Chapter 116

3rd Person “I should,” Ethan grumbled. “I should make you go back.” He stared down at Jane, with her wide eyes and vulnerable expression, then sighed. “But my wolf didn’t want to let you out of our sight in the first place, and now I realize he was right.” Ethan offered Jane a wolfish smirk, “You, my naughty little mate, are much better off where I can keep an eye on you.

Jane’s nose crinkled and a shiver ran down her spine at the sound of his heated tone. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”

Ethan chuckled, “And that’s exactly why I’m going to do just that.” He leaned down and brushed his l!ps over her brow, “now tell me what I can do to help you feel better.”

A little while earlier, Jane had only wanted physical affection. However the IV fluids were gradually returning her to her usual self, and she realized just how much damage two days lying on the floor of cramped staff quarters had done to her hygiene. She felt sweaty and dirty, there was a sour taste in her mouth and she was worried she was beginning to smell. The idea of getting into Ethan’s clean sheets in this state was unthinkable. “I want a bath.” She decided firmly, though her voice came out hoarse.

Ethan studied the curve of her elbow, covered in tubes and medical tape. I think that can be arranged, but we’ll have to keep your arm out of the water.

Jane nodded, “Okay.”

Five minutes later, Jane was floating in Ethan’s huge whirlpool bath while its powerful jets massaged her aching muscles. It felt incredible, but the tub’s basin was so deep she couldn’t actually rest against the porcelain frame- it was clearly made for a shifter the Alpha’s size, and not a diminutive omega.

Jane huffed in frustration, looking over at Ethan hopefully. He was sitting beside the bath, keeping an eye on the IV and taking the opportunity to ogle his beautiful mate under the guise of helping” her bathe.

When Ethan dragged his eyes away from her long legs and luscious bre*asts, instead zeroing in on her lovely face, he smirked. Something you want to ask me, Janey?”

Jane flushed scarlet, “It’s too deep.”

Ethan surveyed the huge bath, nodding in agreement but giving no indications he intended to help. “I think you’re right.”

Jane’s eyes narrowed to slits, Well?”

Well what?” He asked innocently, though his dark eyes glinted with mischief.

“Are you going to get in with me, or not?” Jane exclaimed, pouting.

That depends, do you need me to get in, or do you want me to?” He teased, still not moving.

“I need you to.” Jane told him stubbornly, far less willing to admit how badly she wanted him now that her senses had returned. I can’t swim and clean myself at the same time.”

Then how about I clean you from out here.” He suggested, his wolf rising to the surface as he imagined the great care he would take to ensure every inch of her body was squeaky clean. He knew it couldn’t go anywhere, she was too ill and needed her rest, but he could still enjoy pampering her while he had the chance. Despite her decision about the pups, Jane was still fighting her feelings for him, and he understood that some walls didn’t come down so easily – especially not with all their history.

It would take time, but until then Ethan planned on taking advantage of every opportunity he could to show her how good they could be together – whether it was her heat, or vulnerable moments like this one. He hadn’t forgotten about the pups, far from it, but right now they were speeding towards them as fast as they could and there was nothing more he could do to get them there quicker. On the other hand, Jane needed him now, and though he had every intention of giving her what she needed, he wasn’t going to make it too easy on her either.

“Ethan!” Jane objected sullenly, softening her tone when he simply stared back at her expectantly.

Please?”

of course baby.” He answered, rising to his feet, you know you only ever have to ask.” Jane shot him an unamused scowl, but Ethan could see her squirming with anticipation as he undressed.

For a moment he wondered if it was cruel of him to tease her when she felt poorly, but his wolf quickly shut that idea down. This is the way it had always been with Jane. She never submitted easily, even when her omega side was fully revealed. She needed to be chased, to be caught and dominated, her wolf had to be convinced that Ethan was strong enough to provide and care for her and their pups.

Besides, making her want him wasn’t the hard part, she already wanted him plenty, it was making her see that it was safe to give in to her desires, that she could be open with him again without fear of betrayal. He was not sure what revelations had led her to reconsider her decision about the pups, but he knew a single epiphany could hardly fix everything.

