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dropped cinnamon scented dollops of body wash onto a loofah. After the way he’d sniffed her earlier, she didn’t think he’d mind the scent. She washed and scrubbed her body in the longest shower she’d ever had. When she reached the cut on her leg, she was happy to see the blood had stopped flowing and it didn’t look as bad as it had originally felt.
    Once she was showered, dried, and dressed, she left the bedroom and headed for the kitchen area. The cabin seemed much larger now that she really looked at it, spacious and very well decorated. Only necessary amenities filled the space.
    She reached the open kitchen and found Cade at a stove. “You cook?”
    He glanced over his shoulder at her, nodded, and smiled.
    “My mother was of the mind that all men must be able to do for themselves around the house. It makes them better mate material.” He spooned vegetables from a wok onto plates with two large steaks on them already.
    “Amen to that. Your mom certainly knew what she was talking about.” She grinned.
    One side of the table had been set. He pointed for her to sit and brought their plates to the table. She admired the view for a moment before taking a bite of steak.
    “ Mmm, ” she groaned and glanced up. He’d been watching for her reaction and smiled when she moaned. “This is really good. And I love stir fry.”
    A dark red color covered his cheeks.
    “Thanks,” he mumbled and started eating.
    An amicable silence ensued while both ate, but she wanted to know more about what happened in the woods. “So…Cyrus, he’s your brother, huh?” That was lame, but she wasn’t going to pussyfoot around when she was dying of curiosity.
    He stopped eating, put his fork down, and frowned. “Yes. We’ve been estranged for years, but he’s recently decided he wants to lead the pack.”
    Lili snorted.
    “As if he could.” She saw him widen his eyes and stare at her. “I don’t mean he’s stupid, because he’s not. But clearly your people are loyal to you.” She sipped her tea and continued. “It’s true,” she said at his questioning look. “I tried bribing both Kevin and Korbin into letting me go. With money I don’t have…” She scrunched her nose and sighed. “Well I do have it, but it’s a long story. Anyway I tried to get them to sell you out just to let me go, and neither of them would have any of it. I think Korbin laughed when I suggested it.”
     
     
    Cade watched Lili eat with pride. His mate didn’t hold back when it came to eating, which was great because his kind ate a lot. And he didn’t want someone who would only pick at her plate and be uncomfortable around him when he ate large portions.
    She cut up strips of steak into small cubes and chewed on them slowly while thinking. Then she’d sip her drink and voice her opinion. Some strange emotion filled his chest. It was the domesticity of the scene. Here he was with his mate, the only woman to connect both with his human and wolf sides, and it felt absolutely perfect.
    “So yeah, I don’t think your brother would have much luck getting your people to follow his lead. Besides…” She shuddered and put her fork down. “He’s scary.”
    Something about the way she said it made his hackles rise.
    “Did he do something to you?” A deep growl rose from within; his wolf didn’t like the fear he scented coming from her.
    She shook her head, bit her lip, and frowned. “No.”
    Both he and his animal wanted to let her know that she would be safe with them. Moving a hand across the table, he held her much smaller one in his grasp. “Don’t worry, Lili. As long as I’m around, nobody will hurt you. They’ll have to go through me first, and that includes Cyrus.”
    Their gazes locked. An electrical current of arousal swelled between them. She licked her lips, looked down at his mouth, and then back up at his eyes. “I know that. For some reason, I’m not afraid of you. I…I trust you.”
    Her words filled him with