I followed her, the sound of our footsteps carrying through the house. My eyes roamed over the various weapons displayed on the walls like trophies. Books on hunting and tracking lined the shelves.
The bathroom was small. I washed my hands and splashed water on my face as Joanna opened acabinet, pulling out gauze, antiseptic, and a pair of scissors. She turned to me, her eyes meeting mine in the harsh fluorescent light.
“I’m cutting off your shirt,” she warned.
I hesitated for a moment, then ripped the tattered remains off me, wincing as the fabric peeled away from the open wounds. Joanna’s eyes widened as she took in the extent of the damage. Deep gashes crisscrossed my chest and abdomen.
She filled a bucket with warm water, wetting a cloth and wringing it out. She began to clean my wounds with her gentle touch, yet I still winced.
“Sorry,” she murmured, her eyes darting up to meet mine.
“You’re good at this,” I remarked, hoping a conversation would distract me from the pain.
Joanna smiled, her eyes still focused on the lacerations. “Years of patching up hunters, I guess. We learn to take care of each other.” She chuckled. “And I’m only cleaning you up. I’m not wasting stitches on you, werewolf.”
I watched as she worked, her brow furrowed in concentration, her lips pressed together in a thin line.She was so close to me, her body warmth radiating against my skin, her scent permeating my brain.
She finished cleaning the wounds, patting them dry with a fresh towel. Then she applied an antiseptic, and the shooting pain made me draw in a sharp breath.
“Almost done,Alpha,” she mocked, yet she blew softly on the wounds to ease the sting. The feel of her cool breath on my skin sent a jolt down my cock, and I had to resist the urge to pull her closer.
She applied gauze to the wounds, taping it in place. As she smoothed the last piece down, her fingers brushed against my skin.
“There,” she whispered, as if she were talking to herself. “That should help until they heal.”
I looked down at the neat dressing, then back up at Joanna. Her touch still lingered on my skin. “Thank you.”
She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. “You’re probably the first monster I’ve treated,” she replied softly. “Hell must be ready to freeze over.” She spun on her heels, pulling her braids to the side and exposing her nape. “Now, help me,” she said, grabbing the crystal pendant that hung from the gold chain.
The first thing I noticed was the old scars that ran down her back. I fought the urge to lick each one and instead prayed to the Moon that the bastard who’d hurt her was long dead.
My large hands felt clumsy as I fumbled with the small, intricate clasp. My fingers, more adept at tearing through flesh than handling jewelry, struggled to find their way. I growled in frustration, and my heart raced at the sound of Joanna’s giggle.
After what felt like an eternity, the clasp gave way, the necklace slithering off. As it left Joanna’s neck, her aura burst free, a shimmering wave of energy that filled the room. It was like a dam breaking, a flood of power and emotion that stole my breath.
I stared at her, her back still to me, her head bowed. Her shoulders fell with a slow, steady exhale, her body at peace now that the weight of the necklace was gone.
She turned to face me, and when her gaze caught mine, I knew she saw it… Saw the way I wanted her.
But before she could walk away, I reached out. My hand found her cheek, my thumb brushing againsther mahogany skin. A soft sigh escaped her lips, the rapid beating of her heart echoing my own.
“Joanna,” I whispered. I needed to get her out of my system.
Her eyes fluttered closed. I leaned in, my lips brushing against hers, a gentle touch that sent a pulse of electricity through me.
“Fuck you, Blackwood.”
I blinked hard, stunned by the absence of her lips. She stormed out of the bathroom, leaving my crotch throbbing with need.
“Excuse me?” I growled, advancing toward her, the wolf in me enraged. “What the fuck just happened?”
She whipped around, pointing at me, her voice laced with venom. “You get your dick wet once already, and you have the audacity to think it’ll happen a second time? With me? Ha.”
I stalked closer. The scent of this woman was driving me crazy. “What the fuck are you talking about?” I demanded.
Her eyes narrowed, and she jabbed a finger into my chest. “I saw you leave the club with that girl.The pretty brunette with the fake tits? Yeah, I saw it. And it’s fine. But you’re disgusting.”
I grabbed her wrist to ensure she didn’t run off again. Her pulse raced beneath my fingers. “Nothing happened.”