Jane’s pain ran deep, and it would take time and lots of work to rebuild the trust between them.

Jane’s eyes were glued to Ethan’s muscular body as he removed his clothing piece by piece, and the Alpha had to have some strong words with his wolf to keep himself from rising to the occasion speak.

Guiding Jane’s slender form towards the front of the bath, he sunk into the steaming waters behind her and pulled her between his legs. Jane leaned her back against his broad ch3st, sighing with satisfaction as she was finally able to relax.

Her bandaged arm remained perched on the rim of the tub, safely out of the water, but every other inch of her skin was flush against Ethan’s and she was still trying to snuggle closer. Purring softly, Ethan soaped up a soft sponge and began to drag it over her body, but Jane stiffened. “I don’t actually need you to wash me, Ethan.” She insisted, reaching for the loofah. I’m not a pup.”

Ethan lifted the sponge out of her reach, “You only have one hand,” He reminded her, nuzzling her neck. “Besides, it has nothing to do with being a pup. When is the last time you actually let someone take care of you, hmm?”

Jane started to think that she’d been letting Linda take care of her, but the truth is that she hadn’t actually given her friend any control. Linda did what Jane asked, but she hadn’t asked for more than the bare minimum she needed to fend for herself. If Jane was honest, she hadn’t trusted anyone enough to let herself be truly vulnerable since becoming Ethan’s prisoner. Sure, Ethan took control when she went into heat or when they crashed in the mountains, but she hadn’t really had a choice in either case. I don’t know.” She murmured softly, turning her face into his neck.

“Don’t you want that?” Ethan asked, returning the sudsing loofah to her skin, “don’t you want to be able to let go? To just relax and let someone else take the reins for a little while?” The sponge, both soft and rough at once, gently scrubbed her body clean as Ethan spoke, his firm and steady movements complimenting the bath’s jets and unwinding all of Jane’s tension.

“Yes,” Jane admitted in a whisper, “I do want that, but it’s impossible.”

“Why is that?” Ethan pressed, sliding the loofah over her bre*asts and making her arch in response.

Easy baby, you’re not up for that tonight.”

«Then don’t touch me there.” Jane complained.

“But you need to be clean there too.” Ethan replied slyly, earning a grumpy humph from his mate.

Smothering a laugh, he forged on. “Come on, tell me why it’s impossible.”

Because the pups are in trouble, I won’t ever be able to relax until they’re safe.” Jane confessed.

And once they’re home I have to worry about raising them and keeping anything like this from ever happening again. Parent’s don’t get to relax, Ethan.”

“Everyone has to let go every now and then, Janey.” Ethan answered.

“Not you.” Jane argued, “You’re always in control.”

That’s why I have you.” Ethan replied, “I’m hardly in control in the middle of a rut – in charge maybe, but not in control. An Alpha’s mate is their only release .

But I haven’t been here.” Jane reminded him.

“oh I’m well aware.” Ethan chuckled, but don’t you see, that’s why we need each other. Being together is how we both get what we need.” Jane’s head was beginning to loll as Ethan’s soothing touch and tender words lulled her towards sleep. “You can trust me to take care of you, Jane.” He vowed, his l!ps moving against her ear. “I’m going to prove it to you once this is all over. We can be happy together, you’ll see.”

Jane tilted her face up towards his, blinking her tired eyes open to stare into his own. “You promise?”

“I promise.” Ethan professed, trailing k!sses over her face, wondering how much of this conversation she would remember in the morning. She was already drifting off to sleep, floating on a high of drugs and Ethan. He finished washing her while she dozed, then transferred her to his bed.

Ethan considered crawling under the covers with her, but it was still midday, and he wanted to speak to Eric about their plan now that Jane and Linda were in the picture. He only planned on stepping out for a little while, knowing the drugs the medic gave Jane would keep her under for a long time, but it was a mistake to leave. Without him, the nightmares which had been plaguing Jane for days returned, stronger and more powerful than before.

Her sleeping mind was consumed by images of her pups lost and alone in a far off jungle, struggling to survive and unaware of the dangers surrounding them on all sides. Little did she know that these weren’t mere nightmares, but visions sent by the Goddess herself.