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They vanished into the woods, giving us space.

I turned back to Silas, raising an eyebrow, trying to smother the emotion bubbling up in my chest. “Romantic bath?”

He just grinned, eyes flickering over me. “Get in, Wildcat.”

I rolled my eyes, but didn’t argue. Slowly, carefully, I began peeling away the layers of dirt-caked clothing. Each motion tugged at cut, bruised skin and sore muscles. The scratches along my shoulder and down my back, the deep claw mark along my thigh—they all flared to life as I moved. My ribs protested sharply, the dull ache a reminder of the wall I’d been slammed into during the fight.

I wasn’t unscathed. I was battered.

And I had still kept up. I let myself feel a moment of pride.

Silas watched me undress, but it wasn’t lust I saw in his gaze—at least, not only lust.

It was reverence, along with something else. Concern, maybe? I wasn’t sure.

“Lia,” he said softly, stepping closer. “You don’t have to pretend you’re okay. You went through hell in that cave. You were hurt, worse than any of us, and you still—” He shook his head, his face tight with emotion. “You were so strong.”

The words hit me hard. I blinked, looking away for a second as the hot spring’s steam misted up around my bare skin.

“I was scared,” I admitted. “I didn’t know if I could keep up.”

“But you did.”

His voice was quiet now, full of something fierce and unflinching.

“You freed us and helped kill that fucking monster. You didn’t just keep up, Lia, you saved our lives. I’ve never been prouder of anyone in my life.”

I looked at him intently, my heart crowding my chest. Silas moved forward, carefully, his own body still stiff and healing, and gently helped me into the steaming water.

The warmth enveloped me the moment I slipped into the water. Sinking deep to ease my aching body, I felt the grime, the exhaustion, the weight of everything we had been through washing away. Steam rose in gentle tendrils, dampening my hair, my skin, and everything around the pool.

Sighing with contentment, I closed my eyes, letting the warmth seep into me.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Silas murmured.

I hummed in agreement, rolling my shoulders, feeling some of the soreness leave me. Behind me, I heard the faint rustle of fabric and the sound of a zipper, then the splash of movement behind me.

A moment later, Silas had his hands on me.

I startled slightly as he ran a bar of soap across my shoulders, the texture of it slick against my skin. His hand followed, smoothing over my arms, my back, the heat of his touch somehow warmer than the water itself.

My pulse skipped at his nearness. “You carry soap with you?” I asked.

His hands slipped lower, over the curve of my waist. “I like to be prepared.”

I exhaled shakily. “That’s very responsible of you, Alpha.”

His lips brushed just below my ear. “I take care of what’s mine.”

A shiver ran through me, despite the warmth.

Silas continued his thorough, gentle movements, working the soap over my tender ribs, my stomach, running it down over my thighs beneath the water, his touch owning me tenderly. The calluses on his palms scraped lightly against my skin, sending little sparks of sensation everywhere.

I sighed, leaning back against his chest without thinking.

Silas made a low, satisfied sound, one hand sliding up to my neck, tilting my head to the side as he nuzzled against me. “That’s better,” he murmured.

I smiled. “You like taking care of me, don’t you?”