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on his shoulder before resuming their bath.
    She was in dire need of washing up. Although the water had been close by, neither male had had any interest in expending energy on anything that didn’t involve mating. The first couple nights, they hadn’t even been able to summon the energy to hunt and had eaten some of the food they’d brought for Taylor.
    The food had run out quickly and he had memories of hunting, but they were vague, as if he’d dreamed them.
    Once they were out of the water, Alder dried her off with a soft pelt and then wrapped her in a bearskin. Alder cradled her in his arms for a moment, gazing down at her with a profound affection.
    Hale sat up, feeling unsettled as Alder carried her over to the pallet and settled her in Hale’s arms.
    “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Keep her warm.”
    It was only then that Hale realized how cold it was in the cave. How many nights had they been gone? He couldn’t even begin to fathom.
    Taylor didn’t protest his hold, and in fact, seemed content to rest her head against his chest. The fire had nearly burned out, but it gave off enough light for him to make out the peaceful expression on her face.
    Without opening her eyes, she asked, “Is there any food left?”
    “I think Alder is going to get some meat,” he said, glancing up towards the doorway. His brother was already gone.
    Her nose crinkled. “Gross.”
    “You liked it well enough the past few days,” he told her.
    Although his memories of hunting were hazy, his mind had always seemed to clear once he was back in the cave with her. It was as if he left a part of himself behind each time he left her, and he was only whole when they were together again.
    Taylor’s eyes flew open. “I ate meat?”
    Once her food had run out, neither he nor Alder had been interested in foraging for more. Fortunately, it had not taken much convincing to get Taylor to share their kills. Hale distinctly remembered hand-feeding her venison. She had licked his fingers clean and it had aroused him beyond measure.
    “It was mostly cooked meat,” he said in an attempt to calm her.
    Her jaw dropped. “I ate raw meat?”
    Hale grinned and gently flicked her forehead. “You better get used to eating meat. You can’t be eating plants while you’re carrying my pup.”
    She sat up, her expression immediately sobering. “You mean, Alder’s pup?”
    He didn’t answer.
    Taylor freed one of her hands from the pelt and rested it on Hale’s thigh. “You don’t have to feel responsible for me. You’ve been honest about where you stood from the beginning, and I’ve accepted it.”
    She was giving him an out, he realized. The mating thrall was over. His instincts would no longer be urging him to claim her. Aside from the pup she would carry, which could just as easily be Alder’s, there was nothing tying Hale to her.
    “Is that what you want?” he asked. “You want to be done with me?”
    Taylor shifted uncomfortably in his lap. “It’s for the best.”
    He gripped her chin too tightly and forced her to meet his gaze. “That’s not an answer. Do you want to be with me, or don’t you?”
    As they faced off, Hale found himself wishing he could channel Alder’s composure. As he struggled not to betray his feelings, the muscles of his face refused to stop twitching.
    Moisture pooled in her eyes, but she didn’t blink. “Let go of me. Please.”
    Hale didn’t release her until he heard his brother’s footsteps in the passageway. Alder entered the room, smiling and completely oblivious to the tension.
    “There’s nothing around for miles,” he announced. “The animals must have caught wind of us. We should be heading back to the den anyway.”
    Alder bent down to scoop Taylor up in his arms. He went to kiss her but stopped short, concern flashing over his face.
    “You’re pale,” he said, placing the back of his hand on her forehead. “If you’re hungry, we can wait. Between Hale and I, we’re bound to find