Page 115

I mean, I might have. I kind of did. But he doesn’t need to know that.

“Come on,” Cole says, moving to stand next to me, his arm slipping more securely around my waist. “You are theonlyone, except your dad and Arbroth, who hasn’t taken a break.”

I glare up at him. “What, likeyouslept?”

“No, but all I had to do was stand around and look tough all night,” Cole murmurs.

I shake my head at him. Webothknow he did more than that – I saw him, in glimpses, working forhoursto organize patients as they entered and exited our camp, off to hospitals or to rest and heal up in the tents that the Counselors set up if they didn’t need immediate care.

Or…wait, when did I see him doing that? I was inside nearly the whole time.

But whatever. IknowCole did everything outside while we handled the patients inside. And we couldn’t have done it without him.

“Come on,” Cole murmurs, “let’s get you down before you collapse.”

I sigh and slump against him, deciding not to pick a fight and instead letting him support my weight. My eyes fall half shut as I walk, but whatever. Cole won’t let me trip.

I focus again when he starts to turn me, frowning when I see that we are not atallclose to the nurse’s dormitory tent – that we’re at the little line of wolf guard tents. “Cole,” I sigh, looking up at him, “where –“

“In,” he says, pushing open the flap to the tent that he used to sleep in.

I frown at him, starting to get pissed. “But I want to –“

“In, Nadia,” he orders, frowning at me. “Come on, you’re covered in blood –“

I start and then look down at myself, realizing that he’s right. I mean, actually – I knew that. When did I forget?

Something about that makes me give in. I am clearly too tired to be making decisions right now. I cede Cole control, stepping into the tent.

He follows me in, guiding me to the clean little bed that has nice, fresh sheets. I sit on it and start to lie down, but Cole grabs my hand, pulling me back up. I moan, desperately wanting to rest, but he shakes his head at me.

“Five minutes, Nadi,” he murmurs, kneeling and grabbing a surgical basin on the floor that has a rag and some soapy water in it. “Come on, we’re getting you cleaned up.”

I don’t say anything, sitting still as he lifts the rag, starting to wipe first at my hands and arms, cleaning me up with water that’s surprisingly warm. I smirk at him, realizing that he planned this. Cole smirks back and doesn’t say anything as he takes very steady, gentle care of me in the next few minutes, moving to my face finally, ensuring that I’m nice and clean.

I sigh when he pushes the basin away, feeling better but desperately wanting sleep.

“Here, give me those scrubs,” Cole murmurs, reaching for them.

I frown, crossing my arms over my chest.

Cole laughs, shaking his head at me and reaching for the hem of my shirt. “I’m not using this as an opportunity to get you naked, Nadia. There’sbloodall over –“

“Oh fine,” I say, raising my arms. I’ve got a bra and a tanktop on underneath, anyway, so it’s not like it’s scandalous. But as he starts to lift the top, I squeak, pushing his hands away.

“What?” Cole asks, frowning at me.

“My little wolf,” I murmur, reaching into the breast pocket and taking it out, smiling at it. “My good luck charm. Nobody died on his watch.”

Cole smiles softly at me, nodding and then helping me take the shirt off, tossing it on top of an empty laundry bag. Mypants come off next, and I’m too exhausted to feel prude about it. It’s not like my boy-short underwear are shocking in any way, and if Cole is feeling somehow turned on by this, then that’s his problem.

I sigh, finally lying myself down on the bed and curling up, my wolf carving clutched in my palm.

Cole moves around behind me, setting things in order.

“Are you staying?” I murmur.

He hums in confirmation.