Cadoc licks at my wounds and I shiver. I lean into him, accepting comfort.
A lone howl that sends chills pierces the air. It’s a call to retreat. Leaning against him heavily I close my eyes and take in his scent to stave off my breakdown.
The others join Cadoc, lapping at my wounds. They lend me strength. Cadoc steps away and Kirk nudges my flank as the exhaustion hits. Tears blurring my vision, I tremble as I think of what almost happened.
Brushing their bodies against mine, they mark me with their scents. The she-wolf latches on to the comfort as I take a backseat.
Together, they herd me back to the house, keeping me in the circle of their strength. I shift back on the porch and enter the home with the code, making a beeline for the spa room.
Stripping down, I crank the heat in the shower up and step under the scalding spray. Flooding a loofah with body wash I scrub at my skin, desperate to rid myself of the stain my attacker left behind.
The tentative hold I have on control breaks and my legs give way. Soul bleeding, I slide to the bottom of the shower. Violated and angry, I’m a mess of emotions. Tears pour down my face. Shoulders shaking, I sob until I choke.
I came so close to being claimed against my will and violated. I never want to feel that helpless again.
“Ylva.” I recognize Fell’s voice.
I wrap my arms around my legs and rest my head on my knees.
“The water is too hot, Yl.”
“No. I have to get it off.”
“What off?” Fell steps into my line of vision, turning off the shower.
“His filthy touch.”
“He’s dead, sweet girl. He’ll never touch you again.” Fell rests his hands on my knees. “You’re not dirty.”
I hiccup. “That’s how I feel.”
“Oh, sweet girl.” He sighs. “Can I hold you?”
I peer into the green eyes of the man who’d been my best friend longer than he’d been my enemy and nod. He pulls me onto his lap and I bury my face in his neck. He rocks us back and forth.
“It’s going to not be okay.” Running his hands down my back, he infuses warmth into my body. I feel cold, despite the blistering heat of the water. Inside the circle of his arms, I break.
Bo’s voice comes from nearby. “What did you do to her?”
Sniffling, I lean back. “Nothing.”
Bo crouches beside us. “What happened?” His eyes burn with a dark fire.
“I—”
“She had to fight off that massive bastard Cadoc killed.”
I cast Fell a grateful look. I’m not ready to discuss this with anyone else yet.
“We should’ve drawn out his death.” Bo growls.
“Let me see your back, sweetheart.” Kirk appears, medic kit in tow.
Bo brushes my hair to the side, running his fingers through my damp curls.
“This is going to be cold. I’m just going to disinfect the wound and bandage it.”
“Okay.” I’m too tired to resist or tend to myself. For once, I want to be taken care of.
Fell is warm and familiar despite my anger and misgivings. Bo’s behaving himself for the moment and Kirk with the tender heart he’s tried to bury soothes me.
“This will never happen again,” Cadoc snarls. “Tomorrow, we start back up with training.”
He kneels beside me. “I can’t promise we’ll always be there, but I can give you every advantage possible to save yourself until we arrive because I promise you this. We will always come for you.”
I believe him. I nod.
“I’m sorry this happened, Brat. They’re growing bold.”
“Who was it?” I croak, sounding like I smoked three packs of cigarettes.
Cadoc runs a hand over his face. “I don’t recognize them, but they had to enter our town some way. The warding should’ve repelled anyone willing to do our people harm. What was the workaround? I’m done ignoring the attack we’re under. I’m resigning from my pack positions.”
“What?” I turn meeting Cadoc’s fiery gaze.
“You’re my priority. I’m done playing nice and going through the motions to feign loyalty. There’s nothing that happens in this town Alpha doesn’t know about.” His words have weight.
“You think he set this up?” Bo asks.
