His husky voice made shivers race down my spine. It was hard to concentrate when he suddenly moved his hips. My mouth fell open but no sound escaped. His lips moved lower to my collarbone. Sharp teeth racked my skin before nipping. My body jerked against his. The sharp pain was soothed by his tongue. I sucked in a breath when he bit down a little harder. He didn't break the skin, but it was hard enough to hurt.

"D-Devon?" He growled. "Y-you're starting to scare me a little."

He froze and slowly raised his head to stare down at me. Black eyes locked with mine. Movement from the corner of my eye had my head snapping toward it. David was slowly stalking closer to the bed. His eyes darted from mine to Devon.

"Get off her before you do something stupid," he ordered softly.

"I want her," Devon growled.

"And you think I don't?" He stepped closer to the bed which made Devon growl at him. "She's not ready yet. We need to prepare her before we take that step. She needs to learn more about us and her own heritage."

The sound that came from Devon's mouth was scary. He pressed his face against my throat for a few seconds before pushing himself up and away from me. I sat up and stared at him until he disappeared. David moved closer and gripped the hem of the shirt to tug it down my legs. Heat flooded my cheeks when I realized that I wore no panties beneath it. He hesitated and then took a seat next to me.

"How are you really feeling, doll?" he asked softly.

I licked my lips as I scooted up to lean back against the headboard. "I'm okay I guess."

"Why did you go outside? We warned you how dangerous it is to wonder about in a snowstorm."

"It wasn't snowing when I left here."

"It doesn't matter, doll," he muttered, shaking his head. "You don't know this area very well. Devon and I grew up here. The weather is harsh this time of year. It might seem like the snowstorm has stopped, but it could start again almost as suddenly as it disappeared."

"I won't do it again," I whispered.

He leaned forward and cupped my cheek. "I know you won't."

"I'm sorry."

His hand dropped as he sat back. David seemed to hesitate before making up his mind. "Go take a shower and then get back into bed. I'll make you something to eat and then we'll talk."

My eyes lowered to my lap. "A-are you g-going to p-punish me?"

"No," he said softly. "We should, though. You don't seem to understand the amount of danger lurking around in the woods, doll. Go, we'll talk later."

I nodded and waited until he stood before siding off the bed. Devon handed me some clothes before I could enter the bathroom. He smiled. My lips twitched but I didn't smile back. It was all a lot to take in. As I stripped, the reality started to set in. Tears filled my eyes. I opened the shower taps and waited for the water to warm. Stepping inside, I closed the door and moved to stand under the water. As my eyes lowered to the floor, the healing wound caught my attention.

How can it heal so fast?

I sat down to get a closer look. The wound was a little tender when I touched it. I had his blood inside me. My eyes fluttered close when I pressed a palm against my chest. He was a part of me now. But not for long, the little voice inside me whispered. It felt like something was missing, but I had no clue what. A part of me was . . . empty.

An image of the large wolf with red eyes flashed through my mind. The fear that came was instant. I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. My head dropped to rest on my arms as more tears started to fall. I managed to stop the sob before it could escape.

It's just shock, Val. You're okay and safe. They saved you. Everything is okay!

"Doll?" David knocked on the door. "Are you okay? You've been in there for a while."

I swallowed, but no sound escaped. The strength to get up and finish my shower had deserted me. All I wanted to do was crawl into a dark corner and cry. It was what I usually did growing up. I had to act strong in front of Aunt Geraldine and sometimes things got bottled up. Sometimes it just got too much, so I'd cry at night when I was alone.

"I'm coming in," he warned a few seconds before the door slowly opened.

I watched him through the frosted glass of the shower. He hesitated and then turned to grab a towel. The door slowly opened to reveal him. My eyes darted up to his. Concerned eyes trailed over my body before locking with mine.

"Did you fall?" I shook my head. "Are you okay?"

My lips started to quiver. I tried to blink the tears away but they spilled over. David leaned forward and closed the taps before crouching. He held the towel open for me. My hesitation lasted only a second. I moved towards him and he wrapped the towel around my shoulders before he picked me up. Straightening, he turned and took the few steps to the basin where he placed me on top and reached for another towel. David wrapped the towel around my hair and he started to dry my body.

"It's all been a lot for you, huh?" he asked softly.

"I'm s-sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about, doll."

"I'm not a baby."

He smiled and reached up to cup my cheeks with both hands. His thumbs brushed the tears away. He was looking at me in a way that made me want to burst into tears again. "I don't think you're a baby. Sometimes things just get too much and we break. You need to promise me something, Valeria."

He used my name so that meant that he was being serious now. I nodded for him to continue. David licked his lips. He took a step closer until his bare skin brushed against my knees.

"Never hide your feelings from us. If you feel like crying, then you cry. If you feel like screaming, then you scream at us. Promise?"

"Promise." My voice cracked

I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms around his neck when he hugged me tightly. The innocence of the hug lasted only for a few minutes before disappearing. I became aware of the fact that I was completely naked and he was half-naked. My breasts were smashed against his chest, and my legs wrapped around his hips. I turned my head slightly to sniff at him. I realized that he had also showered. He smelt fresh.

So good.

"Food's ready." I turned my head to find Devon leaning in the door with his eyes focused on us. He gave me a small smile as he straightened. "Get dressed, little dove. You need to eat."

David stepped away from me. I raised my arm when he held the shirt up. He kept his eyes focused on my face as he dressed me. I was thankful for that. I've never been naked in front of anyone else. They seemed to be at ease with their nakedness. Maybe it had something to do with them being shifters. Curiosity filled me but I felt too shy to ask them anything.

I gasped when David picked me up again. He placed me on his hip and walked out of the bathroom. My stomach grumbled when the smell of grilled cheese sandwiches filled my nostrils. He growled. My eyes snapped up to his.

"We should've fed you the moment you woke up," he muttered.

David walked around the bed and lowered me onto it. He moved the pillows behind my back so I could lean back against them and then placed the tray on my lap. I stared down at the plate with two toasted sandwiches. There was also an apple and a smaller plate with purple grapes. A tall glass stood next to it with water and ice cubes inside it.

"Eat up, doll. I'll be right back." He did the most unexpected thing—he leaned down and pressed his lips against my forehead.

I sighed when he disappeared. Picking up one piece of the sandwich, I took a bite. A moan fell from my lips when flavours exploded in my mouth. The man sure knows how to make a great sandwich. What else can he cook?

I ate the whole sandwich and a few grapes. Taking a sip of the water, I placed the glass and apple on the bedside table.

The men entered the room as I moved the tray from my lap. David took it and placed it aside before taking a seat near my feet. Devon chose to sit in the chair he had dragged closer to the bed. The silence stretched between us. I took another sip of water as I crossed my legs and leaned back against the pillows.

"I'm ready."