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Kim shot him.
While he was trying to protect me from himself.
Launching myself over Ethan’s prone form, I kick the gun away from Kim’s outstretched arm and snarl at her. Just that small bit of exertion has me tipping sideways on the bed, weakened and gasping as another shuddering pain wracks my body, but hopefully it was enough.
Now on his hands and knees, Ethan grabs the weapon and tucks it into the waistband of his jeans, gripping the edge of the bed and hauling himself upright. Blood drips from his wounds, down on his jeans and the floor, and I examine him, puzzled. That’s a lot of blood loss for a shifter, but he shakes his head, telling me not to worry. Instead, I stare at Kim, and hatred burns bright in my soul.
Who fucks with people like this?
“Maya! Maya!? Ethan! What the fuck is going on?”
Nathan shouts frantically, and I stumble toward him, stepping on Kim’s twisted arm as I pass, enjoying the tortured scream she lets out. I fling myself at him and take his face in my hands, stroking his cheek and kissing him over and over again.
“Are you okay? Maya, are you hurt? Oh goddess, you’re bleeding…”
“I’m fine. Ethan though… he's hurt.” I sit back and look around the room. “Where’s the key?”
Ethan staggers into the room, holding a key between his fingers.
“Here. She had it on her.”
He moves toward us and as he crouches close to me, about to uncuff Nathan, Nathan growls, his cuffed hands gripping my shorts and tugging me back against him.
“Okay, woah! I’m trying to help.” Ethan raises his hands in front of him in surrender as he gets to his feet and steps back, dropping the key into my open palm. He’s smiling, despite one hand clutching his side and the red coating his fingers. I make quick work of opening the cuffs, trying not to get upset at the sight of Nathan’s torn, raw skin. When Nathan wraps his arms around me and pulls me close, the relief is indescribable. He buries his head in my neck and clings to me.
“Baby, thank goddess, you’re okay.”
His hands roam my body, checking for injuries, but every stroke and every touch sends my pulse racing again.
“Nathan, stop!” I groan, shifting in his lap as my neediness takes hold again. He growls, this time in frustration instead of rage. His fingers grip my hip, and he drags my body closer to him, nipping my neck with his teeth. The rub of his thigh against my sensitive clit has pleasure shooting through me, and I bite my lip to stop my needy cry escaping.
“Ethan’s hurt,” I whisper as my haze parts enough for me to remember that we’re still not safe, that there are things we need to do. Someone we need to take care of. Then I can touch and please my mate all I want.
“I can’t stand hearing you say his name,” Nathan admits against my skin, shaking his head and setting me on my feet. He whips his t-shirt off in one smooth motion and tugs it over my head, pulling it down so it covers me to mid-thigh.
“Thank you,” I mumble, my mouth and nose buried in the fabric, inhaling his tempting scent as I stare at his sculpted abs and chest. My knees go weak, and I whimper, my heat coming back in full force. Nathan dips his head, his warm brown eyes calm me as he strokes my arms and nods.We can do this.With a reassuring hug and a soft kiss on the lips, he scoops me into his arms.
“I’m putting you in my bed, baby. My scent will help. Hang on just a little longer.”
When he tucks me in and tries to step away, I grab his belt loops and pull him back. Grabbing his hair in both fists, I kiss him hard. Needing to taste him, to feel him. He pulls away with a tortured look on his face and shakes his head. My heat is taking its toll on him, too.
“Maya, I have to-“
We’re both hanging on by a thread. If he suggested a quickie while Ethan guarded Kim next door, I’d go for it.
“I know. Go. But come back fast. I might have to start without you.”
I shove my hands between my thighs and rub them against my aching clit. Nathan blinks hard, then blinks again, watching my arms move under the thin sheet and swallows slowly, cursing and running out the door.
CHAPTER 33
NATHAN
I deserve a fucking medal for leaving my unclaimed mate during her heat. There should be a prize for my selfless deeds, a statue erected somewhere in Grey Ridge to commemorate my sacrifice.
I have no idea how I walk out that door while she has her soft hands cradled between her legs, making those breathy little moans. When I hear my name tumble from her lips, I almost turn back. While I appreciate there are some other important things that need my attention, my brain is barely functioning. Every bit of blood in my body has headed somewhere else, and all I can think about is how I need to get back to her as quickly as possible. The basic instinct to mark and claim her, to plant myself deep inside her for the rest of her heat, is all-consuming.
Apart from satisfying my own needs, Maya's in pain and it's killing me to leave her. I know, once we give in, we won't surface for days. I need to deal with all this other shit right now so I can get everyone out of here and focus on her.
