Page 9 of All's Fair in Lion and War
The pain in his eyes made sense now. He’d lost someone.
“Yes,” she answered. “I need you to help me get back.”
“For now you rest. Naomi will know what to do to help you.” The ache in his voice pained her far more than it should’ve. She shouldn’t care how he felt. He was not a soulmate. She had a soulmate and she needed to get back to him.
Thissoul callwas a mistake.
“Who’s Naomi?” Lorelei asked.
“MyVraka’smate.”
Vraka.Chief.He had a pride? Here? In this strange cold land. Hope surged within her chest. Maybe he really would help her get back to La’Tar.
“Where are they?” She looked around the cabin. It didn’t appear that anyone lived here, much less a whole pride of lions.
“Home,” he answered. “You need to stand so I can dress you again.”
He repacked the first aid kit and snapped it shut. Then backed away so she’d have room to stand without her feeling crowded.
“I need help with the pants,” she said, scooting to the edge of the couch. She needed this male whether she wanted him or not. She needed his help. He had a tribe of his own in the area and she hoped they weren’t loyal to Rivian. Perhaps they would help her.
Saul stood, then offered his hand to help her stand.
She shook her head and used her good arm to push off the couch and her bad arm held the blanket against her hips. Her ass was bare though and goosebumps spread over her skin. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about what he could do to her if he wanted to.
Because he could.
She couldn’t fight back, not really. Even if she let her beast out. He was enormous. His lion would dwarf hers.
He stepped closer and squatted at her feet. He gathered up the material of her ripped pants and pulled them gently up her legs and over the bandage. His fingers touched her hips and then her ass.
She trembled beneath his gentle touch.
Tears welled in her eyes again. One got loose and trailed down her cheek. She wanted to believe that he was a good man. That he was noble. That even though he saw thesoul call, he’d continue to let her reject it.
He’d killed one of Rivian’s warriors. She’d seen the body fall before she fled the camp into the darkness of the night. That warrior had been particularly rough with her. The claw mark on her leg was from him. Seeing him lifeless in the snow had offered a semblance of comfort.
Not a lot. But still, she’d take what she could get.
Saul had done that.
He’d killed for her.
“I need your help.”
“I will give it.” His voice was a fortress of calm, steadying her racing panicked and confused mind.
3
Saul
His fingers trailed over her skin one eternal moment at a time. Then she wasn’t naked anymore. The outer layer of pants was next.
He could do this.
He could ignore the way her skin glowed. The way she smelled like the sweet rolls Naomi had made over holidays. He could ignore everything. Ignore the call.
Shadows and light from the wood stove next to the couch danced upon her skin, illuminating her beautiful face. The shine of her hair. Even though she was thin and dirty and neglected, she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.
