Page 64 of Howl You Doin'

"Are you sure? You're injured..."

"I'll survive." His blue eyes sparkled. "Besides, I sleep better when you're there."

Fiona helped him out of his jacket, careful of his injuries when they arrived back at his house.

"You don't have to baby me," he grumbled.

"Shut up and let me take care of you for once." She hung up his jacket. "You're not invincible, you know."

"No?" He pulled her closer, his hands settling on her waist. "Could've fooled me."

"Stubborn wolf."

His lips brushed against her temple.

When he kissed her, it was gentle, almost hesitant - so different from their desperate kisses the night before. Fiona melted into it, her hands resting carefully on his chest.

"I should warn you," he murmured against her lips, "I might be a bit slower than usual."

"We have all the time in the world now." She smiled. "No more rival packs trying to kill us."

"Don't jinx it." He kissed her again, deeper this time.

Fiona's heart raced as Caleb led her into the bedroom, his hand warm in hers. Despite the bandages that peeked out from beneath his shirt, his grip was steady, his steps sure. She glanced at the tangled sheets and pillows on the bed from the night before, when they'd celebrated life with an urgency that bordered on desperation.

Tonight, however, the air was charged with a different kind of electricity—gentle, tender, and tinged with the sweetness of relief.

Caleb turned to face her, his blue eyes sparkling. "I thought I'd have to fight a fiery witch to get you back here," he teased.

Fiona rolled her eyes, fighting back a grin. "You know I can't resist an injured alpha in need of... nursing."

"Is that what we're calling it now?" His fingers found the hem of her shirt, his knuckles brushing against her side, eliciting a quiet gasp.

She batted his hand away playfully. "Careful. We wouldn't want to reopen those wounds."

He caught her wrist, pulling her closer. "I'm tougher than I look."

Their movements were a slow dance of hands and lips as they undressed each other. Fiona's fingertips traced the contours of Caleb's chest, her touch hesitant.

Caleb's hands skimmed over her shoulders, down her arms, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. He paused to unclasp her bra, his fingers fumbling slightly, a sheepish grin playing on his lips when he finally succeeded.

"Are all wolves this clumsy, or is it just you?" Fiona quipped, her laughter soft and warm.

"It's a new technique I'm trying out," he retorted, tossing the bra aside. "Distract and conquer."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and captured his lips with a fierce kiss.

He groaned into the kiss, pulling her flush against him. Fiona reveled in the sensation coursing through her veins like wildfire.

They broke apart, breathless, and Fiona took a moment to step back and look at him. She reached out to trace the line of his jaw, her touch gentle.

"What?" Caleb asked.

"Just... taking a moment," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "To appreciate the fact that you're here. With me."

He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I'm not going anywhere, Fiona."

She nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "I know. And I'm not going anywhere either."

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