Page 38 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

How the fuck did I convince this incredible creature to be with me?

She turns to me, her towel in hand.

"Your turn," she says, and there's something in her voice that sounds almost amused. Like my nervousness is endearing instead of pathetic.

The towel touches my chest first. Soft fabric against scarred skin, soaking up the water in gentle pats. She hums like drying off a massive feral alpha with a monster face is just... normal.

When she reaches my shoulders, she has to stand on her tiptoes. Even then, she can barely reach.

I manage a soft huff.

"Are you laughing at me?" she asks, grinning again.

I am.

Can't help it.

The image of what this must look like, her trying so hard to reach my head while I'm hunched over like some kind of gargoyle, is... actually kind of funny.

"Wraith," Thane says. "You have to bend down for her, brother. She's gonna pull her back out trying to reach."

I huff again, but I lower myself until I'm at a more manageable height for her.

"Thanks. Much better," Ivy says, returning to her task. The towel moves over my arms, my back, then⁠—

She pauses.

Her hand rests on my face through the towel. Right where the muscle and bone are exposed. Where my cheek used to be.

Her pulse kicks up slightly.

I hear it.

My own cold fear slams back instantly.

"You okay?" she asks gently.

I manage a jerky nod.

Somehow, I don't pull away.

And her touch stays gentle, even though she's biting her lower lip and I can tell she's thinking about what she's touching.

I just can't tell if it's bothering her.

I don't think it is, even as she dabs at my ruined face and my hair. She's nervous, but maybe not bothered.

There's a difference.

"There," she says softly, turning to Thane. "You're up." She moves toward him, holding up the towel. "Come here."

"Ivy, I don’t need to be dried off like a dog⁠—"

"Thane."

The captain of our team—the alpha who commands respect from everyone, who takes himself way too fucking seriously, who makes alphas flinch and submit with just his tone—caves immediately.

"Okay," he sighs.