It wasn't a thank you for the sex.
Neither was it a thank you for the food. It was a thank you for everything, for the pack, for the pups, for the life she had breathed into his frozen world.
Roxy turned her head, surprised by the raw gratitude in his tone.
But before she could speak, Kaelen simply rested his forehead against her wet shoulder, holding her as if she were the only anchor in his storm.
After some time, he lifted Roxy from the cooling water, wrapping her instantly in a thick towel. He dried her gently, patting her skin rather than rubbing it, treating her like fine porcelain that had already been chipped too many times.
Roxy didn't know why, but she liked it.
He carried her to the master bedroom. Zarek had kept the fire roaring, so the room was toasty warm. Kaelen moved to lay her down on the nest of pillows in the center of the massive bed.
"Sleep," Kaelen whispered, pulling the duvet back. "You have already done enough for the tribe today."
