze that kept me from caring about where I was or what I was doing, mostly numb. I didn’t want to think or feel or even move.
Kaden understood, somehow. He grabbed the shampoo, worked it into my hair and then rinsed. It wasn’t until he finished adding conditioner and reached for a loofa that I snapped out of it.
“You don’t have to do that.”
I was embarrassed going so long without protesting. I spend the night with Niall, and despite his spells, I was sure the guys knew what we’d been doing. The thought of Kaden washing that away felt wrong, like I was asking far too much of him.
“I want to.” The look he gave me was so sincere I didn’t push it.
The water washed over us, and I stepped forward, pressing my cheek against his chest. His hands wrapped around me, rubbing up and down my back.
He kissed the top of my head, and I tilted my head back, meeting his worried eyes.
